Cyanopsitta Magazine.. - Loro Parque Fundación

Transcription

Nº 98 - 2011
The Newsletter of Loro Parque Fundación
BREEDING THE GANG-GANG COCKATOO
RED-TAILED AMAZONS AND HONEY
PLANET LIFE: NEW ECO-FILM IN LORO PARQUE
Nº 98 - 2011
THE NEWSLETTER OF LORO PARQUE FUNDACIÓN
Message from the Founder
Índice:
Message from the Founder..........................2
International Year of the Forests.................3
LP/SP News................................................4
LPF News....................................................7
News of the parrot collection....................10
Projects up-date.........................................12
Breeding the Gang-gang Cockatoo...........19
Cover photo:
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
(Calyptorhynchus funereus)
Editorial Office:
Loro Parque S.A.
38400 Puerto de la Cruz
Tenerife, Islas Canarias. España
Tel.: +34 922 374 081 - Fax: +34 922 373 110
Cyanopsitta is printed using environment friendly, recycled, woodfree coated paper: Symbol Freelife Satin©, FEDRIGONI©
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
Editorial Consultant:
Rosemary Low
Editorial committee:
Javier Almunia, Wolfgang Kiessling, Matthias
Reinschmidt, David Waugh and Rafael Zamora.
Visit our websites:
www.loroparque-fundacion.org
www.loroparque.com
Membership:
Become a member of Loro Parque Fundación
to support us in our activities. You will then
receive our trimestral newsletter Cyanopsitta,
as well as a supporter’s card permitting free
entry to Loro Parque during the validity of your
membership and a visit to our breeding centre.
The current annual membership fees are:
Adults...........................................100,00€
Children................................................50,00€
Life member.......................................1.500,00€
Please send us your membership subscription by
mail, fax or e-mail, or call us, and we will sign you
up immediately.
Account Bank:
Banca March, Puerto de la Cruz
Account: 0061 0168 81 005034011-8
IBAN: ES40 0061 0168 8100 5034 0118
BIC: BMARES2M
Last year was the International Year of Biodiversity and, as we reported
in the previous issue of this magazine, in Japan the 2010 Conference
of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity made some
important commitments to increase actions to prevent the loss of wild
species. For its part, the Loro Parque Fundación made strenuous
efforts throughout the year to conserve parrots, cetaceans and other
biodiversity.
Now we have moved into the International Year of Forests, also officially
declared by the United Nations. The article on the opposite page gives
a few of the many statistics associated with forests, and there is no
doubt that they constitute the major repository of life on the planet.
Some areas of forest, for their delicate natural balance and other special
characteristics, should be left free from the influence of modern man. In
other words, they should have strict protection. However, the majority
of forests on Earth cannot be protected in the same way, because
they are used by people, and the economic and social benefits are
colossal. In effect, the sustainable exploitation of these forests is the
best hope for the conservation of the wild animals and plants that live
in them. And thus we come to the most challenging aspect. In which
ways can we best convert unsustainable exploitation of forests into
practices which are sustainable and will leave intact and healthy forests
for future generations?
The actions of the Loro Parque Fundación are providing some answers
to that question. The majority of its projects for the conservation of
forest-dwelling parrots include working alongside local communities to
find ways to protect their own forests by using them more wisely. For
example, in the magazine you will read about the initiative to introduce
bee-keeping to poor communities in south-east Brazil, providing them
with income from sustainable use of a forest resource, and at the same
time protecting the forest and the Red-tailed Amazons.
Sustainability is also very important in Loro Parque, as our independent
certifications prove. This includes providing our animals with the correct
conditions for their best possible welfare, and for them to breed to
contribute to self-sustaining populations. Again, you will read in these
pages about our continuing successes with more births of animals of
diverse species – our very own Baby Boom.
Banco Santander, Puerto de la Cruz
Account: 0049 0290 37 2113529526
IBAN: ES46 0049 0290 3721 1352 9526
BIC: BSCHESMM
BBVA, Puerto de la Cruz
Account: 0182 5310 61 001635615-8
IBAN: ES85 0182 5310 61 0016356158
BIC: BBVAESMM
Legal deposit: TF-1643/2003
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Wolfgang Kiessling
President, Loro Parque Fundación
SAVING WILD LIFE AND HABITATS
International Year of Forests 2011: celebrating forests for wildlife and
people
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has declared
2011 as the International Year of Forests (Forests
2011) to raise awareness on sustainable management,
conservation and sustainable development of all types of
forests. It was launched at the Ninth Session of the UN
Forum on Forests in New York, January 24 - 4 February.
Governments, regional and international organizations
and civil society organizations are expected to create
national committees and designate focal points in their
respective countries to facilitate organization of activities
in support of the International Year of Forests.
Forests are an integral part of global sustainable
development. According to World Bank estimates,
more than 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their
livelihoods. The forest product industry is a source of
economic growth and employment, with global forest
products traded internationally in the order of $270
billion. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
of the UN estimates that every year 130,000 km² of the
world’s forests are lost due to deforestation. Conversion
to agricultural land, unsustainable harvesting of timber,
unsound land management practices, and creation of
human settlements are the most common reasons for
this loss of forested areas. According to the World Bank,
deforestation accounts for up to 20 percent of the global
greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global
warming. It is estimated (FAO data) that the world’s
forests and forest soil store more than one trillion tons of
carbon – twice the amount found in the atmosphere.
The World Bank and other organisations estimate that
forests provide habitats to about two-thirds of all species
on earth, and that deforestation of closed tropical
rainforests could account for biodiversity loss of as many
as 100 species a day. According to the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the
Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration,
globally there are more than a billion hectares of lost and
degraded forest land that could be restored.
Forests are the home of many species of parrots, and
during Forests 2011 the Loro Parque Fundación will be
supporting projects which protect threatened species
of parrots, and safeguard and restore their forest and
woodland habitats. These projects will be taking place in
Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia,
Australia and Pacific Islands. They include all kinds of
forests, from the lowland wet tropical rainforests to the
driest forests found in semi-arid lands. They will include
the cool high mountain forests in the tropical zone, and
even forest “islands” found in flat areas flooded in the
rainy season. Some of the forests are very specialized,
such as the remaining small fragments in the Andes
Mountains of Colombia which contain high densities of
wax palms vital for Yellow-eared parrots (Ognorhynchus
icterotis). Mangroves are also specialized forests,
used by a good number of parrot species, not least
the critically endangered Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua
haematuropygia).
In all cases, the LPF projects
will involve the local people,
finding ways for them to use
their forests sustainably and
to protect the parrots which
form such a colourful part of
their natural heritage.
3
LP/SP NEWS
The Baby Boom continues in Loro Parque with the new family of
Meerkats
attention by standing on their hind legs watching in
search of prey or to avoid being caught by predators.
It is a carnivorous species and as such consumes
insects and spiders, as well as other small mammals.
Meerkats are usually nice, and even gentle creatures,
and the children are crowded by the exhibition that
Loro Parque has created for them, regularly callingout “Timon”, the name of the character that represents
this animal in the famous Disney movie The Lion King.
In its area of origin is not uncommon to find them
domesticated, but in the West are not considered
suitable as pets, since their behavior can be extremely
destructive in an urban residence: in many countries
the possession of meerkats, or any wild animal, is
punishable by law.
The explosion of life in Loro Parque continues, with
the recent birth of four lovely Meerkats which, together
with other babies such as the Clown fish (Nemo for
the kids), Red-footed tortoises, Jaguar twins, the baby
Orca and Two-toed Sloths, extend the family of animals
in the best known park in Spain as it prepares for the
holiday season with the nursery full of new creatures.
These attractive and curious mammals known as rock
cats are characterized by their great dynamism, speed
and social behaviours, as they play together while one
adult functions as a sentry and keeps watch over the
surroundings. The four young are fed by the mother
and, together with the rest of the group, sunbathe, dig
in the ground and fill with surprise all visitors who stop
to watch.
The Meerkat comes from the mongoose family and
inhabits the Kalahari and the Namib desert regions in
Africa. This is a small mammal that does not exceed
one kilogram in weight and reaches 50 centimeters in
length, of which 25cm are the tail. They are habitually
diurnal creatures and tend to attract children’s
4
Diverse and numerous species of water, land and
air have graced the nurseries of the park in recent
months, with this reproduction being the main
indicator of the welfare enjoyed by these animals
in their different habitats. The Baby Station of Loro
Parque has also had chicks of several important
and highly endangered species and that find in this
reserve a real chance of survival, such as the Spix’s
Macaw, totally extinct in the wild, or Lear’s Macaw,
also seriously threatened. In the coming months, we
expect to hatch more eggs of other species, which all
visitors can see in the Baby Station, where they feed
the chicks in front of the public.
LP/SP NEWS
The Loro Parque sloth twins are together again
Loro Parque is celebrating an
important environmental event by
re-uniting the two sloth twins, born
last October. One of the youngsters
was premature and had to be
attended by the veterinarian team
of Loro Parque during this time.
This is a unique event and has
aroused the curiosity and interest
of biologists and veterinarians
worldwide, because no similar
case is known in any other zoo of
the world.
The small mammals were born
in a tropical ecosystem that has
been created especially for this
species. Although both young
were born well-developed and with
open eyes, the smallest one had
to be hand-fed by the veterinarian
team of Loro Parque during the
intervening months, as the space
on the abdomen of the mother
was not enough for both animals.
Currently the biologists and
keepers are making introductions
of the smallest animal and the
other sloths of the exhibition, and
each day for short intervals of time
he is left there with his mother and
sister.
With 1.5 and 2 kilos of weight
respectively, both young are very
curious about their surroundings
and are achieving independence
by climbing on the branches
in their exhibit, where they live
together with two Green iguanas,
12 White-faced marmosets and
two pairs of Red-footed tortoises.
This species is native to countries
such as Brazil, Colombia,
Venezuela, Ecuador, Suriname
and Peru. While the adults in
captivity eat leaves, seasonal
fruits and vegetables, and grain,
and drink water, the young need
milk, which they consume several
times a day during 6 to 15 minute
feeding sessions.
Luca the sloth clinging onto veterinarian Dr. Kirstin
Oberhäuser
The pre-teen directors of Loro Parque make their first visit
Belén Ortega Paniagua and Víctor
Alonso Álvarez-Buylla, both 11
years old and accompanied by
their families, have made their first
work and learning visit as pre-teen
directors of Loro Parque, after having
been selected in the last phase
of the children’s environmental
awareness campaign launched by
Loro Parque.
These young winners made the
first of the activities produced by
the educators of the park, who
accompanied them to witness the
medical training of the dolphins
and to meet the offspring of the
sea lions and penguins, the sloth
twins, and the baby orca. Add also
the dozens of creatures born in
the last months of 2010, the main
indicator of the welfare enjoyed by
animals in this zoological reserve.
They later visited the veterinary
clinic and the laboratory where
they stopped to ask questions and
make suggestions.
The program of activities to
develop during the present course
foresees the boy and girl directors
involved in environmental activities
and workshops, as well as to
communicate their views on the
conservation
and
awareness
activities carried out by Loro Parque
for environmental protection, and
the important role of educational
programmes about these issues in
childhood.
This is a special initiative to raise
awareness, within the framework
of actions for social responsibility
The pre-teen directors directing in OrcaOcean
that Loro Parque is developing in
environmental education through
the Loro Parque Fundación, and
thereby bring the world of animals
and plants closer to Canary Island
children from early childhood, thus
motivating the commitment to
protect future generations.
5
LP/SP NEWS
Loro Parque broadcasts its new documentary film Planet Life in homage to nature
On Friday fourth of March, Loro Parque broadcast its new documentary Planet Life,
which has been made by the co-producers of Oceans exclusively for Naturavisión.
Joining Wolfgang Kiessling, president of Loro Parque, at the presentation were the
Tenerife Cabildo President, Ricardo Melchior, member of the environmental commission
of the European Parliament, Pilar Ayuso, the Mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, Marcos Brito,
coordinator of the projects of the Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente Foundation, CésarJavier Palacios, and professor of veterinary science of ULPGC, Antonio Fernández.
Naturavisión is now converted into a place especially dedicated to environmental
awareness through the magic of the documentary, with a really unique production
that has been made completely in high definition and with surprising images of the
most hidden places of the planet. This is the grand novelty which the park offers to its
visitors, with the latest technology and a high definition projector for future cinematic
showings of ecology and nature. The documentary is shown several times a day in
three different languages, combining emotions, colours and vitality to stimulate love
and respect for the environment that surrounds us.
Letter from Odile Rodríguez de la Fuente, read in the presentation of Planet Life by
César-Javier Palacios
For the Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente Foundation, the exposition in Loro Parque of a documentary of the quality of Planet Life is great news
because it will be a powerful educational tool with which to instill in our society the importance of nature conservation. My father always
had the certainty that only by knowing the world around us, making it our own, and intimate, are we able to protect it. And that film is the
best vehicle by which to convey such an important message.
However, biodiversity is not only in the great forests, in the endless seas, in distant worlds. We and everything around us are also
biodiversity, nature, and as such we must recognize and bind ourselves to it.
The book of life marks out clues for us on how to relate, in the most successful and healthy way, to the world and to ourselves. Modern
society cannot achieve the illusion of development unless it meets the local needs. In Spain, for example, each village houses, in the
same form, the cells in the complex organism of a global society. Locally we have rural wisdom, close and sensitive to the idiosyncrasies
of the immediate surroundings. These are the unique and best custodians of fundamental units, socio-economically sustainable, that are
integrated into a more complex whole.
If modern man separates from his roots, the trunk and branches of development will fall under their own weight. In strengthening the local,
the societies closest to the earth, we find the roots of a strong and sustainable society. In the wisdom of cause and effect, here and now,
coupled with the intelligence to dig into the past and envision the future, is the greatness of the human being.
Man is a strange and unpredictable being, but infinite potential. We are great, great grandchildren of the universe, great-grandchildren
of the Milky Way, the grandchildren of planet Earth and the children of life. Further to the extraordinary lineage that precedes us, we have
been given the gift of intelligence. Will we know how to rise to the occasion?
6
LPF NEWS
The Timneh Grey Parrot: a separate species in need of attention
The African Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus has been split
into the Grey Parrot P. erithacus and the Timneh Grey Parrot
P. timneh on the basis of genetic, morphological, plumage
and vocal differences. This separation follows the findings
of Melo and O’Ryan (2007) and additional work by the
BirdLife (International) Taxonomic Working Group (BirdLife
International 2010).
Prior to this taxonomic revision, P. erithacus was listed as
Near Threatened because the wild population was perceived
to be decreasing quite rapidly following observed declines in
most countries within its natural geographical distribution.
While habitat loss is considered to have significant impact
throughout West and East Africa, trapping for the wild
bird trade is especially implicated in the overall population
decline. A rough approximation of the total wild population
of Psittacus is between 680,000 and 13,000,000 birds,
although of this total the population of timneh is estimated
at only 120,100 to 259,000 individuals (BirdLife International
2011). Thus, the current situation needs attention, and from
this year the Loro Parque Fundación will be financing a three
to four year study to assess the distribution, abundance and
impacts of trade and habitat change on the wild population
of P. timneh. The research will be undertaken by an African
student registered at Manchester Metropolitan University,
UK, and supervised by Dr Stuart Marsden of that university,
and Dr Nigel Collar of BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.
This study will contribute towards a more far-reaching and
longer term effort to study and conserve Psittacus across
its entire distribution in Africa, as will another four-year study
in Cameroon (of P. erithacus) also financed by the LPF and
very soon to be completed.
As regards trends in legal international trade monitored
by CITES (2010), in 2005 there were 48,456 exportations
(including very few re-exportations) of wild-caught Psittacus
from countries within the natural geographical distribution
in Africa. Following the EU prohibition in 2007 of the
importation of wild-caught birds, and in the same year a
two year moratorium on P. erithacus exportation imposed by
CITES on some African countries, the number of wild-caught
exportations decreased to 6,422 in 2007, but now we see an
increase again, with 10,390 in 2008 and 15,824 in 2009 (data
for 2010 are not yet available). Contributing to the increase
are countries which in 2009 exceeded the established export
quota, notably the Democratic Republic of Congo (quota
of 5,000 but 12,158 exportations), and Guinea (quota of
zero but exportations of 820 Psittacus and specifically of
Psittacus erithacus
Psittacus timneh
7
LPF NEWS
720 timneh) where P. timneh naturally
occurs. Overall, the exports and reexports of P. timneh have been 4.8%
of all Psittacus exports and re-exports
during the years 2005 to 2009. Of
18,000 importations of wild-caught
Psittacus in 2009, 33.1% were into
South Africa, 27.3% to Middle East
countries, 22.2% to Serbia, 17.1% to
Asian countries and 0.3% elsewhere.
BirdLife International (2010) Globally
Threatened Bird Forums. Downloaded
from http://www.birdlife.org/globallythreatened-bird-forums on 22/12/2010.
BirdLife International (2011) Species
factsheet:
Psittacus erithacus.
Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.
org on 07/01/2011.
CITES (2010) Trade database:
Psittacus erithacus. Downloaded from
http://www.cites.org on 22/12/2010.
Melo, M. and O’Ryan, C. (2007) Genetic
differentiation
between
Príncipe
Island and mainland populations of
the grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus),
and implications for conservation.
Molecular Ecology 16: 1673-1685.
Loro Parque Foundation helps protect Colombian parrots through “Sling-shot
Amnesty”
In Colombia it is very common to see
institutions and it has driven more than
them to hunt birds for sport. These items
children carrying sling-shots or catapults
80,000 km in Colombia. Through talks,
include 326 sling-shots and, remarkably,
with the intention to kill birds. This
workshops, games and videos performed
20 air-guns (or BB guns) as well as five
is bad both for the birds and for the
inside the bus, ProAves intends to involve
cages. They have been handed-over
children, and even more serious when
all the communities visited, teaching
voluntarily to the ProAves team in nine
some of the potential targets are very
them about biodiversity, and generating
departments of Colombia, many in recent
endangered species of parrots found
a sense of belonging and respect for
months. Many of these slingshots are of
only in Colombia. Since 1999 the Loro
nature, especially the birds and above all
very sophisticated design and, therefore,
Parque Foundation of Tenerife, Spain
the parrots.
highly lethal to birds. In exchange for
has supported its Colombian partner,
these weapons, the children received
the ProAves Foundation, to conduct
The Loro Bus initiative helps to protect
packs
several
very
successful
projects
of
educational
materials,
to
fifty species of parrots among the 1,889
addition to free membership and an ID
conserve these threatened parrots. One
bird species present in Colombia. Within
card of the ecological group “Amigos
of the actions has been to launch a
this group of fifty, ten are threatened
de las Aves” (Spanish for “Friends of the
campaign throughout Colombia with the
native parrots, the Yellow-eared Parrot
Birds) of ProAves Foundation, as well as
objective to educate the next generation
Ognorhynchus icterotis, Fuertes’s Parrot
participation in environmental workshops
of Colombians to respect nature and to
Hapalopsittaca fuertesi, Rufous-fronted
offered in the Loro Bus.
stop killing birds with sling-shots. The
Parakeet Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons,
campaign is called “Sling-shot Amnesty”
Rusty-faced
(“Entrega tu Cauchera” in Spanish), and it
amazonina,
is directed from the mobile environmental
Leptosittaca branickii, Military Macaw
classroom the “Loro Bus” (Spanish for
Ara
“Parrot Bus”).
Pionopsitta pyrilia, Santa Marta Parakeet
militaris,
Pyrrhura
Parrot
Hapalopsittaca
Golden-plumed
Saffron-headed
viridicata,
Perijá
Parakeet
Parrot
Parakeet
The Loro Bus is an education and
Pyrrhura caeruleiceps and Flame-winged
environmental awareness tool that is
Parakeet Pyrrhura calliptera. The smaller,
driven throughout the entire country,
more confiding Pyrrhura parakeets are
developing
more at risk of being the targets of sling-
fun
activities
with
kids,
teenagers and adults, spreading the
shots.
message of conservation and care for
8
in
nature to more than 70,000 people in 145
The “Sling-shot Amnesty” campaign has
cities of 16 provinces from all over the
turned into a big success, with to date
country. Since this initiative was started
a total of 346 items forfeited by children
in 2005, it has visited 2,392 educational
throughout Colombia who had been using
I give you my sling-shot:
you give me a t-shirt and a conscience
LPF NEWS
Many children, when talking about their sling-shots, gave the
specific number (often dozens) of birds killed with each of these
weapons, which provides an illustration of the impact of this habit
of hunting birds. However, by means of this campaign, the children
have demonstrated their ability to respond to environmental
education, as well as a great understanding of the message to
respect nature. One goal of the campaign is to prevent children
growing up with weapons and to inspire a new generation of
Colombians towards non-violence. The sling-shots are displayed
in ProAves office in Bogota to serve as an example to hundreds of
children who want to become “Amigos de las Aves”.
No longer a threat to parrots
The Blue-throated Macaw: 15% of its global population in one tree!
In the dry season of Bolivia, a small group of trees maintains
has been conducted by students of Glasgow University, and in
its bright green foliage, in contrast to the parched grassy plain
2010 student Kirsty Godsman was in the right place at the right
extending into the distance. But that is not all. Look carefully at the
time to capture this unique image.
photo and you will be able to count no less than 44 Blue-throated
Macaws (Ara glaucogularis) resting in the crown of the largest
tree. Never before has such a large group been photographed,
which is not surprising, because the Blue-throated Macaw is
in the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List category of
“Critically Endangered”, and this group represents about 15% of
the entire world population. However, they are in a safe haven, the
4,666 hectare Barba Azul (Blue Beard) Nature Reserve, which is
the only protected area for this species. This macaw only occurs
in the seasonally inundated plains of Beni, north-east Bolivia,
and since 1995 the conservation actions of the Bolivian NGO
Armonía, in partnership with the Loro Parque Fundación of Spain,
have been gradually increasing the population. With help from
the World Land Trust-US and the American Bird Conservancy,
the reserve has been created in the last two years, and over 90
Blue-throated Macaws use it during the non-breeding season.
Research on the macaws and other fauna and flora of the reserve
Look closely to find 44 Blue-throated Macaws
Lanzarote hosts Expo-Orca of Loro Parque Fundación
over Christmas
Loro Parque Fundación and the City Council of Arrecife inaugurated
caring for and protecting our
on 22 December the exhibition Expo-Orca in the environmental
seas, bringing together art and
classroom of the municipality and also in the central courtyard
nature in a single symbolic
of the city hall. The event was attended by the Mayor of Arrecife,
expression, was open to the
Cándido Reguera, the Youth Councillor, Joel Delgado and the
public free of charge until 20
Deputy Director of Loro Parque Fundación, Javier Almunia. The
January.
exhibition, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of
9
LPF NEWS
News from the Loro Parque Fundación parrot collection
December 2010: At the beginning of
December, only a few pairs of parrot are
involved with breeding. Nevertheless,
some belong to our very valuable
species. At the moment a pair of Banks’
cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus magnificus)
has started to lay eggs for the first time,
while a Palm cockatoo pair (Probosciger
aterrimus) is incubating a second clutch.
In the hand-rearing Baby Station of Loro
Parque six black cockatoos are currently
growing, two large Yellow-tailed black
cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus funereus)
and four Palm cockatoos. The first of the
four young Palm cockatoos has already
been transferred into another aviary,
Deroptyus accipitrinus
where he is learning how to fly and to eat
Two
independently, but he is also still fed twice
(Deroptyus
a day by hand. The other three, in different
successful this year with three youngsters,
haematuropygia),
stages of development, are also growing
two females and one male, which are now
parrots (Pionus tumultuosus), as well as
well and without any problem. After many
independent. In the past Hawk-headed
twelve Gustav’s parakeets (Brotogeris
years of experimentation, we have found
parrots were very often imported, but
c. gustavi) and eight Fergusson Purple-
a hand-rearing formula which allows us to
since the import ban they have gone
naped
rear the chicks healthily and very easily.
somewhat into the background, because
devittatus). Many other important species
there are not many breeders concerned
could also be listed. Overall, the young
with their breeding. To have this species in
birds are distributed across 161 different
captivity for the long term, breeders have
parrot species and subspecies.
pairs
of
Hawk-headed
accipitrinus)
were
parrots
very
Eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus riedeli),
two
Philippine
lories
cockatoos
three
(Lorius
to put more emphasis on breeding efforts.
This species will reward the breeder with
a varied and interesting behaviour, which
achieves its visual climax with the headfeathers.
January 2011: The year 2010 finished as
an average breeding year, with 1206 young
parrots. Some outstanding results are
summarized here once again: The rearing
of another Spix´s Macaw (Cyanopsitta
spixii), as well as seven Lear´s Macaws
(Anodorhynchus leari), are without doubt
the highlights of the year, followed by
four Palm cockatoos, two Yellow-tailed
black cockatoos and a Pesquet’s parrot
(Psittrichas fulgidus). For the first time, two
Cape parrots (Poicephalus robustus) were
Probosciger aterrimus
10
raised. Other features were three Tanimbar
Calyptorhynchus funereus
(Cacatua
Plum-headed
hypoinochrous
LPF NEWS
The breeding season for the Spix´s
Macaw always begins in the late autumn
of the year, and so our proven breeding
pair is currently incubating a fertile egg.
For the first time, a second pair in our
Spix´s Macaw breeding centre has
started to breed. The female, named
Bonita, was born in our centre in the year
2006 and is now four and a half years old,
thus being the youngest Spix´s Macaw
female in our breeding programme to
have laid eggs. Unfortunately, the three
eggs were not fertile, but an additional
good start has been made with this event.
From the first of January 2011, the
Eclectus roratus riedeli
curatorial crew of the Loro Parque
Fundación has a new member, an
this early confirmation of the dates, the
experienced breeder. Armin Brockner,
event is open for the long-term planning
who originally held and bred many parrot
of all interested parties.
cheerfully looking out at the world.
The Keas (Nestor notabilis) have already
species in Mecklenbeuren am Bodensee
begun to breed. Although we show in a
in Germany. He has the task to optimize
The lories are always among the first parrot
large exhibition aviary in Loro Parque a
the parrot breeding stock of the Loro
species of the year to begin to breed.
group of seven Keas of different ages,
Parque Fundación with his experience.
Thus far, more than 40 pairs of lories have
the group has never successfully bred.
already started laying eggs. Also, in the
However, in the breeding station in La
Our Two-toed sloth twins, which were
Baby Station the first young are being fed,
Vera we have three pairs accommodated
born in the late summer of 2010 as the
and currently growing-up next to each
in 11m long breeding aviaries. Two of
first twins ever known, are developing
other for example are some Rainbow lories
them have now laid five eggs each, with
wonderfully. The older one, which is being
(Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus),
the first having already been found to be
very well cared-for by its mother, is now
two Pale-headed lorikeets (Trichoglossus
fertile. If all goes well, the year 2011 could
more often alone in the branches. The
h.
prove to be a good Kea-year.
smaller one, which is lovingly reared by
lorikeets (Trichoglossus h. rosenbergii),
our vet Dr. Kirstin Oberhäuser, is still very
two Red-necked lories (Trichoglossus
frequently exploring the environment with
h. rubritorquis), two Edward’s lorikeets
its “adoptive mother”. So the little sloth is
(Trichoglossus h. capistratus) and three
regularly with the vet during the park visits
small Blue-crowned lories (Vini australis).
caeruleiceps),
two
Rosenberg’s
and other activities, and the visitors can
observe this sweet little animal.
A special chick being hand-reared in the
Baby Station is the small 25 day-old Cape
February: The 7th International Parrot
Parrot. After last year’s success, when
Convention in September last year in
for the first time in the LPF two juveniles
Puerto de la Cruz was a huge success,
of this parrot species were reared by
and now we have set the date for the 8th
the parents, we decided to transfer the
International Parrot Convention. It will take
first clutch this year to the incubator for
place from 22 to 25 September 2014,
artificial incubation. Thus, the female can
again held in Puerto de la Cruz, and will
once again produce a second clutch.
be organized by the team of Loro Parque
Now one young bird has hatched, and
and the Loro Parque Fundación. Due to
is growing well in the Baby Station and
Poicephalus robustus
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PROJECTS UP-DATE
First steps towards the Macaronesian Network on Cetacean Health
Taking samples from a stranded dead cetacean
More samples and analysis in the lab of dead cetaceans
In 2010 Loro Parque Fundación renewed its efforts for the long-
Bioaccumulation is a process by which the higher levels in the
lasting dream of a Cetacean Sanctuary in Macaronesia, paving
trophic chain (as dolphins or orcas in the sea) concentrate the
the way to establish a cetacean conservation network that will
chemical substances that pollute the water, magnifying their toxic
connect the entire biogeographical region. This is one of the
effects.
main goals of the “Markers of pollution in European Bottlenose
Dolphins” project, implemented by the Animal Health Institute
The Persistent Organic Pollutants are considered especially
of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Dr. Antonio
dangerous because their lipophilic characteristics make them
Fernández and his team are implementing a comparative
bio-accumulative and capable of bio-magnification. These POPs
study in cetacean toxicopathology, collecting data from dolphin
are the consequence of the industrial pollution and, consequently,
populations in Atlantic waters to compare them with Mediterranean
more abundant in highly industrialized coastal regions or semi-
Sea dolphins. Staff from the University of Las Palmas will travel
closed seas (like the Mediterranean). This is the reason why this
to Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde to give assistance to
study is comparing results from dolphins living in heavy polluted
cetacean strandings, whenever required, in all the Macaronesian
waters (Mediterranean) with those less polluted (Macaronesia),
archipelagos, thus strengthening bonds with the local cetacean
and even with dolphins living in non-polluted controlled
researchers, and providing pathological diagnosis and capacity-
environments like Loro Parque.
building in the field of stranded animals. This study will try to show
different pathologies affecting cetaceans likely linked to stressors
During this first year the study has been initiated with samples from
affecting the immune system, including some pollutants.
the tissue bank of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Analysis has started using samples from nine Bottlenose dolphins
Immuno-toxicopathology is a relatively recent scientific discipline
(Tursiops truncatus) stranded in the Canary Islands, East-Central
aimed to study the immunological alterations caused by exposure
Atlantic Ocean.
to different chemical substances. Especially relevant to the
cetaceans are the concentrations of different heavy metals (Pb,
Project activities have also been establishing the Macaronesian
Cd, etc) and the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), because
Network on Cetacean Health. A veterinarian has been contracted
of their immunosuppressive and endocrine disruptor potentials.
by the research team, and has already started establishing links
Among the metals that can cause adverse health effects, there
with the rest of the cetacean research groups in the Canary Islands,
are some such as copper, iron, zinc or selenium (essential for
Cape Verde, Madeira and the Azores in order to provide expertise
life in small concentrations), and some others such as mercury,
and support required by any participant to deal with cetacean
cadmium and lead, without a biological role and highly toxic even
strandings. The Macaronesian Network on Cetacean Health is an
in small concentrations. Amongst them, lead, cadmium, mercury
initiative to improve the scientific knowledge of cetacean health,
and nickel are the most dangerous, because of their toxicity,
with their conservation as final main goal.
persistence in the environment and ability to bio-accumulate.
12
PROJECTS UP-DATE
Fighting for the Harbour Porpoise of the Baltic Sea
Human activities in the Baltic Sea threaten the native population
automatically. At the same time GSM requires confirmation of the
of Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and the Loro Parque
delivery of the animal, and documentation including photographs.
Fundación collaborates with the German-based Society for the
GSM also collects information by e-mail and/or telephone.
Protection of Marine Mammals (GSM) to raise awareness of the
problems. In fact, the situation of this species must be really
There is no doubt that fisheries and by-catch are the most serious
serious, because since 2007 the recording of stranded animals
problem for the survival of the harbour porpoise in the Baltic.
along just the German coast of the Baltic has registered an
Because of the dramatic situation, and due to the need to improve
annual average of 160-170 carcasses. This is an extremely high
fisheries because most fish stocks, especially in European waters
mortality rate that cannot be sustainable, and there is little doubt
such as the Baltic, are also in bad condition, GSM presented
about the reason. Two documentations presented by Germany at
a paper, “Strategies to avoid incidental catch of seabirds and
previous ASCOBANS (Agreement on the Conservation of Small
marine mammals in the Baltic Sea Fisheries” to the EU Fisheries
Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas) meetings show that 40-
Council meeting in June last year.
80% (more than 50% average) are “by-caught” animals. By-catch
is the incidental capture of unwanted marine creatures that are
Underwater noise is another serious problem for Harbour
caught in nets while fishing for another species. Unfortunately, the
porpoises and other marine mammals, and GSM continues
neighbouring countries to Germany, such as Poland, Denmark,
to lobby the authorities to require bubble curtains to reduce
Sweden, Finland, do not even document stranded animals. There
noise from the construction of wind parks or when detonation
is a need to collect data of “by-caught” animals, and to have a
of unexploded ordnance in the Baltic or North Seas becomes
“stranding network” to make public reports.
necessary.
GSM has recently improved its sightings and data collection
To continue this vital work the plan is for the research group of
system. Whenever a stranded animal is registered on-line the
the German Oceanographic Museum to take over the Harbour
information is automatically sent to all members involved. This
porpoise project, and for GSM to have less involvement. The
makes sure that those responsible for collecting the carcasses
centre of operations for the project is likely to become the Baltic
for further analyses in the responsible institutions are informed
island of “Greifswaler Oie”, which is protected by Germany as a
nature conservation area.
New projects of Loro Parque Fundación
Last autumn new projects were approved for Loro Parque
ongoing trends, and to increase conservation management
Fundación financial support, to start their activities in the first part
capacity within the countries of its distribution. The project will
of this year. Three projects were described in Cyanopsitta edition
focus on the western distribution, of the timneh subspecies, and
97, and another is detailed here.
attempt to:
Assessing distribution, abundance and impacts of trade
Determine the precise distribution and area of occupancy of the
and habitat change in western populations of African Grey
species through field-work and modelling.
Parrot: a research programme linked to capacity-building
Assess its population density and how this varies across the
region and what might affect these differences. This will allow an
Despite its large geographical distribution and relatively low IUCN
estimate of population size to be made.
status (Near threatened), there are major concerns for the well-
Collect data on capture and trade in African Grey Parrots from
being of African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) populations
across the western region to allow a realistic assessment of the
across West and Central Africa. Given its large distribution, likely
likely harvest rate in different areas to be made.
variability in its situation across this range and logistic problems,
Collect new information and collate existing information on the
the task of assessing sustainability within populations of African
species’ reproductive biology, to undertake a Population Viability
Grey Parrots is enormous. Efforts to find out about the species
Analysis (PVA) and to extend the PVA with capture and trade data
have been fragmented and not always successful. The project
to assess likely sustainability of trade and habitat change across
will address two of the three major actions proposed by BirdLife
the range.
International, namely to monitor wild populations to determine
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PROJECTS UP-DATE
The four objectives will be achieved largely through the
completion of a doctorate by an African student from one of
the countries where the subspecies timneh occurs, who will be
registered at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. The student
will be supervised by Dr Stuart Marsden of that university, and
Dr Nigel Collar of BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. Linked
to the doctorate will be various supporting activities designed to
increase the amount of data available, and to build capacity within
the countries of origin to carry out ecological work of this type
in the future. A primary goal of the capacity building, and of the
project overall, is to lead the way towards a more far-reaching and
longer term effort to study and conserve the African Grey Parrot
across its entire distribution in Africa. This first phase of the project
will run for four years.
Psittacus timneh
An encouraging advance in the artificial insemination of parrots
Infertile clutches are a common problem in large parrots in
performing the AI procedures, no negative effect on breeding
captivity, and semen collection and artificial insemination might
condition of the pairs was detectable. Currently the DNA paternity
be a solution for breeding programmes. However, no routine
testing is taking place, and the results will be published in 2011.
technique is yet available for semen collection of large psittacine
species. Therefore the Loro Parque Fundación is supporting a
The hormonal treatment was performed on seven parrot species,
project by Prof. Michael Lierz and Daniel Neumann, of the Clinic
for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, University of Giessen,
Germany, which is evaluating a novel technique for the collection
of semen in psittacine species, followed by subsequent attempts
at artificial insemination (AI) to increase the number of fertile
eggs in the breeding stock. Semen samples were evaluated by
established microscopic techniques and the newest computer
assisted semen analysis, and sexually inactive birds were treated
with hormones to evaluate usefulness for bringing them into
breeding condition. To undertake the collecting and AI work,
Daniel Neumann spent the peak breeding months of 2010 in the
LPF breeding centre, and the LPF curator and veterinarians were
fundamentally involved in these activities.
To date there have been many successful cases of semen
collection using the novel technique in this project. A complete
examination of sperm was possible in almost 40% of the samples
and a partial examination in another 10.5%. How many semen
characteristics were investigated depended on the volume of the
semen sample. It was possible to obtain semen from 108 species
and subspecies including, with the permission of the Brazilian
government, Spix’s and Lear’s Macaws.
For AI, only females of pairs with previous infertile clutches were
inseminated. In total 64 inseminations were performed, and in
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The moment of artificial insemination
PROJECTS UP-DATE
resulting in positive physiological and behavioural changes in
some females. Further study of the treated males and females is
taking place, although the researchers have already suggested
how this technique can be improved to avoid possible stress of
catching the birds to undergo treatment. Overall, the results of this
research have surpassed by a long way what could have been
expected, and it bodes well for the future of assisted reproduction
in parrots.
Microscopic view of sperm of a Yellow-faced Amazon
Scarlet Macaw Nest-site Selection and Nest Survival in Northern
Mesoamerica
The northern subspecies of Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera)
the study area. In Belize, more nests were located outside of
occupies a highly fragmented landscape in Mesoamerica and is
the reservoir than alongside the reservoir, and this is important
under threat of extinction through the continuing loss of habitat,
because the opposite situation was believed to be the case
poaching, predation, and cavity competition. This project is to
previously. Higher rates of poaching are occurring along the
help a conservation programme for this species that includes nest
Chalillo dam reservoir. Monitoring of an additional 26 nests in
monitoring, protection efforts, and artificial nest construction in the
Guatemala was completed and the data added to the project.
tri-national (Guatemala, Belize, Mexico) Selva Maya, including the
Habitat data collection was completed in Belize and is currently
Maya Biosphere Reserve. The Scarlet Macaw is identified as a
being completed in Guatemala, and analysis and production of
target conservation species for the Chiquibul National Park, the
results will start as soon as all data are collected. Charles Britt
largest protected area in Belize and part of the Selva Maya.
presented a poster at the VII International Parrot Convention, and
is collaborating with a Belizean film-maker to produce a short film
In 2007 a Belizean NGO, Friends for Conservation and
on the experiences of the 2010 field season.
Development, undertook the responsibility of co-managing
Chiquibul N.P., and for three years monitored Scarlet Macaw nests
along the recently created Chalillo hydroelectric dam reservoir.
These are the only known active nests in Belize, but the majority
of nests were being poached. Artificial nest boxes were installed
along the reservoir for dam mitigation purposes. In three years
of monitoring, none of the thirty nest boxes have been occupied.
There is a general lack of knowledge regarding the Scarlet Macaws
that breed in Belize, and the current project is to understand
nest-site requirements and effects of environmental factors on
nest success. It intends to determine the rate of daily survival for
nests in Belize and Guatemala, and then use models to determine
which factors are most influential for nest-site selection and nest
survival. The information derived from the project will assist in the
formulation of management strategies resulting in greater Scarlet
Macaw productivity.
Charles Britt of New Mexico State University is the project director,
and is collecting the information for his doctorate. He has been
able to successfully locate and monitor 19 nests in all parts of
15
PROJECTS UP-DATE
New Caledonia: Parakeets, cats, rats, “El Niño” and “La Niña”
Horned Parakeets. As regards habitat, New Caledonian Parakeets
select forested areas with soils poor in nutrients (oligotrophic),
particularly those on ultrabasic substrates. Horned Parakeets
select habitats with a high proportion of rainforest, also oligotrophic
soils although soil fertility is less important for this species. Both
parakeet species favour large forests, apparently avoiding areas
with low forest cover, and altitude has a relatively minor influence
on habitat selection. The researchers conclude that rainforests on
oligotrophic soils at intermediate altitudes (200–800 m) are most
important for parrot conservation in New Caledonia, as these
habitats are likely to support significant parakeet populations.
Cyanoramphus saisseti
Since 2005 the Loro Parque Fundación has been supporting the
research by Dr. Jörn Theuerkauf and his team on the vulnerable
endemic parakeets of New Caledonia in the south-west Pacific,
the Horned Parakeet (Eunymphicus cornutus) and the New
Caledonian Parakeet (Cyanoramphus saisseti). These species only
Cameras have monitored 12 actual and two attempted
reproductions of New Caledonia parakeets, and four reproductions
of Horned Parakeets. In two cases of the latter species, the eggs
and chicks were predated by rats. The project has now estimated
the abundance of parakeets and mammals at 40 sample sites
occur on the “mainland” of New Caledonia, Grande Terre Island
(16,000 km²), where the project has two main study areas, the
Rivière Bleue Park in the south and the Grandes Fougères Park in
the centre. By studying the ecology of these species, the aim is to
define the threats and to develop the measures necessary for their
protection in the wild. Both species breed in remote areas and
their nests are difficult to find, so nest-poaching appears not to be
a major threat. Thus, the research focuses on clarifying whether
the observed decline in the numbers of parakeets is linked to
habitat loss, predation by introduced mammals (especially
rats and feral cats), climatic factors (“El Niño/La Niña”) or other
unexpected factors.
The research has several elements, including to identify the diet
and habitat requirements of the parakeets, and to document their
density distribution, breeding success and survival in relation to
habitat and the abundance of introduced mammals. It also includes
developing and testing effective measures to prevent predation
by introduced mammals, should predation pose a problem to
parakeets, and to identify areas that are suitable to carry viable
populations of parakeets. The researchers have directly observed
the parakeets in the forest, but have also analysed thousands of
hours of video recordings from nest-cameras, and for hundreds
more hours have radio-tracked young parakeets after leaving the
nests.
To date the project has achieved a lot, notably to identify up to 91
food plants of New Caledonian Parakeets and 104 food plants of
16
Shooting a line to climb a nest-tree
in rainforest throughout New Caledonia, but more samples are
needed, and now it is clear that the occurrence of especially dry
(“El Niño”) years and wet (“La Niña”) years can prevent breeding
in different sites. The average annual rainfall in the Rivière Bleue
site (3,200 mm) is nearly twice as high as in the Grandes Fougères
site (1,800 mm). The 2009/10 breeding season was in an “El Niño”
year and New Caledonian Parakeets reproduced with success at
Rivière Bleue, compared to no breeding in the previous two “La
Niña” years. However, at the Grandes Fougères site in 2009/10,
Horned Parakeet pairs visited nests over several weeks but did
not breed. Breeding takes place at this site in wet years. This
pattern implies the future conservation of wetter and drier habitats.
PROJECTS UP-DATE
Islands of Amazons and honey
Transferring bees from the bait-hive to the
permanent hive
breeds and roosts on suitable low-lying
coastal islands, and the amazons fly every
day between these and the foothill forests
The
Red-tailed
Amazon
(Amazona
brasiliensis) is a vulnerable species
confined to the coastal strip of the Atlantic
forest region of south-east Brazil. The
geographical distribution of this species
appears to have remained unchanged for
the past 20 years, but within this area there
has been removal of chicks from nests to
sell as pets, and another continuing threat
is the selective logging of important nesttrees. The Loro Parque Fundación has
supported in situ conservation activities
for this species for the past 14 years.
During that period the LPF has contributed
almost US$265,000 to the conservation
effort, and the total wild population has
increased from possibly as low as 2,500
individuals to the 6,600 existing today.
The Brazilian partner with which the LPF
collaborates currently is the Society for
Wildlife Research and Environmental
Education
(SPVS),
a
conservation
organisation especially active in the
state of Paraná where most Red-tailed
Amazons occur. Over the several years
of partnership, the project, led by Elenise
Sipinski, has focused its attention on
the
scientific
documentation
of
the
reproductive success of this species, on
three relatively large islands called Rasa,
Gamela and Grande. The natural history
of the Red-tailed Amazon shows that it
slightly inland to feed. The region has a
Nest in the wild of Jataí bees
high annual rainfall and the forests found
on the islands are very humid. These
conditions promote rapid decomposition,
and the project has shown that suitable
natural nest cavities for the amazons very
quickly become unsuitable due to decay.
High levels of egg and chick mortality
due to natural predation, as well as from
exposure to the elements, can result.
In order to sustain, and even increase
the success rate of reproduction over
the project area, the team of biologists
has gradually installed more and more
nest-boxes, some constructed of wood
and others made of PVC. Of course, the
wooden boxes also suffer from decay,
and must be repaired or replaced on
a regular basis. And naturally, it is not
realistic to expect to install and repair
nest-boxes forever. Thus over the longterm the natural formation of suitable
cavities in trees is essential, but the
selective removal by local people of the
favoured trees, especially the guanandí
(Callophyllum
brasiliense),
disrupts
this long-term natural cycle. The higher
quality timber from these trees provides
a source of income, as does the selling
of amazon chicks, even though each of
these activities is not legal.
In the breeding season the regular
presence of the project team, which
includes two local community members
as “nest-keepers”, acts as a deterrent
against the removal of young amazons
from the nests. This seasonal presence
is not so effective against tree removal,
which can happen throughout the year.
People in this region have low incomes,
and have suffered from the decline of
traditional work such as fishing, and
must
seek
alternatives.
Therefore,
the opportunity for the project to offer
alternative livelihoods, whereby nobody
breaks the law and helps to conserve the
Red-tailed Amazon is important. Thus, in
addition to monitoring and protecting the
active nests, the project has introduced
to the local communities the possibility
to obtain income from bee-keeping and
selling the honey and other products.
The bee-keeping project has started from
2010 on Rasa Island, and the project team
has introduced the methodology based on
the lessons learned from a previous beekeeping project that resulted in the creation
of the Native Beekeepers Association
of the Environmental Protection Area of
Guaraqueçaba (acronym: Acriapa), within
which the islands are found. Initially the
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PROJECTS UP-DATE
Community members receive the donated hives
project team contacted representatives from the communities on
Rasa Island, and through them developed a dialogue to identify
people interested in bee-keeping. Then a bee-keeping course was
organized and administered to residents from four communities in
August 2010, with Acriapa experts presenting the work developed
by the existing association. Topics included management
practices, the installation of bee-keeping operations, obtaining
the colonies, and other themes related to the subject, as well as
conservation of the forests and Red-tailed amazons.
In this first phase on Rasa Island, the project has subsidized the
installation of three model bee-keeping operations with a maximum
of 20 bee-hives each. The course identified ten residents, with
the support of their family members, with an immediate interest
in initiating bee-keeping on their respective properties. These
participants received propolis extract to set up bait hives (495 in
total) to capture the bees in wooded areas. These native bees
are stingless and of two smaller species, Jataí (Tetragonisca
angustula) and Mirim (Plebeia spp.) and two larger species,
Mandaçais (Melipona quadrifasciata) and Tubuna (Scaptotrigona
bipunctata). The donation of the bee-hives was contingent on
the capture of bees using the bait hives, to attract community
members based on their genuine interest in the bee-keeping.
In fact, the project team found that other family members also
showed an interest and began helping. These family members
are children, grandchildren and brothers of the representatives,
which demonstrates the growth potential for this activity in the
community.
Technical visits have been fundamental for making some
corrections in technique, and all beekeepers are encouraged to
continue setting up the bait hives, since the natural swarming
period of the native bees occurs in the months from November
18
to March. Success in capturing swarms increases with practice,
but the capturing also coincided with a period of heavy rains,
which naturally interferes with the swarming of bees. To set up
the bee-hives, 50 wooden boxes were specially made for holding
the swarms captured using the natural bait. In November and
December the process began to set up the bee hives, with the
beekeepers working cooperatively to exchange experiences. The
bee species captured were Jataí and Mirim, suggesting that they
are in greater abundance in the region. In December the project
technicians helped the beekeepers to transfer the bee swarms
from the bait hives to the box hives.
The main strategy is for continued progress to encourage the
exchange of experiences, and the exchange of bee hives of
different species between the beekeepers. On its visits to the field,
the project team has found that the beekeepers are more and
more excited about the activity, and as they capture their bees
their motivation increases.
Not to forget the parrots, the first reported egg-laying for the
current breeding season occurred on 7th October 2010. By
December 2010, of the 115 nests monitored (15 natural, 48 PVC,
52 wooden), activity was reported in 97 nests, and in nine of them
reproductive development was interrupted due to infertile eggs or
predation of eggs and chicks. The respective levels of occupancy
were 60% in natural nests (losses due to water-logging), 85.4% in
PVC nest-boxes and 73.1% in wooden nest-boxes (highest level
of predation).
PROJECTS UP-DATE
The Gang-gang Cockatoo – not so easy to keep
The Gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon
why the cage should be made of solid
20° and 28° C. As the main range of the
fimbriatum) from Australia has for many
metal. At the same time the owner needs
Gang-gang cockatoo is in south-eastern
years been in the collection of the Loro
to do justice to the cockatoos’ need to
Australia it may, following a corresponding
Parque Fundación (LPF) in Tenerife. Now
nibble all the time by placing good fresh,
adjustment
we have achieved to establish various
wood at the animals’ disposal to gnaw.
exposed to lower temperatures to the
successful breeding pairs of this species
It could be branches of different trees
limit of freezing without problem. However
rarely kept in Europe. Since the first chick
and bushes, but also rotting logs or even
there should be an ice-free refuge where
hatched in the LPF in 1989, 61 young
entire tree-trunks. There can also be many
they can spend the night. If there is
Gang-gang cockatoos have been raised
moving elements placed in the aviary
such a shelter always at the disposal of
and many of them have been transferred
such as swings and ropes that will give
the cockatoos this is fine, and they still
to interested breeders.
entertainment. If this point is disregarded,
can get out even if temperatures are a
the Gang-gang cockatoos may quickly
few degrees below zero and can even
start plucking themselves, and this has to
play in the snow without any negative
be avoided absolutely. So it is necessary
consequences.
in
Central
Europe,
be
to give new incentives to the animals
every day, and anyone who has no time to
The essence of successful maintenance
fulfill this should not acquire a Gang-gang
of Gang-gang cockatoos is entertainment
cockatoo.
and the housing of the animals, because
in the event that the conditions are not
At the Loro Parque Fundación we keep
optimal there very soon appears incorrect
the breeding pairs in aviaries of 5 m
behavior of the cockatoos, and will start
length, 1.5 m width and 2.5 m height
plucking, which must be absolutely
which are situated alongside the other
avoided. If cockatoos one time have
But why are they so special? On the one
cockatoo aviaries. There are areas of 50
begun to behave like this it is very difficult
hand this species is a monotype without
cm width between the aviaries that are
to remedy and may last long time, given
any other species or subspecies within
planted with different subtropical plants
the specific case. Thus, prevention by
the subfamily Cacatuniae. A distinctive
which make up a natural green wall and
means of a comprehensive and well
sexual dimorphism (males with red heads,
that, at the same time, grow into the aviary
thought-out “enrichment programme” for
females with grey heads), as in almost no
providing fresh greenery to chew all the
the cockatoos is a recipe for success.
other species of cockatoo, makes it easy
time. Thus the animals are entertained
for the observer to distinguish between
and boredom does not arise. There are
the sexes even if they’re far away. With
always other white cockatoo pairs in the
their behaviour they also have a lot to offer
aviaries neighbouring those of the Gang-
to the owner, but at the same time they
gang cockatoos, so that the pairs can not
require some variety from their owner.
disturb each other.
It’s also impossible to compare the crest
Besides natural perches of Canarian pine
with that of other cockatoo species. It is a
(Pinus canarienis) we frequently give them
little bit tousled, and sometimes reminds
fresh branches of the aforesaid pine and
one of the “splendid hair-do” of elderly
sometimes, depending on the availability,
women!
we also give them boughs of eucalyptus,
A pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos
which as is known come from Australia
Maintenance
and which the Gang-gang cockatoos like
very much. In the LPF’s breeding station
The suitable keeping of Gang-gang
all year there are even temperatures that
cockatoos places certain demands on
in winter never drop below 10° C at night
the owners of those animals, because
and in the day are at least 15-16° C. But
they like gnawing very much and this is
in general the temperature is between
A male Gang-gang Cockatoo feeding
19
Also a very important factor is creating the
wood or even cement so that the eggs or
possibility to breed.
chicks cannot fall from the nest.
Breeding
According to our management of Gang-
The
most
important
condition
for
gang cockatoos, we remove the first
breeding Gang-gang cockatoos is to
clutch of the year after a couple of days
have a harmonious pair, because without
of incubation to put in an incubator or
harmony in the pair we can expect to have
to leave with another pair of cockatoos.
fertile eggs. The case that a female starts
After the loss of the clutch the pair comes
to incubate does not mean the eggs are
back into a cycle of reproduction after a
actually fertilized. Especially in the case
few weeks and produces a new clutch,
of Gang-gang cockatoos time and time
which we leave to be raised naturally. This
method makes it possible to obtain more
offspring over a year without any negative
influence on the behavior of the pair. In the
wild the loss of clutches occurs again and
again from predators, and a pair cannot
wait until the next breeding season,
because it always strives to give its genes
to a new generation, and therefore after
eggs have been lost very often it will try to
breed again.
The palm trunk for nesting
A pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos in their breeding
aviary
again there can be unfertilized clutches
even with an apparently harmonious pair.
This can be to do with the disposition of the
animals to reproduce. While the female is
already laying eggs, the male may not yet
be in the optimal state, which is therefore
expressed in a reduced willingness to
mate and then infertile eggs. Therefore,
when managing the animals it is very
important to have the right timing.
We must try, through the food, put both
sexes ready to breed at the same time. In
LPF we change the menu in late February.
The maintenance diet that we give them
during the autumn and winter (twice a
day, morning fruit and vegetables and in
the afternoon the seed mix for cockatoos
by Versele-Laga) we then supplement
with cooked seeds, grains and pulses
(Parrotdinner - Versele-Laga), plus we
give our cockatoos cooked chicken
two times a week, to supplement the
concentration of proteins in the food. Pine
20
Parent-rearing
nuts complete the food supply. Within
a short time this change puts them in a
condition to reproduce and in mid-April
the Gang-gang cockatoos begin to lay
eggs.
Very
Normally
the
Gang-gang
cockatoos
incubate the clutch well and there is no
reason to doubt their ability to raise their
young. The incubation period is 29 days
and the period until fledging is about 2
months. Frequent checks of the nests
important
also
for
Gang-gang
cockatoos as they prepare for the
incubation is gnawing and excavating the
nest cavity, so at the beginning of each
breeding season a new natural cavity in a
trunk should be provided. In Tenerife, the
trunks of palm trees have given especially
good results, in which holes have been
opened into the upper third. The hole
should made during the breeding season,
to be sure that the development of chicks
is going well or to intervene and help
when needed.
If you take away the first clutch early (no
later than 10 days of incubation) the Ganggang cockatoos get back to breeding
again. We always use this method. First
itself is only hinted at, i.e. made no more
than 10-20 cm deep. Then the extension
depends on the Gang-gang cockatoos,
which do this with a great deal of work
and pleasure. This certainly increases
the desire to breed as both partners are
working together and intensively in the
new nest. Thus a cavity can reach a depth
of even 1.5 m, making it necessary to
close the natural trunk at the bottom with
Gang-gang Cockatoo chicks six days old
we try to find adoptive parents, but if no
females keep their grey heads. But the
such possibility exists we hand-rear the
intense red feathers of the adult males
small Gang-gang cockatoos in the Baby-
appears in the juveniles at two years of
Station of Loro Parque.
age.
You can already see the sex of the chicks
Rearing by Foster-Parents
while still in the nest. As the first feathers
In recent years for the rearing of Gang-
sprout on the heads of the chicks, one
gang cockatoos in LPF we have used
sees that males have red feathers while
several times the possibility of rearing
with foster parents. We have always
used the Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
(Cacatua leadbeateri), which naturally
has larger clutches than the Ganggang cockatoo, and so the potential for
simultaneous rearing is higher than that
for the Gang-gang Cockatoo. Thus we
tried all possibilities from 1 to 4 chicks
and even the rearing of four young Ganggang cockatoo chicks two different pairs,
Fifteen days old
Thirty-eight days old
which had been laid about the same
day, and there was no problem. None
of the young was neglected and the four
fledged. When the Gang-gang cockatoos
had already left the nest, the care from
the adoptive parents continued until full
independence, even though the chicks
had an appearance different from what
that pair had raised before. When we left
the eggs of the Gang-gang cockatoos
to the Major Mitchell’s, we took away
their own eggs and raised those chicks
by hand, so that they did not need
to make a choice between their own
chicks and the adopted ones. Thus, they
could concentrate fully on the fostered
cockatoos.
Hand-rearing
In comparing the species, Major Mitchell’s
Cockatoos are easier to hand-raise than
the more delicate Gang-gang cockatoos,
and therefore we only rear by hand
the Gang-gang cockatoos if no other
possibility exists.
Normally Gang-gang cockatoos are fed
the same as other white cockatoos. As
food for hand-rearing we use VerseleLaga NutriBird A21. During the rearing of
small cockatoos the weight sometimes
stagnates. In this case a few drops of
olive oil added to the food help to start
digestion and growth.
In any case, one must be careful in handraising only a single chick of the Ganggang cockatoo, because they imprint onto
Chick at 32 days being weighed
humans. When you lack a chick of the
same species to keep it company, the little
21
Young Gang-gang Cockatoos at 15 weeks with their foster parents, Major Mitchell’s cockatoos
cockatoo at least should be raised with
put one egg, 21 contained two and only
other parrot chicks learn to behave like
one clutch contained 3 eggs. This means
Summary
a parrot and not to be highly dependent
that the average number of eggs per
Looking at the results of breeding of the
on humans. Furthermore, when the chick
clutch is 1.8 (n = 29). The average size
largest German organization for breeding
leaves the nest, you should keep it close
of eggs (n = 9) are 3.616 cm x 2.730 cm
birds (AZ) in the last 10 years, its members
to other members of the same species for
and the mean weight at hatching is 11.4
reared 33 Gang-gang cockatoos in ten
it to socialize properly. To do this you can
g with a minimum weight of 9.7 g and a
years (2000-2009) which corresponds to
leave the cage containing the fledgling in
maximum of 13.1 g.
the average of 3.3 chicks per year.
So the young cockatoo can have contact
Comment
In total there were 61 chicks at LPF, which
with its peers until after a couple of weeks
In 2006 at the annual meeting of the AFA in
have significantly helped to establish
it shows independence and can be
Dallas, USA, Australian Matt Baird showed
under the care of man this species of
transferred to an aviary.
in his presentation a short video of Gang-
cockatoo that is rare in captivity.
the aviary of other Gang-gang cockatoos.
gang cockatoos sitting on a branch,
Its history in LPF
eating freshly dead sparrows. The speaker
Besides the LPF, in Europe there is only
The first pair of Gang-gang cockatoos
stressed that it was an important weekly
a pair of Gang-gang cockatoo in the
arrived at Loro Parque in 1985, and in
addition of protein and supplementary
“Weltvogelpark Walsrode”, a zoological
1990 more followed. In 1989 two chicks
feeding during the breeding season. It
garden in Germany. Worldwide there are
were raised. Now in the LPF Gang-gang
was really amazing how many Gang-
only 11 zoos that have a total of 25 Gang-
cockatoos have been bred to several
gang cockatoos grabbed each a dead
gang cockatoos (13.12), of which 13
generations. A pair of the “founder
sparrow, feathers and everything with the
individuals (8.5) live in the country of origin
population” who came to Loro Parque in
foot, gnawing and eating pieces of flesh
of this species of cockatoo, Australia.
1990 for example had its first offspring in
and guts. This kind of foraging at LPF
1994. A female of the offspring was first
would be accidental, but we can confirm
Meanwhile a small reserve has been
successfully bred in 1998 and has now has
that
like
established in the aviaries of European
had 23 chicks. Of these there are still two
cooked chicken and like to chew bones.
breeders, which are well protected by
the
Gang-gang
cockatoos
in the collection which in 2004 and 2005
The sounds of Gang-gang cockatoos are
high value. Thus certainly the outlook
far had five, and the other had 16 chicks.
unique in the parrot family. They sound
can be considered good for long-term
With these we can demonstrate that we
like the creaking of a large old wooden
conservation of this species in European
have chicks of the fourth generation in the
door. Almost always when you are in
centres.
LPF.
front of the aviary, the creaking is heard
Of 29 clutches recorded 7 contained only
22
the breeders as the animals have a
respectively had offspring. The first so
continuously, which means that you have
Dr. Matthias Reinschmidt
been “discovered
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