CSS Cologne Zoo

Over the past decade, the unsustainable illegal trade in large numbers of songbirds in Southeast Asia has come to light, alarming many conservationists. On Java alone, it is estimated that more than 80 million songbirds are kept in small cages in private homes. Indonesia has a long history of keeping songbirds for singing competitions, use in religious ceremonies or as status symbols. Demand is high for rarer species and those with more attractive plumage or songs. Research conducted on the songbird trade market in recent years has shown that the international songbird trade market is still poorly understood. Furthermore, markets in Indonesia appear to be highly dynamic and species demand and intensity can change relatively quickly over time. The trade in songbirds is highly complex and therefore requires coordinated efforts by various stakeholders. The IUCN SSC has established the Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group (ASTSG) to address the Asian songbird crisis. CSS Cologne Zoo will work closely with the ASTSG to support assessments of the status of Southeast Asian songbirds and to facilitate conservation planning and action for priority taxa.

Despite their economic and cultural importance to many human societies, pigs do not have the best reputation and are certainly not among the world's most popular animals. In fact, most people could probably name only one or two of the 21 species found around the world. Each has its own unique evolutionary history and role in its local ecosystem. Pigs are ecosystem engineers and keystone species when naturally abundant. Their behavior and ecology contribute significantly to the functioning of ecosystems, for example through seed dispersal, plant fertilization and mechanical soil turnover. 

At the same time, pigs are seen as pests, particularly in landscapes dominated by human agriculture. This often leads to conflicts between humans and wild boar. Another major threat to wild pigs is African swine fever (ASF). While wild African pigs appear to be immune to the virus, it causes almost 100% mortality in all other pig species in the rest of the world. The spread of the ASF virus is heavily influenced by humans in the form of small-scale pig farmers and the domestic pig industry. ASF and conflicts between wild pigs and humans are particularly threatening for the pig species, whose range is limited and which are endemic to islands in Southeast Asia.. Against this background, the focus of our work will be to update the Red List assessments of wild pigs, taking into account new emerging threats, and to facilitate conservation planning and action on ASF and human-pig conflict.

The CCS Cologne Zoo will also focus on networking local and international stakeholders, and in particular on building local capacity to contribute to the conservation cycle and empower young local people to become involved in saving endangered species. Bird trade and the impact of African swine fever both have their greatest geographical impact on wildlife in Indonesia. Therefore, building capacity and improving networking among Indonesian conservationists will be the key to effective conservation of wild pigs and Asian songbirds.