The distribution and status of green peafowl Pavo muticus in Java Original Research Article

Green peafowl Pavo muticus were once widespread throughout East and South-east Asia. Because of habitat destruction and excessive hunting, this species has now disappeared from most of its former range. In Java a few national parks in the lowlands form its last refuges, but small groups of birds still survive in vast teak plantations and rugged limestone hills in the central and eastern parts of the island. This paper gives a summary of an extensive survey of extant peafowl populations throughout Java. Recommendations for conservation action have been made: (1) awareness programmes accompanying improved law enforcement and development of ecotourism; (2) additional surveys to assess the importance of small reserves in peafowl areas; and (3) re-introduction of confiscated birds into suitable reserves.