Forest, Wetlands (inland), Marine Coastal/Supratidal, Artificial/Terrestrial, Artificial/Aquatic & Marine HABITAT AND ECOLOGY It is a predominantly coastal resident in Indonesia and Malaysia, inhabiting mangroves and adjacent, less saline, swamps. It forages on tidal mudflats, in saline pools, freshwater marshes, fishponds and rice-fields. The species has been documented as eating fishes, prawns and crabs (Iqbal et al. 2008, 2009). Birds only occur inland in flooded forest around Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia, from where they disperse in the wet season, possibly to the coast (van Zalinge et al. 2011). Tall, mature trees are important for nesting (Ismail and Rahman 2016). In Prek toal Ramsar site, peak nesting occurs between February and April (Visal and Mahood 2015).
Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix I. Colonies are located in at least five protected areas in Sumatra and one each in Java, Sulawesi and Peninsular Malaysia. At Tonle Sap lake, Cambodia, large waterbird breeding colonies are designated core areas of the Biosphere Reserve, are proposed as Ramsar Sites, and have received active monitoring and improved enforcement of regulations since 1997. In Cambodia, posters depicting the species are used in promoting public environmental awareness. The Milky Stork Breeding and Re-introduction Programme, run by a number of stakeholders, coordinates the captive breeding and release of individuals into the Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Malaysia (Malaysian Nature Society 2005). Between 2007 and 2014, 50 Milky Storks were released in Kuala Gula (Ismail and Rahman 2016). Efforts are underway to effect legislative protection of the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserves in Perak, Malaysia, and advocacy is being used as an additional tool in the species's conservation (Malaysian Nature Society 2005). Successful breeding in captivity, survival of free-flying released birds, and attempted nesting in the wild by captive-bred individuals has been achieved in Malaysia (Malaysian Nature Society 2005). Successful hatching of two chicks occurred in 2010 (DWNP 2010) and 2013, but not in 2014 due to indirect human disturbance (Ismail and Rahman 2016). Surveys of the population in Sumatra took place in 2008-2009 (Iqbal et al. in prep). Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct surveys and research to locate additional colonies, monitor seasonal movements and clarify its ecological requirements. Monitor numbers and breeding success at all known important nesting colonies. Establish additional protected areas encompassing important nesting colonies and feeding areas, particularly in the Riau, Jambi and Sumatra Selatan provinces of Sumatra and Matang Mangrove Forest in Malaysia. Promote public-awareness initiatives highlighting its conservation importance. Improve captive pre-release training techniques. Maintain and increase public awareness to ensure long term viability of the reintroduction program.
CLASS : Aves
ORDER : Ciconiiformes
FAMILY : Ciconiidae
GENUS : Mycteria
SPECIES : Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea)
Conservation status : Endangered
Update : 06 April 2017
