Mule Bird Rehabilitation

Known as the “Mule” to the Marshallese people, the Ratak Imperial Pigeon (Ducula oceanica ratakensis) represents one of the most endangered species on the planet. With a known habitat of less than 10 square miles in area and a population of no more than 85 birds (July 2009 MICS inventory- Project started early 2008 with number of birds at 16) it’s not only endangered but it’s the only land bird indigenous to the Marshall Islands.

The only known habitat is on the low atolls of the Eastern Marshall Islands, referred to as Ratak (Sunrise) Chain. There are only about 30 square miles of land in this chain and the only a portion of that land is appropriate for the Mule. Among its habitats, the Mule seems to prefer the mature, wild breadfruit (Mejwaan) forests- the seeded variety of Autocarpus that only occur on the larger sized islets randomly distributed through about a dozen atolls scattered over almost a quarter of a million square miles of ocean. This indicates that the preferred habitat is and was very small- restricted in size and geographically discontinuous making the species widely dispersed but often limited in occurrence. Changes wrought over the last century have done nothing but exacerbate the "Mule’s" already tenuous existence.

There is a clear relationship between "Mule" and the "Mejwaan" but it has been poorly documented and appeared to never have been studied to any degree. It can be noted that the bird and breadfruit tree have a bio-sympiosis relationship. Bird needs the tree as food source and habitat and the tree needs to bird as a seed distribution method.

Firearms were introduced in the latter part of 19th century and have been a major factor in the decline of the bird’s population. However, the physical changes in land through usage in the last hundred or so years have played an important role in the declining of its population. Other factors are:

• Japanese occupation and military development which included a lot of land clearing for bases affected significant areas on Wrote, Maloelap, and Mili atolls and thus, led to destruction of habitats for the bird and the breadfruit.
• Destruction brought forth by the intense fighting in the mentioned atolls during WWII.
• Development - necessary land clearing and build up of airports throughout the RMI in the 1980’s.

Where ever they were not shot, hunted and eaten, the "Mule" has been pushed to the brink of extinction as its food source and habitat continues to dwindle.

Today, as we witness the plight of the "Mule" MICS has taken the necessary steps in trying to rehabilitate the population. Without action and protection program, we might see our only land bird meet its demise in the next few years. In order to assure the continuation and survival of the bird recovery program should be supported. Together we can overturn the plight into flight of recovery!