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Largest population of Gurney's Pitta found outside Myanmar's proposed National Park

29 June 2004 - The world’s largest population of the Critically Endangered Gurney’s Pitta has been found in forest adjacent to the proposed Lenya National Park in Southern Myanmar. Surveys found Ngawun Reserved Forest was home to a further seven bird species in danger of global extinction, with evidence of threatened mammals including tiger, Asian elephant and Malayan tapir.

The 50,000 ha Ngawun Reserved Forest is the largest remaining block of level lowland forest in southern Myanmar and around 150 pairs of Gurney's Pitta, a species sometimes called the 'Jewel-thrush' and one of the rarest and most beautiful birds on earth were discovered. [1]

The surveys were conducted by a team of conservationists from the Bird Enthusiasts and Nature Conservation Association (BENCA), the Department of Forests Kawthaung District, Tanintharyi Division and BirdLife International [2]. The team identified this site using remotely sensed data provided under a Government of Myanmar and Smithsonian Institution project.

Jonathan Eames, Programme Manager of BirdLife International in the region and a member of the survey team, said "Our surveys show that Ngawun Reserved Forest is of international importance for Gurney's Pitta and other threatened species. The fact that Ngawun Reserved Forest is adjacent to the proposed Lenya National Park presents the Government of Myanmar with a tremendous conservation opportunity. If these areas were combined, through a modification of the proposed boundaries to Lenya National Park, it would conserve a representative example of the wildlife and forests that once cloaked southern Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand.” [3]

Dr Michael Rands, Director and Chief Executive of BirdLife International commented "The Government of Myanmar has already shown tremendous foresight in designating the two million hectare Hukauwng Valley Wildlife Sanctuary earlier this year, and we hope that they can show a similar commitment towards conservation of this globally important area too. If invited, BirdLife would be delighted to join the Ministry of Forestry, other NGOs and concerned organisations to promote and secure the conservation of Ngawun Reserved Forest and the proposed Lenya National Park."