Seven Years of Parrot Conservation in La Moskitia, Honduras

Abstract

The population of the Central American scarlet macaw ( Ara macao cyanoptera) and other parrots have and continue to decline throughout the region largely from poaching to supply the illegal wildlife trade. Conservation efforts address this issue through protection efforts, including community patrols and government engagement, as well as nest monitoring, rescue and release operations, capacity building, and education and consciousness raising programs, all of which rely on long-lasting relationships and commitment. Using these principles, in 2010, a coalition of people came together, including the authors, to build a conservation program against overwhelming odds and with surprising success.

Polly Wants a Genome: The Lack of Genetic Testing for Pet Parrot Species

“…There are many studies on parrot conservation in their natural habitat. A few examples of recent studies include a genetic study by [ 8 ] on the heterozygosity levels of the critically endangered Neophema chrysogater species; the effect of global habitat destruction on parrot species, especially in the Neotropics and Oceania areas [ 9 ]; and conservation efforts in Honduras to protect Ara macao cyanoptera [ 10 ]. Very little attention is currently focused on studies to improve the breeding of healthy, genetically diverse pet birds.…”