Lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)

Species information

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Threats

Continuing destruction of wetlands and the felling of trees suitable as nesting sites has resulted in the rapid decline of this species. Foraging areas are being lost to urban and industrial expansion and hunting and capture for the pet trade are contributing to the ongoing population reduction (3).

Conservation

Whilst the lesser adjutant is protected by law in all areas of India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, and occurs in many protected areas, enforcement of this protection is weak. Much research has been carried out on the distribution and population numbers of this species and the focus must now switch to the protection of this bird. Education programmes have been shown to help in safeguard of any nest sites, and a plantation programme of nest-tree species was launched in India in 1993 (3).