PROMOTING HIGH STANDARDS IN PARROT CONSERVATION AVICULTURE AND WELFARE

~ 9fJodd9auot fditut Vol. 8 No. 2 May 1996 World Parrot Trust Plans UK

Parrot Sane tu ary ByMike Reynolds

As our members will know, The Fifth, we answer many estimate that an initial sum of visitors to donate at least £12,000 World Parrot Trust summarises its individual enquiries from pet £30,000is needed, whichwould this year, bringing our eight year aims as follows: 'The survival of owners concerned about the well- allow us to build the first stage of totalto over£100,000. Wecan parrot species in the wild, and the being of their birds. Sixth, we the WPTParrot Sanctuary over the commit £5000 of this year's income welfare of captive birds'. As continually, through this newsletter winter of 1996/97. to the Parrot Sanctuary Fund, but members will also know we have and in other ways, promote views So where is the necessary we must find the remaining made considerable strides in that are intended to help both pet funding to come from? To make a £25,000 from animal welfare pursuing the first aim, with 23 and aviary birds. Our descriptive start we can pledge part of the charities, bird food suppliers, threatened species of parrot helped article in the February 1991 issue income usually earned for the Trust concerned individuals, and possibly in 19 countries. Our work for the of PsittaScene about the 150ft long each summer at Paradise Park by European Union funds. I t would welfare of captive birds has tended 'Big Parrot Flight' at Paradise Park Martin and his flying squad of also be a welcome development to to take a lower priority, no doubt has undoubtedly influenced many eagles, owls, falcons and human receive funding from trade sources, because of the urgency we all feel parrot breeders to build similar assistants. We expect our generous specifically from businesses which when considering the needs of aviaries. parrots in the wild. Seventh, and finally, we have Despite this, we have some helped many pet parrot owners by welfare achievements to record. agreeing to house and care for their Firstly, we arranged the release parrots after their owners' death, or back into the wild of 300 Goffins simply taking on unwanted birds Cockatoos, being held by dealers in immediately. In practice it is Indonesia. Second, we funded and Paradise Park, where The World arranged the construction of a large Parrot Trust is based, that aviary to re-house a group of undertakes this responsibility , Hyacinth and other macaws at because the Trust has a policy of Asuncion Zoo, Paraguay. Third, we not owning any parrots. David have printed and distributed to pet Woolcock, Curator of Paradise Park stores and elsewhere 150,000 and also a WPTTrustee, reports copies of our leaflet 'Who's a lucky that he is asked to take on at least a boy, then?'. This leaflet gives hundred unwanted parrots each novice parrot owners useful and year, and he tries to accept as many 'parrot-friendly' advice, including a as possible; in practice, the Park warning not to buy wild-caught takes in about twenty a year. Where birds. Fourth, we have published possible they are paired up and many cases where people have given breeding aviaries, or placed in been convicted of smuggling the 'Big Flight' or another large parrots, since this practice almost aviary. inevitably means that birds are cruelly treated, and many die. TIME TO MAKE A START Evidence presented in the Tony The problem is, of course, that Silva case (see latest news on page Paradise Park cannot go on for ever 12) gives appalling examples of taking in these birds, because the brutality and a complete lack of aviary space required does not concern for the death of many exist. For the last couple of years Hyacinth Macaws. we have discussed trying to set up a World Parrot Trust 'Parrot Sanctuary' to help deal with this problem. Paradise Park can provide the land, the necessary veterinary " psittacine and avicultural expertise, and some (sit'a sin) Belonging staff time, but the capital cost of or allied to the even a simple new facility to house parrots; parrot-like " several hundred assorted parrots Amazona barbadensisrothschildi. A bird of this speciesis available for adoption. would have to be found. We Photo:A. MichaeIs

1 Martin Ballam with lara the GoldenEagle,raising funds at ParadisePark for The World Parrot Trust.

have imported large numbers of completed; it will be 80 metres long they have adopted. wild-caught parrots over the years, by 40 metres wide, and is well Another potential source of or from individual pet stores. It is furnished with large numbers of funds is from our 'Fellows' who these wild-caught birds which have, tree trunks in which parrots will be make a singlepayment of £250or almost without exception, been the able to breed in a very natural $400 for life membership.If during ones which have 'failed' to be environment. The occupants will be 1996you signup for this form of satisfactory pets, and have become amongst the most fortunate of membership, you will have the the kind of miserable unloved rescued parrots. option of asking for your funds to parrot for which a sanctuary has to Our proposed parrot sanctuary be put into the 'Parrot Sanctuary befound. will have to be a more modest Fund'. We will also need, in due course, affair, at least to begin with. ST.VINCENTPARROT: to employ staff specifically for the Finding the funding for it will not 'WOODY' Sanctuary, but we'll cross that be easy, but here is one suggestion bridge later on. we would like to offer our WPT This big bruiser has been with Do not doubt that there is a members, and indeed anyone else Paradise Park since 1974,whenhe need for this sanctuary. Last month interested in parrot welfare. We and his mate were sent to us by the David Woolcock and I visited the have an adoption scheme for the St. Vincent government. Woody well-known and highly regarded birds at Paradise Park, and it could produced a chickin 1980,but Dutch parrot sanctuary be a satisfying experience to adopt ejected it from the nestbox. A 'Nederlandse Opvang a Paradise Park parrot knowing the typically aggressive male amazon Papegaaien'(NOP). We were adoption fee will go directly, parrot, for several years he had to astonished to hear from Tonny van without deduction, to the WPT be separated from his mate during Meegen, the director, that they keep Parrot Sanctuary Fund. the Winter, and watched carefully nearly 2000birds, and expect a when being reunited in the Spring. further 700 to be brought in during In 1989 he damaged his mate's 1996. Their policy is never to sell beak, but in 1991 he finally any bird, but they are sometimes produced a chick! He did it again in able to place birds with approved 1994, and both young birds are breeding progranunes. They also females. In 1995 the 1991 bird was do not require any payment from paired to a confiscated male of the parrot donors, so you might unknown age, and 2 clutches of reasonably ask how on earth the eggs were laid, but they were all sanctuary can be financed. The infertile. answer seems to be that funding BLUECROWNEDCONURE: comes from a number of sources: a 'ROCKY' major contribution from a Dutch animal welfare charity; donations ADOPT-A-PARROTFORTHE This little parrot had a long journey from bird food and other PARROTSANCTUARY on his way to Paradise Park. He was companies; free gifts of building So here is a short list of four discovered in Gibraltar by Customs officials after an attempt was made materials; the unpaid help of a parrots at Paradise Park, with their to smuggle him into the country in large number of devoted personal histories. If you wish to volunteers; about 30,000visitors a black plastic bag. Identified as a adopt one of them, please fill in Blue Crowned Conure and named annually paying a small entrance and return the enclosed 'Parrot 'Rocky' he was flown to England by fee; and some personal funding Sanctuary Adoption Form'. Note the Royal Air Force after they had from Mr van Meegen. that you can be an Adopter for £25 We were very impressed by the ($40), a Benefactorfor £50 ($80),or been asked for help by the Royal standard of bird keeping, and the a Patron for £100 ($160) or more. Society for the Protection of Birds. Two of their staff delivered him to quality and scale of the buildings. A All categories will receive a vast new aviary is almost certificate with details of the bird Paradise Park, where he hasnow

2 settled in and formed a dubious SCARLETMACAW:'OSCAR' relationshipwith a youngHahn's Macaw. We were asked to take care of Oscar after his owner fell ill. We YELLOW-SHOULDERED discovered that this unfortunate AMAZON: 'BARBIE' bird had lived in a large cage inside Found in a handbag at Heathrow a car repair and paint spraying airport, this endangered parrot was garage for over fifteen years. He confiscated by HM Customs and was in poor condition with many placed in the care of Paradise Park, feathers plucked and an overgrown who found it to be a female. beak. Our first task is to get him A few months later, by an amazing back into good health, and although coincidence, a male of the same he had only been with us for a few species was found at Schipol months his feathers are starting to airport in Holland. He was sent to grow. As Scarlet Macaws are endangered in the wild, we will be be paired up with Barbie, and they have now produced eight chicks in trying to pair him up so that he may two years. This success was breed in the future. Our picture reported in the 'Daily Mail' and on shows him with Clare, one of our television. team of excellent parrot keepers.

ALLOFUSAT PARADISEPARKHOPEYOUWILLDECIDETO ADOPTONEOFOURBIRDSANDHELPTHEWORLDPARROT TRUSTFOUNDITSMUCH-NEEDED'PARROTSANCTUARY'. IFTHERE'SA GOODRESPONSE,WEWILLOFFERA NEW GROUPOFBIRDSIN THENEXTISSUEOFPSITTASCENE.

NOTE:Over the years we have Paradise Park, and each year more tried to keep Paradise Park in the members use their membership background, so as to avoid any card to visit the Park free of confusion between it, as a charge. Early in May this year a commercial enterprise, and the party of fifty Belgian and Dutch Trust as a UKregistered charity. In members are paying us a special this situation, however, we feel visit, and visits by members from that the Park has an unique outside the UK are increasing. Rocky opportunity to help the Trust help In response to many recent the parrots. It is also the case that requests we will try to fit in some many Trust members are very news from Paradise Park in future interested in the activities at issues of PsittaScene.

Woody .

Barbie

Oscar

3 MacawBehaviour in the Alto-Madidi

National Park, Bolivia ByCatherineSoos,B.Sc.,DVM'97

Last summer, Laurel Neufeld and I suitable nesting sites, as well as Baudoin and Alejandra Sanchez de includes pair behaviour, juvenile- travelled to South America to the fact that eggs and chicks suffer Lozada (director of the National parent interactions, calling and assist Dr. Charles A. Munn in his a high mortality rate of 75%. Over Biodiversity Directorate), and mutualism. efforts to conserve rainforest land, the years, Munn and associates Charles Munn, Eco Bolivia is the and boost populations of have devised successful methods primary organisation responsible PAIRBEHAVIOUR: endangered species of macaws. In to raise macaw populations in the for the recent (September 211995) On average, four pairs of Green- collaboration with Eco Bolivia, we wild. Furthermore, their work has creation of the 1,800,000 hectare winged Macawswere within their studied the behaviour of wild helped conserve over 8 million Alto-Madidi National Park in the cavities at anyone time during the Green-winged Macaws Ara acres of rainforest land. north-west region of the day. While sitting at the entrance, chloroptera in the Bolivian Because of the importance of Department of La Paz. This work pairs roosted quietly, occasionally Amazon during the dry season. this work and my desire to was backed by Conservation preened each other, or loudly There, we examined competition contribute to it, I contacted Dr. International's Rapid Assessment called out to other nearby macaws. for roosting/nesting sites, Munn in October 1994. Months Team which spent one month in Members in a pair almost always aggression, pair behaviour, later I was on a plane to Bolivia, the area in 1990 , under the remained with each other, and flew juvenile behaviour, parent-juvenile full of anticipation (I could not leadership of the late Ted Parker. away from their cavity together to interactions, anti-predator wait to set my eyes on wild Madidi contains at least 11 percent feed or socialise in nearby trees. behaviour, alarm calling and macaws flying above the rainforest of the world's birds, and is by far Every day at dusk (by 6.30pm), all mutualism. canopy) as well as apprehension. I the most biologically rich area on pairs that lived in the cliff Of the macaws found in the did not know what to expect, being earth. Presently Eco Bolivia is returned to their cavities where Amazon rainforests, 6 are a solitary, non-Spanish-speaking, activelyprotecting 40,000 hectares they spent the night. At dawn, endangered or on the verge of pale faced city girl accustomed to in the most vulnerable areas of pairs began leaving the cliff to go extinction. These parrots are the luxuries of the metropolitan Madidi, and is planning to expand foraging, and most were gone by threatened by humans who disturb life. this protection to 120,000 hectares 7.30am. Some pairs did not return their natural habitat, and destroy by mid year. until dusk, while others nests for meat and feathers,or to ECO BOLIVIA intermittently returned and supply the pet black market. Some I spent the major part of the THEGREEN-WINGEDMACAWS departed for various lengths of species of macaws remain summer volunteering for a non- OFCAQUIAHUARA: time throughout the day. abundant in certain regions of the government organisation called I worked in Caquiahuara (a region Amazon. However, without help Eco Bolivia. This group is led by within the Alto-Madidi National COMPETITION, these birds can potentially suffer Rosamaria Ruiz, a very strong, Park on the Tuichi River), about a TERRITORIALITY,AND the consequences associated with clever, and motivated Bolivian three hour motorised boat ride AGGRESSION: the pressures that have placed woman who has 40 years from the nearest town. Eco Bolivia We observed competition for the other macaw species in the experience in the Bolivian has built a very comfortable cliff cavities in June and July, and endangered list. rainforest, and hence an intimate attributed this to the forthcoming Dr. Charles Munn of the biology research station in knowledge of the area and the Caquiahuara, also a very extensive nesting season in October. A few Wildlife Conservation Society and people native to it. The main goals but noninvasive trail system. of the holes were measured by his colleagues have been studying of Eco Bolivia are the conservation Several local men including Lorgio Charles Munn and Lorgio Hirose. wild macaw behaviour in Peru, and active protection of intact, Hirose, Erik Hirose, and Rodolfo They were determined to be as Brazil, and Bolivia. Munn's vulnerable areas of rainforest, and research in Peru has shown that Cartagena (see photo) are large as 6ft (2m) deep by 6 ins the improvement or sustainable employed by Eco Bolivia. Prior to (l5cm) wide byl0 ins (25cm) tall. macaws possess naturally low development of areas inhabited by the creation of the Alto-Madidi Some had tunnels that branched reproductive rates that cannot native peoples. Eco Bolivia takes National Park, their main job was off, making them ideal sites for keep up with the various external pride in hiring local men and to actively protect Caquiahuara macaws to protect themselves and pressures that decrease their women who have lived their entire and neighbouring areas from the their eggs/chicks from predators populations. Only 10-15% of adult lives in the Bolivian lowlands, and constantly invading hunters and or foul weather. macaws successfully reproduce have a vast knowledge of its plants loggers. Pairs of macaws that had per year. This low frequency is and wildlife. A characteristic of Caquiahuara already established themselves in mainly a result of insufficient In collaboration with Dr. Mario is the series of 60m to 90m high holes aggressively defended their sandstone cliffs that contain holes territory against invading pairs. that several species of parrot live When I arrived at Caquiahuara, in. During the months of June and nine pairs of Green-winged July 1995, this area contained a Macawswere regularly roosting in population of 34 Green-winged particular holes. When a pair Macaws Ara chloroptera, 26 Severe would try to land in a cavity MacawsAra severa, and 30 White- belonging to an existing pair, the eyed Conures Aratinga residents would usually leucophthalmos,most of which aggressively chase the other pair lived inside the cliff holes. away without any fighting. On For two months Laurel Neufeld, several occasions, however, I (a biology undergraduate at the witnessed birds tumbling from University of Manitoba), and I cliff holes while grappling beak to studied the behaviour of the beak after an invading pair Green-winged Macawsthat lived in attempted entry. By the time we the cliffs. We examined departed from Caquiahuara, 12 competition for the cavities, pairs of Green-wingedMacaws territoriality and aggression, were defending cavities.Pairl Membersof theEcoBolivia team.L to R:Lorgio Hirose,Rosamaria Ruiz, Eric Hirose antipredator, juvenile and social defended three holes for an entire and Rada/faCartagena. Photo:Laurel Neufe/d behaviour. Social behaviour month and a half. On one 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: I would like to extend my thanks to Charles Munn and Rosamaria Ruiz for allowingme to study the macaws at Caquiahuara and Charque. I would also like to thank Rosamaria and the Eco Bolivia team, Wayne Davey, Mike Pearson, Margaret Mostert, the Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital in Montreal, and Laurel Neufeld for their guidance and moral support. I thank Canadian World Parrot Trust, Golden Triangle Parrot Club, Parrot Association of Canada, Canadian Parrot Symposium, Lafeber Company, Universityof Guelph,Ottawa Parrot Club, Avian Preservation Foundation, and Vancouver Island CageBird Societyfor their generous contributions that helped fund my work.

A pair of Green-wingedMacawsflying above the rainforest canopy in Caquiahuara. Photo:Catherine Soos RESEARCU PROPOSAL. BOLIVIA 1996 occasion,weobservedanewpair preeningitself.Whilerelentlessly funding difficulties, Charquehad There is presently an insufficient aggressivelyconfrontPairl. They begging,it oftenirritated aparent been left unprotected for one year. amount of information regarding flew directlyatPair1whowere to thepoint that theparentwould In 1994, Eco Bolivia determined the proximate causes of species sitting within their cavity,landed bite it, lungeat it, or chaseit away. the population size of the Green- decline, such as reduction of food ontheledgeat theentranceand Theseinteractionsfrequently winged Macawsto be 24 in alL One supplies, reproductive failure, and facedPairl with wingsspread. resultedin it flying awayfrom the year later, however, we counted disease. Dr. Charles Murm's Theystoodtherefor about20 tree,circlingback,andlandingin sevenpairs. There also seemedto research in Peru has shown among secondsuntil Pairl finally lunged the samebranchasbefore,but be a decline in the number of Blue- other things, that macaws possess at them.All four birdsbeakfought slightlyfartherawayfrom the and-Yellow macawsAm ammuna naturally low reproductive rates until thenewpair gaveup andflew parent. which do not use the cliffs, but that carmot keep up with the away. build nests in nearby palm groves. various external pressures that Pair4appearedto actasthe LOCAL SCHOOLCHIWREN Furthermore, not a single Scarlet decrease their populations.ln "guards"of thecliff. Notonly AND ENVIRONMENTAL MacawAm macaawas observed actuality, only 10-15%of adult wouldtheydefendtheir ownsite, EDUCATION: during our stay, whereas pairs had macawssuccessfullyreproduce per theyprotectedthecavitiesof three been noted to nest in the cliffs in year.This lowfrequencyis mainlya Onceamonth,EcoBoliviabrings result of insufficient suitable otherpairsin their absence.This localchildrento Caquiahuarafor the past. Although these apparent nesting sites, as well as the fact that behaviouris contraryto past three-daytrips in orderto teach declines are not conclusive, observationsthat Green-winged themaboutrainforestecology. protection of this area is extremely eggs and chicks suffer a high Macawsareindividualisticorpair- NeufeldandI helpedteachone important due to other evidence of mortality rate of 75%. destruction that we observed. oriented,ratherthangroup- groupof 15twelve-year-oldsabout Disease plays an important role oriented. macawbehaviourandhowto There was mass removal of trees in regulating wild avian birdwatchusingtelescopesand and plants, wide trails where none populations, and may precipitate ANTIPREDATORBEHAVIOUR binoculars.Mostof themdid not had existed before, chopped up the final extinction of small AND ALARM CALLING: wantto leaveCaquiahuarawhen trees allowed to sit and rot, populations. Vertically transmitted Macawsfacedwith imminent thetime cameto returnto their destroyed streams, and littered disease such as polyomavirus and Psittacine beak and feather disease dangerfrom predatorsgiveout communities. abandoned campsites. Now that veryloud alarmcallswhichalert the National Park is in force, it is can significantly influence chick othermacawsin thevicinity. FUTUREGOALSAT hoped that the populations of the growth and survival, and may Severalmacawsrandomlyflyingin CAQUlAHUARA: different macaw species will partially account for their elevated rebuild themselves under better mortality rates. Only recently have circlesmayconfusethepredator. Secondandthird macawchicksof Weobservedthis behaviourin and safer conditions. researchers begun to perform clutcheshavesignificantlyhigher responseto batfalcons,humans, disease surveys of wild psittacine mortalityratesthanfirst-hatched CONCLUSION populations. The information andahelicopter.In fact,whena chicks.Asaresult,EcoBolivia Green-wingedMacawalarm-called, The use of sandstone cliffs as gleaned from such studies will intendsto rescueunthrifty second significantly improve our SevereMacawsandWhite-eyed roosting and nesting sites by andthird chicks,andraisethem knowledge of wild parrot Conuresalsorespondedby calling Green-wingedMacawshasnever . until theyarereadyto bereleased populations, and as a result will loudlyandflying away. been reported anywhere else. It is into thewild, andforageontheir ameliorate our understanding of important to study the predictably own.Thisapproachto parrot some of the medical problems JUVENILE-PARENT located populations in conservationhasbeenshownto be experienced by captiveparrots. INTERACTIONS: Caquiahuara and Charque in order successfulby theteamatthe Furthermore, with the increasing In this populationof macaws, TambopataResearchCentrein to improve our understanding of macaw behaviour and the occurrence of captive breeding, therewasasinglejuvenilefrom Peru.EcoBoliviawill soonbegin interactions of macaws with each reintroduction, and translocation lastyear'snestingseason.It was ecotourismin Caquiahuara.The programmes, it is essential that the other. Longterm studies would be identicalto its parents,exceptthat researchstationcancomfortably prevalence of particular diseases useful to determine the len&th of it hadmorevivid facialmarkings. hold 18people. within the target population be Duringtheday,it socialisedwith time each cavity is utilised by a known. One risk associated with its parentsandfollowedthem THE MACAWSOF CHARQUE: particular pair, and whether reintroduction or translocation certain holes are prone to having around.Asthethreeperched Ruiz,Hirose,Cartagena,Neufeld programmes is the potential to together,thejuvenilewould permanent or transient residents. introduce new diseases into the andI spentthreedaysstudying This can be done by studying the continuouslybobits headfor food, target population. On the other theseriesof muchlargermacaw unique facial markings of each andsolicitpreeningwhenit was cliffs in Charque,within theAlto- individuaL hand, another risk is that the perfectlycapableof feedingor MadidiNationalPark.Dueto introduced birds may not be

5 Taylor of the Ontario Veterinary College (University of Guelph) have expressed a great interest in this project, and have offered to guide and supervise Soos on the Canadian side. They will ensure that she is adequately equipped, trained and organised prior to embarking on this endeavour. Or Charles Murm will assist Soos, Nenfeld and the Bolivian trapper with the logistics of capturing the parrots on or near the clay lick. In addition, Murm will help study the behaviour and flight routes of the parrots in order to implement the appropriate trapping procedures. The Canadian World Parrot Trust, the Parrot Association of Canada, and the Golden Triangle Parrot Club are supporting Soos and Neufeld both morally and financially, and have donated Cdn $2500 towards their research. All parties involved believe that this research is quite important and very promising. It will help improve our understanding of wild populations of parrots and, in turn, provide more insight into some of Macaws-eye-viewof Caquiahuara from the top of the sandstonecliffs. Photo:Catherine Soos the medical problems seen in captive parrots. The final report as sufficiently immunised to survive and their equipment to the study parasites. Gram stains of choanal well as photographs of the field and cloacal swabs will be infectious agents endemic to the site, as well as an expert Bolivian work will be used as teaching aids target population. This emphasises trapper to assist them in capturing performed to assess the microflora for the aunual Ecosystem Health the relevance of understanding the thebirds. in those anatomical locations. They course offered to Canadian disease process relating to different They will perform complete will also determine the prevalence veterinary students in subsequent wild populations of birds. physical examinations on these of birds shedding Chlamydia years. Furthermore, Soos and Throughout August and the first birds, and examine conformation psittaci by performing ELISAtests Nenfeld will be working in half of September, 1996,Catherine and feather condition. Each on faecal samples in the field. collaboration with Bolivian Soos (with the assistance of Laurel individual will be inspected for Provided that they obtain colleagues whom they will teach Neufeld) intends to lead a research external lesions, defects, evidence permits to legally transport theoretical and practical aspects of team to perform a veterinary survey of past trauma, and ectoparasites samples to Canada, and adequate avian medicine, including handling on a selected psittacine species. (e.g. mites, ticks, lice). Samples of funding for the appropriate and clinical techniques. Soos will Soos is a biologist and a third year blood will be collected and analysed supplies and equipment, they will also educate them about the veterinary student at the University on site in order to examine blood attempt to determine the importance of understanding of Guelph, and Neufeld is a biology smears for haemoparasites, and to prevalence of viral induced disease processes in the wild, and undergraduate at the University of perform complete blood counts and antibodies using specific assays on how to implement this information Manitoba and manager of a packed cell volumes. Soos and serum or plasma samples. Viruses in their future captive breeding or breeding aviary. In collaboration Neufeld will collect faecal samples they are interested in are Pacheco's reintroduction programs. with Dr. Charles Murm and Eco to microscopically examine Gram disease virus (Herpesviridae), Bolivia,this research will be stains of smears, and carry out Psittacine beak and feather disease Tax-deductible donations to this conducted within the Alto Madidi faecal flotations and virus (Circovirdae), polyomavirus, project can be made through the National Park in the Department of sedimentations to determine the poxvirus and paramyxovirus. Canadian World Parrot Trust. La Paz. The actual study site is presence of gastrointestinal Drs. Bruce Hunter and Michael located near the Peruvian-Bolivian border,by the Heath River where a large clay cliff is located. BUDGETPROPOSALFORSOOSAND NEUFELD--USDOLLARS Hundreds of parrots of various Airfare 2800 species flock to this "clay lick" daily in order to socialise with each Transport within Bolivia 500 other, as well as eat chunks of clay Permits 180 that are believed to neutralise the 600 toxins in seed diets. Because of the Salaries for trapper and guide with motorised boat 400 abundance of parrots at this Food for 1.5 months, 4 people location, the team will be able to Gasoline and motor costs 300 captureand release 20-30birds Microscope, Mini centrifuge, Refractometer 1680 upon which they will perform the Capillary tubes, microscope slides, cover slips, staining material survey. The species chosen will 400 depend on the quantity of (DiffQuik, Gram), syringes, needles, faecal containers, Fecasol, Alcohol, Unopette individuals of each species, the Chlamydia ELISAtest kits 440 vulnerability of each species, and Gasoline generator, Liquid nitrogen tank, vials, storage case 1200 the ease/difficulty with which each Chicken wire to build cages, mist nets, butterfly nets 800 species is captured. Soos and Neufeld will hire a guide with a Total $9300 motorised canoe to transport them

6 Towards a Conservation strategy for the Ked.faced Parrot ByPaul ToynePhD.

Until recently the Red-faced Parrot were collected. Within these new Andigena hypoglaucaand despite this low number they can be Hapalopsittacapyrrhopswas a little- locations they occurred in larger threatened mammals such as seen on most days feeding in trees known parrot endemic to southern numbers, flocks of up to 20, Spectacled Bearand Mountain near the forest edge. Permission to Ecuador and northern Peru. Within compared with the small groups Tapir. enter the reserve can be obtained by its range it inhabits the temperate between two and four usually For any proposed reserve to be contacting Promusta at their office montane forests of the Andes recorded in the park. This has led to successful the local communities in Saraguro (Juan Antonio between 2300m and the treeline. the belief that Red-faced Parrots are must be involved in its Montesinos y Esquino mercado Forest clearance is so great in this more common in the Saraguro area. management. An environmental central- on the corner of the region that the mCN lists the parrot Why this should be is unclear. education programme emphasising market square). A small, volunteer as critically endangered and cites Maybethey were easierto detect in the importance of their forests for donation for the up-keep of the habitat destruction to be its main the smaller forests than in the large wildlife and for watershed reserve should be paid. This will threat. continuous forests in the park. protection is vital as these encourage the Saraguro people to However, the future is not as Species with low average population communities will become the understand that these forests have desperate as first suspected. Recent densities are less likely to be guardians of these reserves.This is other benefits than just firewood. research supported by the World encountered in surveys of large not a far-fetched idea. Within Loja Current research on Red-faced Parrot Trust and the International patches of their habitat such as Province there is already a Parrot is set to end this year,when Aviculturists' Society has revealed within the park. Or maybe there is community-owned forest called complete recommendations for the new locations for Red-faced Parrots. optimum habitat area whereas the Haushapamba, near Saraguro. This conservation of the Red-faced The work also substantiated the park's habitat is of poorer quality. 400ha forest managed by three Parrot will be made to the World importance of Podocarpus National Or perhaps, as I suspect, the Indian communities is a wildlife Parrot Trust and other nature Park for the long-term threatened Saraguro area is close to the centre reserve.On this reserve allof the conservation organisations. White-breasted Conure Pyrrhura of their geographic range and as aboveAndeanbird species have Hopefully, some of the albipectus.The Parkcovers 146,200 with other animals, the closer they been seen. Indeed, the reserve recommendations can be ha and is situated in Loja Province. are to this centre the greater their supports a sedentary population of implemented (dependent as ever, It comprises the only protected abundance. Scientific studies are at least eight Red-faced Parrots. on the availability of funds) and the Andean forest in southern Ecuador. needed to answer these questions, Those wishing to see parrots in future of the Red-faced Parrot Such forest is important for other but do we have the time necessary Ecuador should include secured. parrots, most notably the to completesuch studies? Canwe Huashapamba on their itinerary; threatened Golden-plumed Conure propose a conservation strategy Leptosittacabranickii (seealso based on our current knowledge PsittaScene1994,vol. 6, no. 3). that will successfully conserve Red- Roughly 20%of the park is suitable faced Parrots? I believe we can. Red-faced Parrot habitat, however Previous studies on animal simply preserving the park might distributions provide some clues as not be sufficient for the parrot's to how to conserve species. There is future. Evidence for this is based on some variation in the results from the fact that they have only been these studies but in general, and all seen there in small numbers, other things being equal, suggesting that here they occur in geographically restricted animals low densities. (like the Red-faced Parrot) tend not A rough population estimate to have large local populations within the park of a couple of making them vulnerable. However hundred birds could be an we have a good idea whereRed- exaggeration. This begs the faced Parrots occur, year round, in following questions: Does the park good numbers. Researchers are support a viable population of Red- presently mapping the distribution faced Parrots? Is this population at of the remaining Andean forests in its optimal level? If not, can it be Loja Province and relating them to supplemented by immigrations of the known distribution and Red-faced Parrots from other areas? abundances of the parrot within the If at its optimal level what factors same area.Whencompleted,key limit its size. . . food availability, areas can be identified and targeted nest site availability, predation? for either further research or Without a detailed study it is very possiblereserveacquisition. difficultto answerthese questions. The long -term aim would be to One worry is that factors such as havea network of reserves.Some disease and possible inbreeding reserves could be linked by leading to low reproductive rates "corridors" of treeline Andean could further reduce the forest, as such forests are usually population. the last to be felled. These So, how can we best conserve "corridors" could provide habitat the Red-faced Parrot? Fieldwork through which parrots and other during 1992and 1994-5surveyed animals could disperse. Such potential Red-faced Parrot habitat reserveswouldprovidehabitat for north of the park in the Saraguro other threatened Andean birds area. The results were encouraging including Golden-plumed Parakeet, Inset:Red-facedParrotforaging. Photo:M.Slocombe as new locations were found and BeardedGuanPenelopebarbata, Mainpicture:Habitatlossin theinter-Adeanvalleysthreatensthelongtermfutureof information on diet and breeding Grey-breastedMountain Toucan Red-facedParrots. Photo:E.P.Toyne

7 Carnaby's Cockatoo . preventing a crisis! . Baudin's Cockatoo By TollY JuPP Calyptorhynchusbaudinii. South-west Western Australia is The remainder are known to blessed with more cockatoos than have suffered contractions of their any other part of the world. In total distribution and/or populations: there are eight indigenous species . the southern subspecies of the (two species being represented by Western Long-billed Corella two distinct sub-species each) plus Cacatua pastinator pastinator one which was introduced; the which has been added to the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua Endangered list with an galerita. Thismay seem to estimated population of 1,500. comprise a cockatoo's paradise and . the Pink or Major Mitchell's in some ways it does; however, CockatooCacatualeadbeaten south-west Western Australia also has more than its share of . Carnaby's Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris enviromnental problems which threaten the survival of some of NOTE: Originally it was thought these cockatoos. there was only a single species of Destruction of habitat has been White-tailed Black Cockatoo but dramatic especially in an area after much debate and a number of known as the wheatbelt roughly different taxonomic changes, it is defined by an annual rainfall of now generally accepted that the between 300 - 500 mm. This region two forms of the White-tailed Black runs from Geraldton in the north to Cockatoo are in fact discrete Esperance in the south. Originally it species and are named as follows; supported vast tracts of Eucalypt Carnaby's Cockatoo (or the Short- woodland but massive clearing of billed White-tailed Black Cockatoo) vegetation to grow wheat and other Calyptorhynchus latirostris; cereal crops has left very little Baudin's Cockatoo (or the Long- remaining habitat, spread in a billed White-tailed Black Cockatoo) fragmented patchwork across the Calyptorhynchusbaudinii. Female Carnaby's Cockatoo leaving the nest. With newly hatched chick inside (inset). landscape. Not only has this adversely affected the local wildlife A SPECIESUNDERTHREAT land clearing for agriculture Because of all these factors, but it has led to extreme problems Carnaby's Cockatoo is a unique of soil erosion and salinity which in throughout their range, these Carnaby's Cockatoo is officially bird facing a complex array of resources are now scarce or at least listed as a vulnerable species. turn leads to reduced agricultural threats to its survival. It is a effectiveness. highly scattered, resulting in a migratory species, moving between reduced breeding success rate. CARNABY CONSERVAnON Each of these eleven types of its breeding grounds found in drier cockatoos has had its distribution Because this species lives for a very Eucalypt woodland and more There are many things that can be or abundance affected since the long time (up to 60 years), when coastal areas in the non-breeding done to prevent the further decline local people see flocks of them arrival of Europeans with the season. Dr Denis Saunders from of Carnaby's Cockatoo. More flying over Perth at the end of their possible exception of the Cockatiel CSIRO(the Commonwealth Conservation Zones are needed to breeding season, they are fooled Nymphicushollandicuswhich Scientific and Industrial Research protect remaining habitat and seems to have remained fairly into thinking the population is still ensure remnant vegetation remains Organisation) has studied and healthy. These are however, mostly constant Some have had their documented the decline in their for nesting sites and feeding distributions extended due to the old birds. When they eventually die, grounds on public and private removal of woodland and the breeding success in the wild for very few younger-generation birds lands. In particular local many years. His predictions of their will be left to take their place. spread of agriculture providing continued demise seem to be govermnents can preserve Shooting and competition with them with their preferred grassland vegetation along road verges which coming true. introduced honey bees and type feeding areas: In order to survive, Carnaby's provide vital habitat, artificially high numbers of Galahs . the Inland Red-tailed Black Cockatoos need a number of particularly large mature eucalypts and Little Corellas for nest sites, Cockatoo resources but above all else, they needed for nest sites. are additional problems faced by Calyptorhynchusbanksiisamueli Farmers can fence off any require two things to successfully this species in the wild. A further . the LittleCorella breed in the wild; remaining native vegetation they threat is the poaching of chicks, or Cacatua sanguinea have on their properties to protect 1. A large hollow in the limb of a even eggs, from the nest to be sold . the northern sub-species of the Eucalypt tree in which to lay their it and allow new plants to become Western Long-billed Corella for high prices on the local black established. (If sheep or cattle are two eggs although usually raising market or smuggled overseas for Cacatua pastinatorbutleri only a single chick. For a tree to allowed to graze between the trees the Galah Cacatua roseicapilla even greater profit The smugglers in a stand of woodland, seedling . support such a hollow it needs to usually destroy the nest hollow, in which has reached plague be at least 130 years old. trees are never able to grow and proportions in some areas. the process exacerbating the this leads to the ultimate loss of 2. An ample food supply in the shortage of nest sites. Even though this habitat) This in turn helps the Two are suspected to be under form of the seeds of native plants this region is the only place in the farmer by stabilising the soil, threat from loss of forest habitat in such as Banksia, Hakea and world lucky enough to have wild lowering the water table and the wetter extreme south-western Grevillea close enough to the nest White-tailed Black Cockatoos, both reducing the risk of salt rising to corner of the state: to allow the parents to complete species are still shot as pests by the surface, thereby ensuring the the required number of feed trips some farmers. Both poaching and . the Forest Red-tailed Black continued existence of large trees shooting are illegal incurring Cockatoo perday. to provide vital shade for their Calyptorhynchusbanksiinaso Due to the enormous amount of serious penalties for offenders. 8 stock. (Asubsidyfrom the Department of Agriculture is available to assist farmers with the cost of this fencing.) Farmers can also revegetate unproductive cleared land by planting local native plants to provide habitat and also help to stabilise the soil and prevent salinity problems. This results in a win for conservation and for the farmer. Through regional Landcare groups many farmers are already following these principles. People, especially in the country areas, should alert CALM(the Department of Conservation and Land Management) of any poaching or shooting of Carnaby's Cockatoos. People driving around in the bush with ladders on their roof racks should be treated with suspicion. CALMWildlife Protection Officers have received calls from people who have reported the licence plate numbers of such vehicles which they have used to good effect. Other ways that Left:Tonyjupp inspectinga Carnaby'sCockatoonestduringfieldmonitoring. individuals can contribute include encouraging their local council to Right:PeterStClairBaker(left)andAlisonDoley(right)helpingvolunteersinspecta nest.Notehowlowthenestcanbetothe ground- theentranceisjust in thefork of thetreeat headheight. protect remnant vegetation in their area or adopting a Carnaby's Cockatoo through the Perth Zoo Perth Zoo intends to increase its near perfect Carnaby's Cockatoo Carnaby's Cockatoos.] Society. Money raised through numbers of this species and breeding habitat. Many large Peter enlisted the support of a animal sponsorship in this way is establish three breeding pairs. In Salmon and Gimlet Gums suburban Perth primary school, used to further the Zoo's work with order to further increase breeding (Eucalyptussalmonophloia and North Beach, to tackle the job of the conservation of Endangered potential however we have Eucalyptussalubris respectively) propagating the seeds we had Species. embarked on a programme in exist to provide the necessary nest collected. Firstly the seeds had to cooperation with CALMto include hollows. These species require be extracted from the woody ZOOSCOMMITMENT private aviculturists. Initially this heavy, loamy soils in which to banksia nuts. This was done using Responsible zoos today have a firm will be limited to those people grow. The food species however a traditionally Australian BBQ.The commitment to education and holding Carnaby's Cockatoos which require light, sandy soils and very heat and smoke from fire triggers conservation. Perth Zoo, itself lucky remain the property of the crown. little of this vegetation remains on many Australian native plants to These are birds that are handed to to be frequented by wild flocks of the Doley's farm. One problem lies expel their seeds and thus be ready in the fact that the nearest suitable these magnificent parrots, is CALMwho pass them on to to germinate into the relatively fertile ash covered soil. The seeds helping to alert people to the selected aviculturists and, because feeding grounds are a number of kilometres distant from the problem so that they may help. We of some injury or the like, are have now germinated and are have recently opened a small subsequently considered unfit for breeding grounds which limits the growing in the "Men Of The Trees" Cockatoo Information Centre with re-release. All birds in the number of trips the parents can shade house at North Beach interpretive graphics to aid in this programme will receive a health make in a day. Primary School here in Perth. When Or Saunders' research has education process. This project was check by our veterinary staff, have they are big enough Peter plans to return with students from North aided by students who approached blood samples taken for DNA already identified this as one of the us from Christchurch Grammar analysis and receive a silicon causal factors in the extinction of Beach Primary School who will link School in Perth. They aim to implant for positive, irrefutable Carnaby's Cockatoos from some up with Coorow students and use identification. Records of these continue to assist us through fund former parts of their range. these seedlings to revegetate an birds will then be added to the raising to help with the So far the project has involved area of degraded sandy soil closer to the nest sites of Alison's conservation of this species with studbook and attempts made to us taking volunteers from the much work and many possibilities maximise their breeding potentiaL ATCV (AustralianTrust for breeding pairs to aid in their to pursue. Of course the best possible way Conservation Volunteers) to the breeding success. area to collect banksia and Equally important to education to conserve a threatened species is Peter has plans to include city and Coorow school children in this is the need to conserve this species to protect its wild habitat. Perth casuarina seeds from a property Zoo's Landcare Education Officer, through a coordinated captive owned by one of the Doley's project which will help raise Peter St. Clair Baker, has embarked breeding effort. To this end I work neighbours. Our group stayed community awareness, both urban as the Australasian Studbook on a pilot revegetation programme overnight at Koobabbie and and rural, of the plight of Carnaby's in the northern wheatbelt. He Cockatoos whilst at the same time Keeper for our three local black received some expert tuition from Alison who showed us around the cockatoos including Carnaby's. recognised the potential here for a actively working for their Unfortunately there are less than trial programme to raise property including many active conservation. We hope this project twenty individuals on the studbook community awareness and get local Carnaby's Cockatoo nests. [Whilst will capture the imagination of between the zoos of the and city people involved in there I took the opportunity of a other farmers, schools and local conservation. Near the town of Australasian region with no 5am early morning stroll to avoid governments so that they will be Coorow is found Koobabbie Farm the heat and see the birds at their breeding pairs (Perth Zoo does, motivated to protect existing remnant woodland and work to however, have a breeding pair of owned by John and Alison Doley. most active. In just over an hour I Baudin's Cockatoo). The ultimate The 6,885 hectare (17,005 acre) had seen six species of cockatoos; a restore food species close to purpose of captive breeding is to property contains sizeable tracts of family group of Cockatiels, Galahs existing nesting areas. If we can fenced off "bush for wildlife". The maintain a healthy, self-sustaining and Western Long-billed Corellas in achieve this then hopefully no more local extinctions will occur population so that if the situation owners have actively pursued plague proportions and in the wild becomes worse, captive Landcare practices for many years tremendously vocal, a magnificent and the sight of spectacular flocks born individuals could be returned to the benefit of their farm and to pair of Major Mitchell's, the ever of Carnaby's Cockatoos over Perth to suitable wild habitat. the local wildlife. One particular spectacular Red-tailed Black will be assured. section of their property contains Cockatoos and many breeding

9 Concern for the Greater Vasa Parrot

the ethnic tribe of the east coast iron knife before the bird is ByPaul McBride to be given to 'vermin'. Other rainforest region, have a rice-based stuffed into a shoe-box sized cage parrots cluck like chickens and The rainforest of the east coast of culture. Rice is their one treasure built of various scrap materials. crow at sumise after sharing the There is no room for movement, underneath of the huts with fowL Madagascar has a number of and they eat no other cereal crops. other than head swivelling,for Some are in immovable trances for unique distinctions from Boiled rice, three times a day, is months on end, until the annual weeks after their release. Others comparable rainforests in other their staple diet. Over the centuries, as these tribes have visit during the brief dry season of pluck their feathers and bang their continents. The vegetation is the exporters' agents. heads monotonously on the wall layered in canopies, with tree grown in size and number, they have made further incursions into for hours on end. Some sit rigid in density per hectare triple the During our three year residence in the north-eastern rainforest of one spot and cry piteously whilst world rainforest average. It has a the primary rainforest. They seek lower main canopy with no out rich fertile valleys between the Madagascar, working with the rolling their eyes. All have to be Betsimisaraka tribespeople, we hand-fed initially, to introduce emergent trees, large or otherwise. mountain slopes to cultivate more A considerable number of the rice to feed their ever demanding have acquired a number of Greater them to their natural diet. and Lesser Vasa Parrots from the . The World Wide Fund for unique tree species have aerial populations. When no more valleys exist to be cultivated within a Nature (WWF) is currently exposed or buttress roots, with native trappers in our area of reasonable distance of their attempting to have the Greater many orchids and ferns clinging to Manompana. Some of these Vasa Parrot listed on the their tree hosts. The competition villages, the Betsimisaraka resort parrots were stuffed into their Endangered Species List of for life-giving light results in no to 'slash and burn' agriculture, cages at three months of age. By the time we cut the parrot out six Madagascar, although, at this time, undergrowth on the forest floor. In destroying huge swathes of forest with uncontrollable blazes that months later, he fills it completely. not the Lesser Vasa. WWF is this dripping dank world of gloom and silent shadows lives the burn for days on end. In the We have found that the mental age unfortunately not active in our remote, difficult to access, region. Greater Vasa Parrot Coracopsis process they are destroying the and skill development is exactly vasa. natural habitat of the Greater Vasa, the same as that of a three month Their locally orientated educational programmes on the Vasa Parrots are completely along with thousands of other old youngster. We introduce the birds into a different from the colourful indigenous species, many of them necessity of preserving and new, large home as the first step protecting the unique diversity of species in Africa and other botanically umecorded. The Betsimisaraka tribespeople of slowly rehabilitating them for flora and fauna of Madagascar, continents. They are dark grey eventual relocation away from the would be of real value in the with pearly pink-white beaks and regard the endemic Greater Vasa eastern rainforest. large areas of white skin around as their 'public enemy No.I' due to rice paddies of the local tribespeople. Some parrots are We, however, in WWF's absence, their piercing jet-black eyes. As its liking for their staple crop - rice. No amount of education will unable to drink water as all liquid will continue to do as much as we they grow into adult-hood the convince them that Vasas have a nourishment has been obtained can to ensure that the rainforest of white around the eyes turns to a from a diet consisting solely of Madagascar will echo to the dark grey. Under the rainforest right to co-exist harmoniously with them in the rainforest. "The parrot rotten bananas. Rice and fresh haunting melodious whistle of the canopy they are just about water would have been considered Vasa Parrots for many years to invisible. In the half light, when steals rice, so kill it on sight" has been the attitude of the too precious and time-consuming come. you finally spot a Vasa Parrot Betsimisaraka for centuries. clinging to a parasitic bulb on the Trade relations with the lower trunk of a tree, it is usually because your ears first located the western world have recently been bird by its happy mumbled opened by the newly elected chattering as it goes about its government of Madagascar. business. The Vasa, believing it is Twenty years of communist- invisible in the deep shadows, backed socialist government has allows you to approach to within a left the Madagascan population meter or so without any sign of reduced to abject poverty. Now the fearat alL entrepreneurs of the First World Greater Vasas hate direct light countries are making substantial and only gather in groups at in-roads into Madagascar by sumise when they take to the air exploring and exporting the above the forest canopy, circling unique flora and fauna including Vasa Parrots. In the eastern and swooping in happy groups, calling to each other with a rainforest region of Madagascar a haunting melodious whistle. As working man's pay is 28p - 2000 the burning tropical sun climbs Malagash Francs. The agents of the higher in the blue sky, they return First World exporters pay £1.50 - to the shady sanctuary under the 10,000MGF - cash for a captured canopy, to spend the day alone in Greater Vasa, regardless of age or each individual's chosen section of condition. Consequently, on the the forest. In the evenings when three days of the week when it is they have flown together and the traditionally Fadi or taboo to work sun has dipped below the in the rice paddies, the tribesmen mountains in the west, the Vasas go parrot-hunting for the substantial financial rewards on retire to sleep in small groups high offer. up in the canopy. However, one member of each group remains The hunting and capture of the vigilant throughout the night, due parrots is carried out brutally, with to the constant threat from the no regard for the birds' well being. two-metre long boa constrictors They are traditionally regarded by who actively seek out fresh parrot the Betsirnisaraka as vermin, on a for supper. par with the British crow. The wing feathers are hacked off with an Nelson was rescued from local trappers. He spent six months in a tiny cage the size The Betsimisaraka tribespeople, of a football but he now enjoys the freedom of Eucalyptus trees.

10 Update of the Guayaquil Macaw Conservation Project, Ecuador Reportby EricHorstmann

This year has been a difficult one through December, there were a dedicated work of the park guards sources to move quickly to for the Guayaquil Macaws Am rash of forest fires in the area of and soldiers from a local military safeguard this magnificent bird's ambigua guayaquilensisin the the Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco. base, a 25 hectare parcel of future in the Bosque Protector Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco. Park staff, trained in fire fighting abandoned pastures has been Ceno Blanco. The following is our Throughout the rainy season techniques by US. and Canadian prepared to plant during the winter wish list for the up-coming year: Oanuary-April) two volunteers from technicians and using special rainy season. Over10,000holes . Purchase of 750+ hectares of the University of Amsterdam, equipment donated by La Cemento have been dug and we are in the critical macaw habitat at U.5.$400 Holland carried out limited field Nacional, fought and put out over process of transporting native trees per hectare. observations of the birds in 15 fires in approximately 200 of 25 different species from the . Two year field study of the different areas of the reserve. The hectares, mainly in the reserve nursery of La Cemento Nacional up buffer zone. The fires were all Guayaquil Macaw in the Bosque macaws during this time proved to the planting area. Protector Cerro Blanco and difficult to observe, mostly flying deliberately set, mainly by Wewillbe workingthrough the cordillera Chongon-Colonche U.5. low and staying within the ravines, squatters, both rich and poor who month of January with 200 high- $20,000. apparently spending a fair amount clear the land to prove their claim school students from the city of of time feeding on the fruits of to it. The near complete Daule- Guayaquil. They will be planting . Inventory of remaining forest "pechiche"(Vitexgigantea)and Peripa project will bring water out trees, which provides them with an parcels in the area of the Bosque Protector Ceno Blanco for rare other native tree species. to the dry Santa Elena Peninsula opportunity to assist in this Beginning in April, a pair (the which is in the process of important hands-on work and help threatened avifauna (including same nesting pair?) were observed desertification due to un-checked restore the tropical dry forest. The Guayaquil Macaw)U.S$5,000. returning to the nest site where deforestation. The destruction of macaws depend upon several of the . Continued placement of nest two chicks were successfully secondary dry tropical forest tree species used in the boxes to bolster macaws nesting fledged last year, thanks in large outside of the reserve has stepped reforestation programme, including US $2,000. part to the 24 hour surveillance up dramatically with most land Vitexgigantea as a food source and . Preparation of macaws placed on the site by park guards to owners preparing to plant corn Cavanillesiaplatanifolia for future awareness poster and other avoid the robbing of the chicks to among other crops. This coupled nest sites. materials for use in environmental sell as pets. The pair was seen with the continued expansion of the The limited resources at our education programmes in adjacent entering the nest cavity on several city of Guayaquil towards Cerro disposal have been practically communities U.S.$2,500. occasions and all signs pointed to Blanco, will eventually create an exhausted by our conservation . Implementationof education another nesting last year. Then, in island of habitat surrounded by initiatives for the Guayaquil Macaws programmes (transportation, etc.) late July, the top part of the "pigio" urban development and agricultural detailed above. For 1996, it is U.5.$1,000. tree Cavanillesiaplatanifolia fell lands. It is crucial for the long-term crucial to find support from other (Dollar figures are estimates.) down, badly infested by termites, survival of the wide-ranging leaving the nest cavity exposed. Guayaquil Macaws to identify and In an effort to make up for the protect areas used for feeding and loss of the 1994 nest site and nesting outside of the existing encourage new nesting in 1995, the reserve. Ceno Blanco reserve management Significant progress has been constructed artificial nest sites in made to this end with the purchase two locations, one near the fallen in October, thanks to the generosity and another close to a toppled of La Cemento Nacional, of (again termites!) pigio tree. The approximately 280 hectares of land macaws had been observed there to be included in the Ceno Blanco previously. They were made using reserve. The area in question PVCand wooden boxes based on a includes a cross section of forest similar design successfully from wetter forest down to a drier employed in Peru, with other area dominatedby Cavanillesia macaw species. platanifolia. Guayaquil Macaws have Between 18 August and 23 been sighted frequently in the area, November, sightings of two or four including the last sighting of two individuals were noted in the pairs on December 20th and vicinity of last year's nesting. macaws heard calling on January 8. Although they were not reported to An additional 750+hectares have have been using the artificial nest, been identified for purchase and the cavity was scrutinized on inclusion in the reserve and we several occasions by the macaws. hope to find the funds and Since then, macaws had not been complete the negotiations as soon sighted until December 20, as possible. The area, owned by two according to park guards. They are different land owners, is under posted daily at a newly constructed severe threat of squatters. guard station in the vicinity of the On another front, for the third artificial nest site, mainly for park consecutive year, la Fundacion Pro- protection from poaching and land Bosque is carrying out an extensive invasions. reforestation programme in areas Due to the extremely dry previously cut-over within the conditions this year, from October existing reserve. Thanks to the Vel)' few Buffon's Macaws are in captivity, and not many are being bred. In Guayaquil, Ecuador, the wild population may be as low as 20 to 30.

11 INTB RNA TI 0 NAL NEWSROUND-UP

AFRICA declining, mainly due to illegal in Mozambique. Several graduates accepting his guilt and receiving the collecting for the avicultural trade, (Candice Rickard and Louise benefit of some or many charges habitat degradation and Warburton) are intending to against him/her being dropped, by Mike Perrin fragmentation, and the loss of nest undertake field studies of leading to a shorter prison term or Following the World Parrot Trust sites. Olaf has contributed very endangered African lovebirds. I sometimes probation. Despite Silva Summit held in London last year, significantly to the knowledge of refer specifically to a detailed study stipulating that he "wilfully" MikeReynolds, Director of WPT, the breeding habits and foraging of the Black-cheeked lovebird in obstructed justice, the prosecutor approached me to establish the behaviour of Cape parrots in the Zambia to follow up on the surprisingly recommended that World Parrot Trust Africa, which I wild. Olaf Wirminghaus' wife, Dr excellent pilot study of Tim Silva receive a 12 point reduction, was most honoured and willing to Colleen Downs, and his research Dodman, and over the next ten stating "Defendant has clearly do. This is now eventuating and the assistant Craig Symes, are years, we plan to study each parrot demonstrated a recognition and World Parrot Trust Africa is coming concerned with aspects of radio- species in Africa, including those of affirmative acceptance of personal into being with, at present, a small telemetry as Olaf had shown that Madagascar. responsibility for his criminal number of active but very dedicated the parrots routinely move between We do not work in isolation and conduct. "Alarge percentage of US members, and we have no doubt fragmented patches of yellowwood have received and accepted criminal cases end in plea bargains. that it will succeed. forests to seek the fruits of these invitations to collaborate with Withdrawal of a guilty plea has Since I am Professor of Zoology trees and to visit water sites daily. African parrot biologists in the USA been attempted before. In January at the University of Natal in South The forest canopy of yellowwood and Canada, Europe (UK,Italy, 1993 orangutan smuggler Matthew Africa, it is not surprising that most trees is essential for the breeding, Spain, Germany) and of course Block of Miami signed a plea members come from South Africa. feeding and social interactions of Africa (including Namibia, Guinea, bargain to one felony smuggling However enquiries and requests the Cape parrots. Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya and charge in the case of the "Bangkok concerning our aims and objectives Breeding success at the two Mozambique), but far less so than Six" orangutans. Later, Block tried have been tremendously varied and sites this past season, based on the in the first world. to withdraw from this one-count extremely interesting. We are also counts of juveniles, has been very I am contributing to the IUCN plea bargain. A prosecution investigating the illegal trade in good, which was most likely Action Plan on parrots, and we are document filed in March 1993 African parrots, both domestically associated with the very good rains in close association with BirdLife explains the legal position in regard within the country, and between we have received, following the International, the Poicephalus to withdrawal of guilty pleas: Southern African states. You may near drought. Raucous behaviour in Society and the Lovebird Society in START OF EXTRACT recall that large numbers of Red the canopy contrasts with generally Britain, the Association for Parrot and Blue lories came into South covert activity carried out at Conservation, the American Parrot On February 9, 1993, the Africa a few years ago, and the drinking sites well sheltered within Society, IUCN, TRAFFIC, WWF (SA) defendant appeared before this same is true for many African vegetation. This has important And of course, the World Parrot Court and entered a guilty plea to species, including, for example, implications for conservation, and Trust. the superceding indictment. The Red-bellied parrots from Tanzania, may help explain their unusual African parrots are as Court accepted the defendant's and African greys from several daily movement patterns.' charismatic as those found plea... central African countries. Fragmentation of yellowwood anywhere else in the world, but are Now more than a month later, It has been shown unequivocally forests means that birds travel little studied in the wild, and poorly the defendant has moved to that African grey parrots can be many kilometres to satisfy their known in captivity. We will rectify withdraw his plea... bred in sufficient numbers in energy requirements each day, this problem and look forward to Defendant in effect requests the Court to turn back the clock of this captivity, and I would suggest there which might well lead to reduced receiving your interest and support. should be a moratorium on the feeding success and productivity. I am eager to meet many readers of case...the defendant has appeared import of African grey parrots into Illegal capture of Cape parrots in PsittaScene at the Pan African before this court and freely and South Africa. We are committed to certain areas is still rife and Ornithological Congress to be held voluntarily entered a guilty plea. educating indigenous people to negotiations with conservation in Ghana in December. Defendant may now regret the path he has chosen for fear of a harsh realise the economic value of their authorities and private breeders to PROFESSOR MIKE PERRIN parrots in conservation and initiate captive breeding UNIVERSITY OF NATAL, sentence. However, such fear does ecotourism, and to examine the programmes may be necessary. PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH not provide a basis for withdrawing potential for the sustainable Dr Richard Sehnan, and his AFRICA. his plea. Federal Rules of Criminal utilisation of some species. This is partner Margaret Hunter, came to Procedure 32(d) provides, in being undertaken by Luthando South Africa and have been USA pertinent part, that, ' if a motion for Maphasa, a Zulu doctoral student working on Rupells parrots in withdrawal of a plea of guilty is who completed a Masters degree in Namibia for about six months, in made before sentence is imposed, TONY SILVA- Conservation Biology at the collaboration with Dr Rob Simmons the court may permit withdrawal of University of Cape Town. of the Namibian Department of Update on Smuggling charge the plea upon a showing by the defendant of good and just reason.' With reference to the work on Nature Conservation and Tourism. This information was taken from the Cape parrot, it has been shown They have located a breeding Under Rule 32(d) the defendant the Internet CITES-Lforum has a burden to show "a fair and by the late Olaf Wirminghaus that it population and Richard has is endemic to South Africa, and that recorded the courtship and Tony Silva is attempting to just reason"for the withdrawal of it breeds only in Afromontane breeding behaviour of the birds, withdraw his guilty plea made in a his plea. In determining whether yellowwood forests above a and their nesting behaviour in the plea-bargain with the government. the defendant has met this burden, thousand metres in altitude. The field. Their distribution appears to The government has agreed to the district court may considerthe ornithological data collected by be localised and the illegal trade is accept guilty pleas: on one wild life totality of the circumstances Olaf, locally in southern Africa and increasing. charge (5 years prison max) and surrounding his plea. at the British Museum, strongly Studies similar to those one felony IRScharge (3 years max) ENDOFEXTRACT suggests that the Cape parrot conducted by Olaf and Richard are and drop around 14 other charges. On 24 March 1993 Judge Kehoe Poicephalusr.robustusis a separate being initiated on the Brown- Many would consider this a fairly speciesfrom Poicephalusr. headed parrot by Stuart Taylor in "soft" plea bargain. Pleading guilty rejected Block's effort to withdraw his plea and in April he sentenced suahelicus. Wenow know definitely the Kruger Park and subsequently normally means that a defendant is that Cape parrot populations are 12 him to 13 months jail. int%ut of the United States. girlfriend Theodora Swans on, 36, (NOlA What attempting to withdraw Matthew Block lost his license and was sentenced to 37 months in from a plea bargain could mean in Silva could if a felony charge sticks. prison for her part in the A request has been received from Silva's case: That's one reason wildlife crime conspiracy. Wegner recruited a Mr Rajat Bhargava for information 1. The judge may refuse to allow defendants try so hard to get group of former high-school on the Intermediate Parrakeet withdrawal and this decision could friends to climb trees to rob misdemeanor plea-bargain. Psittacula intermedia. A former be appealed, gaining months or Shirley McGreal, International cockatoo nests of eggs, and then aviculturist who is now studying years of time. Primate Protection League POB to act as couriers to take the eggs wildlife, he would like to know 2. The government could sign a 766, Surnmerville, SC 29484, USA into the USA. So many young about any birds of this species new, softer plea-bargain (unlikely?) Ph: 803-871-2280. Fax: 803-871- people from a certain town wanted which may have been exported. 3. The case would go to trial and 7988 to get in on the lucrative business Photographs of live or dead birds the reported "mountains of that competing smuggling groups would help him in his research on evidence," including tape- USA/AUSTRALIA were organised. The eight-year this rare and little known recordings by informants, would smuggling operation parrakeet. All correspondence enter the public domain. The trial Egg smugglers sentenced masterminded by Wegner came to should be addressed to him: Mr would be fascinating and there an end when Australian national Parrot smugglers in the USA can Rajat Bhargava, Research Scholar, would be some very colourful park rangers noticed several Centre for Wildlife and witnesses. This is what I'd expect no mercy at sentencing. young egg thieves hitting the Ornithology, Aligarth Muslim personally like to see happen as so Hopefully the tough sentences trunks of eucalyptus trees. One University,Aligarth - 202002 (Uttar much gets covered up when a case now being handed out will act as a inept smuggler was even wearing deterrent. In December William Pradesh, India). He has seen is bargained away- files are not his smuggling vest back to front trapped birds which may be of this open under the Freedom of Wegner, 44,of New York was when caught - meaning that the sentenced to five years. He was species in its possible region of Information Act. Felony convictions eggs would have been crushed distribution but needs assistance one of six defendants who pleaded when he sat down. lead to animal dealers losing their in identification. licenses to import/export wildlife guilty to smuggling wildlife. His

malnutrition and 17 from an establishment where no visitors predation and parasites. were allowed - making no mention Part 4 spans 14 pages on the of disease control. subject of anthropology. The index The standard of the 70 line indicates the wealth and variety of drawings and the 350 colour information; 23 pages of three photographs is high. The BOOK REVIEW columns identify the subjects. In photographs were chosen from addition, at the end of each chapter 6,000 received for inclusion! there are pages of references Printed on glossy paper, page size THELARGEMACAWSByJoanne Abramson, showing the literature cited. What a 8in (21cm) by I2in (30cm), with rich source of further study these colour tints enlivening some of the Bl. SpeerandJ.B.Thomsen provide! few pages without illustrations, Throughout the text are articles this book is a joy to dip into. The from contributors, some of which only problem is its weight! Several years in production and practical aviculture makes his I consider this title to be a well worth waiting for! contribution of exceptional value. It have been published elsewhere, TheLarge Macawsis an avicultural includes chapters on the medical with an application to many other milestone in avicultural publishing history, representing a work of publishing landmark. A wide range management of breeding birds and species. importance as the result of co- of topics has been covered by 30 another on paediatric management. The parrot owner who does not contributors and collaborators, on This section contains keep even one macaw will find an operation between those with enormous amount of relevant expertise. The Large Macaws is the subject of the blue macaws and information on anatomy, serum information. available only from Raintree the Ara species up to and including biochemistry, microbiology, viral Publications,POBox 1338, Fort the Red-fronted in size. (Lovers of diseases, papillomatosis, bacterial No one will agree with the small macaws will be diseases, chlamydia, fungal everything they find in a book as Bragg,California 95437, USA(tel (1) 800422 5963, fax (1) 707 964 disappointed). diseases, parasites and feather long as 534 pages. I found an oft- The book is divided into four plucking. Much of this is applicable repeated myth, "Banding (ringing) 1868).It costs $170 plus postage. ROSEMARY LOW. parts - according to the index; to all parrot species. It is presented requires removal of the nestlings nothing in the text indicates this. in a way which enables any layman from the nest, normally Part 1 covers Aviculture. Its 264 to benefit from its contents. resulting in hand feeding." This pages (the majority by Joanne The section on conservation is not so. Probably few of the Abramson), include contributions spans 112 pages. Jorgen Thomsen contributors have any from experts in their field, such as wrote the introduction, in which he experience of parent-reared Marc Valentine on chromosomal describes the factors threatening macaws, which are a rarity in the USA. analysis, Sally Blanchard on macaws, such as habitat behavioural problems and Janet destruction, also recovery efforts Stricter editing would have deleted anomalies Hanson on chick growth rates. made to date. This is followed by Chapters include Anatomy and nine papers describing specific resulting from contributors from many physiology, Acquisition, Nutritional conservation projects. These requirements, Breeding and include Hyacinthine Macaws in the sources. For example, Incubation. Pantanal and the world renowned while Brian Speer's definition of a closed Brian Speer wrote Part 2 on study of macaw populations in veterinary medicine. This section Peru, at the Manu and Tambopata aviary concept J (basically, the control alone will be worth the price of the reserves. Of great interest are the book for many, especially those weight and measurement tables of and monitoring of disease) is that who do not have an avian chicks reared in the wild, plus a veterinarian in their area. Because usuallyaccepted, j table showing the fate of natural another Brian Speer is that rare and nests in Peru during 1990-1992. contributor valuable individual, a veterinarian This shows that 30 young fledged described it as who breeds parrots, his insight into from 71 eggs; 16 chicks died from

13 LETTERSTO TUE EDITOR Memberswrite

anythingaboutthe careand DearSiror Madam, welfareof exoticbirds).Standards I currentlyhaveaDeedof shouldbesetby anindependent Covenantin favourof theTrust organisationandthosewhofall foul of thesestandardsshouldbe andamdueto paymy subscriptionon 1July1996.I madeto operatein amore wouldlike to cancelthiswith responsibleway:thosewhichpass immediateeffectbecauseI have theinspectionshouldbegivenan decidedto becomea life member.I awardandthegeneralpublic enclosea completedapplication urgedonlyto purchasefrom those form.I wouldalsolike to makeuse earningsuchanaward. of theGift Aid provisionsand It is no goodburyingourheads shouldbegratefulif youwould in thesand:crueltydoesgoon. sendmethe appropriateform. Birdsareabused,theyoftenlive in Theconservationandwelfare appallingconditions;theyare of parrotsis somethingI consider subjectedto hugeamountsof to beveryimportant(andsodoes stress.Perhapsignoranceof their my parrot).I amimpressedby needsis to blamein somecases, your cost-effectiveuseof funds DearWPT but thingsmustchangebeforeit is compassionwhicheveryliving andalsobyyour emphasison creaturedeserves. too late.Trappingis still the BeforeChristmas1994this bird protectingtheenvironmentand Wearesupposedto bethe biggestthreatto manyspeciesof wasflyingfreein Africa.Now,less exoticbirdsandwild stocks educatingthelocalpeoplein your than9 monthson,theonly superiorspecies,but judgingby conservationprojects.I also feathersit hasarea fewaround thewayexoticbirds arewheeled, cannotsustainman'sgreed. thoroughlyendorseMichael thefaceandhead.Eventhe down dealed,abusedandsubjectedto PamFryer Reynolds'commentsaboutthe feathershavebeenpluckedout; stressesbeyondthat whichthey welfareof captiveparrotsin the canyouimaginethestresslevels cancopewith, I think it is wewho recenteditionof PsittaScene. in thisbird, to mutilateitself in arethelesserspecies. If the developedandeducated EDITOR'SNOTE: With bestwishes suchaway? countriesdonot takea far more Recently,manymembershave It hasbeensubjectedto Yoursfaithfully, convertedto being'Fellows',or life surgicalsexingontwo occasions- responsibleapproachto the care, JaneMoore imaginethestressinvolvedin that understanding,preservationand members.Wethink this maybe Sevenoaks,Kent. conservationof exoticbirds and because,in our eighthyear,it is alone,not to mentionthehandling thewildlife whichweare clearthat theWorldParrotTrustis andthejourneysinvolved, privilegedto live alongside,our hereto stay,andis a serious particularlyfor anewlyimported organisation. bird.Whytheneedfor two world is goingto becomeavery sadplace;wecannotsurvive Mayweinvite invasiveoperations?Whydo ourselveswithout thewhole othermembersto ownersnot keepthesexing becomelife certificates?Surelythis shouldbe spectrumof theanimalkingdom. Wehavecharitiesthat striveto members,and commonpracticeandthe preserveandconservecreatures thus responsiblethingto dowith any substantially bird whichhasbeensurgically andbirds in thewild but perhaps Reet someof their moneyshouldbe increasethe sexed. To Ihe WJ>r, Hampshire.' spentoncleaningup our actin help theyare It haschangedhomesseveral givingto the times,in thehot weatherit was this country;educatingpet owners, r tan I undersla nd e breeders,dealersandpet shop parrotsof the , r find IheIfma9aZinef 0 , subjectedto thehorror of anoisy world? I' na 0 il ils IY u ma~e a bll borin 9, ownershere.Thatis perhapsa 1I you could li~e hav electricfanblowingcoolairright ,I~e 10 su9gesl 'you puI a ~ids 00,9ro"'n up, r "'ould ' I responsiblewayto conserveand 'ou could ma~e 11n besideits cagein abirdroom. Rosemary v e puzzd es andpagelatnI Ihebmiddle. On If I hadnot takenthis bird it preserve.Millionsof exoticbirds Low Ice an col rfi Ic s a OUIParrols , enou9h ~id members m b Ou u and if you have wouldhaveendedup atabird sale havebeenimportedinto our countryovertheyears- whereare Or even ma~ea special :i~: ~ou could have compelions - imaginethetraumainvolvedfor paper). On Ihe olher side of ~9az!ne (ouI of recycled thiswild-caughtbird. It is a mature they?Parrotsarepotentiallyvery tarry On"'ilh puZZlesOr hie ~Ids page you could bird,nodoubtseparatedfrom its long-lived.Weshouldhavefar I am 11years old and have~ve a parrol poSler Onil, morebirdsthanthe demand. years and I Ihin~ Ih I le, , een a member for (,-7 partnerwhenit wascaught;the a "'s ISa 9Oodidea, chancesareit hasbredin thewild. Perhapsthis speaksfor itself. Thousandsof birds dieof stress Beforewestart tellingpeoplein From J'oanna Pe9ram (11years old) third worldcountrieswhatthey andstress- relatedconditions; shouldandshouldnot dowith theseareintelligentandemotional theirnaturalresourcesweshould creatureswhocannotcopewith getourownhousein order.It is this abusebyman. timewebecamea more Dealerspremises,commercial responsible,caiingsociety.If we premises,commercialbreeders aregoingto partakein thecareor andpet shopsshouldbeinspected breedingor dealingof exoticbirds by someonewhoknowsabout or anyanimalfor that matter;then birds (mostlocalauthority treatit with therespect,the inspectorscouldn'ttell a sparrow understanding,thecareand from apigeon,let aloneknow

14 YDOCANHELPOS.II

CharlesAMunnIDPhD AndrewGreenwoodMRCVS AudreyReyuolds RosemaryLow Wm.RichardPorterMD DavidWoolcock MichaelReyuolds FounderTrusteeWPT-USA. FounderTrusteeof Director,ParadisePark. Authorof 'Endangered Directorof theInternational Curator,ParadisePark. FounderofTheWorld Seniorresearchbiologist. WPT-UKandWPT-USA.Zoo FounderTrusteeof Parrots'and20moreparrot AviculturistsSociety. FounderTrusteeofThe ParrotTrust,Hon.Director WildlifeConservation andwildlifeveterinary TheWorldParrotTrustUK books.Editorof FounderTrusteeof WPT- WorldParrotTrustUK. ofWPT-UK,TrusteeofWPT- Society. consultant. PsittaScene. USA. USA. ...SAVE THE PARROTS!

Lear'sMacaw EchoParakeet Red-tailedBlackCockatoo SI.VincentParrot Red-ventedCockatoo Red-tailed Amazon Hyacinth Macaw joinus. AimsoftheTrust. Becomeamemberof theWorldParrotTrust,receive The survival of parrot species in the wild, and the ourPsittaScenenewsletter,knowthatyouareactively welfareofcaptivebirds.+/ contributingtowardsouraims. Theseaimsarepursuedby:- Educatingthepubliconthethreatsto parrots. Opposingtradeinwild-caughtparrots. HelpfundourProjects. Preservingandrestoringparrothabitat. Wearecurrentlysupportingparrotconservation, Studyingthestatusof parrotpopulations. educationandwelfareprojectsin Africa,Australia, Encouragingtheproductionof aviary-bredbirds. Bolivia,Brazil,theCaribbean,Ecuador,Mauritius,New Creatinglinksbetweenavicultureandconservation. Zealand,Paraguay,PeruandthePhilippines.Your generositytowardstheparrotscouldhelpusexpand Promotinghighstandardsin thekeepingof parrots. currentschemesandstartnewones. Supportingresearchinto veterinarycareof parrots. ------PLEASESENDCOMPLETEDFORM TO YES,I WANTTOIlELP SAVETIlE PARROTS 'WORLD PARROT TRUST' AT:- UNITED KINGDOM OF TIlE WORLD GlamnorHouse,Hayle,Cornwall TR27 4HY USA Cynthia Webb, PO Box 341141, Memphis SUBSCRIPTIONRATES(pleasetick) Name...... TN 38184. Address...... BENELUX Mrs]. Fiege, Graafseweg 37, 0 UKandEurope (Single) £15 ...... 5451 NA Mill, Netherlands CANADA ...... 0 UKandEurope(Family)£20 Mike Pearson, PO Box 29, Mount Hope, ZipjPostcode ...... Ontario LOR IWO. 0 Fellow (LifeMember)£250jUS$400 DENMARK (SCANDINAVIA) Pleasechargemy AccessjVisaAcc/No. M Iversen, Alsikemarken 48, 2860 Soborg. Corporate(Annual) FRANCE DDDDDDDDDDDDDDOD J & G Prin, 55 Rue de la Fassiere, 45140, Ingre. D All OverseasAirmail£17jUS$25 GERMANY (orequivalentcurrencypaymentby Exp.date Amount£jUS$...... G & D Harries, Vodestr. 39,44625 Herne. ITALY AccessjVisajMasterCardpreferred) Signature...... Freddie Virili, via Matarus w.10, 33045 Nimis, Udine. OR:I enclose cheque. payable to the WPT AUSTRAUA D Plusdonationof £jUS$...... D Peter Sipek, 1 Rossell PL, GIenfield, NSW2167. AFRICA Mike Perrin, Private Bag XOl, Scottsville, Natal, South Africa. SWITZERlAND I heard about the World Parrot Trust from...... Lars Lepperhoff, Sagemattstrasse 31, 3097 Liebefeld. Designedand produced by DESIGN & PRINTSERVICES(01736) 753638 16