I am forwarding a post from Tom Schulenberg which gives slightly
encouraging news about Gurney's Pitta.
John Penhallurick
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>Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 16:20:37 -0500
>To: John Penhallurick <>
>From: Thomas Schulenberg <>
>Subject: Re: Gurney's Pitta
>
>
>John,
>
> I picked up the following from a web site that posts the contents of the
>UKBirdNet:
>
>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
>Subject: [UKBN] EBN: Gurney's Pitta status update (longish)
>Martin Helin
>Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 17:13:49 +0300
>
> Forwarded by Martin Helin.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Richard Eden
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> To everyone concerned about the fate of Gurney's Pitta.
>
> The Oriental Bird Club (OBC) Council is aware of disturbing information
> posted on the Internet indicating that the Gurney's Pitta (Pitta
> gurneyi) population was very low, suffering persecution, and that the
> conservation project was possibly terminating. The project is funded by
>the Danish Ministry of the Environment (DANCED Programme) and managed on
>behalf of
> DANCED by DOF, the Danish Ornithological Society/BirdLife Denmark. OBC
> has been gathering facts over the last few days to clarify the situation,
> and in conjunction with our contacts, considering the optimum plan of
>action.
>
> Probably the best summary of the situation is contained in the following
> [edited] response from the OBC Representative in Thailand, Uthai
> Treesucon. Uthai is a well-respected ornithologist with long standing
>knowledge and connections with the site. He has lead many tours to the
>site for
> visiting bird watching groups.
>
> Dated 20th April 1999.
> Dear Brian Sykes
> Thanks for your email about the Gurney's Pitta. I also heard something
> similar to the messages that you sent to me but it is just a rumour from
> some bad people in the Gurney's Pitta areas. The rumours began from the
> middle of last year. For some reasons, the farmers and some people do
> not want the (Gurney's Pitta) conservation project to work in Khao Pra Bang
> Khram (Khao Nor Chuchi) Wildlife Sanctuary so they try to push every way
> to get rid of the project.
>
> The Danish conservation group is still try to continue the conservation
> project to save the Gurney's Pitta and are willing to give funds to the
> Royal Forest Department (RFD). There is no progress about this topic but
> I think RFD will carry on the project to save this species and its
> habitats by getting the support from Denmark.
>
> There is no evidence that Gurney's Pitta had gone down to 5 pairs but
> the birds are very difficult to see now. Nobody knows how many individuals
> of Gurney's Pitta are in Khao Nor Chuchi Lowland Forest. There may be 20
> pairs or more, or fewer than 5 pairs. I don't believe that farmers are
paying
> guards to shoot Pittas (most people in the village are good men, only
> some are bad) so that the site no longer has any conservation value. I heard
> that the new chief of the sanctuary is a good man. He will not allow
> villagers to shoot Gurney's Pitta or burn the secondary forest inside the
> sanctuary boundary.
>
> Yours sincerely,
> Uthai Treesucon
> Vice-chairman, Bird Conservation Society of Thailand.
>
> This indicates that the situation is serious, but not as immediately
> critical as initial reports suggested. OBC has additionally confirmed
> that there is a meeting in late May of all the parties currently directly
> involved in the Khao Nor Chuchi project at which major decisions will be
> taken. We have been able to confirm that the Danish Conservation group
> (DOF) will attend the meeting.
>
> OBC Council is developing a strategy that will be adapted to meet the
> situation should it change. If at a later date we see a need for
> individual lobbying, cash for a fighting fund, etc., please rest assured
>that we
> will contact you along with all other people and organisations who have
> expressed grief, concern and proffered assistance.
>
> OBC Council is very much encouraged by the expressions of concern and
> offers of help that have already been received by the Club. Anyone who is
> prepared to help in any way, by lobbying, or making a donation for
>example, if
> needed, should email: Everyone can keep in
touch
> with developments by looking at a special page on the OBC website,
> http://www.orientalbirdclub.org/club/update.html
>
>
> Yours sincerely, on behalf of OBC,
> Brian Sykes, General Secretary
> Debbie Pain, Information Co-ordinator, Gurney's Pitta Project.
>
>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> And of course, "all I know is what I read on the Internet".
>
>
>Good birding,
>
>
>tss
>
>
>
>**************************************
>Thomas S. Schulenberg
>Environmental & Conservation Programs
>Field Museum of Natural History
>Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive
>Chicago IL 60605 USA
>
>voice (through Friday, 21 May 1999): 312.922.9410, extension 512
>voice (beginning Saturday, 22 May 1999): 312.665.7439
>fax (through Friday, 21 May 1999): 312.922.1683
>fax (beginning Saturday, 22 May 1999): 312.365.7440
>email:
>********************************************************
>NOTE THE UPCOMING CHANGE IN MY TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
>
>
John Penhallurick
Associate Professor John M. Penhallurick<>
Canberra, Australia
Phone BH( 61 2) 6201 2346 AH (61 2) 62585428
FAX (61 2) 6258 0426
Snail Mail Faculty of Communication
University of Canberra,A.C.T.2601, AUSTRALIA
OR PO Box 3469, BMDC, BELCONNEN, ACT 2617, AUSTRALIA
"I'd rather be birding!"
"Vivat,crescat,floreat Ornithologia" Hartert,Vog.pal.Fauna,p.2016.
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"Sunt lacrimae rerum." Virgil, Aeneid,i,462.
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