Page

Transcription

1 Page

2 Page 2

3 Parrots International Projects By Mark and Marie Stafford We endeavor to generate continuing awareness of parrots throughout the world by supporting international conservation efforts to help maintain and preserve parrots in their natural habitat. In addition we support captive breeding programs that are tied closely to maintaining wild captive bred populations of endangered parrots. Parrots International is active in supporting conservation programs in the field. Conservation Happens in the Wild. Following is a list of species work, in situ conservation projects, and responsible aviculture projects that Parrots International supports and promotes: The Spix's Macaw School Project Curaça, Brazil The Spix's Macaw Project, Habitat Purchase and Restoration Gangorra Farm, Curaça, Brazil Cyanopsitta spixii The Lear's Macaw Corn Subsidy Project Jeremoabo and Canudos, Brazil Anodorhynchus leari The Lear s Macaw Conservation Program Bahia, Brazil Anodorhynchus leari The Hyacinth Macaw Project (Projeto Arara Azul) The Pantanal, Brazil Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus The Bahama Parrot Project Abaco & Inagua, Bahamas Amazona leucocephala bahamensis Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program El Yunque, Puerto Rico Amazona vittata The Military Macaw Project Oaxaca, Mexico Ara militaris The Great Green Macaw Project Costa Rica Ara ambigua The Blue-throated Macaw Project Amonia, Beni, Bolivia Ara glaucogularis The Blue-fronted Amazon Project Pantanal, Brazil Amazona aestiva Yellow-eared Parrot ProAves, Colombia Ognorhynchus icterotis The Alternative Headdress Project Beni Department, Bolivia Licuri Palm Project Jeremoabo and Canudos, Brazil Anodorhynchus leari The Pfrimer s Conure Project Central Brazil Pyrrhura pfrimeri The Slender-billed Conure Project Southern Chile Enicognathus leptorhynchus Page 3

4 Parrots International Benefits Parrots Everywhere Parrots International is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, not-for-profit, organization with the goal of benefiting parrots everywhere by promoting and fostering international cooperation. Parrots International's ambition is to promote the conservation of endangered parrot species and to improve the lives of companion parrots. We work in cooperation with other conservation organizations, donors, field research teams, responsible aviculturists and parrot clubs to propose, develop and fund conservation projects throughout the world. We support conservation via aviculture and emphasize "in situ" conservation with the premise that: "Conservation Happens in the Wild." Additionally, we promote the education of the public and parrot owners on the proper care and unique requirements of healthy, happy companion parrots. Parrots International works in concert with international governmental agencies and conservation organizations. Parrots International is honored to serve, by official invitation, in the following international capacities: A member of the Working Group for the Spix's Macaw A member of The International Committee for the Management of the Lear's Macaw A member of The Hyacinth Macaw Group of Brazil An official fundraiser for the USFWS Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Project Page 4

5 THE BLUE-THROATED MACAW PROJECT Amonia/Loro Parque Foundatión, Beni, Bolivia Ara glaucogularus At the Texas Parrot Festival on January 24, 2007, Dr. Mark Stafford of Parrots International presented Bennett Hennesssey a $ check for the Armonia, Blue-throated Macaw Project. These funds were designated to provide additional much needed nest boxes for this critically endangered Macaw. The nest boxes help lessen the competition for nest cavities due to habitat loss in the Beni region of Bolivia for the Bluethroated Macaws. Parrots International funds were made available by a generous donation by Bruce and Norah Broillet. Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularus) Photo Courtesy Bennett Hennessey Photo Courtesy Bennett Hennessey Artificial Nest Boxes Motaci Palm Fruit (Attalea Princeps) Main food source of Blue-throated Macaws. Page 5

6 First Alternative Headdress Contest - Blue-throated Macaws Photo by Maurico Herrera A competition was held for the best headdress. On April 26, 2007, another donation was made by Parrots International to fund The First Alternative Headdress Contest. The funds were transferred to Armonia via Bennett Hennessey the Executive Director of Asociacion Armonia/Birdlife Bolivia. This contribution was to benefit the Blue-throated Macaws by discouraging the use of real M a c a w f e a t h e r s f o r ceremonial headdresses with Alternative Headdresses made of plastic. Parrots International funded the first, second and third competition prizes for The Alternative Headdress Competition. Photo by Maurico Herrera (Left) Mr. Hugo Nava was the winner! (Above) Headdress made with real feathers. Photo by Maurico Herrera Page 6

7 THE SPIX'S MACAW PROJECT HABITAT PURCHASE AND RESTORATION Gangorra Farm, Curaça, Brazil Cyanopsitta spixii Marie at the Raicho Melancia Creek The Spix's Macaw, Cyanopsitta spixii, has been extinct in the wild since the last solitary male disappeared from the Melancia Creek watershed south of Curaça, Brazil in October The future of the Spix's is now determined by IBAMA, the Working Group for the Recovery of the Spix's Macaw, and the approximately 77 Spix's held within the cooperative breeding program spread across the globe in Qatar (AWWP), Germany (ACTP), Spain (Loro Parque Foundatión), and Brazil (Lymington Foundation and the Sao Paulo Zoo). (Continued on page 8) Spix s on a branch at Gangorra Farm. A photo montage. Page 7

8 The Dream: A photo montage of the last known Spix's Macaw nest, located on the Gangorra Farm, and two Spix's Macaws now residents of the captive breeding program at Lymington Foundation. (Continued from page 7) These organizations have unequivocally demonstrated their desire to see the future reintroduction of the Spix's to its historical habitat. Parrots International serves as a consultant to the Working Group for the Recovery of the Spix's Macaw, dedicated to the return of the Spix's Macaw to its historical habitat. In August of 2006 Parrots International volunteers, Mark and Marie Stafford, self-financed a research trip to the historical habitat of the Spix's Macaws near Curaça, Brazil. This Parrots International trip, with the direction and knowledge of Dr. Yara de Melo Barros. Ph.D., led to the identification of an area of prime historical Spix's Macaw habitat with the option to purchase, known as the Gangorra Farm. Parrots International introduced the idea of the purchase of Gangorra Farm to the Working Group for the Recovery of the Spix's Macaw, held at the Sao Paulo Zoo in November of The Working Group for the Spix's Macaw, a consultant group to IBAMA, consists of the foremost parrot conservation experts; the Spix's Macaw holders; and involved conservation organizations. At the meeting of the Working Group, we proposed the formation of a group of partners to purchase Gangorra. It is this partnership that was ultimately responsible for the negotiations, funding and purchase of the Gangorra farm for the future reintroduction of the Spix's Macaw into the wild. On Valentine's Day, 2007, the historical Spix's habitat of Gangorra Farm, totally 400 hectares (1000 acres), was purchased by the partnership of Parrots International, ACTP (Germany) and Lymington Foundation (Brazil) for the benefit of the Spix's Macaw Working Group. Mark & Marie Stafford of Parrots International donated US $10,000 of their personal funds through Parrots International, Martin Guth of ACTP (one of the Spix's holders) matched the donation with $10,000 and Bill and Linda Witcoff (also Spix's holders) of the Lymington Foundation (Parrots International's partner NGO in Brazil) donated approximately $4,500 in funds to cover the legal and real estate transaction costs. The partnership would gladly accept additional partners to move forward with the habitat restoration of Gangorra. Page 8

9 THE BAHAMA PARROT PROJECT Abaco and Inagua, Bahamas Amazona leucocephala bahamensis The Bahama Parrot on Abaco differs because it s the only known parrot that nests in the ground in the Western Hemisphere and has adapted to fire and hurricanes. This little Amazon Parrot faces pressures from predation and fierce hurricanes. Over the years Parrots International has donated more than $30, to help protect the Bahamian Parrot. Additional donations have been made by Parrots International to The Bahamas National Trust to help Caroline Stahala with her study of the nesting ecology of Bahama Parrots on the Island of Inagua. All of these photos were taken on Abaco. Caroline Stahala checking nests after fire. Bahama Amazon Parrot Nestlings survive the fire. Caroline Stahala holding chick. Bahama Amazon Parrot Page 9

10 YELLOW-EARED PARROT Jardin, Colombia Ognorhynchus icterotis Yellow-eared Parrot Parrots International recently visited Colombia and made a donation to the Yellow-eared Parrot Project run by ProAves and Paul Salaman, Ph.D., Director of International Programs with American Bird Conservancy. The Yellow-eared (Ognorhynchus icterotis) parrot is found in the Andean Mountains of Colombia and is one of the America s most threatened parrots. This species of parrot depends on Wax Palms for its fruit, nesting and roosting. The Wax Palm was traditionally cut down and used each year for Palm Sunday celebrations and processions, hence the Wax Palm itself has become endangered. Yellow-eared Parrots Flying Parrots International funds are earmarked for the acquisition of an additional 250+ acre parcel for sale adjacent to the existing reserve. This parcel, called Vereda La Herrera, can be obtained for $ an acre. It is an ideal location because it is so near the existing reserve station that the management costs would remain nearly the same. In addition, this land is an area where a fair number of Wax Palms still exist and Wax Palms can be cultivated. ProAves efforts are paying off -- Paul Salamon says, Presently there are over 70 active nests with 200 young expected. This will take the population over 1000 individuals! ProAves has been protecting the Wax Palms and has established a nest box program providing artificial nests to assist in the successful reproduction of this species. ProAves has also established a 320 acre reserve for the protection of the Yellow-eared Parrot called Reserva Natural de las Aves located near the colonial town of Jardin. PI is proud to support the Yellow-eared Parrot Project and hopes that other individuals and organizations join in the effort. Visit this project first hand with the EcoTurs company, a ProAves company that donates 100% of their profit to support bird conservation. Colombia has nearly 1,900 bird species, you re sure to see some unique and memorable sites! Yellow-eared Parrots in palm. Photo by by Mark and and Marie Stafford Yellow-eared Habitat Page 10 Yellow-eared Parrot eating.

11 THE MILITARY MACAW PROJECT Ocxaca, Mexico Ara militaris Parrots International provides continuing donations and support to the Military Macaw Project in Oaxaca Mexico to fund Carlos Bonilla-Ruz and his continuing work. The largest known population of Military Macaws (Ara militaris) live in Sabino Canyon, a narrow steep 750 foot deep canyon. Sabino Canyon is located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. (Top:) Military Macaws in Sabino Canyon, Oxaca, Mexico (Left) Military pair in canyon nest. (Bottom left) Mark Stafford at Sabino Canyon. (Bottom right) Carlos Bonilla-Ruz and Claudia Cinta sitting on the edge of the canyon. Page 11

12 THE HYACINTH MACAW PROJECT (Projeto Arara Azul) The Pantanal, Brazil Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus The Hyacinth Macaw Project involves research, management, and conservation of the species. In carrying out these objectives, biologists, veterinarians, field workers, ranchers, and university students share in activities ranging from technical studies on reproduction, behavior, and habitat to environmental education. Begun in 1990 by the biologist Neiva Guedes, the project monitors about 3,000 individual Hyacinth Macaws distributed over an area of 450,000 hectares (over 1 million acres) in the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul, where there are 346 natural nests and 198 artificial nests. The project has resulted in a Macaw population that has tripled in the monitored area! In the 80s it is estimated that traffickers, catering to international demand, had captured over 10,000 Hyacinth Macaws. The situation of the species became more critical as its natural habitat was destroyed by deforestation and burning. The environmental education and community involvement of the Hyacinth Macaw Project has reduced these pressures on this endangered macaw. (Top right) Hyacinths trying to keep dry. (Bottom left) Hyacinth pair. (Bottom Right) Mark Stafford inspecting nest box. Page 12

13 (Top left) Parrots International visits Projeto Arara Azul. (Top right) Hyacinth emerging from her nest. (Middle left) Hyacinth leaving nest. (Middle right) Neiva Guedes, Director of the Hyacinth Project, with her husband, Joacilei, and daughter, Sophia. (Bottom left) A pair of Hyacinths observing us. Page 13

14 In October a donation was made by Parrots International to Projeto Arara Azul/The Hyacinth Macaw Project run by Neiva Robaldo Guedes. This donation was in the form of field equipment and climbing gear to accomplish nest inspections and monitoring of the Hyacinth Macaws in the Pantanal of Brazil. Parrots International provides continuing donations and support for Projecto Arara Azul. Additionally, Parrots International recently donated a laptop for use in the field for Projeto Arara Azul/The Hyacinth Macaw Project. (Above) Hyacinth Macaw Family (Below) Hyacinth Macaws flying free. Page 14

15 THE BLUE-FRONTED AMAZON PROJECT The Pantanal, Brazil Amazona aestiva Separate donations are sent via wire from Parrots International to The Blue-fronted Amazon Project/Projeto Papagaio Verdadeiro run by Glaucia Seixas in the Pantanal of Brazil. Projecto Arara Azul/The Hyacinth Macaw Project graciously agreed to receive these donations and in turn transfer the funds directly to The Blue-fronted Amazon Project/Projecto Papagaio Verdadeiro. This contribution will assist Glaucia and her team in the ecology study and population census of the Blue-fronted Amazon. Her studies generate data on the daily activities, grouping patterns, habitat use, reproduction, development, feeding and sleeping behaviors of the Blue-fronts. The project has also installed radio transmitters on some nestlings to monitor their movement, home ranges, and survival after fledging. This is all important information for future conservation efforts of the species and its environment. Much of the information and knowledge gained from work with A. aestiva can be applied to more endangered species. These are all photos of the Blue-fronted Amazon. Page 15

16 THE GREAT GREEN MACAW PROJECT Costa Rica Ara ambigua (Top and bottom) The Great Green Macaw (Ara ambigua) Parrots International provides continuing support to The Great G r e e n M a c a w P r o j e c t / C e n t r o Cientifico Tropical in Costa Rica on behalf of Olivier Chassot. Olivier is the Director of the Great Green Macaw P roject. Olivier, who along with his wife Guisselle Monge, work dealing w i t h i m p o r t a n t conservation issues concerning this large Great Green Macaw (Ara ambigua). Page 16

17 THE SPIX S MACAW SCHOOL PROJECT Curaca, Brazil Parrots International Adopted the Spix's Macaw School in Curaça, Brazil as a Community Action Project in August of Spix's Macaw School Project Partners: Parrots International The Lymington Foundation, Brazil Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, Qatar ACTP, Germany Voglepark Walsrode, Germany IBAMA (Institute Chico Mendes of Biodiversity Conservation) Please join our growing list of Spix's Macaw School Supporters: National Parrot Rescue & Preservation Society Dr. Mark Stafford in front of the Spix s School. The Spix's Macaw School was originally built in 1995 through a partnership between the Spix's Macaw Project, who sponsored the construction material, and the community, who gathered together to build the school. The name of the school was chosen by the children. The school is located in the Fazenda Pau de Colher, in the former range of the Spix's Macaw. After the Spix's Macaw Project suspended its activities in 2002 the Project ended support of the school (the last Spix's Macaw in the wild disappeared in October 2000) and the school has suffered economic hardship. The teacher's salary for daytime classes and lunch are presently funded by the City Hall but not in sufficient amounts to provide for basic educational requirements. "The governmental powers that be" in Town of Curaça, an hour and a half drive north of the school, are considering closing the Spix's Macaw School due to lack of funds. Those same politicians have cut the funding for the "Spix's School bus," an old pickup truck. Parrots International and partners have joined to Marie Stafford distributes gifts to the children of the Spix s Macaw School. donate funds to help save the Spix's Macaw School. It is some of the best money that could be placed into an investment toward future plans for Spix's Reintroduction. In June 2007, Parrots International sent a donation to furnish the Spix s Macaw classroom (Continued on page 18) Page 17

18 (Continued from page 17) with new desks and supplies. Parrots International created the Spix s Macaw School Partnership with Bill and Linda Witcoff of the Lymington Foundation which now also includes the partners AWWP, ACTP, Vogelpark Walsrode, NPRPS, and IBAMA. In October 2007 a donation was sent once again from Parrots International to help fund the Spix s for another year. In March 2008 we funded another priority...the establishment of night classes. Thanks to the help of Dr. Yara Barros, Ph.D., conversations with the teachers of the Spix's Macaw School (Lidia and Maria) revealed that many adults of the region were interested in learning basic reading and writing, however there is no funding from the City Hall for this education. Therefore, the partnership is funding the teachers salaries to open evening classes at the Spix's Macaw School for the local adults that have not had the opportunity to attend school and learn to read and write. Adults (ages 16+) attending night classes must miss their evening meal with their families to be able to participate. Therefore we (the partners and supporters) are donating to provide an evening meal for each night class attendee. In October 2008 the construction of a second classroom, doubling the size of the Spix s Macaw School, was planned and built with funding from The Partnership. Spix s Macaw School students and teachers. A typical home of the Spix s Macaw School children. (Left) Lindomar Age 16 (Right) Jalaine Age 6 Recess at the Spix s Macaw School. Page 18

19 THE LEAR S MACAW CORN SUBSIDY PROJECT Jeremoabo and Canudos, Brazil Anodorhynchus leari Or, When Good Macaws Go Bad... Parrots International Partners in the Lear's Corn Subsidy Project include: Parrots International The Lymington Foundation, Brazil IBAMA, Brazil CEMAVE, Brazil ProAves, Brazil Also, thank you for donations from: Southwest Virginia Bird Club (Left) Lear's Macaws attack the corn fields of a subsistence farmer in Jeremoabo, Brazil A Lear's Macaw takes his "catch" to an adjacent tree. His friend dines in the background. Death by farmer has become a very real threat to the survival of the highly endangered Lear's Macaw. In early 2006 Parrots International partnered with the Lymington Foundation to initiate funding on a pilot program to reimburse the local indigent subsistence farmers in Canudos and Jeremoabo, Brazil, for damage to their crops from the marauding Lear's Macaws. Although 95% of the Damage to a corn field from Lear's Macaws. Lear's Macaw diet consists of the meat of the Lucuri Palm nut, the Lear's have also grown fond of the sweet corn from the fields of the local subsistence farmers within the macaws' habitat. In April 2006 Parrots International partnered with the Lymington Foundation to purchase corn, in 60 kilogram sacks, to dispense the corn as compensation to the local farmers based on the (Continued on page 20) Page 19

20 severity of the attacks on their plantations. The assessment and dispensing of corn was managed and supervised by Joaquim Neto, of CEMAVE, with the assistance of Monalyssa Comandaroba (whose salary was paid by ProAves, Brazil, during the pilot subsidy). In the course of feeding on a farmers' corn crops, the Lear's Macaws will often break the ears off of the corn stalk, fly to an adjacent sentinel tree, and then begin to eat the ear, dropping and wasting more than they consume. For these farmers cultivation of any crop is a struggle, They grow only enough to feed their families and goats. They do not have the modern advantages of irrigation, nor fertilizer, nor farm tractors. Photo Courtesy of Kilma Manso Therefore, the farmers see the Lear's Macaws as pests, taking food from the mouths of their children and family. The result is that death by farmer has become a very real threat to the Macaws...perhaps a greater threat than poaching and habitat loss. To date the partnership has funded: April tons November tons February tons November tons We do not reimburse in cash, rather in corn. We attempt to reimburse 110% for losses. Thus, the Lear's Macaw becomes an asset, rather than a liability to the farmer. The farmer can let the Macaws feed, knowing that he will be over compensated. The farmer does not have to harvest the lost corn, nor process the corn and sack it. All the "work" is "done by the Macaws" and he is handed the subsidized compensation in nice clean sacks of corn at the end of the season. The idea is to create a win - win arrangement for both the farmers and the Macaws. In November 2008, the Lear's Macaw Corn Subsidy Project distributed the latest corn subsidy to the farmers, with funding provided by the Partnership of Parrots International, Lymington Foundation, and ECO. A total of 15 tons of sacked corn, 30,000 pounds, was distributed in November 2008 to the subsistence farmers to compensate for losses due to attacks by Lear's Macaws on their corn crops. Photo Courtesy of Kilma Manso Photo Courtesy of Kilma Manso Page 20

21 LICURI PALM PROJECT Jeremoabo and Canudos, Brazil Anodorhynchus leari Parrots International provided a 2007 donation to fund and establish The Lear s Licuri Palm Project in Brazil, directed and coordinated by Kilma Manso. The Lear s Macaw feeds almost exclusively (except occasionally on farmers corn) on the Licuri Palm nut and is completely dependent on the Licuri Palm for survival. If there are not sufficient Licuri Palms in the future, then we will lose the Lear s Macaws in the wild. Parrots International is happy to sponsor this research project on Reproductive Phenology of Licuri (Syagrus coronata). This may be an important step in future conservation efforts of the Lear s Macaw. A raceme of Licuri nuts. (Left) Lear s Macaws eating Licuri nuts. (Right) Lear s flying off with a raceme of Licuri nuts. Page 21

22 THE PUERTO RICAN PARROT RECOVERY PROGRAM El Yunque, Puerto Rico Amazona vittata Dr. Tom White releasing a Puerto Rican Parrot. an endangered species, and in 1968 intensive recovery efforts were begun. In 1973 the Luquillo Aviary was established within the Caribbean National Forest and a captive breeding program was initiated. Puerto Rican Parrot The Puerto Rican Parrot is the only endemic parrot found within the United States and its territories and is one of the ten most endangered birds in the world. Incredibly, in 1975, the total population had reduced to only 13 individuals as a result of massive deforestation by humans, predation by introduced and natural enemies, and natural disasters. In 1967 the Puerto Rican Parrot was designated In 2004 Parrots International created an Awareness and Fund Raising Campaign to Benefit the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Project and the construction of a new Captive Breeding Aviary. To this end Parrots International has supported and promoted the Puerto Rican Parrot with funding support as well as educational and public awareness support. Parrots International s involvement has been: Official Fundraiser for the USFWS Created Magazine articles and Cover Stories for several magazines Filmed and developed a Television Video special on the Puerto Rican Parrot Designated the 2006 Symposium theme as the The Year of the Puerto Rican Parrot Through the partnership of Parrots International, Herencia, and the USFW Foundation a total of $750,000 was raised for the construction of the new Puerto Rican Parrot captive breeding aviary (Continued on page 23) Page 22

23 in the El Yunque National Forest. The aviary breeds and raises the Puerto Rican Parrots that are subsequently released into the forest to supplement the tiny wild population. Parrots International was honored to receive the US Fish and Wildlife award at the ceremony in Washington, D.C. for our involvement with the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program. In December Parrots International sent a donation (earmarked for the release project) to The Puerto Rican Recovery Project. The severely endangered Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata) is the only native parrot species in Puerto Rico and the only one remaining in US Territories. Marie Stafford holding a baby Puerto Rican Parrot at breeding center. Mark Stafford at the U.S. Capitol accepting an award for Parrots International s work with the Puerto Rican Parrot. Mark Stafford and Tom White conferring in the blind. Puerto Rican Parrots outside their nest. Puerto Rican Parrot Project release. Page 23

24 THE PFRIMER S CONURE PROJECT Also known as the Maroon-faced Conure Central Brazil Pyrrhura pfrimeri Parrots International provides funding for the field scientific research headed by Carlos Bianchi and Dr. Susan Haig, Ph.D. for the study of the Pfrimer s Conure in Central Brazil. Pfrimer's Conure predicted habitat distribution. amount of information about the Pfrimer s Parakeet, from modeling its distribution and evaluating spatial-temporal changes in landscape to understanding bird movements and population structure within its native range. Carlos Bianchi The Pfrimer s Conure, listed as Endangered by IUCN, is an endemic parrot with an extremely restricted distribution that is strongly associated with the disappearing tropical dry forests in central Brazil. Wild populations are drastically declining as their habitats have been deforested and changed into pastures or agricultural land. This project strives to collect a broad The overall research goals include (1) estimate population size for major forest fragments within the species range; (2) evaluate use of habitat and movements among forest fragments throughout the annual cycle using radio telemetry; (3) evaluate population structure from a spatial and genetic perspective to determine whether a healthy population exists. Upon completion of the project, a remarkable amount of information will be available about a species with a phenomenally limited distribution. More specifically, knowledge will be gained about patterns of movements in the habitat throughout the annual cycle and how habitat loss and fragmentation have affected population spatial and genetic structure. From a broader conservation perspective, information attained will be used to plan appropriate conservation measures for other similar species of Parakeets in Brazil. Page 24

25 Right:: Study area in Central Brazil Photo by Carlos Bianchi Left: Pfrimer s Conure outfitted with radio transmitter. Photo by Carlos Bianchi Right: Pfrimer s Conure photo taken by Edison Endrigo. Page 25

26 THE SLENDER-BILLED CONURE PROJECT Southern Chile Enicognathus leptorhynchus In October 2008 Parrots International traveled to Southern Chile to fund and assist in the launch of the Slender-billed Conure Project. The Slender-billed Conure is endemic to southern Chile and one of the most southerly occurring of all parrot species. Detailed scientific data on the basic biology and ecology of the species are virtually nonexistent. Parrots International volunteers participated in the selection of the project site, assisted in the capture of the first Slender-billed Parrots for science, the placement of radio collars, and the collection of radio telemetry data. Parrots International funded the field equipment, the USFWS donated the telemetry receivers, and Dr. Janice Boyd, Ph.D. donated the telemetry transmitters. Setting mist nets. The Project s lead investigators are Dr. Jaime Jimenez, Ph.D. and Ana Bertoldi of the Universidad de Los Lagos,Osorno, Chile. The Project advisor is Dr. Thomas White, Ph.D. of the USFWS Puerto Rican Parrot Project. The major goal of the Slender-billed Conure Project is to acquire basic ecological data on the SBP. Such data include nest site selection and nesting behavior, specific data on reproductive chronology and productivity, size of flocks, distribution, abundance and movements in the region, relationship to landscape variables, and habitat used for foraging and other activities. To better understand the impacts of human activities on SBP, these ecological aspects will be studied and compared between agricultural landscapes and native forests. Comparisons between these landscapes will provide information that will allow managers to target specific areas for conservation and to quantify the current impacts of agricultural practices on the ecology of this species. Moreover, the project results will facilitate the identification of specific threats to SPB, the reevaluation its conservation status, and the proposal of effective conservation measures that promote the sustainable coexistence of SBP and farming activities. With most parrots, it is usually only when a species has become critically endangered that notice and actions are taken to avert extinction or further decline. Unfortunately, if such actions are taken too late, the necessary (Continued on page 27) Page 26 First Slender-billed Conure caught for science. Tom White locating Slender-billed with radio collar.

27 (Continued from page 26) conservation measures will have become extremely costly in terms of the human and financial resources needed to overcome the daunting ecological and sociological challenges necessary for recovery efforts. Notable examples include species such as the Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata) and Lear s Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari. The long range goal of the project is to take a more prudent and proactive approach with the SBP to insure that the species does not become a future crisis case requiring drastic and costly measures to assure its survival. Photo above: The Slender-billed flock at the project site. Photo below: Slender-billed Conures. Page 27

28 Membership Application Please print clearly Today s Date: One Year Membership $55.00 All membership dues & donations are tax-deductible! Last Name: First Name: Spouse / Significant Other: Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: ( ) Work / Other Phone: ( ) # 1: # 2: I am enclosing a check in the amount of $ for Membership. I do not wish to become a member at this time, but enclosed is my donation of $. Please make check payable to: Parrots International Mail to: Antioch Avenue, # 417 Pacific Palisades, CA We greatly appreciate your interest in Parrots International and supporting Conservation in the Wild You can also join or donate online at Page 28

29 Blue-throat Macaw (Ara glaucogularis) Great Green Macaw (Ara ambigua) Page 29

30 Nanday Conures (Nandayus nenday) Blue and Gold Macaws (Ara ararauna) Page 30

31 In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. And we will understand only what we are taught. Baba Dioum, 1968 Page 31

32 Page 32