Ornithological Society of Polynesia | |
Native Name: | fr|Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie |
Nickname: | Manu |
Formation: | July 1990 |
Founders: | --> |
Founding Location: | French Polynesia |
Defunct: | --> |
Type: | NGO |
Purpose: | Conservation |
Region Served: | Polynesia |
Field: | --> |
Languages: | --> |
Publication: | Te Manu |
Affiliations: | BirdLife International Auckland Zoo |
Former Name: | --> |
The Ornithological Society of Polynesia (French: Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie), also known as Manu, a Polynesian word for "bird", is an environmental non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats in Polynesia. It was founded in July 1990 by bird enthusiasts in French Polynesia,[1] for which it is the BirdLife International partner organisation. Its emblem is the red-tailed tropicbird.
The Society publishes the quarterly French language bulletin Te Manu, which is sent to all members.[2] It is involved in surveys and conservation programs regarding the critically endangered Polynesian ground dove, Marquesan imperial pigeon, Tuamotu kingfisher, Tahiti monarch, Fatu Hiva monarch; the endangered Phoenix petrel, Tuamotu sandpiper, Marquesan ground dove, Polynesian imperial pigeon, Rimatara lorikeet, ultramarine lorikeet, Marquesan kingfisher, Marquesan monarch, as well as the blue lorikeet and Tahiti petrel.[3]
In July 2023 the society announced a joint program with Auckland Zoo to save the Fatu Hiva monarch from extinction.[4] Eggs will be collected for incubation and hatching, and fledglings raised in a predator-proof aviary.[4]
In December 2023 the society was awarded XPF327 million from the French green fund to fund its "Stop Extinction" program.[5] In February 2024 the society reintroduced the Tahitian Striated heron to Huahine.[6]