November 2015: Progress For Parrots

CONSERVATION IN ACTION

This month, pairs of threatened yellow-naped Amazon parrots are selecting tree cavities where they can nest. The birds prefer trees that are tall and inaccessable to people who might want to steal their young. Unfortunately, there are not enough tree sites that present these safe conditions and so over the past four years, we have installed and hidden over 40 artificial nest boxes. This month we are installing another 20 nests. These nests are monitored by our Forest Rangers throughout the year and cleaned to keep them clear of pests. Last season, three yellow-naped Amazon parrotlets were successfully reared in one of these nest boxes!

We are seeing progress! Throughout the year, we survey parrots along 137 transect points, located in a wide variety of habitats. Our surveys indicated that the population has stabilized and our conservation strategy has been effective. Our parrot program goes beyond nest protection and population monitoring to locate and protect the forest areas most frequently visted by the birds. Our biological technicians have placed radio-collars on six parrots. This technology enables us to follow their daily movements. As a result, we now have maps of the areas where the birds are spending much of their time. We are also now reaching out to landowners at these site to secure the long-term protection of this forest habitat.

Our parrot conservation program is made possible through long-term support from the Loro Parque Fundacion. We are also grateful to the US Forest Service - International Institute for Tropical Forestry and Parrots International. Private sector partners are also doing their part. We are collaborating with Nica Dev, Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge, and Aqua Wellness Resort to expand nest sites for these threatened bird. Thanks to these partners we are beginning to have hope for the survival of yellow-naped Amazon parrots in Nicaragua.

IN THE NEWS

This month we have been fortunate to work with veterinarian Dr. Graham Thatcher and his partner Andrea White in rescuing Tyson, a mixed beagle from the Paso del Istmo. Paso Pacifico rangers and University of Copenhagen veterinary students volunteering in the area first found Tyson when visiting rural farms of the Paso del Istmo. He had been accidently hit with a machete on his muzzle and part of his snout was missing. He was in surprisingly good health considering the wound, but in need of reconstructive surgery not available in Nicaragua.

Dr. Thatcher and Andrea White saw Tyson in an Instragram photo and generously offered to perform the operation at no expense. After several weeks coordinating logistics and negotiating with various airlines, we were finally able to get Tyson to Ottawa, Canada for treatment. During this process he has become popular in the Canadian media and featured in a number of articles. He has been aptly named "Tyson the Wonder Dog" and you can visit his Facebook page here.

We are thankful to Dr. Thatcher and Andrea White for their expertise and kindness. We are also grateful for Tyson's sponsors who helped cover the costs of veterinary and legal services to prepare him for his travel. United Airlines graciously covered the costs of Tyson's airline ticket. Please make sure to visit his Facebook page for the latest updates on his recovery.

PARTNERS MAKE IT POSSIBLE

For the past eight years the Loro Parque Fundacion has generously supported our efforts to protect the yellow-naped Amazon parrot. Together we have come a long way in protecting this amazing bird. Through this partnership we have supported threatened parrots reproducing in artificial nests, built a community protection program, provided skilled jobs to local community members, and have successfully stabilized the population.

These successes would not have been possible without Loro Parque Fundacion’s long-term commitment. Together we look forward to reaching new milestones in the conservation of Nicaragua’s yellow-naped Amazon parrot and other endangered parrot species.

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Liza Gonzales, our Country Director, has coordinated our conservation projects since our beginnings in 2006. Having grown up on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast, she is passionate about coastal conservation and protecting Nicaragua's unique biodiversity.

In 2009, Liza was named a Kinship Conservation Fellow and spent a month in the U.S. working with environmental economists to refine our conservation incentive program. Recently, Liza was awarded a scholarship via the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and received training in cultural heritage conservation.

Liza is a talented leader and many of our successes in conservation are attributed to her attentiveness and persistence.

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IN GRATITUDE

We are grateful for Juan Sebastián Villalba-Macias of the Loro Parque Fundacion. He has taken a special interest in our parrot conservation project and recently visited the Paso del Istmo to witness our progress. During his visit he had the opportunity to meet with community members committed to the preservation of endangered yellow-naped Amazon parrots, some of whom receive compensation for the care and protection of parrot nests. He also met with our Junior Rangers who shared their enthusiasm for this important bird. The Loro Parque Fundacion has been an important ally for Paso Pacifico in our effort to protect this species. We look forward to continued progress and future visits from Juan and our friends at the Loro Parque Fundacion.

This month on Instagram: