A Call to Protect Palau’s Critical Bird Habitat

NGERULMUD, Palau – The House of Delegates’ Health, Social and Cultural Affairs Committee has backed the Belau National Museum’s urgent call for the protection of Belualasmau and the Northern Peleliu Lkes Important Bird Area (IBA), warning that failure to act now could lead to the extinction of key migratory species and the loss of a vital cultural symbol.

Belualasmau, a privately owned land in Peleliu State, along with the surrounding intertidal sand flats, has been identified as the most important site for migratory shorebirds in Micronesia and Oceania. The surrounding waters fall under Peleliu State’s jurisdiction and are already protected by state law. However, the land itself remains vulnerable to potential commercial development, prompting calls for immediate action.

According to the Belau National Museum’s report, which compiles over 150 years of scientific studies, Belualasmau has long served as a critical stopover for migratory birds navigating the East Asian-Australasian Flyway—a migratory route stretching from the Arctic to Australia and New Zealand. The site is especially significant for the Far Eastern Curlew, known locally as Delerrok, which is not only globally endangered but also an iconic symbol of Palauan culture, featured in traditional abai architecture, the national museum logo, and even the national capitol building.

The Belau National Museum’s Board of Trustees stressed that Belualasmau’s loss would devastate the only stable population of Delerrok in Palau, threatening the extinction of this cherished “money bird.” The museum further points to Palau’s international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), which lists the Far Eastern Curlew and other species in Appendix I, requiring habitat protection from all member nations, including Palau.

The House committee, chaired by Delegate Francesca R. Otong of Ngatpang State, echoed the museum’s concerns and urged national support for Peleliu State’s ongoing conservation efforts. While the land remains under private ownership, Peleliu’s Protected Areas Network (PAN) is working to formally designate Belualasmau as a conservation area, a process expected to conclude by the end of the year.

Otong emphasized the importance of transparent dialogue with private landowners to avoid legal disputes and foster collaboration. “Any conservation designation must include active discussions with the landowners to ensure transparency and cooperation,” she said.

The House committee also recommended a review of Palau’s CMS implementation mechanisms to ensure full compliance with its obligations, particularly in critical areas like Belualasmau. Furthermore, the committee proposed that the House consider future resolutions recognizing Belualasmau as both a cultural heritage and biodiversity site deserving of enhanced protection and public education initiatives.

The scientific record is clear: Belualasmau has been a sanctuary for migratory shorebirds for centuries. Early observations by naturalists like Carl Semper and Johann Kubary in the 1860s, followed by collections by Japanese, American, and Palauan researchers throughout the 20th century, have consistently identified Belualasmau as a hotspot for shorebird diversity. Notably, endangered species such as the Great Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Delerrok have been recorded there for over 70 years, with flocks returning annually.

The site’s importance is further underscored by its designation as an IBA by BirdLife International in 2015, based on the presence of six “trigger” species that meet global conservation criteria, including the critically endangered Great Knot and Far Eastern Curlew. Recent surveys by the Belau National Museum, Palau Conservation Society, and the eBird global database continue to confirm the presence of large flocks of shorebirds at Belualasmau, underscoring its irreplaceable value.

The Belau National Museum’s recommendations are clear: protect Belualasmau immediately as a critical habitat for migratory birds, monitor shorebird populations seasonally, develop a Shorebird Conservation Action Plan specific to the site, and implement the Palau Megapode Conservation Action Plan to safeguard the nesting grounds of this endangered species.

As Otong stated, “Belualasmau and the Northern Peleliu Lkes IBA hold significant scientific, ecological, and cultural importance. While local mechanisms for protection are in motion, national-level recognition and alignment with international conservation commitments are both timely and necessary.”

The House of Delegates’ Health, Social and Cultural Affairs Committee stands ready to collaborate with Peleliu State and relevant institutions to ensure the long-term preservation of this vital ecosystem for generations to come.