Megapodes: the missing link between people and conservation

Megapodes play an important role in life of many Indonesians. Once an Indonesian hears the word 'maleo' he or she immediately refers to the huge eggs of these birds. The name of maleo refers to many megapodes of which the maleo from Sulawesi is regarded to be the only 'real' maleo. Maleo or moleo is used for megapodes from the moluccas and Irian Jaya too. While the origin of its name still unknown, the maleo is famous for its nutritious eggs which have been collected for centuries. Maleo eggs have been collected by local kings, raja's, to generate income. One example is described by Goedhart in the late twenties where the raja from Banggai received 52 Dutch Guilders (70.000 rupiah) a year through the sales of 920 maleo eggs. These systems still exist but only in very remote areas where the influence of outsiders in limited. How the traditional systems have evolved is shown by three examples. Traditional egg collecting systems no longer play a role along the south coast of maleo. The traditional way of collecting eggs is unfortunately degrading. It is still said that the first eggs of the season (November) are offered to the King of Banggai after which the egg collecting season is opened. Eggs are nowadays collected by many people from outside Sulawesi and any form of traditional harvesting leaving sufficient eggs behind seems to be something from the past. The nesting ground of the Moluccan Megapode on Haruku is still in a good condition and eggs are being collected in a way it was done ten years ago. The number of eggs collectors, the egg price, the collecting season, everything is carried out according to traditional rules. A lesson can be learned from these examples. Traditional egg collecting methods can play an important role in the protection of these peculiar birds. It is however highly needed that the nesting grounds get the protection they need, even if they are situated outside officially protected areas. The influence of new cultures and new habits to the century old way of megapode protection should be limited. It is time to promote the traditional way of megapode protection amongst those who are not familiar with the traditional methods. Using the megapodes, their breeding strategy and the knowledge and commitment of the local people in 'megapode country' can bridge the differences between those who know and care about these birds and those who simply see those eggs as huge sources of protein. Megapodes are a perfect tool to make people understand their depedence of nature