PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN CONSERVATION AVICULTURE AND WELFARE World Parrot Trust in action Vol. 12 No. 2 May 2000

Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 2000Ð2004

Edited by Noel Snyder, Philip McGowan, James Gilardi, and Alejandro Grajal

Parrot Action Plan 2000-2004 ABC/WPT Small Grants Programme St. Vincent Parrot Tambopata Research Centre The World Conservation Union

psittacine (sit’˚a sîn) belonging or allied to the parrots; parrot-like STOP PRESS - Parrot Action Pl

Editor Rosemary Low, Here at last! P.O. Box 100, Mansfield, Notts., United Kingdom NG20 9NZ IUCN/SSC Action Plan for the CONTENTS Conservation of the Parrots Here at last! Parrot Action by MICHAEL REYNOLDS Plan 2000-2004 ...... 2-3 This issue of PsittaScene has the cost of the initial meeting, responsibility for acting as Foreword (extract) ...... 4 been slightly delayed while we subsequent writing and travel 'progress chaser' for the project, Executive Summary waited for printing and delivery expenses etc., but virtually and we are most grateful for the (extract) ...... 5 of the Action Plan for Parrots everyone involved has dedication of the four authors / 2000-2004. After almost five committed themselves to Introduction & editors, Noel Snyder, Phil Account (extract) ...... 6-7 years of work we did not want supplying information and McGowan, Jamie Gilardi and to delay the introduction of this photographs at no cost to the Alejandro Grajal. Our Hopes for the PAP ...... 8 very important document to our project. Additional funds of WPT seeks Director ...... 9 members, especially bearing in $4,000 were donated by the So finally on May 15th we received our first ten copies of ABC / WPT small grants mind that the plan has been German organisation programme...... 10-11 funded almost entirely by I.P.F., and $1,000 the Parrot Action Plan, hot off the press. In these pages of Operation ‘Palate’ ...... 12 The World Parrot Trust. from our WPT We have spent over Benelux branch. PsittaScene we hope to give a St. Vincent Parrot...... 13 £20,000 ($30,000) of The World Parrot flavour of the publication, as Reports from WPT trust funds to cover Trust was given most readers will branches...... 14-16 not end Psitta News ...... 17 Tambopata Research Centre ...... 18 WPT Info Page ...... 19 Parrots in the Wild ...... 20

Cover Picture Parrot Action Plan 2000-2004 Kakapo picture from ‘Parrots of the World’ by Forshaw and Cooper. Many thanks.

The World Parrot Trust does not necessarily endorse any views or statements made by contributors to PsittaScene. It will of course consider articles or letters from any contributors on their merits. All contents © World Parrot Trust

2 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 lan - STOP PRESS - Parrot Action Plan - STOP PRESS

up owning a copy. But if you do carefully discussed within the want a copy, see details for action plan. In a nutshell, you ordering at the end of this could say that the PAP accepts How to order your copy: article or contact Karen Whitley the principle of sustainable use Price £15.00 / US$22.50 at our UK office. so far as it relates to eco- Postage and packing: (Add the following percentages to the total tourism involving parrots, but cost of books ordered to cover postage and packing): We should explain that this does not accept any concept of action plan for the parrots is harvesting wild parrots for - 15% single, UK - (£2.25) - 20% overseas surface mail - (£3.00 / US$4.50) just one of a series published by commerce. the Species Survival - 30% airmail, Europe - (£4.50 / US$6.75) Commission, an arm of IUCN The World Parrot Trust has - 40% airmail, rest of world - (£6.00 / US$9.00) (International Union for the existed since 1989 and has Pay IUCN using the following methods: Conservation of Nature and helped the survival of 37 - Visa Natural Resources, also known species of parrot in 22 - Mastercard as the Global Conservation countries. This is all valuable - American Express Union). This is the world's work, but there can be no doubt - Cheque senior conservation body, and that the promotion, funding, - International Money Order the World Parrot Trust is an and final delivery of the Action international NGO member of it. Plan for Parrots 2000-2004 is Send your order to: Fifty two action plans have been our crowning achievement so IUCN Publications Services Unit, published so far, including many far. Every member of the trust 219c Huntingdon Road, of the most threatened can take pride in it, and we look Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK such as elephant, tiger, panda, forward to even more help for Tel: +44 1223-277894 whale etc., and many orders or the parrots being created by Fax: +44 1223-277175 families as diverse as the general conservation Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.iucn.org galliformes, carnivora, and advice in the action plan, and lepidoptera. The printing and in particular the individual distribution costs are met by recommendations for the 95 SSC, using long-term support species listed. See our from a variety of funders, comments and proposals on suitably acknowledged in the page 8, where we discuss the Parrot Action Plan (PAP). Readers implementation of this should note that a central aim of action plan. There is IUCN is to create and support little point in having a the 'sustainable use' of natural plan if it is not carried resources, and the application of out. this principle to parrots is

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 ■ 3 STOP PRESS - Parrot Action Plan - ST Foreword Extract from PAP 2000-2004 Parrots have, for centuries, been taken into our homes because of their beauty, charm, considerable expertise at their hardiness, and supposed ability to "talk". This has created a domestic demand, involving disposal. This was clearly hundreds of thousands of annually on a global basis, resulting in many parrot taxa demonstrated when the joint having a high monetary value. The large charismatic mammals: whales, tigers, elephants, compilers of this Action Plan rhinoceroses, gorillas, and pandas have to contend with a host of threats directly related sent out requests for updated to their rarity and monetary value, but none of these are subject to capture for live information on threatened domestic use. No other group of birds has been subjected to more exploitation, parrot species. The response numerically and financially, than parrots. from all quarters was swift and positive, and the result is an Parrots are also exposed to the birds that support their made, current harvesting levels effective document that will hunting pressures but above all wealth. If parrots are to survive, are threatening a number of guide conservation efforts for to habitat loss, alteration and these attitudes must change. species and should be several years. fragmentation. As ecosystems addressed. The few countries Special thanks are due to the around the world are destroyed Governments of the parrot range still allowing "quotas" of parrots editors, Noel Snyder, Phil or degraded, so the survival countries also need to address for export should be required to McGowan, Jamie Gilardi and prospects of the parrots decline. the unsustainable nature of provide appropriate scientific Alejandro Grajal, for their And yet parrots have the parrot markets operating within justification for this. extended commitment to the potential to act as charismatic their borders. And whilst it is project and their determination 'flagship species' to highlight difficult to propose a species for Most governments, however, to achieve the highest the urgent need to preserve which a convincing scientific seek, in principle, to protect and standards. Needless to say, the habitats. In doing so habitat case for sustainable use can be preserve their wildlife, and have protection can be afforded to a multitude of species. There is an urgent need to change the attitudes of two special interest groups. Firstly the many millions of owners that keep parrots as pet or companion animals, or for breeding for the pet trade, should be urged to accept more responsibility for the survival of parrots in the wild and the welfare of existing captive parrots. The second category pertains to the many businesses that are unquestionably built upon the "parrot phenomenon": the tens of millions of parrots being kept in captivity. These companies that trade parrots, their food, cages and other goods, should be encouraged to donate a proportion of their global annual income to parrot conservation. But with only one Parrot Action Plan meeting 1995. With the help of BAAC, parrot experts and enthusiasts gathered together to talk through or two commendable the Plan. Those present: from left to right (standing) - Noel Snyder, USA; James D. Gilardi, USA; Alejandro Grajal, Venezuela; Nigel Collar, UK; Joseph M. Forshaw, Australia; Rod Hall MBE, UK; Frank Lambert, UK; Mariano Gimenez-Dixon, Mexico; exceptions, few of these David Waugh, UK; Roland Wirth, Germany, Mike Reynolds, UK. From left to right (seated) - Phil McGowan, UK; Mike Perrin, companies donate anything to South . Not present: Colin Bibby, UK; Charles A. Munn, USA.

4 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 TOP PRESS - Parrot Action Plan - STOP PRESS Executive Summary Extract from PAP 2000-2004 contributions of the many Of the approximately 330 known nearly two million parrots were reliable information on causes experts around the world were parrot species, 95 are listed in traded on the world market of endangerment for many invaluable. Thanks are also due this Action Plan. Half of these (TRAFFIC 1999). International species that have not yet been to Rod Hall MBE of British occur in the Western trade also poses additional carefully studied. Effective Airways Assisting Conservation Hemisphere and half in the threats of establishment of feral conservation strategies should (BAAC), now part of British Eastern Hemisphere. The parrot populations in non-native be solidly based on reliable majority are found in tropical countries and the global spread science. Airways Environment Branch. It regions. The proportion of was Rod's idea to bring together of exotic avian diseases. Dealing extant parrot species that are with the problems posed by the - All solutions to the the world's leading parrot threatened (28%) is one of the conservation problems of people to start this Parrot trade involves addressing highest for any major family of complex internal and external parrots present tradeoffs and Action Plan process, and British birds. Yet the number of parrot regulation dilemmas within the each particular solution must Airways (BA) provided flights to species that have been given affected countries. be tailored to the species’ bring ten key participants to the careful field study to determine individual requirements and conference organised by the the best means of conservation Chapters 3 through 7 concern limitations. World Parrot Trust in London in remains low. Comprehensive the threatened parrots of the 1995. BA also provided flights conservation strategies are not world. For convenience the - Parrots often offer special to Africa, and to the final review yet possible for many species world is split into four regions: potential to serve as flagship because not enough information species for the protection of meeting in New York. is available to allow rigorous - Australia, New Zealand and the crucial ecosystems. There is no shortage of field identification of causes of South-west Pacific. endangerment with confidence. - The detrimental effects of bird biologists interested in working Because of this relative dearth - Asia, including continental trade pose major threats to with the parrots, and people of information, Chapters 1 and 2 Asia, Indonesia, and the parrots. Developing effective prepared to commit themselves of this Action Plan place Philippines. solutions to these threats to the fascinating and often substantial emphasis on - Africa, and represents an especially high urgent tasks at hand. Priorities conservation research methods priority. for many of these projects and strategies applicable to - The Neotropics (Americas). emerge clearly from this Action parrots in general. - Substantial biological, social, Plan. Given that the interest Each regional account outlines political and economic Parrots face a great variety of broad issues that affect the and expertise exist, we must difficulties pose major hurdles threats, ranging from the parrots of the region and then ensure that the next steps, for achieving sustainable impacts of introduced predators discusses potential conservation harvest of wild parrot which are the provision of the and competitors to habitat solutions. In the first three necessary funds, and the populations. No demonstrable destruction and shooting for regions, there are also outlines successful harvesting projects support of the relevant food. For nearly 78 species of of specific projects that address with free-flying parrots have authorities, are taken. this Action Plan, habitat the most threatened species and been established to date. destruction and fragmentation some other regional priorities. The sheer enthusiasm that has are the principal causes of For the Neotropical region, the This plan is designed to aid carried this Action Plan to endangerment. Perhaps more majority of priority projects are managers and researchers completion must be sustained. than any other bird group, included in the "actions" section entrusted with the conservation Readers may well be able to parrots also face the of each species account. The of parrot species to understand help support the many ongoing considerable extra pressures of regional accounts are followed both how best to evaluate the activities discussed in this Plan, the bird trade. In this Action by individual species accounts threats faced by individual or initiate action where no work Plan, 36 species are threatened for all threatened species. They species and how best to design is currently under way. The primarily by insufficiently include information on current appropriate conservation authors and the World Parrot controlled and unsustainable status, distribution, threats and strategies to counter the threats Trust are available to advise on harvest from the wild. Much of actions necessary to ensure involved. It is intended as much and co-ordinate these efforts. this harvest is fuelled by local continued survival. to be an evaluation of demand, although international General recommendations and conservation techniques as to be Michael Reynolds trade (both legal and illegal) conclusions include: a set of specific Hon. Director, plays a significant role for some recommendations for individual World Parrot Trust species. Between 1990 and 1994 - An urgent need to obtain species.

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 ■ 5 STOP PRESS - Parrot Action Plan - ST Introduction to Action Plan are often canopy dwellers in others have suffered significantly Extract from PAP 2000-2004 tropical forests, nesting in from hunting for food or , Parrots (Psittaciformes) are one of the most endangered groups of birds elevated tree cavities that are or to protect crops (nine species). in the world, due in part to their popularity in the bird trade. Yet the challenging to reach. Though not well documented, it is bird trade is not the only threat currently facing this group, and Despite the difficulties involved also reasonably likely that conservation efforts on behalf of parrots must address stress factors in their study, parrots often introduced diseases have been a that are as complex as those found with any other wildlife group. present major conservation major factor in the woes of some Unfortunately, many of the most threatened parrot species have not yet opportunities. As conspicuous species, for example the extinct received the comprehensive field study that would allow identification and attractive birds, they can Carolina Parakeet (see Snyder et of the most appropriate strategies for their conservation. Nevertheless, often serve as flagship species for al. 1987). It is thought that it is valuable to review the status of knowledge concerning the the preservation of threatened introduced diseases possibly threatened parrots of the world to: ecosystems, and because their endanger two species, and three are possibly hybridising with 1Provide a summary of existing held in esteem and affection even range needs are often large, they often can provide important related taxa. knowledge. by people uninterested in natural The principle threats vary history or conservation. Ironically, justifications for the saving of 2Identify the most pressing gaps quantitatively significant amounts geographically, temporally, and in information. people’s fascination with parrots with the specific characteristics of is a significant cause of the of habitat. Their spectacular 3Offer some general congregations at clay licks, the species involved; introduced conservation challenges faced by predators and competitors have recommendations on conservationists today. Because of waterholes, and mass roosts often conservation techniques. present important potentials for been a major threat primarily for their attractive colours and parrot populations on oceanic 4 Recommend conservation abilities to imitate human speech, ecotourism benefits for local actions where appropriate. communities, and for the islands; hunting for food is a parrots have been kept in principle threat for relatively captivity by many different development of conservation The major goal of this Action Plan education efforts. large species; and trade has been is to ensure the conservation of cultures worldwide, ranging from extremely damaging for many the world’s parrot species. This is the ancient Greeks and Romans to highly charismatic or colourful to be achieved by providing native tribes of the Caribbean. Threats The plight of parrots is due to species, especially for those that researchers, managers and local Captive rearing of parrots to are extraordinarily talented in groups with practical obtain feathers for ceremonial many factors. Two threats stand out as especially important; imitating human speech. While recommendations for conducting purposes was a widespread legal international trade has been conservation programs for the activity many centuries ago and fragmentation, and trapping for declining in magnitude for the threatened parrot species and among the native peoples of past decade (due to CITES populations endemic to their Mexico. Parrots have also been the bird trade. Of the 95 species considered in this Plan, habitat regulations, passage of various regions of the world. valued historically as objects of national regulations, and The Parrot Action Plan is by trade between cultures, leading to destruction and fragmentation endanger 78 species while trade increased law enforcement definition action-oriented. It is their distribution far beyond the activities), internal trade still built upon the most up-to-date boundaries of their natural ranges endangers 36 species. Diminished international trade has been remains a major problem in many assessments of distribution, status, and the establishment of countries. Illegal internal and and threats for endangered parrot numerous feral exotic dwarfed by significant growth in internal trade. For many species, international trade places grave species, and relates these data to populations. Today, 90 of the threats on certain parrot species. the considerable experience that approximately 330 extant species the threats of habitat loss and conservation biologists have of parrots worldwide are trade act concurrently, so that it Structure of the gained in attempting to prevent considered at some risk of is difficult to determine which threatened populations from extinction (Collar et al. 1994). threat might be most the most Action Plan becoming extinct. The plan is not This proportion is higher than for severe. For example, 29 species The second Chapter of the Action intended to be a treatise on parrot almost all other major groups of are currently threatened by a Plan considers general aspects of biology. For enhanced birds. combination of habitat parrot conservation, while the understanding, it should be read Despite their familiarity as cage destruction and intense trade, and remaining chapters provide in conjunction with general birds, most parrot species have 8 species are threatened by detailed species by species status treatments of parrot biology and not been the subject of detailed combined habitat destruction and accounts and conservation conservation available elsewhere ecological and conservation introduced predators or recommendations. Particular (e.g., Collar and Stuart 1985, studies. In part, this situation of competitors. However, these emphasis is placed on the need Forshaw 1989, Beissinger and relative neglect has resulted from factors are clearly not the only for sound knowledge of the Snyder 1992, Joseph 1992, an association of many species cause of declining parrot problems faced by individual Garnett 1992, Collar et al. 1992, with remote habitats far from populations. In other cases, large- species and the potential and Juniper and Parr 1998). centres of learning. In part it is scale reductions in parrot conservation actions required. due to the difficulties in populations have occurred in Such information should normally Parrots and humans conducting studies on species spite of the persistence of natural be gathered and evaluated before that have large home ranges, are habitats and an absence of trade. specific prescriptions are Parrots are among the most Introduced predators or advanced. Premature judgements familiar of bird species to the often difficult to capture for individual marking purposes, and competitors have apparently based on incorrect information general public, and are generally threatened 16 species, while can waste valuable time and

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resources and greatly diminish priority projects within the the prospects for effective Neotropical section are included Species Account: 54 specimens recorded in conservation. This is not meant to in the 'actions' section of each international trade between sanction a lack of action on behalf species account. Hyacinth , 1991 and 1995, with an annual hyacinthinus maximum of 17 in 1993 (mostly of species that are critically Initially, the species considered threatened simply because all Contributors: Jaqueline zoo animals and pets: CITES were those listed in Birds to Annual Report database). In the research answers are not yet in. Watch 2: the world list of Goerck, Neiva Guedes, Charles For such species provisional Munn, Carlos Yamashita Pantanal, deforestation and threatened birds (Collar et al. forest burning are a serious recommendations should be 1994), which is also the official developed and followed, but not : threat to the supply of nesting IUCN list of threatened birds (see IUCN: Vulnerable (A1c,d; A2c,d). trees. Conservation of stands of as a continuing substitute for IUCN 1996). Species included in obtaining the scientifically CITES: Appendix I. the palms Schellea phalerata Birds to Watch 2 are drawn from National protection status: and Acrocomia aculeata is rigorous data that will allow the list of species proposed by development of comprehensive Protected under Brazilian law. considered a keystone for their Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993). survival. conservation strategies. This list remains controversial but Distribution and status: The Because resources for has been adopted by both BirdLife Pantanal population may Actions: Accurate studies of conservation are limited, it is International and CITES. It is number a maximum of 5,000 the species’ current range and extremely important to maximise followed more in the interests of birds (N. Guedes in litt. 1997). population numbers in all parts the efficiency of each programme. standardisation than out of Recent work in the Chapada das of its range are needed. Conservation approaches will complete agreement with the Mangabeiras by BioBrasil has Investigations of the possible necessarily vary among individual species limits and sequence confirmed that a population of illegal trading of the species species. It is essential that every proposed. between 1,000 and 2,500 throughout its range are also programme be continuously hyacinths still exists. This required. Experimental The updated information in this population exists in the cliff evaluated for effectiveness and Action Plan, itself a first edition, ecotourism should be that conservation actions be and dry forest regions of south- developed at one or two key produced several changes to the western Piauî State, south- adaptively modified whenever original Birds to Watch 2. These sites. To support this work, a success remains elusive. western Maranhão State, north- broad political constituency changes fall into five categories: i) western Bahia State, and Chapter 2 of the Action Plan also changes in the threat category for must be built to attract donors extreme eastern Tocantins State, (both from Brazil and the public discusses principles that should species which remain threatened; Brazil. apply to the conservation of all ii) removals from the list which abroad) to broaden funding and parrot species. Subsections have been agreed with BirdLife Threats: Nest-trees are still to protect this species in the include determinations of International (7 species); iii) often cleared to provide areas wild. population sizes, ranges, and taxonomic reappraisals that for cattle. Illegal trapping Assessing the effectiveness of trends; determinations of causes suggest a threatened taxon might remains a problem in some experimentally erected nest of decline; and general be most appropriately treated as a areas. The is boxes should also continue. Of evaluations of conservation species, and hence should be protected under Brazilian law 11 boxes hung in 1992, all but alternatives. The principles added to the list (3 species); iv) and has been listed on two were visited or used. The involved are for the most part not species previously considered Appendix I of CITES since 1987, colonisation of artificial nests specific to parrots, and some non-threatened, which are and is thus banned from by aggressive Africanised bees examples to illustrate principles proposed here for inclusion on international trade. There were is a problem. are drawn from other groups. the Red List (4 species plus one Nevertheless, emphasis is placed group of populations). on the unique characteristics of Classifying species as to the parrots that pose special degree of threat is a controversial problems and opportunities in the endeavour, as it is commonly application of conservation extremely difficult to predict how techniques. likely extinction may be, Chapters 3 to 7 provide the most especially in cases where detailed up-to-date information available studies of individual species have on the status, distribution, and been lacking. Various efforts have threats to 103 species of parrots been made to base classifications threatened worldwide. The on numerical criteria for species are organised into four population sizes and trends and main regions: Australia, New on range sizes. Although no Zealand, and the Southwest numerical scheme has yet Pacific; Asia, (including achieved consensus support of continental Asia, Indonesia, and the conservation community, this the Philippines); Africa; and the Action Plan follows the IUCN Neotropics (Americas). A general Categories of Threat (IUCN, 1994). overview, including threats and The categories utilised are Extinct conservation solutions, and in the Wild, Critically Endangered, detailed species accounts for all Endangered, and Vulnerable (see threatened taxa are provided for Appendix 2). each region. Priority conservation For information on typical projects are discussed as text coverage, below we publish a boxes for Australia, Asia and species account: Hyacinth Macaw by David Johnston Africa. The majority of the PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 ■ 7 Our Hopes for the Parrot Action Plan By Michael Reynolds As described on pages 2 and 3 of this issue, we are very pleased to now have the action plan and its considerable IUCN/SSC Parrot Action Plan available. It will be widely distributed by IUCN itself, going potential to create new automatically to a list of several hundred appropriate bodies concerned with initiatives for the parrots. conservation, including universities, government departments, and NGOs (non- government organisations, like WPT). WPT (which shares copyright of the action plan Updating with IUCN) has been able to add its own list for free distribution to try to ensure that At the present time WPT intends specialist parrot organisations and publications receive a copy. If after the end of June to issue an annual report on the 2000 any group has not received a copy and feels it should have, please write to our UK Parrot Action Plan and its administrator Karen Whitley (address on page 19). implementation. It will also improve the current board, or picking a species presentation of the action plan Implementation Funding listed in the action plan, and on its website at There would be little point in Implementation can only occur raising money to go exclusively www.worldparrottrust.org, and producing an action plan, if no when funds are made available. to the bird of their choice. This update it as necessary. significant action resulted from What is needed here is the approach may well appeal to it. We must therefore seek to development of NEW SOURCES bird clubs. encourage good responses from OF FUNDING. WPT will Input Welcome all interested in parrot communicate with foundations Monitoring & Having been much involved with conservation, especially those and others interested in funding all stages of this action plan organisations and individuals wildlife conservation, and no Reporting project, the World Parrot Trust who currently make useful doubt other bodies will do the It will be a major task to record now invites all readers to let us contributions in this area. same. The Parrot Action Plan the current work on the 95 have any comments or These include organisations provides a great new species listed in the action plan, suggestions on how to make the such as ZGAP (Germany), opportunity to bring in funds and then add the expected new most of this unique opportunity IPF(Germany), Kaytee Avian for parrot conservation. The activity. World Parrot Trust will to advance the cause of parrot Foundation (USA), beauty of it is that ANYONE CAN undertake to do this, but of conservation. JOIN IN and use the action plan Foundation (), Wildlife course there are other Please send information to raise funds. Conservation Society (USA), organisations that may wish to regarding any work carried out BirdLife International (UK), WWF Individual World Parrot Trust do this independently. that is cited in the Plan, or any (UK), and others. WPT will members can also make the When WPT appoints its new fundraising that you have done ensure they receive copies of most of the action plan, either director, he or she will become so that we may include this the action plan, and will aim to raising funds on a general basis primarily responsible for information. Please write to the keep in touch. to help WPT projects across the pursuing all aspects of the UK address listed on page 19.

Our main hope is that the recommendations of the action plan will be funded adequately, and put into effective action as demonstrated by these pictures from the Echo Parakeet project in Mauritius.

One of the team inspecting an Echo nest. Kirsty Jenkin from Paradise Park, at work hand- A hand-reared and released Echo (‘Reef’) uses a feed rearing a young Echo. hopper.

8 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 owners of captive parrots. Full command of spoken and To represent WPT at all levels and written English. Some Spanish and WPT Seeks Director on all occasions. Portuguese would be an asset. Introduction trust has been under the day-to- To deal promptly and creatively Key tasks would be day direction (unpaid) of Mike with the extensive The World Parrot Trust (WPT) is a Reynolds, founder of Paradise communications received by the To play a major role in non-profit non-governmental Park in Cornwall, UK. Much trust. implementing the new IUCN/SSC organisation formed in the United funding and logistical support Parrot Action Plan 2000-2004. Kingdom in 1989 as Registered To provide expertise in response has been provided to the trust by to all media and other enquiries. To develop the membership Charity No. 800944. It now has Paradise Park. Mike intends to support for WPT. 13 international branches. The hand over the task of directing To communicate with WPT's objectives of the trust are the membership, primarily through To achieve substantial new WPT to a suitably qualified sources of funds for the survival of parrot species in the person by the end of 2000. 'PSITTASCENE'. wild, and the welfare of expansion of WPT projects, and individual birds. Funds raised to The requirements The individual chosen for the improvement of WPT pursue those aims now total structure. To understand the particular this job is likely to have the $1.5m, and have helped 37 To publicise the urgent needs of species of parrot in 22 countries. threats relating to the 330 species following characteristics of parrot. the parrots, and WPT's ability to The World Parrot Trust operates An appropriate scientific meet these needs. on a volunteer basis, with To be able to work effectively qualification. with individuals and generous support from its 2,500 Extensive experience in the field, Application and terms of members and in particular the organisations in parrot range employment countries. primarily in parrot range small committees and groups countries. Letters of application supported who organise the national To design, implement, supervise Experience in devising and by curriculum vitae with salary branches. WPT-UK has a full-time and report scientifically sound implementing substantial history and details of two referees administrator responsible for co- conservation programmes. conservation proposals. should be sent by email, fax or ordinating international activities, To work co-operatively with other mail to Mike Reynolds, for a central membership list, Experience in submitting organisations with similar aims. conservation proposals to consideration by the trustees, finances, and the publication of directors and committees of WPT. the trust's quarterly To initiate and bring to fruition a potential donors and government range of fund-raising activities. authorities. The priority will be to find the 'PSITTASCENE' magazine. right person as soon as possible WPT-USA has a part time To publicise the work of WPT and The ability to motivate and during 2000. The person chosen administrator, responsible for its achievements. supervise the work of associates must be able to spend substantial servicing the valuable and and employees. time at WPT's base in the UK, with enthusiastic US membership. To prepare and distribute educational material, for general Close contacts with organisations additional time in the USA, and in From its inception in 1989 the public consumption, and for in the conservation community. the field to monitor WPT projects.

Taken from Cage & Aviary Birds, May 20, 2000 MIKE’S Search for new FINEST HOURS MIKE is most proud of his parrot champion contribution towards the success of the Parrot Action Plan, which brought together scientists in THE driving force behind one “I think as Mike is 70 next year, different countries to carry of the world’s most influential he deserves a bit of time off,” said research work to find out which world parrot conservation his daughter, Alison. species are able to benefit from groups is to stand down at the “The WPT has been going for conservation. end of this year. ten years and after a while it takes “This has laid the basis for a lot of Mike Reynolds, founder of over your life. Before that he spent work in the future, and Mike helped the World Parrot Trust and its a long time setting up Paradise bring everyone together when it looked honorary director, will be 70 in Park and it was while doing this like they had drifted apart,” said Alison. early February next year and that he realised he wanted to do “He’s also proud of Paradise Park wants to make way for a new Mike Reynolds hopes more for the birds in the wild. to reduce his workload The Park, at Hayle, was created (recently voted Cornwall’s family leader after more than a decade attraction of the year) and how it has in charge. by next year. in 1973, before conservation among exotic bird species became survived all these years, as a bird garden Also founder of Paradise and as a breeding centre of rare Park bird gardens in Cornwall, now run by his son and a priority. As awareness grew of the harm being done by an unlim- species.” daughter Nick and Alison, Mike will still have an influence The new director, who will receive on both concerns but with a reduced workload. ited trade in birds and rapid habitat destruction, the need for a conservation group for wild parrots became evident. a salary but will also be involved in fund- International charity “It was only really 15 years ago that people started raising projects, will be based in England MIKE formed the World Parrot Trust in 1989 in response realising that controls were needed on imports, trapping and the USA with monitoring work at to a need for conservation, trade restrictions and habitat birds and loss of habitats, and they came to understand that project sites abroad. preservation in countries with threatened parrot populations. wild birds do not make good pets,” said Alison. Applicants should have scientific Operating through volunteers, it gained registered charity “Mike realised early on that you can’t just go on import- qualifications, extensive experience in status and now has 2,500 members and 13 international ing thousands of birds without it having a damaging effect, parrot countries and in conservation branches. It has helped 37 species of parrot in 22 different and there has been a huge change in attitude over that time. work, and be able to work closely with countries. “With the World Parrot Trust he has done what he is best other organisations and individuals Although a non-profit making organisation, it has raised at, which is inspiring people and setting out the ground for involved in projects. They should also funds totalling $1.5 million with which to work for the the future. be capable of generating publicity and welfare of parrots. Mike’s work as honorary director is a “He’s not going to step away completely. but he does communicating through the WPT’s job for which he draws no pay. think it’s time for someone else to take on a lot of the work.” magazine.

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 ■ 9 ABC / WPT small grants programme by MIKE PARR American Bird Conservancy and population in the area peaks World Parrot Trust Partnership during March and currently 150 for individuals are using the area, Conservation - Two Years of roughly 60% of the Belize Collaboration in Review. population of the species. Another species of conservation In 1998, World Parrot Trust (WPT) concern in Belize is the Yellow- teamed up with American Bird headed Amazon. Although the conservancy (ABC) in announcing species has a wide range, also a competitive grants programme extending through suitable habitat with the goal of stimulating and in Mexico, and supporting a range of parrot Guatemala, the population has conservation projects in the been severely depleted by habitat neotropics focused around loss and trade. It is one of the priority species identified in the most popular pet birds in Mexico, Parrot Action Plan. In the first and other parrots are sometimes year, more than seventy proposals were received and thanks to a painted to look like Yellow-headed generous grant from the San Amazons there so that they fetch Francisco-based Barbara Delano a higher price. Because of these Foundation and funds contributed threats, the remaining healthy by ABC and WPT, a total of local populations in Belize are of $62,000 was allocated to thirteen particular significance. The Belize projects in ten countries/ Zoo Yellow-headed Parrot Project Additional support in the form of is an education programme which a matching grant was made is directly involving more than available from the Washington DC 1,000 students in the based National Fish & Wildlife conservation of the Yellow-headed Foundation for the Great Green Amazon through awareness Macaw Honorary Warden Project, building and a nest box project. and thanks to support Using the Amazon as a from the Disney Wildlife conservation symbol, the project, Conservation Fund, two of the conducted by one of the most project: the Red-tailed Amazon effective environmental education Conservation Project in Brazil and successes. More information, programme. The Red Bank project groups in has Proyecto Ognorhynchus in including links to the project's is aiming to protect the last developed a national conservation , were expanded web sites can be found on the significant population of the outreach project which includes considerably, resulting in some ABC website at www.abcbirds.org. threatened Central American curriculum materials, exercise exciting additional conservation We are still actively fundraising of Scarlet Macaw in books, calendars, field trips and a action on the ground. Thanks to for the programme and donation Belize through a habitat nest box monitoring programme. the success of the programme, are welcome. For information on protection, conservation The programme is developing WPT and ABC continued the how to help please contact WPT education and ecotourism national pride in the species and partnership in 1999, and are UK. development programme. The encouraging the next generation currently supporting four new The Red Bank Scarlet Macaw project has developed a to view the Amazon as a symbol projects along with renewing Conservation and Avitourism community outreach campaign of wild habitats, rather than as a support for the Great Green Project is run by Program for including a national television pet to be captured and sold. Macaw project in Ecuador. Belize (PFB), one of the leading commercial promoting ecotourism The Great Green Macaw is a thinly Here, Mike Parr, Vice President of conservation organisations in the at the site; engaged the local distributed species which is in Program Development for ABC, country. PFB has built a solid community in the construction of serious trouble throughout its and co-author with Tony Juniper reputation through its fire breaks and fire patrols; range. It occurs mainly in humid of the award-winning guide to programmes of land purchase, successfully opposed a quarry lowland forest from Honduras, parrots of the world takes a look ecotourism development and development; raised funds from through parts of , Costa at some of the programmes conservation management and the Global Environment Facility to Rica, , Colombia and highlights including the species, recently began the development construct a visitor lodge; and Ecuador. Although habitat loss is conservation issues and project of a bird conservation trained tour guides. The macaw the species' main problem,

10 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, Mary 2000 trapping for trade and probably species employs a cooperative through the engagement of local hunting for food area also breeding strategy in which non- guides. The project has been contributing to its decline. The pair helpers assist in raising the given an additional boost thanks fact that this macaw is nomadic young - the only neotropical to funds from the Disney Wildlife makes it especially difficult to set parrot known to exhibit this Conservation Fund and the Loro up conservation programmes and behaviour. Thanks to additional Parque Foundation. the subspecies which occurs in funding from the Disney Wildlife In addition to these exciting western Ecuador is now on the Conservation Fund and the Loro project successes, WPT and ABC verge of extinction. With this in Parque Foundation, the project look forward to another mind, we selected the Great Green has also: begun to work with Great Green Macaw productive field season for our Macaw Honorary Warden Project landowners to fence areas to four new jointly supported subspecies of Blue-crowned conducted by Fundacion Pro- prevent grazing which hampers projects: Conure, the species featured in Bosque for support. The project is palm regeneration; established a the movie 'Paulie'. involving local people as honorary local education programme with Sonia Gabriela Ortiz Maciel will be reserve wardens in an area where posters and T shirts; incorporated working with Ernesto C. Enkerlin Lear's Macaw is one of the world's have traditionally been the parrot into the town flag and to investigate habitat preferences rarest parrots, surviving in just a hunted and trapped. It is encouraged local residents to of the endangered Maroon-fronted few isolated colonies in Bahia especially important that farmers paint a mural featuring the parrot Parrot in the Sierra Madre Oriental State, Brazil. The species is a cliff in areas surrounding the Cerro to enhance local pride in the of northeast Mexico. Although the nester and specialises in feeding Blanco protected forest are species. The project was given a species' key cliff nesting site at El on licuri palms, which have been sympathetic to the presence of further boost with the Taray is well protected, the birds cleared for agriculture throughout macaws on their property, as the involvement of the Institute of rove to surrounding pine forests most of its range. Despite birds often choose to nest on the Systematic Botany at the New York to feed. Following a spectacular protection efforts, the macaw is periphery of the reserve, or on Botanical Gardens which supplied breeding season in 1998, the still vulnerable to poaching and surrounding private lands. The a painting of the Wax Palm by number of breeding pairs crashed the BioBrasil Foundation project project has carried out a survey of Michael Rothman (who added in 1999, possibly due to the supported by WPT and ABC is local attitudes toward parrot several Yellow-eared Parrots to the extensive fires in surrounding providing wardens for the nesting conservation and recruited five design to help local outreach forest caused by the El Niño. The cliffs and is monitoring nest sites honorary wardens from the activities). The Garden also project will help provide a and fledging success. surrounding area as guardians of advised on the development of a baseline data to determine sub-project to study the ecology The Lilac-crowned Amazon is the macaws. Field visits to local conservation actions and endemic to the tropical dry of the palm itself to help habitat management priorities for the communities have been supported deciduous forests of southern restoration efforts. species. by a substantial outreach Mexico and large scale habitat campaign with a poster, colouring The remaining lowland coastal The Yellow-shouldered Amazon is clearance within its range and books for children, a mobile forest and forested wetlands of endemic to Northern Venezuela capture for the pet trade have puppet theatre and an southeast Brazil provide the last and some offshore islands (inc. induced a population decline, environmental play which has refuge for the endangered Red- Bonaire, Antilles). It culminating in the species being been performed in local villages tailed Amazon. Rapid habitat loss occurs in dry scrub and assigned "Near-Threatened" status as well as in central Guyaquil, the through coastal development has associated woodland and despite by BirdLife International. largest city in Ecuador. caused a steep decline in the its rarity is not well protected in Katherine Renton will be Proyecto Ognorhynchus run in species' population and further parks or reserves. There is a lack conducting an assessment of the conjunction with Sociedad threats from housing of enforcement to block illegal species' habitat preferences to Antioqueña de Ornnitologa (SAO), developments on Ilha Comprida (mainly local) trade and although provide a baseline for Colombia, is an emergency add to the severity of the the species is locally common in conservation recommendations. conservation programme for the situation. The illegal trade is also parts of Falcón and Anzoátegui, Yellow-eared Parrot in the central a serious problem for the species the population on Isla Margarita is We hope that WPT members will cordillera of the Colombian and some birds are still hunted now probably the most easily be as excited to learn of the Andes. The project team for food. The environmental protected. PROVITA has developed results of our joint grant discovered a healthy population education programme for the Red- a comprehensive conservation programme with ABC as we are of the species, the only one tailed Amazon being conducted at plan for the species on the island and we welcome contributions to currently known, and has Superagüo National Park, by and is also focusing efforts on the continue and expand on this developed a conservation Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas endemic Margarita island work. programme aimed at conserving (IPE) provides hope that at least the birds and expanding the one significant population of the available habitat by propagating species can be conserved. The and re-planting their favourite project aims to develop local food and nesting tree, the Wax pride to help combat illegal Palm. The Palm itself - Colombia's trapping, hunting and habitat national tree - is also an clearance. IPE has launched an endangered species and is the environmental awareness world's tallest palm reaching more campaign among villagers within than 150 feet in height. In the park in one of Brazil's poorest addition to discovering a critical - areas. The programme aims to and possibly the only - breeding develop alternative economic population of the species, the strategies such as local crafts and project has carried out the first the promotion of new recipes thorough ecological assessment of among women's groups to cater the Yellow-eared Parrot which not better to tourists. The project is only uncovered its almost also developing local pride in the complete reliance on the Wax parrots through local community Palm, but also discovered that the tours to the roosting site and Yellow-eared Parrot

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 ■ 11 Harry Sissen Jailed for 21/2 Years

Judge describes him as '... a liar and a hypocrite.' Harry Sissen with Hyacinth Macaws. Operation Palate - HM Mr. Sissen apply or receive CITES Society, Corporation of London; Once again, a leading figure in certificates for these birds and in Reception Centre; Mr. the parrot world has been sent Customs and Excise, Press cross examination Mr. Sissen Andrew Greenwood, vet and other to jail for offences against Release: admitted all other importation wildlife organisations. CITES, the international paperwork obtained was bogus convention designed to protect Mr. Sissen of Cornhill Farm, East With regards to the future of the Cowton, Northallerton was and in effect an additional seized birds in this case, I can endangered species from illegal ‘insurance policy’ should he be trade. charged with 4 Customs offences confirm that the Brazilian concerning the smuggling of rare intercepted by Customs. Government have formally Readers may recall that Tony parrots, including 3 Lear’s Additionally uplifted as a result of requested the repatriation of the Silva was convicted in the USA Macaws, under the Convention the raid on Mr. Sissen’s premises 3 Lear’s Macaws. The primary in 1997 on charges of against the International Trade in were 2 stuffed Lear’s Macaws. objective after confiscation of the smuggling and causing the Endangered Species (CITES). During the trial evidence was Lear’s Macaws and other birds deaths of up to 185 Hyacinth In April 1998 the premises of Mr. heard from five witnesses that Mr. seized must be to ensure that Macaws and other birds, and Sissen, a well known bird breeder Sissen had admitted illegally they can form part of a breeding was sent to jail for nearly seven were raided by Customs with importing these birds from programme aimed at preserving years. His release is due in support from local Police. A large Yugoslavia and Slovakia. One of these very rare species in the 2004/2005. number of Cites Appendix 1 birds these witnesses was the Right wild. We publish below the official (the most critically endangered Honourable William Hague, the Our investigation officers (with press release from HM Customs category and the category where Leader of the Opposition, who was expert assistance) identified a & Excise, describing the international trade is banned) approached by his constituent Mr. number of other endangered activities that brought Harry were seized. Included within this Sissen to complain about the raid. parrot species at Mr. Sissen’s Sissen to his present plight. We seizure were 3 Lear’s Macaws; H.M. Customs and Excise take their premises. The birds were removed understand he is likely to evidence heard during the trial responsibility very seriously in and he was subsequently asked to appeal against the sentence, indicated that only 150 remain in seeking to enforce the E.U. wide prove their legal origin. Mr. Sissen but is unable to appeal against the wild in Brazil. Also included import / export controls on has exercised his right in law to the conviction itself. in this seizure are 6 Blue-headed Endangered Species. We fully contest our actions and a form of The future of the three Lear's Macaws; these birds are the first recognise that the UK as a signatory civil (condemnation) proceedings Macaws is still to be decided, seen / imported into the E.C. The of CITES has an obligation to seek will be held to review the legality but the Brazilian government value placed on these birds is to prevent the illegal exploitation of our actions. At all times has asked for the birds to be difficult, as the only trade seen is of rare species worldwide. Customs have sought to provide on the black market. However, a returned to Brazil. This is Whatever the motive involved, it the seized birds with the best pair of Lear’s Macaws alone, are available accommodation and clearly the correct action, but if worth in excess of £50,000 is the actions of individuals like it is accurately reported that Mr. Sissen who create a demand expert veterinary care. the birds are intended to be The 3 Lear’s Macaws involved in (and high prices) for endangered 1Sissen was convicted on 4 released into the wild, this this case, code named Operation species and directly leads to their counts of illegally importing 3 needs much more Palate, were located in Yugoslavia illegal removal from their native Lear’s Macaws and 6 Blue- consideration. The World Parrot with a dealer who we believe habitats. headed Macaws by a majority Trust understands that the illegally obtained them from the verdict of 10-2. wild in Brazil. These birds were In 1997, the E.U. sought to tighten three Lears have a disease that the import / export controls on 2Sissen was sentenced to 21/2 might represent a threat to offered to Mr. Sissen as long ago as 1996 and were eventually Endangered Species. This was, in years on each count to run conspecifics and other birds in illegally imported into the UK in part, intended to reflect growing concurrently. He was also the wild, and that their future 1997 and 1998. Mr. Sissen concern that numbers of ordered to pay £5,000 costs. would be better spent as part travelled by car from the UK to endangered species were still 3 Confiscation proceedings were of a carefully supervised Yugoslavia in February 1997 entering the Community illegally. adjourned for a later date. breeding programme. The new law made it a where he obtained 2 of the 3 4Sissen was described by HHJ WPT would like to remind its Lear’s Macaws. He then proceeded requirement that Member States must be able to impose effective Guy Whitburn as being: ‘A members and other readers of to enter Slovakia and purchase devious and scheming man who PsittaScene that it deplores any the 6 Blue-headed Macaws from penalties on those who sought to deal in or move controlled species as a result of the verdicts is illegality in the parrot world, another dealer. These birds were both a liar and hypocrite’. especially where it involves the then smuggled across the illegally. We believe the penalties Austrian border into the E.C. From available under C.E.M.A. of up to 5 Highest sentence ever given in a smuggling of endangered British court for CITES offences. species. Smuggling over the there they were taken via seven years imprisonment past thirty years or so was bad Germany and to Calais provide an effective deterrent to by HM Customs and Excise enough, but today, when we all where they were smuggled wildlife smugglers. National Investigation Service know of the dire consequences through Dover. In the following This Department wishes to 4th Floor Eastgate House of such activity, it is March the third Lear’s Macaw was express its gratitude for the 10 Eastgate, Leeds, LS2 7JL unforgivable. smuggled into the UK by a similar assistance given during this case Telephone: 0113 245 2937 route and method. At no time did by the Zoo Federation; Parrot Fax: 0113 246 5911

12 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 Saint Vincent Parrot Consortium Meeting Report by DAVID WOOLCOCK St. Vincent Parrots The International Consortium for the Saint Vincent Parrot, Amazona guildingii, was programme in Saint Lucia. The established in the early 1980’s to assist the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in managing the Saint Lucia trails provide a good worldwide captive population of these birds. The breeding programme is intended to maintain a managed source of revenue for the Forestry captive reservoir of Amazona guildingii that could supply birds for reintroduction if needed in the future. Department there and a large The Consortium provides support and assistance for the management of both the captive and wild populations percentage of the funds raised go of the species and its habitat on the island of Saint Vincent. The Consortium also recognises that all Saint directly back into the field Vincent Parrots, regardless of where they reside are, and should be, the property of the Government of Saint conservation work. Vincent and the Grenadines. The last part of the meeting dealt with the functioning of the A meeting of the Saint Vincent of marijuana deep in the forest studbook but to, in preference, consortium and the roles and Parrot Consortium was held at the which is encroaching upon the participate fully within the responsibilities of individuals. Villa Lodge Hotel Saint Vincent. I birds habitat. The Forestry consortium framework. Donald F. Bruning was re- attended this meeting Department and the Police are Nigel Weekes, Chief of Forestry, appointed as Chairman and I have representing both the World doing their best to combat this expressed a desire for further been appointed both as Parrot Trust and Paradise Park. problem. veterinary assistance with the Consortium Secretary and After a welcome by Nigel Weekes, On the positive side there have captive population on the island. International Studbook keeper for Chief of Forestry in Saint Vincent, recently been new sightings of the Five years ago consultant avian Amazona guildingii. the current status of both the wild parrot on Soufriere, the island’s veterinarian, Andrew Greenwood The following day we visited the and captive populations of volcano, following regeneration visited the island on behalf of The aviaries at the Botanical Gardens Amazona guildingii was discussed after the last eruption. World Parrot Trust and with the to see at first hand the work in detail. The biennial census of There are currently sixty six generous assistance of British currently going on in the the wild population, which is captive birds on the island with Airways Assisting Conservation. construction of a large carried out by Forestry staff, has twenty nine of these being in Nigel would like this type of visit educational exhibit aviary which shown an increase in the number aviaries at the Botanical Gardens repeated on a regular basis as no had been funded by the Foreign & of birds between 1988 and 1994. as part of Forestry’s in-situ equivalent veterinary expertise Commonwealth Office. In addition However since 1994 no census breeding and education exists on the island. Nigel also we had an extremely fruitful had been undertaken due to programme, and the remaining commented upon the need to meeting with the Minister of problems with funding and thirty seven birds being in the train the staff at the Botanical Agriculture and Labour, the Hon. staffing levels. There are no hands of " custodians" - Gardens in best practices of Jeremiah Scott. Mr Scott known nest sites of the Saint Vincentians who had had pet captive bird care. Several reaffirmed his Government’s Vincent . Although birds prior to the amnesty and collections offered facilities to commitment to the consortium the birds are apparently doing who have registered their birds train Forestry staff ex-situ but and is even initiating moves to well, field research in the form of with the Forestry Department. Nigel would prefer to have enshrine the consortium within an up to date census and The ex-situ breeding programme someone come to the aviaries for the legislation of Saint Vincent identification and monitoring of was also discussed at length with two to three weeks in order to and the Grenadines thus giving it, nest trees is required as a matter reports from all consortium train all the staff at the Botanical and I quote "more teeth" to act for of some urgency. members and holders present. It Gardens at the same time. the benefit of the National Bird of The problem of birds being was agreed to take all available The importance of the parrot and the island. illegally taken from the island was action to try to encourage holders its habitat as a valuable source of On the final morning of my visit I discussed in some detail and will of Amazona guildingii who were tourist revenue was discussed and was fortunate enough to travel to probably need to be addressed not consortium members to at parallels were drawn with the Buccament Valley to observe a again once a census has been least register their birds with the successful Forest Trails group of fourteen or so Amazona undertaken. In order to make it guildingii in the field. A truly more difficult to launder illegal breathtaking sight. birds it was agreed to write to all My sincerest thanks to British known holders of Amazona Airways Assisting Conservation guildingii outside of the island to for providing the flights to request DNA samples from the Barbados. Thanks also to the staff birds they hold. This DNA work at Forestry Saint Vincent for their will also have a secondary role as time and assistance with field it can be used to determine observations. relatedness within the whole captive population. Recent Footnote: research carried out by the New Since returning from the meeting York Zoological Society on funding has been provided by the confiscated birds entering the US World Parrot Trust, New York has revealed previously unknown Zoological Society and Houston genetic lines within the species. From R to L: Yves de Soye, Loro Parque; David Woolcock, Paradise Park; Don Bruning, Zoo to enable the census to be Another pressure on the wild NYZA; Luanne Porter; Hon Jeremiah Scott, Minister; Paul Reillo, R.S.C.F.; Mrs White, undertaken. It is currently population is the illegal farming Minister’s P.S; Nigel Weekes, Chief of Forestry; Fitzgerald Providence, Forestry underway

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 ■ 13 France by JACQUELINE and GABRIEL PRIN by CRISTIANA SENNI Reports from Protection via breeding .. Dream Pet parrots have become or reality? increasingly popular in Italy, and although the majority of birds for in some countries, the law hinders sale are still wild-caught, more captive breeding. In France, for captive bred birds are beginning instance, to keep species of CITES to be available. The main WPT branches 1 or listed in what is called drawback for pet owners and Amazon parrot species in The “Arreté de Guyane’, we must have breeders is that there is virtually Canada Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Saint an ‘ability certificate’ and a permit no reliable and current Lucia, Saint Vincent, Dominica, of ‘establishment opening’. All the information in Italian about the by MIKE PEARSON keeping and breeding of parrots, The Bay Islands and Bonaire. Over birds must be declared and The Canadian World Parrot Trust registered (that means adult pairs, and very few people know other the past decade, RARE Center- languages well enough to access has expanded its funding through supported Conservation Education young, and even death). Moreover, 1999 - 2000 with continued foreign specialised publications. Campaigns (CECs) have been we can only sell young of such support for the Cuban Parakeet successfully implemented in over birds as those possessing this Many shop keepers take advantage and Cuban Parrot project headed 20 countries around the world, certificate. of the general lack of information by Dr. James Wiley of Grambling focusing on several significant to sell wild-caught birds as captive State University, Louisiana, USA. But we are not allowed to bred. Through our Italian WPT web parrot species and leading to The goals of this study are to exchange adult birds, even if they site we invite people to write to us expanded environmental determine the Cuban Parakeet and are incompatible. This certificate for advice and information, and awareness and education, the Cuban Parrot’s status and takes a long time to obtain, so from the many messages received establishment of protected areas, distribution in and the Isla that means very few breeders we got a clear picture of how some the passage of wildlife protection de la Juventud. have it. This ends up causing a pet stores and breeders can take legislation, and other advantage of inexperienced buyers In addition we have commenced a conservation benefits. hold up in trying to breed endangered species. This by selling sick or behaviourally program to raise funds for troubled birds, lying about their research in the Morne Diablotin We operated booths at the certificate could be a good thing, origins, and giving terrible National Park, Dominica, West Western Canadian Parrot but it concerns the laws, rather information regarding their care. Indies. This project is being run Symposium in May in Victoria, than the breeding itself. All the However, one of the most serious by Dr. Paul Reillo, Rare Species British Columbia and the Eastern forms that have to be completed situations is the very difficult Conservatory Foundation (RSCF), Canadian Parrot Symposium in and controls that are required do Toronto, Ontario in November relationship between breeders and and is centred around the not encourage those who do that aviculturists with the managing 1999. In addition we participated Sisserou (Amazona imperialis), on a small scale, as a hobby. authorities particularly where Dominica’s national bird and in customer appreciation days at Where is the pleasure when there Appendix I species are concerned. symbol. We were fortunate to various Ontario Super Pet stores are so many restraints? And on With the exception of a few very receive a large donation from the and look forward to continuing the other side, some ‘breeders’ or dedicated officers, the general Highbury Foundation, British this through 2000. dealers are ‘protected’ and will attitude towards breeders and Columbia, which helped in the We will be attending the Western never be controlled. bird owners is one of strong funding of this project. World suspicion. Parrot Trust, UK is also providing Canadian Parrot Symposium in In short, conservation of species Although we urge everyone to act financial support to this program. May 2000 where we hope to raise thanks to captive breeding is far in full respect of the laws, it is a Program details can be found in further funds for the RSCF and from being admitted in France. RARE projects. Look for a fact that the laws which were PsittaScene Vol. 12 No.1 February So what does become of parrots created to protect and secure the 2000 and on the CWPT web site. Symposium update in the August issue of PsittaScene. reared in captivity? Many are welfare of wildlife and endangered We have also started funding for ‘smuggled’ into neighbouring species are too often applied in an the RARE Center for Tropical The Canadian World Parrot Trust countries (rings are cut, so the intimidatory and sometimes Conservation’s new Conservation web site is currently undergoing a birds lose their identification and threatening way, generating a Education Campaign (CEC) follow- facelift and has been relocated at: also their genetic inheritance). strong and justified feeling of up program, focusing on target http://www.canadianparrottrust.org distrust among aviculturists. This Others are sold to an individual results in breeders not making who does not know the laws and birth reports or requesting the the bird becomes a pet. In both necessary permits or even ceasing cases, it is a loss for the species. altogether to breed and trade Only a small part of young reared Appendix I species. in captivity are registered and Obtaining any sort of kept for breeding purposes. authorization can be a nightmare: Present laws and large controls, - Permits are issued with with seizures and fines, are not unacceptable and unjustifiable enough. delays: the wait can reach well over one year in spite of a law CITES has been upheld by many which sets a maximum limit of countries, including France. But 90 days for the issuing of any its application is very different public certificate. between each country, even - Breeders can be subjected to between countries in the repeated requests for DNA tests European Union. When will this on the same birds to prove the Canadian WPT Booth law be the same for everyone? parentage.

14 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 - Some were forced to act through Indonesia, but we have reported it generosity of people who donate lawyers just to obtain what was to the CITES Secretariat funds, speak on our behalf at their right. Enforcement Unit, to CITES- clubs and events, and pass out - Most of the Forestry officers who Indonesia and CITES-Singapore. materials to spread the word inspect and judge if premises about our programs. and management will be suitable Benelux In the US we have had a for Appendix I species, are By RUUD VONK particularly strong showing from untrained and unqualified to various bird clubs. In all we have express an opinion. Towards the end of last year I received over $10,000 in gave 7 lectures with slides to bird donations from almost 20 So far our government and clubs, 4 in Holland and 3 in managing authorities seem to different clubs (See PsittaScene Belgium. The new WPT promotion Volume 12, No 1 page 7) since have been far more interested in stand was present at 8 political issues rather than finding June 1999. Almost 50% of those exhibitions, and was successful in funds were dedicated to the solutions for the dramatic situation selling goods and bringing in new of confiscated animals (not just Golden Conure Fund spearheaded members. We printed a new WPT- by WPT member Glenn Reynolds. parrots) some belonging to Benelux leaflet, which was endangered species. There are over Glenn has done an extraordinary distributed with the help of bird job generating interest in this 2,000 parrots which for different societies. reasons have been confiscated. striking Brazilian species. Because Inside view of an indoor macaw Since there isn't a single facility to Last Sunday 4 June we organised of his and others efforts, we were aviary at Voliere Hyacinthinus house them, the majority are left a kind of mini-symposium at recently able to send $10,000 Photo: Lars Lepperhoff to their owner's custody. Assen in the North of Holland. It directly to Brazil for work on the was a combined effort with two Golden Conure Survey. In important and serious one is We hope for a future in which other local bird clubs. The general addition, we purchased 200 leg EXOTIS. The aims of EXOTIS are aviculturists and the managing goal was to promote WPT, and bands for the team as they begin also to forbid the import of wild authorities will be able to there were three speakers. to mark birds in the field. After caught birds and to enhance the efficiently work together with the Opening with a general lecture the great success of this fund we conditions of bird keeping. In the bird's welfare as priority over any about WPT (organisation, projects, are excited that Glenn has agreed magazine of EXOTIS they regularly other issue. In which breeders will education) by me, then from Dr. to work on a new dedicated fund write news about WPT and try to be encouraged and helped, and Jan Hooimeijer about health and for the Great Green Macaw ( get new members. We try to not penalized for their activities, training of parrots at home, ambigua). We look forward to translate PsittaScene into German so that they can contribute to finally from Eric v. Kooten, WPT reporting the results of this new and add photocopies to all reduce the very high number of member and studbook holder for initiative. German speaking members imported wild-caught parrots. Poicephalus parrots, about inter- because most Swiss or German In addition to the Golden Conure The continued importation of action between parrot breeders aviculturists do not speak English. and buyers. Everyone received a grant, I had the pleasure of wild-caught Citron-crested writing another cheque for The tremendous work of Cockatoos newly written information pack translating is done mainly by Mrs including the new WPT Benelux $10,000 to the American Bird In the May 1999 issue of Conservancy toward the joint Franziska Vogel. This voluntary leaflet, and we look forward to work is very much appreciated. PsittaScene Dr.Margaret Kinnaird signing up some new members! World Parrot Trust/American Bird wrote about the Citron-crested Conservancy parrot conservation More and more aviculturists, but Cockatoos (Cacatua sulphurea On Saturday 4th November 2000 grant program. This marks the also people who are keeping just citrinocristata) which are found we hold our 12th Parrot second year that we have joined one parrot, or who generally care only on Sumba, a small Indonesian Symposium in Braaschaat in ABC in making these funds about nature, become members. island. This subspecies is critically Belgium. We hope to have a available for parrot conservation. In October 2001 there will be a endangered, and although still celebrity speaker from WPT. Check online at www.abcbirds.org National Bird Exhibition from included in CITES Appendix II, it is Once again we will have a superb for more information about this EXOTIS where we would like to protected by the Indonesian law printed syllabus. More fine organization. enlist more members. Parrot which forbids its capture and trade. information later in the year, but keeping in Switzerland is not as please don’t hesitate to contact These two large grants are It was recently reported to us that testimony that your support really popular as in other north me or Romain Bejstrup - see our European countries. Luckily a number of wild-caught Citron- numbers on page 19. makes a difference directly in the crested Cockatoos were sold in field. However, we still have a Switzerland does not import large 1997 and 1998 by a large huge untapped potential in the numbers of parrots. There are importing company of wild-caught USA United States. Our current US very few pet shops which still sell parrots in northern Italy. After by JOANNA ECKLES membership of approximately 600 parrots. Most people who want to some research it turned out that buy parrots can buy them from In the year that I have been people and organizations 22 birds were imported in Italy in breeders. Today there are many working as the USA Administrator represents only a fraction of the 1997 and 24 in 1998. They were species which cannot be sold for the World Parrot Trust most of parrot owners, breeders, and exported from Singapore with a because there are too many birds my efforts seem to have focused fanciers in this country. We'd love regular export permit, however bred. There does not exist a real on the mundane. That is, to see greater representation they did not have the required answering the mail and messages, among all these facets within our illegal parrot trade. Only 10 to 20 Indonesian export permit. and sending out information, membership. birds have to be confiscated from Singapore also reported the materials and correspondence. I the Federal Veterinary Office export of 15 Citron-crested have grown to love opening the every year. Our Zoos do not keep Cockatoos to the Netherlands in Switzerland mail because of the generosity of many parrot species. 1997.The 1999 import data for by LARS LEPPERHOFF our supporters. Though we make Unfortunately we do not have a the European Community is not our share of mistakes there are WPT Switzerland was founded in bird park in Switzerland. Most yet available and we don't know if rarely any complaints. Most of the 1995 in the Swiss German part of breeders are keeping their parrots more birds have been imported. notes we receive are full of praise this very small country with only in normal indoor and outdoor It is not clear why official permits for our efforts on behalf of parrot 7,000,000 inhabitants. We have a aviaries. There are quite a lot of have been issued to birds who conservation worldwide. I am few different avicultural reasonable and successful have been illegally exported from continually amazed at the organisations but the most breeders around.

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 ■ 15 continued for eight hours up the river. We stopped on a lake with giant otters, caimans, hoatzins and whole flocks of Ara ararauna. The boat trip up the river was most fascinating. After Tambopata some hours there were no signs of human civilisation, only remote neotropical rainforest with its wild life. In the evening we got to Tambopata Research Centre. Research Center During the following two weeks (TRC), Madre de Dios, Peru Edwin and I walked many kilometres on the trails of the by LARS LEPPERHOFF rainforest around TRC. We It is still dark. I try to get in my humid clothes still tired. The calls of Bamboo-rats shout observed the sloths, different into the concert of insects. Soon we are sitting on a boat which goes up the Tambopata monkey species like red howler river into the mists of the early morning to a river bank. Expectantly we are sitting on a monkey (Alouatta seniculus), fallen tree trunk and are looking into the beautiful rise of the sun behind the rain forest common squirrel monkey in the east. First small Macaws appear. A flock of Chestnut-fronted Macaws and Red- (Saimiri sciureus sciureus) and bellied Macaws fly over the river bank where we are sitting. Red-bellied Macaws are easy brown capuchin (Cebus apella), a to identify in flight because they are yellow under their wings; Chestnut-fronted Macaws lot of different insects like ants, are brown. Also the calls are different. More and more small Macaws fly from the Eastern spiders, tarantulas and Andes to the famous clay lick or collpa at Tambopata. Suddenly the sun is shining on the butterflies and reptiles like clay lick which is now a shiny red. Soon there are large Macaws coming. Blue and Yellow, snakes, turtles and lizards. Daily Scarlet and Green-winged Macaws are flying into the Cecropia trees on the upper river we saw tapir and jaguar foot bank. They prefer the branches on the top of the trees without leaves. I am really in a prints on the muddy ground, paradise, in a Macaw-land! different fish species in the clear water of lovely little rivers When I decided to travel the and, of course parrots and other long way from Bern in birds. Switzerland to Tambopata in Peru I did not expect that I I was very impressed with the would be so fortunate to plants. There were different observe so many different bird forest types: typical lowland species in such a beautiful forests with Monstera and tropical rainforest. It was only Philodendron climbing up the possible because I had such a trees (often in symbiosis with nests), palm swamps good and friendly guide. Edwin with Mauritia flexuosa palms, Salazar Zapata is a Peruvian drier forests on soft hills, biologist and ornithologist who bamboo forests and Cecropia is extremely knowledgeable forests on river banks which about the wild life and took over new places as pioneer particularly about the birds of trees. Around TRC and, Peru. Everything was well especially every morning on the organised. Someone came to clay lick, we could observe: pick me up at Lima-airport. I Part of the famous clay lick at Tambopata. spent one night at Lima. The but we could not see the parrot observed a family of three of - White-eyed Conure (Aratinga next day I flew from Lima to because life in a tropical these amusing birds climbing in leucopthalma) Puerto Maldonado which is the rainforest goes on mainly in the a tree and whistling. After some - Dusky-headed Conure capital town of the department canopy. Therefore it was a good minutes they flew to their nest (Aratinga weddellii) of Madre de Dios. At Puerto opportunity to climb up a tower which was formed by a rotten - Black-capped Conure or Rock Maldonado Edwin came and which was built into the branch which had fallen down. Conure (Pyrrhura rupicola) picked me up. Afterwards we rainforest about 30 minutes All of the birds disappeared into were sitting in a boat which was away from the lodge. On the top this nest. - Barrabands Parrot (Pionopsitta driving for about 2 hours up the of this tower, which was next to barrabandi) I will never forget the early river to Posada Amazonas lodge. a Brasil nut tree, we could morning on this tower where the - Blue headed Parrot (Pinous During the three days we spent overlook the whole rainforest mists over the trees vanished menstruus menstruus) there I observed many which was like an ocean. In the and the sun sent its first rays of - Yellow-thighed Caique (Pionites interesting bird species. Of far west I could see the Andes. light. Feeding flocks of leucogaster xanthomeria) course I was especially From this tower (where we spent multicoloured tanagers roamed interested in parrots. many hours) we could observe - Natterer’s Amazon (Amazona the tree tops. Macaws shouted so many birds. ochrocephala nattereri) As human beings we were on the other side of the brown confined to the grounds in the Quite close there was a nest of river which was full of - Chapman’s Mealy Amazon shade of the wonderful Yellow-thighed Caiques. These sediments. In the tree tops grew (Amazona farinosa chapmani) neotropical rainforest. It was beautiful parrots were always epiphytic plants like Bromelias, - Cobalt-winged Parakeet very exciting to hear parrot cries my favourites and now I Orchids and Tillandsias. We (Brotogeris cyanoptera)

16 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 Most of us know parrots from aviaries and cages. It is so interesting and it would impress anybody to see how they live in the wild and how they fly. It makes us think a lot and, I am quite sure, every parrot keeper would return home and try to improve their aviaries. To other parrot enthusiasts I very highly recommend a visit to Tambopata. The best time to travel there seems to be from April to October. Of course you have to be prepared for hot A group of parrots waiting to descend onto the clay lick. A trio of Mealy Amazons. weather and for very high - Blue and Yellow Macaw (Ara The clay lick of Tambopata is in does important research on the humidity. There is always the ararauna) the Tambopata-Candamo Zona wildlife. Most guides are possibility of heavy rains. In our Reservada. This place is the biologists who also work in - Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) summer it can be very cold heart of the largest uninhabited projects for TRC and do (about 8 °C for some days!). - Green-winged Macaw (Ara jungle in the world. It is without research on butterflies, , chloroptera) hunters and about 1 million birds of the bamboo forest, clay For further information or hectares in extent and reaches lick, macaws and other items. It tour organisation please - Chestnut-fronted Macaw (Ara up to the department of Puno at is important to support the contact directly: severa) and, the foot of the Andes 200 research there so that more and Rainforest Expeditions, - Red-bellied Macaw (Ara kilometres away from lake more people get to know about Arumburu 166 - 4B, Lima 18, manilata) Titicaca. In the area of this unique area. The Peru. Tel: 0051 14 21 83 47, Fax: Tambopata there are about 600 government and the petroleum 0051 21 81 83, E-mail: - Blue-headed Macaw (Ara bird species living, as many as company might be impressed couloni), are sometimes in the [email protected], in the USA. It is known that and might hesitate to start the www.perunature.com area but we could not observe Tambopata-Candamo is a place petroleum project. As an them. with a tremendously high example, the Macaw research Miss Maria Esther Stagnaro is the One day after several hours of biodiversity, much higher than project at Tambopata helps to trip co-ordinator and she speaks waiting quietly we even the Brasilian lowland forest, for spread information about English very well. observed a flock of the recently example. It comes from the macaws (whose life in nature The best field guide is: discovered Amazonian rivers which carry the minerals was not well known before TRC (Nannopsittaca dachileae) and nutrients from the Andes started with its work). The - Hilty, Steven L. / Brown, down to Tambopata-Candamo. knowledge of the intact Macaw William L. (1986): A guide to the The best opportunity to observe populations of Tambopata will birds of Colombia, Princeton the parrots was in the early Already before the Zona help other populations which University Press, ISBN 0-691- mornings from 5.30 to 7am Reservada was founded this are in danger. 08372-X (pbk.) when most species came to the place was owned by the Mobil, collpa (Quetchua name of clay Exxon, Elf oil company together For people who are interested in A book which should be of great lick). Afterwards it was always with a large area in the west of parrots Tambopata is just a interest for bird watchers in possible to observe some the department Madre de Dios. paradise. It is not only the home Peru (the first one to be species in the rainforest but is According to this company there of the three spectacular and published) will be: was much more difficult. Several is a 12% chance that they will beautifully coloured large Clements, James F. / Barnes, nesting sites of Scarlet and find petroleum in this area. A Macaws but also for a lot of Eustace: A Guide to the birds of Green-winged Macaws could be Zona Reservada does not have other parrot species of which Peru, Pica Press, c. 400 pages. found around the lodge. From a the status of a national park. some are not kept in Europe. (Not yet published) blind above the collpa it was Therefore if they find petroleum possible to observe several there, they will turn this place species quite close. I was into an industrial place with all particularly impressed with the the inevitable pollution. The large numbers of Blue-headed company will replace the land Parrots in this tree. In a Mauritia they take for the petroleum flexuosa palm swamp Blue and industry with a similar area in Yellow Macaws were nesting. We the Bahuaja Sonene National just came at the right time when Park. It is very important to a chick flew out. It was a very protect the Tambopata-Candamo special environment. The Zone because there are so many Macaws were feeding on the endemic animal species living fruits of the Mauritia palms. I there. observed that they mostly drank the liquid from the nuts. Always Rainforest Expeditions, which at 5.30pm a flock of Cobalt- own the Tambopata Research winged Parakeets disappeared Centre (TRC) is a very good and into a large termite nest which effective Peruvian company was on a trunk of a palm in the which runs a beautiful tourist swamp. lodge and cares for nature and Red-bellied Macaws and Blue-headed Pionus in flight.

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 ■ 17 Rainbow Lorikeet - Letters For more information or subscription order please To Mike Reynolds from Tony Jupp, Perth, Australia contact: Dear Mike the introduction of exotic species. Imax Publishing Ltd, Unit B2, I have always felt extremely comfortable The point of my article was to ask why Dolphin Way, Shoreham-by-Sea, contributing to your great organisation. I New Zealand’s Dept of Conservation (DOC) West Sussex BN43 6NZ believe it is unique in providing a are spending hundreds of thousands of Telephone: 01273 464777, sensible and balanced approach to dollars to eradicate the Rainbow Lorikeet parrot conservation and working yet have made no attempt to trap or kill Fax: 01273 463999, together with aviculturists (of which I the other introduced Australian parrots Email [email protected] myself am not) to achieve this aim. I in the area, namely the Rosella and the have even considered Willing my estate Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. And how can Seram, Indonesia to your organisation (though that’s a they justify such enormous expenditure Somewhere in Seram, Indonesia, a long way off - I hope). when equivalent sums could help to New Lory Park, safeguard the future of an endangered trapper pounds iron stakes into a I have just read however, Rosemary South Africa tree and hoists himself step by step Low’s article in the February Edition of and rapidly declining species like the ‘PsittaScene’ and I am completely Kaka? The fact that different A brand new zoo, dedicated to into the canopy. Clambering along a dismayed. I have never met Rosemary departments of DOC are involved is parrots and other birds, located in skinny limb 165 dizzying feet though I have read her books and always irrelevant. Surely it is a matter of Mirand, north of Johannesburg, above the rainforest floor, he lays felt that she seems a reasonable person. priorities? South Africa, and is the largest bird out fishing line traps. Later, he will This article however makes me think I completely agree with your comment zoo in Africa. collect a half dozen screaming otherwise. I thought that this association regarding the photograph used with my cockatoos. From his isolated village, that I support personally and article describing Rainbow Lorikeets as It has been granted Zoo status by professionally might have learnt some of an excellent tourist attraction. The the Department of Agriculture, this trapper doesn’t know the fate the innumerable examples of the photograph was used as a last minute Conservation and Environment, of the endangered Seram cockatoos devastation caused by introduced filler. I abhor the feeding of lorikeets as South Africa. he collects. He knows only that species often when the particular a tourist attraction or for any other traders offer nearly US$10 a head problems that they cause cannot be reason. In my book Encyclopedia of the The aviaries have all been designed for these and other parrots - an predicted at the time. This article could Lories (1998), I wrote: ‘The harmful to fulfil two major objectives: alluring bounty in a cash-poor be a reprint from any number of effects of backyard feeding of lorikeets justifications from early Australian are apparently unknown by most - The one purpose is to let the economy. Much of this trapper’s settlers 200 years ago who supported Australians. They offer sugared water, public view the birds from close catch probably will die in the introduction of rabbits, foxes, with or without bread, and also provide proximity. Indonesian markets or in suitcases camels, doves, squirrels etc.. some sunflower . In so doing they - And the other, is to give the birds as the birds are smuggled overseas. Were this article the thoughts of a are causing the deaths of large numbers of lorikeets’. I went on to describe how the opportunity to breed PBW is a U.S. based nonprofit contributing writer then this may have successfully without feeling organisation that helps trappers been easier to swallow but when it veterinarians are being brought comes from the Editor of the Trust’s increasing numbers of lorikeets which threatened by constant find alternative, sustainable forms magazine it concerns me greatly and are unable to fly, many suffering from observation. of income that eliminate causes me to rethink my support. I could paralysis of the legs, and from dependence on the wild bird trade. malnutrition, and stated: ‘One purpose If you want to learn more about find this kind of ‘animal-welfare-at-the- the Lory Park, South Africa, With the help of PBW, Masihulan and expense-of-conservation-common-sense’ of this book is to educate people to the Swai villages built a canopy harm they are doing to the rainbow and, please do not hesitate to nonsense in any number of Animal platform in Manusela National Park, Rights publications which is exactly why to a lesser extent, scaly-breasted contact: I joined WPT and not them. It speaks lorikeets, which regularly consume near Seram’s north coast. Here, ex- artificial food at backyard feeders’. Eddy van Eck, Tel: 083 679 0584 bird trappers put their knowledge very clearly to me like ‘lets leave the International Tel: +27 83 679 0584 pretty birds alone. They’re not hurting Lorikeets should be attracted to gardens to work as birding guides. anyone.’ by planting shrubs which bear nectar E-mail: [email protected] Admission fees go to a local The photo of an Asian man feeding and pollen. It never ceases to amaze me community development fund. Rainbow Lorikeets (probably at that in Australia, many parks and car Parrots Magazine Based on the early success of this Currumbin Sanctuary) with the caption parks, planted with flowering shrubs, venture, Masihulan scrapped a ‘In Australia Rainbow Lorikeets are an attract dozens of Rainbow Lorikeets to developing contract with a logging excellent tourist attraction’ is both which passers by never give as much as erroneous and counter productive to the a glance. I would much rather see people company. educational aims of the trust. Whilst enjoying these birds in a natural The fledgling PBW depends on they are a great tourist attraction in situation than as a tourist attraction donations and on increased Queensland, is Rosemary suggesting that where they are fed harmful foods. visitation to this far-flung corner of this justifies feral populations in New I am totally against what Mr Jupp Zealand? Hopefully not! Indonesia. A documentary is being describes as ‘animal-welfare-at-the- created by Stephanie Georgia to I rarely winge and this is the first time I expense-of-conservation-common-sense’. have ready anything but great articles in As I stated in my article: ‘If the Rainbow provide further awareness. For PsittaScene but felt it was so out of place Lorikeets had infiltrated island reserves more info., visit: that I should let my feelings be known. and could thrive there, my reaction www.tpp.org/pbw or write to PBW, I hope not to see articles of this nature would be that they must be eradicated at c/o Jeannie White, 345 Culver Blvd., in my trust’s magazine again and all costs, as a danger to the unique and Playa del Rey, CA 90293, USA. preferably an organisational distancing threatened endemic bird species. Or if, of Rosemary’s views in the next issue. even in the suburbs, the lorikeets could have a serious impact on native birds by Nothing to do with Yours sincerely taking over their nest sites, this could be Tony Jupp Parrots a cause for concern.’ Are these the words Having just returned from a brief Dear Mr Jupp of someone who believes that animal welfare is more important than holiday I wanted to recommend a Thank you for your letter. I regret that ‘Parrots’ is a bimonthly magazine superb cottage for rent at Loze in conserving endemic species? I think not! which covers all aspects of the my article has offended you to the Please read my article again. I stated: ‘I the Tarn & Garonne area of SW degree that it has negatively influenced deplore the liberation of non-native Parrot world, including breeding, your opinion of the World Parrot Trust. I France. The cottage sleeps 4, is species as their influence is rarely conservation, veterinary advice and very well equipped, and is located should have made clear that I was beneficial so I believe it was an general care, with a particular expressing my own opinion and not an in a medieval village in a most official view held by directors of the irresponsible act to liberate the emphasis on promoting responsible lorikeets...’ beautiful unspoilt area. Ancient Trust. ownership. Their articles, especially stone villages and great You mentioned ‘the devastation caused Finally, I thank you for replying. I believe with reference to pet bird keeping, that our opinions do not differ so much. restaurants, and virtually empty by introduced species’, a point which I are extremely helpful, varied, roads. No parrots, but we saw made at the beginning of the article, I hope that you will continue to be a interesting and informative. mentioning the extinctions caused by member of the Trust for many more hoopoes. For details contact the rats, cats and stoats and introduced food years. We would like to thank them for owners, Jackie and Allan Cowley, competitors. I think I made my opinion Yours sincerely promoting the Golden Conure WPT Tarn et Garonne, 82160 LOZE, on that very clear. Nowhere do I condone Rosemary Low USA appeal in their latest issue. France. Tel/Fax: (33)5 63 24 03 94.

18 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 Working for Parrot Conservation and Welfare Worldwide The World Parrot Trust was founded in 1989 as UK Registered Charity Parrots’, and to win over the majority of aviculturists, pet owners and No. 800944. International expansion has been rapid and the Trust now scientists to its point of view. The task is huge – our resources are has linked charities and support groups in Africa, Australia, Belgium, limited. We need the commitment of everyone in the ‘parrot community’: Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland those who keep, breed, study and protect the parrots. Beyond those and the USA. special interests, we look for support from everyone who understands the crisis facing the world through the loss of biodiversity. We aim to Funds raised for the parrots have now reached £1,000,000 ($1.6M) and continue using the special charm of the parrots to win the hearts and have been used to initiate and support conservation and welfare minds of thoughtful people everywhere. projects in 20 countries for 37 species of parrot. Despite this wide- ranging activity, the Trust is run on a volunteer basis, with only two part Michael Reynolds time administrators worldwide. This uniquely cost-effective approach is Founder and Hon. Director made possible by substantial financial and logistical support donated by World Parrot Trust Paradise Park, the UK home base of the World Parrot Trust. The objective of the Trust is to promote the survival of all parrot species Mike Reynolds meets ‘Pablo’, and the welfare of individual birds. It pursues these aims by funding a hand-reared Echo Parakeet field conservation work, research projects and educational programmes. released to join critically The Trust seeks to promote the concept of ‘responsible aviculture’ where endangered wild Echoes in the interests of the parrots themselves are given priority over Mauritius. commercial, political, career or other human concerns. The World Parrot Trust and its members wish to be recognised as the ‘True Friends of the Join us Aims of the Trust If not already a member, please join. Receive our PsittaScene The survival of parrot species in the wild, and the welfare of captive birds. newsletter, know that you are actively contributing towards our These aims are pursued by: aims and projects. Educating the public on the threats to parrots. Opposing trade in wild-caught parrots. Help fund our Projects Preserving and restoring parrot habitat. Studying the status of parrot populations. We are currently supporting parrot conservation, education and Encouraging the production of aviary-bred birds. welfare projects in 20 countries. Your generosity towards the Creating links between aviculture and conservation. parrots could help us expand current schemes and start new Promoting high standards in the keeping of parrots. ones. Supporting research into veterinary care of parrots.

WPT NATIONAL CONTACTS Switzerland YES, I WANT TO HELP SAVE THE Lars Lepperhoff, Lutschenstrasse 15, 3063 Ittigen United Kingdom Tel: (41) 31 922 3902 Karen Whitley, Administrator, PARROTS OF THE WORLD Glanmor House, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4HB Germany Tel: (44) 01736 751026 Fax: (44) 01736 751028 Representative needed – email: [email protected] Call WPT-UK SUBSCRIPTION RATES (please tick) Name...... Mike Reynolds email: [email protected] Italy Address ...... USA Cristiana Senni, email: [email protected] Joanna Eckles, PO Box 50733, St. Paul, MN 55150 Freddie Virili, via Matarus 10, 33045 Nimis, Udine. UK and Europe (Single) £15 ...... New Nos: Tel: 651 275 1877 Fax: 651 275 1891 Email: [email protected] Australia ...... Benelux Mike Owen, 7 Monteray St., Mooloolaba, UK and Europe (Joint) £20 Queensland 4557...... Peter de Vries (Membership Sec.), Jagershof 91, 7064 DG Silvolde, Netherlands Tel: (61) 7 54780454 email: [email protected] ...... Zip/Postcode ...... Tel: (31) 315327418 email: [email protected] Africa Fellow (Life Member) £250/US$400 Belgium enquiries: Romain Bejstrup (32) 32526773 Netherlands enquiries: Ruud Vonk (31) 168472715 V. Dennison, PO Box 1758, Link Hills, Corporate (Annual) Please charge my Mastercard/Visa No. Natal 3652, S. Africa Canada Tel: (27) 31 763 4054 Fax: (27) 31 763 3811 Mike Pearson, PO Box 29, Mount Hope, All overseas Airmail £17/US$25 Spain Exp. date ...... Amount £/US$ ...... Ontario L0R 1W0 Tel: (1) 905 385 9500 Fax: (1) 905 385 7374 Andrés Marin and Ana Matesanz, (or equivalent currency, payment C/Cambados No1, 2°Dcha, by Visa/Mastercard preferred) Signature ...... email: [email protected] Denmark (Scandinavia) 28925 Alcorcon (Madrid), Spain OR: Michael Iversen, Hyldevang 4 – Buresoe, New Nos: (34) 91 6425130 email: [email protected] 3550 Slangerup Plus donation of £/US$ ...... I enclose a cheque made payable to the WPT WPT Web Sites: email: [email protected] Central: http://www.worldparrottrust.org France Canada: http://[email protected] J. & G. Prin, 55 Rue de la Fassiere, 45140, Ingre. Italy: http://www.mediavillage.it/wpt Or join us on our website: www.worldparrottrust.org Tel: (33) 2 38 43 62 87 Fax: (33) 2 38 43 97 18 Denmark: http://www.image.dk/fpewpt

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 2, May 2000 ■ 19 Parrots in the Wild White-cheeked Amazon Amazona kawalli

This photograph was sent to us by Carlos Yamashita, Brazil’s leading parrot expert and conservationist. Together with an Orange- winged Amazon (centre) these young parrots are only just ‘in the wild’. They were taken as fledglings by Indians.

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