On the island of Seram in Indonesia, the Huaulu people have for centuries used the feathers of the salmon-crested cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis) in the sacred Sidaka ceremony, which marks the transition of young men into adulthood. Today, this species is recognized as endangered, and the primary threat comes not only from habitat loss but also from poaching for trade. However, the community has found a solution that allows for the preservation of both the birds and the ritual.
Instead of hunting wild birds, the Huaulu now obtain feathers that have naturally molted from cockatoos in rehabilitation centers. The solution was born out of joint discussions with scientists from the Australian National University, Gadjah Mada University, and a local conservation organization. The Indonesian government has officially recognized this new approach by creating a kind of "feather bank."
Research shows that for modern-day Huaulu, the spiritual power of the ceremony is connected not to the act of hunting itself, but to the inherent integrity of the species. A feather obtained without violence retains its sacredness, and the cockatoo population is given a chance to recover. Commercial trade in animals remains the main cause of population decline, whereas traditional practices are often unfairly blamed for the damage.
This case demonstrates how cultural traditions can evolve alongside conservation goals. When a community participates in finding solutions itself, the result proves to be sustainable: the ritual remains alive, and the birds do not suffer. Similar models are already being considered as examples for other regions where the interests of indigenous peoples and biodiversity conservation collide.
From 2019 to 2025, researchers conducted interviews and fieldwork involving Huaulu elders, Manusela National Park staff, and rehabilitation specialists. The data obtained were published in the Journal of Ethnobiology and emphasize that the preservation of a species is impossible without respect for the culture that reveres it.
