With these old methods, the feathers would
last for 15 years or more, but Francis said many of those practices have now been forgotten or lost. Part of the campaign involves showing people modern ways to store the feathers, including wrapping them up thoroughly in newspapers and storing them away from light, heat, dust and moisture. The wildlife officers new idea to replace old or damaged bird of paradise feathers with chicken or artificial feathers. “But they will always prefer the real deal for new bilas to impress each other and tourists,” the spokesman said. “Just like the male bird of paradise trying to impress the females, so do the dancers like to seduce the tourist!” The park’s other campaigns that also aim to protect wildlife are: ‘Do not keep wildlife as pets’ to raise awareness about the importance of allowing native animals to remain in their natural habitats; and “City
The park’s keepers have to act quickly to retrieve eggs once they appear in a nest to avoid them being accidentally smashed or eaten by a tree snake. This is an egg of a growling riflebird, another species of bird of paradise that is similar to the Raggiana
also suggest alternatives to wild feathers. For example, farmed white chicken feathers can be reshaped and dyed any colour to represent other species in a headdress. A park spokesman said that so far the locals are embracing the
kids don’t eat bush meat”, which educates children particularly about the choice available for those living in urban areas who no longer have to hunt wildlife such as wallabies for food. The conservation campaigns have been recognised with
The egg and chick incubators at Port Moresby Nature Park are very dated and in need of an upgrade to improve hatching success
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VOLUME 42 2025
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