The Kuhl’s Lorikeet (Vini kuhlii), also known as Ura or Kura, lives in a small range over a few islands in the South Pacific. It suffered a past extinction in the Cook Islands from exploitation for its feathers; a significant modern threat on other islands is the ship rat, which preys on eggs and chicks. Cats, introduced by Polynesians, may also be a threat on Kiribati. Introduced birds, such as Myna, compete with lorikeets for nesting sites.

In 2007, the WPT began supporting work to help monitor and protect wild Kuhl’s Lorikeet populations, including work with the Rimatara island community, the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and other organisations that translocated 27 birds to Atiu, supporting a population count carried out in 2011 and later and another survey that found about 385 birds and backing efforts to improve breeding success in the wild.

A new project funded by the WPT and Natural Encounters Conservation Fund for Association Rima’Ura in French Polynesia is determining nest preferences among lorikeets. The study compares three choices — Thermal Haven nest boxes, log hollows (created from naturally felled trees) and renovated cavities — that have been set up at five different sites on specially chosen trees in areas with confirmed lorikeet breeding pairs. Other tools are being tested, including monitoring cameras and protective covers for nests. The study’s results will provide insight into Kuhl’s Lorikeet breeding and help drive future management programs.