The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a proposal to protect the salmon-crested cockatoo of Indonesia as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). If made final, the measure would extend ESA protection to this species. The measure was published in the November 3, 2009, Federal Register.
Addition of a foreign species to the federal list of threatened and endangered species places restrictions on the importation of either the animal or its parts. Listing also serves to heighten awareness of the importance of conserving the species among foreign governments, conservation organizations and the public.

The salmon-crested cockatoo (also known as the Seram, Moluccan, pink-crested, or rose-crested cockatoo) is the largest and the most striking of Indonesia’s white cockatoos. The cockatoo is believed to prefer habitat consisting of primary lowland forests and flat or gently sloping terrain.

The salmon-crested cockatoo and many other species inhabiting islands within Indonesia are found only in those locations, and has resulted in many of the islands being identified as Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs). This high degree of unique biodiversity concentrated in these areas makes them particularly important; thus EBAs represent priority areas for global conservation. Encroachment by plantation companies, parrot catching for trade, and illegal logging and the resulting forest degradation are primary threats to the cockatoo and other species.

In July of 2008, the Service published a notice in the Federal Register announcing its petition findings for foreign species and announced that the listing of 30 foreign species, including the salmon-crested cockatoo, was warranted based on the best available scientific information.

The Service is seeking additional information on the status of the salmon-crested cockatoo from all available sources, including peer reviewers, scientific researchers, conservation and non-government organizations, government agencies, range countries and individuals.

The Service will accept comments and information concerning the species from interested parties for 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register. Comments may be submitted at the Federal eRulemaking Portal, http://www.regulations.gov. (Follow the instructions on the Web page for submitting comments). To deliver written comments by U.S. mail or hand-delivery, address to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R9-IA-2009-0028; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203. All comments except anonymous comments will be posted on http://www.regulations.gov. Comments, along with personal identifying information such as an address, telephone number, email address or other personal identifying information will be posted along with your comments.

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