Cyanopsitta Magazine.. - Loro Parque Fundación

Transcription

nº84 - March 2007
Saving wildlife and habitats
The Newsletter of
Nº 84- March 2007
Loro Parque Fundación
The newsletter of Loro Parque Fundación
Cyanopsitta is printed using environment friendly, recycled, woodfree coated paper: Symbol Freelife Satin©, FEDRIGONI©
Nº. 84 - March 2007
Índex
Message from the founder...........................2
Year of the Dolphin.....................................3
EU ban on the importation of birds.............5
Well-being of pet parrots.............................6
LP Meeting Point.........................................9
LP News....................................................10
LPF News..................................................12
LPF News/La Vera Breeding Centre.........14
Project Update.......................................... 15
United for development............................ 20
Rescue of Fauna........................................22
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
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
Editorial Consultant:
Rosemary Low
Editorial Commitee:
Raquel Agrella, Dr. Javier Almunia, Inge
Feier, Wolfgang Kiessling, Alice Lorch,
Matthias Reinschmidt y Prof. David Waugh
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€
Childrens............................................50,00€
Please send us your membership subscription by mail, fax or e-mail, or call us, and we
will sign you up immediately.
Message from the founder
The ocean surrounding the Canary Islands is rich in marine life, not
least the many species of whales and dolphins which live here all year
or pass through on migration. But they are not immune from overexploitation, contamination and other threats. For many years, Loro
Parque and Loro Parque Fundación have promoted and supported
multiple activities for the conservation of the marine environment in
these islands, and above all for the protection of the marine mammals.
Long ago I proposed the region of Macaronesia as a sanctuary for
marine mammals, and I remain committed to the establishment and
reinforcement of strong protection measures for these graceful and
intelligent animals.
Hence, it is very natural that Loro Parque and Fundación have begun
a special year, the ‘Year of the Dolphin’, with a dynamic participation
which in every month until December will be high profile in the Canary
Islands and beyond. Our team will work in close partnership with
other highly regarded players, such the tour operator World of Tui, the
Convention on Migratory Species, the Canary Islands’ Government
and the insular governments of several islands, to mention just a few.
Together we can make a big difference, which also is already happening
with our important participation in the rescue and recovery of marine
animals. The unrivalled installations of Loro Parque and the expertise
of our team offer the best opportunity in these islands to recover these
injured animals and return them to the sea.
The rescue of fauna is an example of how scientific and technological
acumen in the management of animals must always be balanced with
the utmost humanity towards them. This philosophy you will also
find reflected in the advice that we provide on the proper care of pet
parrots, as well as our position on the prohibition of the importation
of wild-caught birds into the European Union. The best possible care
of the birds is not just a moral issue, but it makes good economic
sense and helps conservation. The Loro Parque Fundación has
unequalled experience to show how captive parrots bred in the best
conditions can counteract the capture of wild parrots, and contribute
to conservation.
The pages of this edition are again full of examples of our projects
for endangered parrots and other wildlife across the globe, which our
success with captive breeding helps to finance, and which counts as an
important contribution to sustainability.
Bank Account:
BBVA, Puerto de la Cruz
Cuenta:............ 0182 5310 61 001635615-8
IBAN:.......ES85 0182 5310 61 0016356158
BIC:....................................... BBVAESMM
Depósito legal: TF-1643/2003
Wolfgang Kiessling
President, Loro Parque Fundación
Nº 84- March 2007
Loro Parque Fundación opens the Year of the
Dolphin in Tenerife
On the 16th of February, Loro Parque
Fundación participated in the official
opening of the activities for the Year of
the Dolphin on the Island of Tenerife. The
ceremony was presided over by the President
of the Tenerife insular government,
Ricardo Melchior, with the participation
of the General Director of Biodiversity,
Juan Carlos Moreno, the Director of the
UNESCO Center of the Canary Islands,
Cipriano Martín, the Head of Environment of TUI in the
Canary Islands, Alejandro Hidalgo and the President of
the Loro Parque Fundación, Wolfgang Kiessling. This
opening ceremony in Tenerife, an initiative spurred
by the Loro Parque Fundación, initiated the activities
which will culminate with an International Conference
and a governmental meeting propitiated by UNESCO
and the Convention for Migratory Species towards
the end of 2007. This Conference will bring together
governmental representatives from Spain, Portugal,
Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Morocco,
Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea,
Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin,
Nigeria, Cameron, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo
and Angola, and furthermore of course the presence of
the Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira. In the context
of this governmental meeting an international agreement
for the conservation of small cetaceans in the south-east
Atlantic Ocean will be made, similar to the agreement
ACCOBAMS for the Mediterranean or ASCOBAMS
for the North Sea and the north-east Atlantic.
During his intervention in the official act to open the
Year of the Dolphin in Tenerife, our president Wolfgang
Kiessling congratulated this initiative, and reminded
that the protection of cetaceans in Macaronesia had been
a personal project, propelled by LORO PARQUE and
Loro Parque Fundación, since the 80’s. This personal
effort began when Petra Deimer conveyed to him the
need to broaden the level of protection in the Canary
The students performed as well observations of the behaviour,
video records, sound records and took photos of the animals’
dorsal fins
Nº 84- March 2007
Islands and the Azores Islands which she
herself had promoted in the archipelago
of Cape Verde. Now more than 20 years
have passed and it seems that at last this
agreement for international protection
will see daylight at the end of this year
2007. These are the reasons, together with
the fact that our President, Wolfgang
Kiessling is a founding member of the
organization ‘Friends of CMS’, clearly explain why
Loro Parque and the Loro Parque Fundación have
hurled themselves with enormous enthusiasm into the
During the excursions with the boats of the Asociation Calderón
different activities like the data registration of the position and
speed of the boat were carried out.
activities of the Year of the Dolphin, organizing and
implementing a huge number of educational activities
during the whole year. And, as a consequence of this
involvement, at the beginning of March Loro Parque
Fundación received the acceptance of the UNEPCMS Secretariat as Year of the Dolphin 2007 Partner.
The activities for education and environmental
awareness which Loro Parque Fundación will develop
during this year of 2007 will have as their aim to
underline the need to conserve the small cetaceans
of our Seas. These activities will be complemented
with those of TUI, who will publish information on
dolphins in holiday catalogues and flight-newsletters,
and who has developed a web site (www.YoD2007.
org) in which you can find information on migratory
wild species and the principal risks threatening their
habitat – mainly the accidental capture with floating
nets or the increasing deterioration of their habitat.
The initiative of the Year of the Dolphin is integrated
into the project of UNESCO “Decade of the United
Nations for Education onr Sustainable Development).
The objective of this campaign is to reach the aims
set by the members of the United Nations, which are
to minimize significantly until 2010 the galloping loss
of biodiversity on this planet. Loro Parque Fundación
presented in the opening of the Year of the Dolphin a
video in which were shown educational activities with
secondary students on whale-watching boats. For this
activity we counted on the collaboration of Calderón
- the Association of Businessmen for Maritime
Excursions, which offered the use of their boats gratis.
For three days the department of education of Loro
Parque Fundación went to sea with secondary students,
who conducted activities of photo-identification, sound
recordings with a microphone, behaviour observations,
etc. The results of this activity, which had already been
developed within the project “Investigate Cetaceans”, are
really spectacular and the students show a high level of
concentration and reach an important level of awareness
about protection and respect towards the animals.
This video has been projected as a symbol of the activities
which will take place during the entire year, and with
them Loro Parque Fundación tries to call attention to
the importance of conserving the populations of resident
and transient cetaceans of the Canarian archipelago.
In order to carry out these activities use will be made
of the resources created in the Aula de los Cetáceos
(Cetacean Classroom) of LORO PARQUE. There
will be dual use of the classroom. On one hand, it
will be available to educational groups and to the
visitors to the park. At the same time it will serve
as a meeting place for online activities carried out
by Education Centers from all over the archipelago.
Thus, one of the projects will be an activity with
educational institutions via the internet, by which the
students will acquire knowledge about the principal
threats to which the populations of small cetaceans
are confronted. This information will be developed
in the form of computer games and interactive
activities specifically developed for the programme.
Between the participating schools there will be
selected classes who will have the chance to make
boat trips out to sea with boats of the Association
Calderón, in order to familiarize themselves with the
tasks on board of the scientists studying cetaceans.
During the complete Year of the Dolphin exhibitions
will take place in the Aula del Mar of LORO PARQUE
as well as in the town-halls of the communities where
whale-watching activities have major importance.
Furthermore, other public events will be
developed, like days for dissemination, sculpture
in occupational therapy centres, newsletters to
distribute news between the participating educational
institutions, promotion of voluntary groups, etc.
It is certainly sad, but necessary to mention, that the
celebration of this Year of the Dolphin contrasts with
the tragic massacre of dolphins that, year after year,
takes place in Taiji (Japan), in which the local fishermen
cruelly sacrifice with harpoons hundreds of dolphins,
staining the sea red. Most surprising is that there are
zoos which take advantage of this massacre to obtain
some of the surviving dolphins for their collections,
against the norms dictated by the World Association
of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the most basic
human dignity. Loro Parque and Loro Parque
Fundación want to reiterate their total repulsion and
condemnation of this type of slaughter of cetaceans,
and any other form of cruelty against animals.
Loro Parque Fundación promotes institucional
declaration by the Canary Islands’ Parliament in favour of Macaronesian cetaceans.
Within the multiple initiatives that the Loro Parque Fundación is carrying out in celebration of the Year of the
Dolphin, it has triggered an institutional declaration of the
Canary Islands’ Parliament in favour of the conservation
of the cetaceans of Macaronesia. Those of you who you
have followed the efforts of the foundation from its beginnings will know very well that this is an initiative that our
President, Wolfgang Kiessling, has promoted since end of
the 1980s, in support of an idea of the well-known expert
in cetaceans and conservationist Petra Deimer. The proposal of Loro Parque Fundación was received with genuine
interest by all political groups with representation in the
regional chamber, and the proof is that it was approved
unanimously. With this declaration that old dream finally
begins to take political form. The following is the complete text of this declaration. “The Parliament of the Canary
Islands urges to the Government of the Canary Islands so
that, in turn, it insists to the Government of the State to
take into consideration the celebration of the Year of the
Dolphin, that has been promoted by the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Convention
on Migratory Species (CMS), to support whichever initiatives directed towards the preservation of populations
of cetaceans, and that the biogeographical region of the
Macaronesia is declared marine sanctuary for cetaceans.”
Group of students arriving at the port at the end of the activity.
Official opening of the “Year of the Dolphin” in Cabildo de Tenerife
Nº 84- March 2007
The Loro Parque Fundación and the EU wild bird
trade ban
In 2005, after cases of avian flu in birds (caused by the H5N1
avian influenza virus) and then humans started to multiply, as
a precautionary measure the European Union member states
agreed to put into place a temporary prohibition of the importation of wild-caught birds into the EU from other countries.
The period in force of the ban was repeatedly extended. At the
same time, there was a movement to persuade the EU to make
the prohibition permanent, mainly on animal welfare grounds,
but also for conservation reasons, and not losing sight of the
potential risk posed by avian flu and other diseases. On the 11th
of January 2007, the chief veterinary officers from EU member
states meeting in Brussels agreed to a permanent ban on wild bird
imports for commercial purposes, on the grounds of the health risk
posed by avian flu and other diseases. This permanent prohibition
is expected to apply from 1st July 2007. Only specific countries
or regions which have already been approved to export live commercial poultry will be allowed to export captive birds to the EU.
Some animal protection organisations expect the permanent ban
will protect rare and threatened species and save millions of birds.
Captive-bred Parrots instead of wild-caught ones.
Unacceptable conditions of capture.
According to the CITES (Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Secretariat,
the annual global trade in wild birds today is about 1.5 million. For lack of systematic surveys, estimates vary substantially on what proportion of the captured birds die before
they reach their final destinations, but it could be as much
as 75 per cent. In the United States the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 includes provisions to limit or prohibit
U.S. imports of exotic bird species covered by CITES and
authorizes moratoria on the importation of species not covered by CITES. It has been reported that, as a result, legal
and illegal imports into the U.S. have been greatly reduced,
and that significant declines in nest-robbing (of parrots) in
the Neotropical region have occurred. These aspects have
been used as an argument in favour of the EU ban. However, a Defenders of Wildlife (which supports the EU ban)
report released on the 14th of February 2007, from one of
the most detailed examinations ever of any illegal animal
trade, shows that smuggling of some endangered species of
Mexican parrots into the United States is increasing, and pushing depleted parrot populations to the brink of extinction.
Nº 84- March 2007
Thus, the effect of blanket bans is still not clearly understood.
CITES, through its 169 member countries, regulates international trade in wild birds, and place stringent controls on
virtually all threatened species. It also imposes trade bans on
international trade in specimens of some highly endangered
species. However, it recognizes that bans risk creating black
markets, and the Secretariat has expressed disappointment
in the EU decision. Citing habitat destruction as the main
threat to wild birds, it states that the EU ban also risks undermining the impoverished communities who depend on
the environmentally sustainable trade in birds, and removing their economic incentives for protecting bird habitat.
The LPF agrees with the current prohibition of the importation of wild birds into the EU for two main reasons:
1) Conservation reason. There is still insufficient, rigorously-obtained evidence that the rates of removal of birds from
wild populations are sustainable. Therefore the LPF considers that more research into this matter should be done. Robust results, whatever they show, can then be used for informed decision-making. As an example, the LPF has been
funding a project in Cameroon which is attempting to provide objective data on this matter for parrots in that country.
The project leaders report that the present effect of the EU
ban is a worsening of the conditions under which the parrots are held pre-export, and the possibility of their release
without any effective health controls (see Project Update).
2) Welfare reason. The current situation causes unacceptable suffering and mortality. Even though a study for CITES
by the German Government revealed that mortality rates
for birds during transport for international trade was just
1.36%, between the point of capture and the point of departure from the source country, inadequate conditions of capture, transportation and housing cause much higher mortality.
Although the LPF favours a current prohibition, in support
of CITES it also considers that there are certain conditions necessary. The LPF considers that the EU permanent
ban on commercial importation of wild-caught birds must
include provision for the legal importation of wild-caught birds for conservation reasons. The EU prohibition must
also permit the commercial transaction of the second-generation offspring of any wild–caught birds legally entering
captivity under the prohibition (as currently permitted by
CITES). The CITES national authorities should not interpret a permanent prohibition as to mean the imposition of
heavier restrictions on the international transfer of captivebred birds, and all birds transferred for conservation reasons.
Illegally-captured birds which have been confiscated by
,the competent authorities should not be maintained isolated for the rest of their lives, but should be legalised (but
with no gain to the persons involved in their trafficking) as
soon as possible to be able to live socially with other members of their species, to be given the chance to breed, and
in many cases to make an important genetic contribution.
The EU ban will require bird breeders in developing
countries to comply with specified conditions to register as traders to the EU of captive-bred birds.CITES established such a registration system for operations breeding in captivity specimens of endangered
species many years ago, but the EU decided not to implement the measure. With the emphasis on captive breeding, the LPF can demonstrate its excellent history of
breeding parrots to help reduce their capture in the wild
Amazona rhodocorytha: a threatened species which captive
breeding and international transfer can help.
Loro Parque Fundación up-dates its guidelines for
keeping pet parrots
The LPF wants that all parrots everywhere, are given the correct attention and conditions. It has recently
up-dated its guidelines for the proper care of pet parrots, and here presents an abridged version (the
complete guidelines are available at www.loroparque-fundacion.org, or write to LPF).
Delightful and demanding
All companion animals must be looked after properly,
but especially so a pet parrot. Parrots are intelligent birds,
and can form intense bonds of friendship and affection
with their owners. Any person who decides to keep a pet
parrot must be prepared to take on a big responsibility.
Your pet – the ambassador for parrots
If you want to keep a pet parrot, please make sure that
you find out everything you can about keeping this
kind of parrot in captivity, and how it lives in the wild.
Some parrots that are regularly bred and offered for sale
as pets are of species endangered in the wild. We recommend not to keep this category of parrot as a pet.
Buy a captive-bred parrot, which will be a much better
pet than any wild caught parrot. The capture of parrots
in the wild causes large numbers to die unnecessarily.
For the joy which your parrot will give you, give something back to save parrots and their habitats in the
wild – make a donation to the Loro Parque Fundación.
A healthy start
Choose a healthy parrot, and know the signs to avoid.
Use as your standard those parrots which come from
the most reliable sources where regular health checks
and testing for diseases are carried out, such as at the
Loro Parque Fundación.
What kind of home for your pet parrot?
Spacious.The Loro Parque Fundación does not approve
of the close confinement of pet parrots in small cages.
The cage must be as spacious as possible. Think before
deciding to acquire a larger parrot. If you can prepare a
room especially for your parrot to move around safely
– all the better. The Loro Parque Fundación does not recommend interference with the plumage of pet parrots
(e.g. clipping wing-feathers).
Suitable cage
A suitable cage is an important aspect of providing the
right home. A parrot will treat the cage as its own territory
– a safe refuge. It should be spacious and of a simple design which is easy to clean and maintain. Have the cage
properly prepared before acquiring your parrot. Check
Nº 84- March 2007
to see if your country has regulations about minimum
cage dimensions for pet birds. Make sure that your parrot can position itself a good distance from the ground.
Suitable location
The cage for your parrot must be placed in suitable locations. Exposure to natural sunlight is good, but never place the cage in direct sunlight. Avoid places with
draughts, but good ventilation is recommended: parrots
are very sensitive to chemical vapours and fumes.
An aviary
The Loro Parque Fundación can thoroughly recommend
to keep your pet parrot in an indoor or sheltered outdoor aviary. This will help to give it a high quality of life.
An enriched environment
Quality of space is important. Parrots in the wild live
in complex natural surroundings with many things to
stimulate them. Don’t let your parrot get bored. Make
sure that its captive environment provides it with many
things to do. Give it fresh wood and other safe items
to chew, as well as a calcium stone.Your parrot needs
a daily shower to keep its plumage in top condition.
Food and drink
Your pet parrot needs a constant supply of safe drinking water and a diet of the suitable kinds and quantities of foods, given twice daily or more. A healthy
parrot has a varied diet. Find specialist information on
diets. The food must always be fresh prepared hygienically. The Loro Parque Fundación recommends the
Loro Parque seed mixtures in the Prestige Premium
category of Versele-Laga (www.versele-laga.com)
A social life
You are likely to be your pet parrot’s constant companion. Parrots are intelligent and sociable birds
which benefit from a lot of attention, stimulation
and positive reinforcement. Having more than one
parrot, can help with the constant companionship.
Under the weather
A responsible parrot owner visually checks the
bird daily: any sign that it is not right, always consult a veterinarian with avian experience. Like
other wild birds, parrots have special medical
needs, and can benefit from a yearly check-up!
Blue and Yellow Macaws need a lot of space.
Pet parrots must be healthy, contented and long-lived. If
Spick and span
you are fully informed and prepared for the proper care of
Keep your parrot’s environment clean. Daily cleaning your parrot, you will have the most wonderful companion.
will avoid accumulation of micro-organisms potentially
harmful to your parrot. Make sure that nothing harmful
can fall into the cage.
Even safer
Have a good method of securing the door of any cage
or aviary. If your parrot is in a room, cover or mark
the windows, and make sure that it cannot escape. Do
not have your parrot loose where other animals might injure or kill it. Keep out of reach anything which
could be toxic to the bird. Parrots can be stolen, so take
the necessary measures to make your pet secure. Parrots have strong beaks and can give a painful bite. Get
to know your parrot´s character and the warning signs
On the move
To transport your pet parrot, use the most suitable transportation container. Have the container
readily available: don`t use something unsuitable at the last minute. For journeys by air, make
sure in advance of all the necessary conditions.. Sun Conures: noisy but popular as pets.
Nº 84- March 2007
The Endangered Chattering Lory. Not suitable as a pet.
Rosellas: Good companions.
Appendix - Guidelines for minimum cage dimensions
(Endorsed by the Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Forestry, Germany)
TOTAL LENGTH OF
BIRDS IN CM
CAGE/AVIARY DIMENSIONS LENGTH
X WIDTH X HEIGHT
IN M
AREA OF THE
CAGE/AVIARY
IN M²
TOTAL LENGTH OF
BIRDS IN CM
X WIDTH X HEIGHT
IN M
AREA OF THE
CAGE/AVIARY
IN M²
till 25
1,0 x 0,5 x 0,5
0,5
till 25
1,0 x 0,5 x 0,5
0,5
more than 25 till 40
2,0 x 1,0 x 1,0
1,0
2,0 x 1,0 x 1,0
1,0
more than 40
3,0 x 1,0 x 2,0
2,0
more than 40
3,0 x 1,0 x 2,0
2,0
1. Parakeets of the following genera:
Alisterus, Aprosmictus, Aratinga, Barnardius, Bolborhynchus, Brotogeris, Cyanoliseus, Cyanoramphus, Enicognathus, Eunymphicus, Geopsittacus, Leptosittaca,
Myiopsitta, Nandayus, Neophema, Ognorhynchus, Pezoporus, Platycercus, Polytelis,
Prosopeia, Psephotua, Psittacula, Purpureicephalus, Pyrrhura, Rhynchopsittaa
2. Short-tailed parrots of the following genera:
Agapornis, Amazona, Bolbopsittacus, Cacatua, Callocaphalon, Calyptorhynchus,
Coracopsis, Cyclopsitta, Deroptyus, Eclectus, Eolophus, Forpus, Geoffroyus, Graydidascalus, Gypopsitta, Hapalopsittaca, Micropsitta, Nannopsittaca, Nestor, Pionites,
Pionopsitta, Pionus, Poicephalus, Prioniturus, Probosciger, Psittacara, Psittacella,
Psittaculirostris, Psittacus, Psittinus, Psittrichas, Strigops, Tanygnathus, Touit, Triclaria.
TOTAL LENGTH OF
BIRDS IN CM
X WIDTH X HEIGHT
IN M
AREA OF THE
CAGE/AVIARY
IN M²
TOTAL LENGTH OF
BIRDS IN CM
X WIDTH X HEIGHT
IN M
AREA OF THE
CAGE/AVIARY
IN M²
till 40
2,0 x 1,0 x 1,5
1,0
till 20
1,0 x 0,5 x 0,5
0,5
3,0 x 1,0 x 2,0
1,0
more than 20
2,0 x 1,0 x 1,0
1,0
more than 60
4,0 x 2,0 x 2,0
2,0
3. Macaws of the following genera:
Anadorhynchus, Ara, Cyanopsitta, Diopsittaca.
4. Lories and other nectar-feeders of the following genera:
Chalcopsitta, Charmosyna, Eos, Glossopsitta, Lathamus, Loriculus, Lorius, Neopsittacus, Oreopsittacus, Phigys, Pseudeos, Psitteuteles, Trichoglossus, Vini.
The guidelines show minimum dimensions. The Loro Parque Fundación would like to see much bigger dimensions, as big as the owner can provide – your parrot will appreciate every extra centimetre.
Thank you.
Nº 84- March 2007
Meeting Point Loro Parque
In their second performance in Tenerife, the “Berlin
Philharmonic”, put on a very demanding concert, the
2ª Symphony of Gustav Mahler, with great success although that same day, some of the musicians of worldwide fame, had spent all day enjoying the attractions of
LORO PARQUE. The musicians felt passionately about
animals and that a long time ago they had already planned to include a visit to LORO PARQUE during their
stay on the island. “As ‘aficionados’ of parrots, our priority was to learn everything about the collection, unique
in the world and about the ambitious work of the Loro
Parque Foundation. However, after visiting the rest of
the attractions, like the orcas, we were so impressed with
everything that we would have liked to spend much more
time to enjoy the wonders of this natural park”
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of areas for biodiversity conservation, especially to assure the long
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main instrument for the conservation of nature in the European Union.
Almost 100 participants were provided with information about the conservation work of the Loro Parque Fundación (LPF), and on the second day they
were invited to a lunch and visit in Loro Parque. In his lunch-time speech, Mr
Wolfgang Kiessling, President of LPF, highlighted the most important activities
and successes of the LPF. Following the orca show the delegates visited the ‘Aula
del Mar’ (Classroom of the Sea) and received more detailed information about
the LPF’s research with this species and the marine environment, its education
programmes and the work which takes place in the parrot breeding centre.
In February, the Disney Channel recorded a competition for children
between several schools of the Canary Islands in the facilities of LORO
PARQUE.It’s a competition being held in all the Spanish regions and it
is being broadcast by this Channel at national level. LORO PARQUE
was the perfect setting for this programme in which the children were
asked not only general knowledge questions, but also lots of questions
about the animals.
Nº 84- March 2007
Loro Parque News
Delegates of the Spanish
Government visit Loro Parque
The Delegates of the Spanish Government in the Canary Islands, headed by José Segura Clavell, used the last hours of
the year 2006 for a visit to Loro Parque. In this way they
officially underlined the enormous contribution the park has
made to the progressively higher profile of the islands and
Spain all over the world, and manifested the high importance
of Loro Parque as a company in the economy of the Canary
Islands. At the same time they were impressed by the latest
attraction, the orcas, and, according to Segura, enjoyed a
small walk “through this unique, exceptional exotic oasis”.
Toco Toucan: What a beak!
7 new Penguins enjoy the snow
flurry in LORO PARQUE
The royal beak of the jungle now in
LORO PARQUE
For some days now, Loro Parque has surprised its visitors
with a very exotic bird. A pair of Toco Toucans (Ramphastos toco) has moved into the rainforest of the aquarium,
where a river with a variety of South American fishes is
exhibited. The Toco Toucan is one of the most impressive
toucans, with a length of up to 65 cm being the largest of
this very common family of birds found in South America.
The outstanding characteristic is, without any doubt, the yellow-orange coloured beak with a length up to 22 cm and a
black point at it’s end. The elegant black plumage, white throat
and unique blue and orange eyes make the bird very attractive.
In the wild the beak is used for collecting fruits and stealing eggs from the nests of other birds. Due to its structure horny layers, the potent beak is much lighter than it
looks and has small serrations so that it can be used also
as juice squeezer. Furthermore the intense coloration of the
beak has a dramatic and positive effect during courtship.
Something extraordinary is the way it feeds: as the feather-like tongue can not transport the food, the Toucan
takes it with the end of the beak and throws it into the air
so that it falls with momentum directly into the throat.
The jungle exhibition in the aquarium of Loro Parque is so openly designed that the visitors can observe the new Toco Toucans
close-up and without any restriction, in a very natural habitat.
10
There is snow in Tenerife. What? Every day 12 tons of ice fal
in a rocky landscape with a room temperature of 0º C. Outside the sun shines and on beaches everybody enjoys the good
climate. These small creatures, the penguins, stars of LORO
PARQUE in Puerto de la Cruz, surprise everybody with their
likeable clumsiness. The 1.5 million visitors annually confirm their success 1. “Planet Penguin” is the best replica of
the Antarctica reproduced over a surface of 4,000 m2. The
greatest refrigerator of the world maintains its temperature
in an ecological way. The always crystalline water stays at a
temperature of 7º C thanks to a complex system of filtration,
and also the solar cycle is perfectly suites to that of Antarctica. Thus the visitors to LORO PARQUE have the unique opportunity to experience the real world of the King, Rock-hopper, Chin-strap and Gentoo penguins in a habitat adapted only
for them. Successful reproduction is test of their well-being,
and seven Gentoo penguin chicks have hatched, and there are
still 20 more eggs left in their nests. When the visitors take a
journey along the moving floor, we see joy and astonishment
on their faces. In this snow-covered landscape many things
are happening; the penguins eat, they sleep, they play and
entertain themselves. With this scene is not only a desire to
demonstrate the beauty of Antarctica, but also to make all the
visitors aware, to respect, to protect and to take care of nature.
Nº 84- March 2007
Councillor Berriel in the La Vera
breeding centre
Coinciding with his attendance at the XXIX Working Session
of the Environmental Authorities, the Councillor for Environment and Territorial Planning of the Canary Islands’ Government, Mr Domingo Berriel Martínez took the opportunity to
make a visit to the parrot breeding centre of the Loro Parque
Fundación in La Vera. He was accompanied by Dr Juan Carlos
Moreno Moreno, Director General of Environmental Policy,
and both were given a tour of the facilities by Mr Wolfgang
Kiessling, President of the LPF, accompanied by several staff members. Mr Kiessling explained to his attentive visitors
how the centre came into being, and its absolute international
importance as a genetic reserve of parrots, and for the conservation of threatened species. The Councillor and his Director
General were shown many of the details of the centre, for
them to have the best appreciation of the scientific activities
and professional management of the birds which take place.
cipants. The veterinarians had a varied programme, which included a discussion session about avian flu and its continuing
implications for the zoos of AIZA. On behalf of Loro Parque,
Dr Sara Capelli gave a presentation on a clinical case of a
Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) involving gastroscopy
and gastrostomy, and our veterinary team gave the meeting
participants a tour of the clinic during their visit to the park
FITUR 2007
FITUR 2007 was the first grand event in the annual calendar
of the tourism sector. During five days of intense work, from
31st January to 4th February, the most complete offer of companies and tourist destinations on the entire world was present
in Madrid. Among them, Loro Parque and the future Siam
Park of Tenerife had a very strong and impressive presence.
Mr Kiessling explains various aspects of the breeding centre to
Councillor Berriel and Mr. Juan Carlos Moreno.
LORO PARQUE hosts meetings of
AIZA
Loro Parque is a founding member of the Iberian Association
of Zoos and Aquaria (AIZA), the professional association which demands high standards for its member zoos and aquaria
in Spain and Portugal. On the 26th and 27th of January, Loro
Parque hosted the meetings of the association, which took place in the Hotel Botánico. They included the regular meeting
of the AIZA Board, on which Loro Parque is represented, and
the annual meetings of the education and veterinary working
groups. The programme of the educator’s included significant
discussions about the evaluation of educational efforts, and the
guest speaker was Dr Steven Yalowitz, an Audience Research Specialist from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, California,
USA. About the educational work in Loro Parque, Dr Javier
Almunia gave a presentation on ‘strategies for communication and environmental awareness using new technologies’,
and demonstrated the use of these in the Aula del Mar (Classroom of the Sea) during the visit to Loro Parque of the parti
Nº 84- March 2007
Mr and Mrs Kiessling and the Loro Parque team in front of our
exposition in FITUR
11
Loro
Parque
Fundación
News
Big sensation: a new Spix’s Macaw
has hatched
If in the entire world no more than 72 members of a species exist, the birth of number 73 is a sensation. If on top
of this the species has become extinct in the wild, and only
exists in captivity, the sensation is even more spectacular.
With the little Spix’s Macaw that has hatched from
the egg literally a few days ago, the Loro Parque Fundación has met with fundamental success in the breeding of the world’s rarest parrot species, which has become a symbol for all parrots in danger of extinction.
Naturally, the small him - or her, given that its sex cannot
yet be determined, is not conscious of how important it already is with so few days of life. Having left the most scrutinised egg in the world with a weight of 14.4 grams, this
miniature ball of down has already managed to double
its weight and eats with gusto its food consisting of cereal
porridge, vitamins, enzymes and egg-white. Not to run unnecessary risks, the Loro Parque Fundación keeper team is
raising the chick by hand, giving him all possible affection.
This chick increases the hope of bird breeders and conservationists to take care of and protect nature worldwide, sharing the dream to be able to reintroduce the elegant Spix’s Macaw to its natural habitat in the caatinga
of Brazil in the not-too-distant future. The Loro Parque
Fundación leads this project after multiple breeding successes and many years of experience with this species.
PARQUE..This event was attended by the General Director
of Educational Promotion of the Canarian Government, Dr.
Rafael Juan González, the General Sub-director of Caja Madrid, Ignacio Soria, Head of Communication for CEPSA in
the Canary Islands, Belén Machado, the General Administrator of LORO PARQUE S.A., Wolfgang Kiessling, and the
Head of education of the Loro Parque Fundación, Dr. Javier
Almunia. On the occasion of the official initiation of the educational activities in the new computer room for environmental education, called the “Aula de los Cetáceos” (Cetacean
Classroom), sponsored by Caja Madrid and CEPSA, the
educational projects which will be part of the courses were
presented. Of these projects, one can underline the cultural
interchange between students from the Canary Islands and
Venezuela, to increase awareness of the importance of cooperation for development (United for Development), and an
awareness programme about the environmental problems of
the sea by working with rescued turtles (The Sea of the Turtles).
The President of the Government of the
Canary Islands is member of honour
of the Loro Parque Fundación
Presentation of the educational
programme of LORO PARQUE for
the course of 2006/2007
LORO PARQUE expands its educational offer with innovations such as a computer room for children and projects
for rescued turtles. On 26 of October 2006 a presentation of
the educational projects of LORO PARQUE for the course
of 2006/2007 took place in the “Aula del Mar” of LORO
12
We are delighted to gives the news that the President of
the Canary Islands’ Government, Mr. Adán Martín Menis
is a member of honour of the Loro Parque Fundación, having accepted the invitation from the President of LPF, Mr.
Wolfgang Kiessling. Mr. Martín shares this honour with Her
Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand and Don. Luís Alfonso of
Borbón and Martínez-Bordiú, Duke of Anjou. Accepting the
invitation, Mr. Martín wrote “the outstanding and accredited trajectory of Loro Parque Fundación, in the defence of
nature and the environment and, especially, in the conservation of different species of parrots and their habitats, accords
completely with determined role of the Government of the
Canary Islands for the defence and protection of the environment, being reason why I am very pleased to participate and
that, as President of the Government of the Canary Islands,
accept with great pleasure the participation of this presidency in the Fundación as an honorary member of the same.
Nº 84- March 2007
LPF News/La Vera Breeding Centre
News from the LPF parrot colletion
As the breeding season 2006 approached its end, we were
surprised by a special pair of Parrots with, for this season, an
unexpected clutch. At the end of October, a pair of Pesquet´s
Parrots (Psittrichas fulgidus) laid two eggs, which both turned out to be fertile. Because in the past this pair bred twice
unsuccessfully (the eggs were damaged during incubation or
they died off) we decided to put them into the incubator after
approximately 14 days of incubation. On the 24th of November the first tiny Pesquet´s Parrot hatched out independently. It
had a weight of 19.2g and it was very lively. The offered feed
was accepted immediately. By the 6th day the chick had doubled its weight at hatching. Only one day after the first chick
hatched out, the second chick began to cheep inside the egg, but
it did not prick the eggshell. This state continued for two days.
The chick cheeped louder and louder but still did not begin to
prick. Therefore we decided to administer some hatching help.
We opened a monitoring window of 2mm at the blunt end of
the egg and put some liquid (Ringer-Lactate- Dilution) into
the egg. We repeated this several times and the chick revived
markedly. Some hours later, the egg had been pricked from
inside and the next morning the chick hatched independently.
It was a pleasure to have two young Pesquet´s Parrots which, because of being raised together, will automatically socialise with each other. Recently hatched Pesquet´s Parrots
have a dense flumage which is a sign that they also live in
higher areas. In New Guinea this species of parrot appears
in mountain forests between 600 and 2.000 m above sea level. In the zoos of the world, Pesquet´s Parrots are absolute
Young Cordilleran Conure and Head-keeper Pedro.
rarities, breeding only rarely succeeding, which makes us
all the more happy about our latest results. In January the
chicks weighed about 500g each, and the first red plumes
were appearing on the densely plumed chicks. They have
a great appetite and do not calm down until their crops are
filled. Our Cordilleran Conures (Aratinga wagleri frontata)
presented a further surprise. For the first time in the history
of Loro Parque a chick of this species has been raised , with
its parents looking after it affectionately. In the past this
Nº 84- March 2007
species, like a lot of other green Aratinga species, were imported in big quantities but there were never many interested breeders, so that we know of few breeding successes.
Young Uvea Horned Parakeet.
Today this conure species is rare in captivity, and a value
on breeding them should be set, or we run the risk that this
species will sooner or later disappear from the aviaries of
breeders because no birds will be imported from the wild.
The LPF had the best start to the New Year, because the
on the 4th of January at 8.30 a.m. a Spix´s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) hatched. We were lucky to be present and
could record the event with a video camera. The video can
be seen directly via the internet on our homepage: www.loroparque-fundacion.org.Thus, the little Spix´s Macaw opened the 2007 breeding season very early.Since putting together the breeding pair of Spix´s Macaw in January 2004,
it is the fourth chick that has been bred. Usuallythe female lays only one egg, as it did this time. The female incubated the egg herself, until the chick pricked the egg, and
so one day before hatching it was put into the incubator
where it hatched itself and without any problems. Nowthe
chick is being hand-reared to avoid any complication. It
is developing magnificently, and at 37 days old it weighed
288 g, 20 times heavier than its hatch weight of 14.4 g.
In December we received a male Uvea Horned Parakeet
(Eunymphicus cornutus uveaensis) from the German parrot breeder Paul Hahn. With this additional bird, the three
existing birds at the LPF have now formed two pairs, and
in February for the first time in the history of the LPF, Uvea
Horned Parakeet chicks were hatched. During the first days
the young birds were excellently nourished by their parents
until we found, some days later, two dead youngsters with
bite wounds in the nest box. The third three day-old chick
also had bite wounds to his head but was still alive. We removed him immediately and brought him to the Baby Station of
Loro Parque to be hand-reared. The little bird has recovered
greatly, and is now growing with loving care from its keepers. These rare parakeets are highly threatened in the wild.
For the twenty episodes of the television serial „Humans, animals and doctors“ from the German television channel VOX
in 2006, in which Loro Parque has been involved, we receivedvery positive responses and congratulations. Thank you
very much! Now 10 additional episodes of the serial have been
13
LPF News/ La Vera Breeding Centre
recorded, and are expected to be broadcast from the middle
until the end of February 2007, daily at 17.00h on VOX.
The two Lear’s Macaw (Anodoryhnchus leari) pairs, which the LPF received in November 2006 from Sao Paolo
Zoo, permission of the Brazilian conservation authority IBAMA, have now left the quarantine station and have
moved into big aviaries in the breeding center at La Vera.
In order to create natural surroundings for them, the back
wall of the aviary has been covered with reddish artificial
rocks, like the cliffs of the caatinga in Brazil. The cliff holes are frequented by the Lear’s Macaws every day to sleep,
and are used as breeding dens during the reproductive season. The artificial dens have been designed with two big holes, at the end of which you will find two big wooden breeding boxes which will be used as future breeding cavities.
The Keas (Nestor notabilis) regularly start breeding at the
beginning of every year. This year, both pairs have laid
fertile eggs and four chicks have already hatched. Also
the Lories have given us the first remarkable chicks: besides the first Brown Lory (Chalcopsitta duivenbodei) also
a Yellow-streaked Lory (Chalcopsitta sintillata), two Rainbow Lories (Trichoglossus haematodus deplanchii),
Red-flanked Lorikeets (Charmosyna placentis) and Collared Lories (Phigys solitarius). The Galahs (Eolophusroseicapilla) at present have three eggs being incubated.
From the parrot breeder Martin Guth of Berlin we received a male St Vincent Amazon (Amazona guildingii) for
cooperative breeding. As until now our pair has always
produced infertile eggs the new male with the productive female should assure us better results. Now these two
St. Vincent Amazons have been moved into huge planted breeding aviaries in the breeding center at La Vera
and we hope that the two of them will soon be together.
Fundación, biologist Rafael Zamora made a presentation
which offered a panoramic view of diverse techniques for
parrots management: environmental enrichment, design of
cages and nests, methods of prevention and hygiene in the
breeding centre, techniques of support for assisted hatchings.
Happy Puffins
Our colony of Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) is developing very well in its own exhibit in Planet Penguin. The
beak coloration of the young birds brought from Iceland in
2002 has become very bright, and the first eggs were laid
last year. They were infertile, as is usually the case for first
breeding in the wild as well as in captivity, but we are very
interested to see what will happen this year. We noticed that
the sex ratio of the birds was very uneven, and so last summer
we brought 60 more young birds (thus reducing the hunter’s
quota in Iceland) to join the colony. These additional birds
have settled-in very well and, although they will not start to
breed for three or four years, they can learn what to do by observing their older companions. Visitors can easily tell them
apart, because they lack the bright colours on their beaks..
Lear’s Macaw at home on the rock-face.
IV Encounter for Psittaculture
On the 20th and 21st of January in Barcelona the IV Encounter for the breeding and keeping of parrots took place. Framed within the “XX International Exhibition-competition of
breeds Ciutat de Valls”, the encounter has become the point of
reference professionals of the sector, and has allowed the sharing of experiences, acquisition of new theoretical knowledge, and the making of new commercial contacts. Again, the
congress was sponsored by the company Psittacus Catalonia,
counting on the support of organizations like the Loro Parque Fundación. Speakers from diverse disciplines shared their
knowledge and representing Loro Parque and Loro Parque
14
Nº 84- March 2007
Project Update
Loro Parque Fundación – American Federation of Aviculture Joint Award 2007:
Chick and egg of Blue-throated Macaws in nest-box in Beni.
Testing of a recombinant vaccine against
Nest-box Programme to help protect the Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
This project was conducted by Dr. Reimar Johne of the
Critically Endangered Blue-throated University of Leipzig (now at the Federal Institute for Risk
Assessment), to test a recombinantly produced antigen as a
Macaw in Bolivia.
In 2005, 20 nest-boxes were installed, designed with a hole
similar in shape and size to that of a successful Blue-throated
macaw nest. They were placed close to known Blue-throated Macaw breeding and roosting sites, and attached to the
trunks of palms favoured by this species. In the 2005–2006
season, 18 of the 20 boxes were used, 13 by Blue-and-yellow Macaws, and one by Blue-throated Macaws which laid
two eggs. The Blue-throated Macaw nest was unsuccessful,
possibly because of predation. To reduce the possibility that
nest boxes will help the more aggressive species, there will be
more experimentation with designs that favour Blue-throated Macaws. In the 2006/2007 season a pair of Blue-throated
Macaws laid three eggs in a new nest-box, and a single young
was produced. The project will continue to examine the different characteristics of the nest-boxes, their orientation and
the characteristics of their immediate surroundings to increase the success of use by Blue-throated Macaws.
Funding for this project in 2007: AFA and LPF each
US$2,500.
vaccine against psittacine beak and feather disease. A key
aspect was to develop an animal model by infecting budgerigars with purified psittacine beak and feather disease virus
(PBFDV), in which the potential vaccine could be tested. Preparations were made to set up the animal model, including
the acquisition, purification and characterisation of PBFDV
for infection, production of antigen for immunisation, and
testing of budgerigars for their suitability to serve as laboratory animals. PBFDV and antigen were successfully prepared. Problems occurred with the procurement of suitable
budgerigars, because testing of many of the available aviaries revealed field infections with PBFDV. Finally PBFDVnegative budgerigars were hatched and used in an infection
model using three different PBFDV strains. As typical clinical signs of PBFDV infection could not be observed, it
was concluded that the model is not suitable for testing protection against the PBFDV-induced disease by a vaccine.
However,
the
project
provided
the
following
new
insights
into
PBFDV
infection:
(i) An unexpectedly wide distribution of PBFDV infections in budgerigars in Europe was found.
(ii) The majority of the field infections in budgerigars
were sub-clinical, implying a role for this species as virus reservoir and source of infection for other parrots.
(iii) Experimental infection showed that virus isolates originating from different bird species were able to infect budgerigars, which argues against a species-specificity of this virus.
(iv) Analysis of virus distribution within the experimentally infected budgerigars showed that feathers
are the sample of choice for testing a bird for PBFDV.
(v) Although no clinical signs were observed after experimental infection of budgerigars, infection and virus replication could be shown in the budgerigar model; therefore, this model may be used in a modified version for
testing of protection against PBFDV infection by a vaccine.
LPF funding of Blue-throated Macaw conservation in 2007: 81,500 euros
Funding for this project in 2005/2006: 10,000
euros.
To integrate with the existing Asociación Armonía/Loro Parque Fundación Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis)
Conservation Programme supported by the LPF, the 2007
joint award of the AFA and LPF will sustain a nest-box programme in the wild for this species. Competition for suitable
tree nesting cavities appears to limit the populations of holenesting birds in lowland Bolivian savannahs of Beni, including the Blue-throated Macaw. Many suitable nest-holes in
Beni have been lost because of burning, cattle trampling, and
destruction by illegal trappers after macaw chicks.
In Beni there are around 30 cavity-nesting species and Bluethroated Macaws might be out-competed for suitable sites by
larger species, especially Blue-and-yellow Macaws (A. ararauna).
Nº 84- March 2007
15
Red-tailed Amazons nest in bromeliads
and PVC pipes!
For more than a decade, the Loro Parque Fundación has been
supporting activities for the conservation of the wild population of the Red-tailed Amazon (Amazona brasiliensis) in the
lowland Atlantic rainforest of Sao Paulo and Paraná States in
south-east Brazil. The efforts are showing success, and the
threat category of the species has been reduced from Endangered to Vulnerable. The majority of the population, currently
estimated at 6,600 birds, occurs in Paraná, where the breeding takes place on the low, forested islands along the coastline. The forest is susceptible to disturbance, especially from
tourism development and the cutting of the favoured nesting
trees of this parrot. Therefore, the LPF supports the Research Organization for Wildlife and Environmental Education
(SPVS - Sociedade de Pesquisa em Vida Selvagem e Educação Ambiental) to monitor and protect its breeding sites.
Although their relative abundance in the forest is low, the
Guanandi trees (Calophyllum brasiliense) are most important
for nesting mainly due to their larger size. It has been found
that 60% of the nests of Red-tailed Amazons are in trees with
a DBH (diameter at breast height) are between 32 and 48 cm.
Also, 64% of the nests have been found in live trees. Unfortunately, these larger trees are the most likely to be cut
and removed from the forest for timber products. In addition,
every year natural nests collapse due to the heavy rains in the
region, and are often unusable, although the SPVS team can
repair some. One sign of the shortage of nest-cavities in trees
is that some Red-tailed Amazons have been found nesting in
bromeliads, the spiky epiphytic plants clinging to the trees.
The parrots choose the giant Vrisea bromeliads, and compress the internal leaves to form a “cavity” where the plant
joins the tree trunk. The SPVS team first found such a nest in
1999, and since then one or two nests each breeding season. A
bromeliad nest with three eggs was found this year producing
two chicks, but it fell after heavy rain. Luckily it was possible
to foster the chicks to other nest, one natural and one artificial, and they survived.
Nestlings in PVC pipe
Design of PVC nest and Bromelia in Tree
Installing nest-boxes is the other way to deal with the shortage of nest sites. SPVS has been installing conventional wooden nest-boxes for some years, and these have been comparatively successful. However, the Red-tailed Amazon is
a species with naturally high levels of predation and other
causes of nest failure, both in natural nests and in the wooden
nest-boxes. In the wet climate, the latter quickly decay and
their condition can contribute to egg and chick losses. Therefore, for the most recent breeding season the SVPS team
installed experimental nests made from PVC plastic pipes to
resist the climatic conditions. Of the four PVC nests installed,
three were occupied, one with a single chick and two each
with three chicks, indicating the acceptance of the nests made
of this material by Red-tailed Amazons. On the basis of this
success, more of these PVC nests will now be installed.
Funding for this project in 2007: 21,995 euros
16
Eggs of Red-tailed Amazon in bromeliad “cavity”
Nº 84- March 2007
Wild El Oro Parakeets jump into nestboxes
Since 2002 the Loro Parque Fundación has been supporting
activities for the conservation of the threatened El Oro Parakeet (Pyrrhura orcesi) in the Buenaventura Reserve owned
by Fundación Jocotoco in Ecuador, where the species is endemic. The main threats to the survival of the El Oro Parakeet
are the loss and increasing fragmentation of its natural forest
habitat. The project has a strong component of environmental
education with schools and community groups of the region,
as well as establishing basic biological information about this
species, helping to expand the area of the reserve, and its reforestation. As a result we know much more about the small po
pulation (160-180 individuals) of P. orcesi which lives in the
reserve and surrounding areas, and better ways to conserve it.
Reforesting the area is a long-term commitment, but we also
know that existing forest has been selectively logged. Groups
of El Oro Parakeets use natural cavities for breeding (cooperatively, with helpers at the nest), and for roosting at night. One
sign that suitable trees might be scarce is that active nests have
been found in isolated trees in open pasture and at the forestedge. These nests are more exposed to predation, especially by
Crimson-rumped Toucanets (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus).
Thus the project decided to install nest-boxes to increase safe
nesting possibilities. This coincided with a training course
for forest guards and researchers about migratory bird monitoring, hosted by Fundación Jocotoco at the Buenaventura
Reserve, supported by the American Bird Conservancy, and
also involving people from other organisations, including
Alonso Quevedo of Fundación ProAves of Colombia. Also
with the support of LPF, ProAves has obtained remarkable
breeding results with nest-boxes for other threatened species
of Pyrrhura endemic to Colombia, and so Alonso was able to
demonstrate how to make successful nest-boxes for Pyrrhura
parakeets. The El Oro Parakeet project promptly made and
installed 39 boxes and already three are active with breeding P.
orcesi, and there are high hopes that many more will be used.
Funding of the project to date: 40,350 euros
First exposure: El Oro Parakeet eggs in a nest-box
Nest-box construction team in the cloud-forest.
Conservation and sustainable use of parrots in Cameroon
Throughout 2006 the LPF supported this project to assess parrot populations and trade levels in Cameroon, especially to
determine if their trade can be sustainable, to explore alternatives in wildlife resources management, and to inform national wildlife policy. During this period the project has been
able to monitor the effect in Cameroon of the EU temporary
ban on importation of wild-caught birds. Dr Simon Tamungang writes that there are over 2000 Grey Parrots in homes of
private exporters in Cameroon and most of them have been
in this condition for more than one year, with dwindling health services and feeding conditions. Some simply want to cut
their losses and release the birds which, if uncontrolled, could
cause further problems. Dr Tamungang is considering a poverty alleviation package for exporters who sign for alternative jobs, controlled release of the parrots, and captive breeding
possibilities. More about this in a future issue of Cyanopsitta.
Funding of the project to date: 23,333 euros
El Oro Parakeets check-out a nest-box.
Nº 84- March 2007
17
Project Update
New Projects
Conservation of the Grey-breasted Parakeet, Brazil
This project aims to determine the present range of the highly endangered Grey-breasted Parakeet (Pyrrhura griseipectus), in order to devise conservation strategies for this species. Until very recently considered to be a subspecies of the
White-eared Parakeet (Pyrrhura leucotis), its status as a full
species is now accepted. The previous taxonomic uncertainty
resulted in lack of previous conservation action. It has been
included since 2003 in the official list of endangered species of the Brazilian Ministry of Environment, listed under
the category Critically Endangered. There is evidence from
museum skins for only four localities (3 in Ceará and 1 in
Pernambuco State), and another seven possible localities.
By means of surveys in and near these localities, the project
will produce a preliminary map to define the known range of
the Gray-breasted Parakeet. Interviews will be conducted in
each area with people living near the remaining patches of
moist forest. This project will be an important step in devising conservation strategies for this highly endangered and
little known psittacid. It will be conducted by the Brazilian
NGO Aquasis, with financial support from the LPF, the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP), Chester Zoo and Act for Nature, Monaco.
tera) will be studied in the Sierra de Bahoruco of the Dominican Republic, Hispaniola. Threats to the populations will be
assessed, including nest site competition from the probablyintroduced Olive-throated Parakeet (Aratinga nana), hunting
pressure and nest poaching, and annual habitat loss. Information will be collected on other threatened endemic birds resident in this region. The project also aims to have an education campaign, to create a volunteer parrot protection watch
group, and to refurbish destroyed nesting cavities. The project
will be conducted by the Hispaniola Ornithological Society.
Funding in 2007: 4,000 euros.
Kuhl’s Lory Vini kuhlii
Translocation of Kuhl’s Lory, Pacific
islands
Grey-breasted Parakeet Pyrrhura griseipectus.
Conservation of the Hispaniolan Parrot
and Parakeet, Dominican Republic
To improve their conservation prospects, the ecology and current distribution of the threatened Hispaniolan Parrot (Ama
zona ventralis) and Hispaniolan Parakeet (Aratinga chlorop
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This project will translocate living specimens of Kuhl’s Lory
(Vini kuhlii - also known as Rimatara Lorikeet or Kura) from
Rimatara, Austral Islands, French Polynesia to the island of
Atiu, so as to reintroduce this species to the Cook Islands. The
LPF will support the Zoological Society of San Diego in this
project, done in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, French Polynesia and Cook Islands Natural Heritage
Department. V. kuhlii was formerly a native bird on most of
the Southern Cook Islands, and was harvested for its small
red feathers, used for adornments and ceremonial headdresses. It was probably extinct throughout the Southern Cook
Islands by the time the Missionaries arrived in the 1820s.
Today it survives only on Rimatara, a small island southeast
of Mangaia, and in the northern Line Islands, where it was
introduced in historical times. It is Endangered (IUCN RedList) because of its small population and limited distribution. In 2000, the population size on Rimatara was estimated
at 750 birds. The translocation will help to lessen the risk
of extinction if Ship rats (Rattus rattus) invade Rimatara.
Nº 84- March 2007
Protection of Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park and the endemic parrots of
Halmahera, Indonesia
In the mid-1990s the LPF supported the BirdLife International Indonesia Programme (now BirdLife Indonesia) in
its survey of suitable habitats in the island of Halmahera to
establish a protected area which would include the endemic
parrot species, the White cockatoo (Cacatua alba) and the
Chattering lory (Lorius garrulus). The project’s recommendations led the Government of Indonesia to establish ten
years later the Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park. To make
sure that this is not just a “paper park”, the new project intends to install a foundation of knowledge, management
capacity and local stakeholder support for the long-term
conservation of the park, and thereby secure this critically
important area for endemic and threatened parrots. Implemented by BirdLife Indonesia, the project will be supported
by LPF and the Association for the Protection of Threatened
Parrots, Berlin (via the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations - ZGAP), as matching
funds to World Bank/Global Environment facility support.
possibilities from the tracking of parrots by satellite, the LoroParque Fundación now offers a prize of 10,000 euros for significant advances in the design of satellite telemetry systems.
More information will soon be available from the LPF about
this prize.
Blood haematological and biochemical
profiles in stranded loggerhead turtles
Every year, about 200 stranded or injured sea turtles are rescued in the Canary Islands. The Tafira Rescue Centre in Gran
Canaria handles most, and the La Tahonilla Rescue Centre
in Tenerife some, but the facilities for marine fauna are insufficient to keep turtles for long periods. Since 1993 the
Veterinary Faculty at the University of Las Palmas de Gran
Canaria has undertaken the necropsies of stranded marine
turtles which have died: survivorship of rescued animals is
around 75%. This project, to be carried out in the Veterinary Faculty at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria,
aims to develop diagnostic tools based on the blood parameters (haematological and biochemical) of stranded turtles.
Such a tool would give the veterinary staff at rescue centres a rapid diagnosis of each animal and, as a consequence,
the appropriate treatment could start faster and the survival
rates of stranded turtles would increase. To develop those
diagnostic tools, a relation between the blood parameters
and the turtle injuries must be established. Most (97%) of
stranded animals are Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta),
but Green turtles (Chelonia midas), Leatherback turtles
(Dermochelys coriacea) and Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) can also potentially benefit from these studies.
White Cockatoo Cacatua alba
Significant advances in satellite telemetry for parrots – the LPF 10,000 euros
prize
During the past four years, and in relation to the project on
reintroduced Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) in Costa Rica, the
LPF supported the development of satellite transmitter design
that would withstand the strong beaks of macaws and other
large parrots. To date, any transmitter used to track birds by
satellite must have a free-standing (whip) antenna to transmit
signals, and this is susceptible to destruction by any macaw or
large parrot. North Star Science and Technology in the United States took up the challenge and developed an exemplary
prototype transmitter which has received good testing in captivity and field, and is still being tested on macaws in Peru
and Guatemala. Because of the need to use robust materials,
as well as have a long operating life, the prototype transmitter has a weight suitable only for the largest macaws. Considering that there are potentially many useful conservation
Nº 84- March 2007
Extraction of blood from a Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
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How to unite the conservation projects of
the LPF with environmental education in
LORO PARQUE?
For a while now, the education department of the Loro
Parque Fundación (LPF) has been looking for a way to
combine our efforts in the conservation projects with the
environmental education activities which we conduct
with the school population of the Canary Islands. We
have always been confident that this would strengthen
the position of the LPF, and would make our efforts
even better known beyond the international zoological
community.
In this year of 2007 we are creating a connection
through a new educational project called „United for
development“ whose aim is to increase the awareness of
Canarian students of the importance of cooperation for
development.Thus, since beginning of January in different
infant and primary education centres of the Canary
Islands,
courses
about
cooperation
for
development
organized by LPF
are taking place.
This
programme
is financed by the
Commissioner
of
External Affairs of the
Canarian Government
and we have the
collaboration of the
shipping
company
Fred Olsen. During
this course a display
with different panels
about interna-tional
cooperation and sustained development is
installed in the schools,
using
as example
projects of LPF, such
as the project of the
Red-tailed Amazon in Brazil, the Yellow-eared Parrot in
Colombia, the Yellow-shouldered Amazon in Venezuela,
or the Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand.
Thus, during all of one day, talks are offered to the
students of the primary school so that they become
familiar with the concepts of development, cooperation
and sustainable life alternatives, using as examples the
activities that LPF finances and supports worldwide.
Between the 25th of January and the 6th of February
20
these activities took place in 10 different schools of El
Hierro, La Palma, Lanzarote, Gran Canria, Fuerteventura
and Tenerife.
But this is not all. In fact it is only the beginning. From
now on the participating schools will initiate a series of
activities guided by the department of education of LPF
through our website. You will find under the following
internet-address http://www.loroparque-fundación.org/
wordpress a blog in which the students will introduce
information about each of their Islands.
Thus, various school groups of Margarita Island
(Venezuela) will do the same, guided by members
of Provita who collaborate with LPF in this project.
The blog will collect the contents produced by every
Children of a school in Fuerteventura
group in six different themes: the geography and
physical environment, history, economics, culture and
society, environment and alternatives for sustainable
development.
The project seeks to involve directly the students
of the Canary Islands and those of the Margarita
Island, as they are meant to be the protagonists of the
Nº 84- March 2007
interchange of information, always
mediated and coordinated by
professors/tutors. This interchange
of information will be open; every
single working group being able to
choose the way they consider the
most convenient depending on their
circumstances. Thus, the information
can be in writing (compositions,
comments, summaries, biographies,
classifications), visually (photos,
pictures from books and/or
documents, drawings, maps, web
cam images), acoustic (music,
spoken comments, etc.).
Depending on the compilation of the
information of each group, it will be
Students in school in La Palma
placed on the website accessible for
all participants. This project will culminate at the beginning of June 2007, coinciding with the International week
of Environment, when there will take place an “Inter-insular Development Day” in Loro Parque (Tenerife) to which
representatives of every participating school will be invited. During this day, the most significant results developed
by the schools will be presented and the different experiences communicated and compared. A simultaneous event
will take place with the participants of Margarita Island.
9th German Language
Parrot Workshop
Students of the Taibique School
From the 5th until the 12th of May 2007 the 9th
German Language Parrot Workshop will be held
in Loro Parque. The registration fee is 1.208 euros,
for one person in a double room. The fee includes: flight Germany-Tenerife–Germany (different
departure airports in Germany can be chosen),
Transfer Airport – Hotel – Airport, seven nights
with breakfast in the five-star hotel Botánico in
Puerto de la Cruz, welcome cocktail, gala dinner,
workshop fee, incl. one year membership of Loro
Parque Fundación. We will offer again a diversified programme in collaboration with the biologists and veterinarians of Loro Parque Fundación
and also with external guest speakers. Also practical aspects as well as a visit of the Loro Parque clinic, the parrot kitchen, the breeding centre La Vera
as well as a general tour through the Loro Parque
behind the scenes will not be missed. Registration
and further information can be obtained in the editorial office of the magazine „PAPAGEIEN“ or via
the internet at www.papageien.de.
Students in Margarita Island
Nº 84- March 2007
21
Rescue of fauna
Since the last issue of Cyanopsitta, LORO PARQUE and
Loro Parque Fundación have participated in the rescue
and release of various injured specimens of species of
marine fauna. Specifically, three new Loggerhead turtles
(Caretta caretta), which have been housed in the LORO
PARQUE during the last stage of recuperation, have been
released. The liberation took place during the activities of
the educational project of Loro Parque Fundación, taking
the opportunity to work with the secondary students
on the threats to the marine environment. At each of
the releases one group of secondary students attended,
that previously had carried out educational activities in
LORO PARQUE, and had seen turtles in recuperation.
Two sea-birds have also arrived in LORO PARQUE,
one Common tern (Sterna hirundo) and an Atlantic
puffin (Fratercula artica), which concientious citizens
had collected from the coasts of Tenerife. Both birds
were very weak and showed signs of dehydration.
After a couple of weeks of recuperation, the Common
tern has been moved to the Tahonilla Fauna Recovery
Centre, where the specialists of the Tenerife insular
government will care for him until his release.
Besides the animals mentioned, since September of last
year there has also been a Hooded Seal (Cystophora
cristata) under the care of the veterinarians of LPF, and
the keepers of the penguins and marine mammals in the
penguin quarantine. This seal appeared stranded on the
beach at Laâyoune (Morocco) and LORO PARQUE
requested the help of Pascual Calabuig, head of the
Tafira Fauna Rescue Centre (Gran Canaria), in order
to finance its transfer to the installations of LORO
PARQUE. Our members will remember that in the year
Examination of Common tern during its recuperation in Loro
Parque.
2001 we collaborated in the rescue, recuperation and
release of two other Hooded Seals (Majo and Guanche)
that were stranded on the coasts of the Canarian Islands.
After the complete recuperation of this new specimen,
which had arrived practically dead, the ideal suitability
of the penguin quarantine installations for the rescue
of this species has once more been demonstrated.
Release of one of the turtles rehabilitated in Loro Parque, together with students of the Casa Azul school (Puerto de la Cruz).
The Hooded seal rescued in Morocco, just about to complete its
recuperation in Loro Parque.
22
To concluding with this issue of Cyanopsitta, it is
planned to transfer the seal to another rescue centre
in which it can stay some four months more until the
necessary hair has grown for it to withstand the low
temperatures of the sea in its area of distribution (the
south part of the Arctic). Although our major desire
would be to complete the recuperation of this specimen,
the quarantine facilities are needed for housing the
penguins due to repairs to the Planet Penguin exhibit.
Nº 84- March 2007
Sponsors and donors of
Loro Parque Fundación
Loro Parque is the Foundation’s principal sponsor. Therefore, the financial
support provided by our sponsors,
members and donors can be dedicated
100% to the wide range of parrot and
biodiversity conservation activities
of Loro Parque Fundación.
Cumba, Vogelfreunde Achern, Cash and Carry, Emerencio e Hijos, Georg Fischer, Cita, Pakara, Rohersa, Cavas Catalanas, Celgán, Dialte, Frutas Cruz Santa, Alimentación y Distribuciones Sálamo, BANIF, Solveig Mittelhauser-Brown, Papageienfreunde
Nord e.V., York Area Parrot Society, Malinda Chouinard, Abaxis, Chiclana Parrot, Club de Leones, Juan Luis García Rodolfo,
Rocky Mountain Society of Aviculture, Bärbel & Klaus Binder, Surfilm – Taucho TV, Mark Hagen, Caroline Simmons, Luis y
Guillén, Cerrajería La Asomada, Grúas Hnos. Pacheco, Parrot Society UK, Dutch Parrot Society, Rosemary Low, Carmen & Hubert
Flasch, Garjor, Vogelfreunde Höchstadt e.V., Walter Zimmerman, Sufocan, Berlin Editions, Viajes Líder Canarias, Ten- Hoteles.
We want to thank to all our sponsors, donors
and other supporters
Nº 84- March 2007
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Nº 84- March 2007

Cyanopsitta Magazine.. - Loro Parque Fundación

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