The Bali starling, Leucopsar rothschildi, occurs on Bali island in Indonesia. Fig. 1.1 shows a Bali starling. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assesses the conservation status of plant and animal species. The Bali starling is classed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, meaning that it is close to extinction in the wild. Indonesian law protects the Bali starling, and trapping these birds for sale as pets is illegal. In 2001 there were only six Bali starlings in the wild and about 1000 in captivity.
(a(i))[3]
Suggest reasons, other than the trapping of the birds for sale as pets, for the very low numbers of Bali starlings in the wild.
(a(ii))[2]
Describe the roles zoos can play in the protection of the Bali starling.
(b)[4]
Explain the consequences on genetic biodiversity of having a wild population of just six birds.
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