Breeding Lear`s Macaws - Loro Parque Fundación

Transcription

The Newsletter of Loro Parque Fundación
Nº 94 - DECEMBER - 2009
“Katandra Treetops”:
unique jungle experience in
Loro Parque
10 years helping the
Yellow-eared Parrot
Major parrot
conferences in 2010
Breeding
Lear’s Macaws
Nº. 94 - DECEMBER - 2009
IUCN
The World Conservation Union
Cyanopsitta is printed using environment friendly, recycled, woodfree coated paper: Symbol Freelife Satin©, FEDRIGONI©
Index
Message from the founder………………….2
Parrot conventions in 2010..…....……….3
LP/SP News..............................……………6
LPF News......................................………..12
News of the parrot collection.................….15
Annual Report 2008 Health check
of parrots................................................….17
Callitrichidae collection...............…......…19
Projects up-date:.....................……………20
Breeding Lear’s Macaws...........................28
Cover photo: Yellow-eared Parrot
(Ognorhynchus icterotis) (Fundación ProAves)
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: loroparque@loroparque.com
lpf@loroparque-fundacion.org
Editorial Consultant:
Rosemary Low
Editorial committee:
Javier Almunia, Avelia González, 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..................................1500,00€
Please send us your membership subscription by mail, fax or
e-mail, or call us, and we will sign you up immediately.
Bank Account:
Banca March, Puerto de la Cruz
Account:.......... 0061 0168 81 005034011-8
IBAN:.......ES40 0061 0168 8100 5034 0118
BIC:....................................... BMARES2M
Message from the Founder
In 2010, Loro Parque and the Loro Parque Fundación will organise and host
the VII. International Parrot Convention, the event still recognised as the
most important global event to discuss the conservation, welfare and all other
aspects of parrots. There was no such forum in 1986, and it was then that I
took the initiative to provide parrot-lovers with a suitable platform to exchange
information for the benefit of the parrots themselves. Over the intervening 24
years there have been great changes in the threats facing parrots and our
knowledge about them, but our successive conventions have kept pace with
these changes, always including innovations. The next convention in 2010
has an excellent speaker list, and will again provide ample opportunity to
learn from the speakers and from fellow participants. As with the previous
convention, this next one offers intensive workshops with expert instructors
in the period immediately afterwards, and is immediately preceded by our
next major innovation, the I. International Convention on the Conservation
of Psittacidae: Science, Policy and Practice. This sister convention deals
especially with how to manage and conserve wild parrots in a world with
increasing human impacts. By exploring these topics in greater depth, the
convention responds to the rapidly increasing demand of parrot-lovers to
inform themselves, and to help in the actions required for protection and
recovery. The additional convention also has a first-class speaker list, and
we have included both programmes in the magazine. As always, I will be very
happy to welcome you to these gatherings.
For these events to be successful, a lot of effort must be expended, and of
course it is always heartening when such effort is duly recognised. Thus,
it is a pleasure for me that you can read in these pages about the recent
awards recognising the paramount quality of Loro Parque, as well as the
effort required to maintain its leading position. Naturally, the same applies to
Siam Park, the Hotel Botánico and the Loro Parque Fundación, all achieving
important results through innovation and effort. For example, you will read
in these pages about the newest attraction in Loro Parque, the huge walkthrough aviary called “Katandra Treetops”, in which lives a community of
Asian and Australian birds. This is turning-out to be a very big success, with
the visitors almost unable to believe how close they can approach the parrots
and other birds that they have probably never seen before.
Recognition of a quality product also comes in the form of visits by prominent
persons, such as the visit to the Hotel Botánico by King Carlos and Queen
Sofia of Spain, and to Loro Parque by H. R. M. Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol
of Thailand. The latter also included a tour of the breeding centre of Loro
Parque Fundación, showing a keen interest in the parrots and the breeding
and conservation programmes. The most recent advances of these programmes
you can read about in this magazine.
As the year 2009 comes to an end, and 2010 begins, I take this opportunity to
give my most heartfelt thanks to all our supporters, and to wish all of you a
peaceful festive season, and prosperity and good health in the coming year.
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 wildlife and habitats
Don’t miss the two leading Parrot Conventions in 2010
Loro Parque and the Loro Parque Fundación will be
organising and hosting two fantastic conventions about
parrots in 2010, giving even greater opportunity to all
those who wish to learn more about these fascinating
birds, and also to bring themselves up-to-date with the
latest available information from experts in a broad
range of topics. The two conventions together will cover
issues relating to captive management, as well as the
management and conservation of parrots in the wild, and
have been organised one immediately after the other to
give maximum opportunity to the many persons who are
interested in all subjects. The pre-programmes follow this
announcement, and there will also be a series of practical
workshops in captive management.
psittacines. The internationally recognised speakers are
all well experienced in the topics they will present. In
Spanish, English, German and French.
I. International Convention on the Conservation
of Psittacidae: Science, Policy and Practice 20th – 22nd September
VII. International Parrot Convention - 22nd 25th September
This seventh convention, in the series which began in
1986, continues the tradition of uniting persons with
an interest in parrots worldwide, in an exciting and
intensive atmosphere to exchange information and ideas
for the benefit of the parrots themselves. Globally the
most important forum for the broadest discussions on
this family of birds, the seventh convention will again
combine aspects of aviculture with topics concerning the
conservation of parrots.
The convention will be of interest to all persons with an
interest in parrots and their well-being, and is especially
suitable for aviculturists, hobbyists and professionals
maintaining and attending parrots under controlled
conditions. Thus the convention will deal with key
aspects of management, care, breeding and welfare, with
the objective to continue making significant advances for
these widely-kept birds. The convention will also include
presentations on the study and management of parrots
in the wild, once again with the objective to highlight
the relevance of field and captive in the conservation of
Due mainly to human activities, many of the world’s
parrot species show declines in their wild populations and
face threats that require conservation measures. Other
species of parrots, both common and rare, take advantage
of human-induced habitat changes, but in doing so can
generate situations of conflict. So how can mankind
live alongside parrots in the modern world? To help
contribute answers, the Loro Parque Fundación will host
and organise this first convention dealing with scientific
and management issues that can improve our capacity to
study parrots for practical ends. Thus, the convention is
intended to help any person who needs to obtain sciencebased information to form a solid basis for the formulation
of policy affecting parrots, and/or for the implementation
of conservation or management measures.
This conference will be especially appropriate for
scientists and practitioners involved with field projects,
and government authorities with responsibilities for,
or affecting, the management and conservation of
Psittacidae. The programme is structured to provide time
for discussion and input from convention delegates. The
speakers, internationally recognised as experts in their
respective disciplines and directly experienced with
Psittacidae, will combine their personal experiences with
a broader treatment of their topic. The compilation of
presentations will provide the most timely and relevant
information for practical use, and set a benchmark against
which to measure future advances in the conservation of
the Psittacidae. In Spanish and English.
More information at www.loroparque-fundacion.org, or
email: congreso2010@loroparque.com, or telephone: +34
922 374081, ext: 217.
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www.loroparque-fundacion.org
email: congreso2010@loroparque.com
PRE-PROGRAMM
VII INTERNATIONAL PARROT CONVENTION
22-25 SEPTEMBER 2010
Wednesday, 22.09
19.00 h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20:00 h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inauguration speech of Mr. Wolfgang Kiessling
General Administrator, Loro Parque, Spain
Welcome Cocktail in the Gardens of the Hotel Botánico
Invitation by Loro Parque
Thursday, 23.09
08:30 h | 09:15 h
09:20 h | 10:05 h
10:10 h | 10:55 h
10:55 h | 11:30 h
11:30 h | 12:15 h
12:20 h | 13:05 h
13:10 h | 13:55 h
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Dr. Franz Robiller . . . . . . . . . .
Dr. Matthias Reinschmidt . . . . . .
Rafael Zamora . . . . . . . . . . .
Coffee break and press conference
Dr. Irene Pepperberg . . . . . . . .
Olivier Chassot . . . . . . . . . . .
Jos Hubers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . Reminiscence of Dr. Romuald Burkard
. . . Breeding rare parrots at the LPF
. . . Innovations in Parrot keeping
. . . Cognitive and communicative abilities of Grey Parrots
. . . Great Green Macaw conservation in Costa
. . . Care and breeding of lories
Friday, 24.09, at the Convention Centre Magma
09:15 h | 10:00 h
10:05 h | 10:50 h
10:50 h | 11:20 h
11:20 h | 12:05 h
12:10 h | 12:55 h
13:00 h | 13:45 h
13:50 h | 14:35 h
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Dr. Petra Wolf. .
Eric Anthonise . .
Pausa para el café
Mauricio Herrero
Simon Jensen . .
Roland Seitre . .
Juan Cornejo. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Parrot nutrition
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Commercial parrot breeding in the USA
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Heiner Müller . . . . . . . . . . . .
Matt Baird . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dr. Yara Barros . . . . . . . . . . .
Coffee break and press conference
Xavier Viader . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alan Lieberman . . . . . . . . . . .
Dr. David Waugh . . . . . . . . . .
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Blue-throated Macaw conservation in Bolivia
Group breeding of some parrot species
The world’s best sites to watch and photo parrots
Captive-breeding of parrots in Mexico
Saturday, 25.09
08:30 h | 09:15 h
09:20 h | 10:05 h
10:10 h | 10:55 h
10:55 h | 11:30 h
11:30 h | 12:15 h
12:20 h | 13:05 h
13:10 h | 13:55 h
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. . . Parrot health management
. . . Breeding of Australian parrots
. . . Conservation of Spix’s and Lear’s Macaws
. . . Care and breeding of African Grey Parrots
. . . Translocation and conservation of Rimatara Lorikeets
. . . Saving parrots from extinction
On the 23rd and 25th from 15:00 h
Visits to the LPF Breeding Center
WINING & DINING
23.09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24.09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25.09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Organized by
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15:00 h
19:00 h
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free disposition
free entry to Siam Park
Beach Party with Snack
Gala Dinner
In collaboration with
Loro Parque and Loro Parque Fundación, Avda. Loro Parque sn, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain � Tlf.: 0034 922 374 081 � Fax: 0034 922 375 021
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PRE-PROGRAMM
1.
email: congreso2010@loroparque.com � www.loroparque-fundacion.org
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION
OF PSITTACIDAE: SCIENCE, POLICY AND PRACTICE
20-22 SEPTEMBER 2010
Monday, 20.09 | Hotel Botánico, Garden
19.00 h | 19:15 h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inauguration by Wolfgang Kiessling
President, Loro Parque and Loro Parque Foundation, Spain
19:15 h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ice-breaker
Tuesday, 21.09 | Hotel Botánico, Sala Gran Teide
08:30 h | 08:55 h . . . . . . . Introduction speech
Speaker to be announced
09:00 h | 09:45 h . . . . . . . The status of and threats to the world’s Psittacidae: an overview and update
Nigel Collar, BirdLife International and University of Cambridge, UK
09:59 h | 10:35 h . . . . . . . Monitoring, censusing and habitat assessment
Stuart Marsden, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
10:35 h | 10:55 h . . . . . . . Debate
10:55 h | 11:25 h . . . . . . . Coffee break
11:25 h | 12:10 h . . . . . . . Telemetry studies and habitat use assessment
Robin Bjork, SalvaNATURA, El Salvador
12:15 h | 13:00 h . . . . . . . Resource requirements of psittacines: nest sites and diet
Katherine Renton, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico
13:00 h | 13:20 h . . . . . . . Debate
13:20 h | 14:45 h . . . . . . . Lunch
14:45 h | 15:30 h . . . . . . . Nest-boxes and nest repairs as conservation tools
Alonso Quevedo, Fundación ProAves, Colombia
15:35 h | 16:20 h . . . . . . . How captive management can and must contribute to parrot conservation
David Waugh, Loro Parque Fundación, España
16:20 h | 16:40 h . . . . . . . Debate
16:40 h | 17:25 h . . . . . . . Conserving parrots within and outside of protected areas: the principal management issues
Paul Salaman, World Land Trust-US, USA
17:30 h | 18:15 h . . . . . . . Conservation of parrots threatened by introduced and invasive species
Jörn Theuerkauf, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
18:15 h | 18:35 h . . . . . . . Debate
Wednesday, 22.09 | Hotel Botánico, Sala Gran Teide
08:30 h | 09:15 h . . . . . . . Parrot reintroductions
Thomas White, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USA
09:20 h | 10:05 h . . . . . . . Ecotourism and parrot conservation
Donald Brightsmith, Texas A&M University, USA
10:05 h | 10:25 h . . . . . . . Debate
10:25 h | 10:55 h . . . . . . . Coffee break
10:55 h | 11:40 h . . . . . . . Parrots as conservation ambassadors: outreach, education and campaigning
Indira Lacerna-Widmann, Katala Foundation Inc., Philippines
11:45 h | 12:30 h . . . . . . . Parrot conservation funding: from external to self-sustainable?
Jorgen Thomsen, The MacArthur Foundation, USA
12:30 h | 12:50 h . . . . . . . Debate
12:50 h | 13:00 h . . . . . . . Declaration/resolution about the conservation of Psittacidae
13:00 h | 14:00 h . . . . . . . Lunch
14:00 h | 18:00 h . . . . . . . Visits to the conservation breeding centre of the Loro Parque Fundación / other activities
19:00 h . . . . . . . . . . . . Farewell cocktail
(together with VII International Parrot Congress welcome cocktail in the garden of the Hotel Botánico)
Convention Proceedings
It is anticipated that the proceedings of the spoken presentations will be published in a peer-reviewed publication.
Poster Session
A poster session directly related to the theme of the convention is an expected.
Organized by
In collaboration with
Loro Parque and Loro Parque Fundación, Avda. Loro Parque sn, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain � Tlf.: 0034 922 374 081 � Fax: 0034 922 375 021
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LP/SP NEWS
Wolfgang Kiessling, President of Loro Parque S.A., receives the
Gold Medal for Extraordinary Merits in Tourism
On Thursday 10th December 2009, Wolfgang Kiessling
(President of Loro Parque S.A. and Loro Parque
Fundación) was awarded with the Gold Medal for
Extraordinary Merits in Tourism by the Spanish Council
of Ministers. He has been decorated for his long-term
and intensive efforts regarding leisure and tourism of the
island of Tenerife during the last 40 years.
This prize has been awarded not long after Loro Parque
opened its new and great attraction – Katandra Treetops – in
a year that has been characterized by the worldwide financial
crisis that directly hit the tourism sector. As well effort for
innovation, other highlights are respect for the environment
and the improvement of quality in all the companies that
have been led by this 72 year old German businessman,
who is an adopted son of Tenerife and also of the city of
Puerto de la Cruz. These efforts have received decorations at
different national and international levels, for example with
the Prince Felipe Prize for Business Excellence. So this Gold
Medal is an important distinction and a great incentive to
continue working hard for the progress of the tourism sector
and consequently for society in general.
In the presence of Joan Mesquida, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Mr
Kiessling receives his Gold Medal from a representative of the Ministry of
Industry, Tourism and Commerce in Alcalá de Henares.
Loro Parque forms a new pair of Jaguars with a
female coming from Germany
On World Animal Day, Loro Parque has brought together a
new pair of Jaguars (Panthera onca), extending its family of
large mammals with a 9 year old female who comes from
a German Zoo. This elegant and beautiful specimen called
Negra has connected perfectly with the male Yellow. He
was born at Loro Parque 13 years ago, from the first pair of
Jaguars in this renowned zoological garden.
Negra and Yellow have been kept close to each other for 30
days, but without direct contact. During this acclimatisation
period the animals were located in two adjacent exhibits,
so that they could adapt and get to know each other very
well. After this first period, and under the supervision of
the keepers and veterinarians, the two jaguars were brought
together in a large exhibit which Loro Parque provides
for them, and within which the visitors can appreciate the
excellent relationship between the two animals.
The Jaguar belongs to the genus Panthera, being the only
member that can be found in America. It is the third largest
wild cat in the world, after the tiger and lion, and plays
an important role in the stabilization of the ecosystem,
because it regulates the populations of the species it hunts.
He has the most powerful jaws of any wild feline, and the
greatest weight in relation to the head, which gives its
distinctive profile.
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Currently, the Jaguar is considered to be a threatened species,
and the number of wild specimens is gradually decreasing.
Among the factors that threaten it include the loss and
fragmentation of his habitat. Although international trade in
Jaguars is banned, they continue to be killed, especially in
conflicts with ranchers and farmers in South America.
The EC refers Spain to the EU Court
concerning the zoos of eleven
autonomous regions
On the 29th of June, the European Commission (EC) referred
Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU)
on the grounds that zoos in eleven autonomous regions,
including the Canary Islands, do not comply with EU rules
on the care of animals. The Commission concluded that zoos
violate the rules in Asturias, Aragón, Baleares, Cantabria,
Canarias, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Extremadura,
Galicia, Murcia and Valencia. Brussels has decided to refer
Spain to the European court in response to complaints from
NGOs that have complained that in Spanish zoos the rules on
LP/SP NEWS
the protection of animals were not being respected. The EC
opened file on Spain in 2007 for this reason and in 2008 sent a
reasoned opinion (second step in infringement proceedings)
for the “poor implementation” of standards for licensing,
inspections or proceedings in cases of failure to satisfy the
operating permit conditions. The powers to regulate zoos
belong to the regions, but the EC wrote to the Government
because it is the interlocutor to the institutions of the EU.
Loro Parque has always respected the rules on the protection
of animals and the professional management of zoos. It
maintains the highest standards, as a member of the World,
European and Iberian Associations of Zoos and Aquariums,
and also the first zoo in the world with the environmental
certification “Biosphere Park - Animal Embassy”, awarded
by the Institute of Responsible Tourism.
Wolfgang Kiessling receives regional award of
“Entrepreneur of the Year” of Ernst & Young
The president of Loro Parque, Wolfgang Kiessling, has been
named winner of the “Entrepreneur of the Year 2009” award
at the regional level from the international consultants in
business services Ernst & Young. The jury’s decision was
announced on the 26th of November by the representative
and partner of Ernst & Young in the Canary Islands, Andrew
Perera Carballo, at a luncheon held at the Oliver Club of Santa
Cruz de Tenerife, attended by various personalities from the
Canarian business sector. Never before, in this severe crisis
that is hitting the tourism sector, has the importance for the
economy been shown of the work and effort of businessmen
and entrepreneurs who, like Mr. Kiessling, have managed to
circumvent the various economic constraints with creativity,
effort and constant improvement. This award, which
originated 23 years ago in the USA and is currently being held
in fifty countries on five continents, is the most prestigious
award known in the international arena that rewards work
and activity of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial firms.
Mr Kiessling receives his award from Mr Perera.
The Tegueste Third-Age Centre celebrates a “Tenderete”
in Loro Parque
Recently, Loro Parque celebrated the grand party
“Tenderete”, with over 50 senior citizens from the Tegueste
Third-age Centre. At this fun festival, residents of this town
enjoyed a typical Canarian day of togetherness, with a big
warm welcome from the staff of the restaurant “Casa Pepe”
of Loro Parque, who honoured these elders with a traditional
menu, consisting of ribs with potatoes, local wine, cheese
and other tasty local dishes. This initiative has already been
enjoyed by several neighbourhood associations throughout
the island, who decided to enjoy a special day surrounded by
beauties of nature.
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LP/SP NEWS
Hotel Botánico and Loro Parque plump for
As in every year, the Hotel Botanico is organising in
collaboration with Loro Parque a children’s programme with a
big variety of learning activities, for those children who spend
their holidays with their families in the hotel. Kinder aventura
is an initiative which has been held successfully for many years
to promote family vacations in the hotel, because while the
parents rest in the Oriental Spa Garden, their children (from
4-12 years) can experience a wonderful day at Loro Parque
learning many things about animals.
family vacations
end of the programme. In addition, the children have the right
to special seats during the orca, sea lion, dolphin and parrot
shows and access to the private facilities of the park. For more
information please visit the website www.hotelbotanico.com.
These activities take place under the supervision of
professional, multilingual carers. During the visit to Loro
Parque, the children can prepare the food for parrots, tigers,
birds or even monkeys, among others. Kinder aventura
recently signed-up to the Family Welcome brand which was
launched by the Tourism Board of the Canarian Government.
The kids also have the possibility to search for treasure, make
photographic safaris, watch gorillas and visit the backstage
of the park, where many secrets of the most beautiful zoo in
Europe will be unveiled. The visits, with a different theme
each day, are from 10.00 to 15.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00 and
they include the transport to the park and a certificate at the
The animals of Loro Parque celebrate Halloween with
pumpkins filled with tasty fruit and tid-bits
The animal family of Loro Parque is celebrating the end of
October weekend with the famous Anglo-Saxon Halloween
party, with pumpkins full of goodies and with strange shapes
which will surprise the visitors. The pumpkins, placed in the
different animal exhibits, have been filled with the favourite
treats of each species, thus offering to the different animals
a distinct sensory experience. By means of these activities,
the park’s veterinarians and biologists have increased the
environmental enrichment for the animals in a playful and
engaging way, and alluding to the festival of the 31st of
October.
Honey, nuts and fruits have been used to entertain the newly
arrived two-toed sloths, the twelve White-faced marmosets,
the turtles and iguanas, which all live together in a tropical
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ecosystem from Central and South America. No less appetizing
are the meat-filled pumpkins, which the tigers and jaguars
have enjoyed, as well as vegetarian pumpkins prepared solely
for the Galapagos Island tortoises. Also worth mentioning are
the intelligent chimps, surprised but also curious because of
the different facial expressions of the pumpkins.
Even though Halloween is a celebration that comes from
the Celtic culture and is celebrated mainly in America, Loro
Parque has decided to share this cultural practice with its
visitors by offering a unique chance to watch how the animals
behave with this sensory experience. On this occasion, not
only do the children dress-up to go in search of sweets, but
also our various animal families lick their lips with these
natural delights, and no trick in return.
LP/SP NEWS
Loro Parque inaugurates its new and spectacular attraction
Katandra Treetops
Loro Parque, one of the finest environmental and zoological
parks in the world, continues to expand its leisure offering with
surprising innovations to delight its visitors, and on the 24th
of September it launched its latest and majestic attraction,
Katandra Treetops, meaning song birds in the treetops, in
Australian aboriginal language. This is Loro Parque paying
homage to nature, returning to its roots, the birds, nearly 38
years after opening its doors for the first time.
The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the
Government of the Canary Islands, Paulino Rivero Baute,
President of the Tenerife Cabildo, Ricardo Melchior and the
mayoress of Puerto de la Cruz, Dolores Padrón, among other
authorities who also attended the event.
This is one of the most impressive and largest free-flight
aviaries on the planet, where visitors can enter, climb the
bridge to over 27 m height, and look directly in the eyes the
more than 100 different species and subspecies of birds from
Australia and Asia.
Colourful lories, cockatoos, kookaburras, pheasants, thrushes
and fruit doves, among many other birds, are the stars of
this wonderful aviary, in which a mysterious tropical rain
forest enshrouds visitors and captivates the senses. The
humidity of Australasia moisture, the light and shadows,
and the eucalyptus and caramel aromas combine with lush
tropical jungle, in a unique environment specially designed
by German architects and experts who stayed in Tenerife to
carry out its construction.
Marvels of the air, earth and water
Among the species that inhabit Katandra Treetops one can
highlight, among many others, over 100 specimens of lory
species and subspecies, which attract attention for their intense
and varied colours, up to 5 different colours in a single bird.
Furthermore, the special tongue of these birds, thanks to its
rough texture, allows them to feed on the nectar and pollen
of flowers, an activity that can be seen from the high bridge
in between Eucalyptus, Indian laurels and thick vegetation
which adorns the exhibition, and which has maintained the
original trees of the zone.
Among other striking birds, Katandra Treetops is home to
species that live in the lower areas of the enclosure such as
partridges, Crowned pigeons and Golden pheasants which,
together with its distinctive laughing kookaburras and elegant
herons make this aviary a melting pot of sounds and confirm
the authenticity of his name. Besides the great bridge, there
are also boardwalks, platforms and stairs included for visitors
who so wish, and can truly enjoy bird-watching at really
unimagined heights, and observe behaviour in the nests, the
free flight within the enclosure and finding odd or fancy fruit
hidden among the vegetation.
Pink cockatoos, Asian parakeets, tropical pigeons and even
Mandarin Ducks will give life and colour to the lake in the
centre of the exhibit, which will become a mirror thanks to
the rays of light illuminating it through the trees.
9
LP/SP NEWS
For the construction of Katandra Treetops an endless steel
array of especially created complex pieces has been used,
including the brackets, rings and pillars that comprise a
stainless steel structure of 21 tons responsible for supporting
the mesh of 3000 m2 and up to 27 meters at the highest points,
which creates a huge space for free flight of 17,000 m3 (the
same volume as the Paris Opera).
Katandra Treetops is also designed as an area of environmental
enrichment in which the Loro Parque Fundación can carry out
diverse educational activities, interactive videoconferencing
on-line and species identification workshops, for children
from many schools to have the opportunity to discover the
wonders of this tropical forest ecosystem.
Loro Parque celebrated the beginning of summer with
the birth of a new Sea Lion
Loro Parque started the summer by extending its animal
family with the birth of a Californian Sea Lion. The little cub,
which when born weighed approximately 13 kg and was
being fed by its mother, is number 15 of the great group of
Sea Lions which lives at Loro Parque and has been breeding
successfully since 1989, thanks to the highest level of welfare
these sea mammals enjoy in their installations.
The little cub is a friendly male who spends most of his time with
his mother swimming and playing in the roomy installations
provided for it by Loro Parque. After up to one year of lactation
he will eat fish and become more independent.
The Californian Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) belong
to the seals and sea lions group, specifically to the family of
the eared seals, and they live on the coasts of the Northern
Pacific Ocean. They are characterised by the great difference
in size between males and females. While the males weigh
about 300 – 380 kg, the females weigh only 90 – 100 kg. They
eat fish and molluscs, and are the only mammals with lactose
free milk. They are very social and frisky, living in numerous
groups and interacting constantly.
Loro Parque and Siam Park present their candidates for Miss Norte 2009
The stadium of OrcaOcean was the chosen stage for the
presentation of the 25 candidates of Miss Norte 2009. The
event, which took place in the facility that the most important
Canarian zoo has for its orcas, also had the participation
of the Councillor of Festivals of the La Matanza city
council; Sandro Pérgola, the Director of the competition;
Deborah Aceituno, Miss Norte 2008, and the stylist and
choreographer Alberto Dugarte. The 25 candidates seized
the sunny day to take photos with the majestic orcas and to
enjoy a free day full of surprises. Furthermore, they had the
chance to visit the new attraction of Loro Parque, Katandra
Treetops, the great new attraction to surprise the young
and old. The Miss Norte gala took place on July 25th in
La Matanza, and the event took place in the context of the
festivals of this northern city. This year the 25 candidates
have participated representing various town halls and
private companies such as Loro Parque and Siam Park.
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LP/SP NEWS
Loro Parque and Siam Park receive a special
visit by the Princess of Thailand,
H. R. M. Chulabhorn Mahidol
the Princess visited Loro Parque where she honoured, at the
main entrance of the park, the bust of Prince Mahidol from
Thailand in commemoration of his visit to Tenerife in 1913.
Following this homage, she visited the whole park with her
royal entourage, guided by the President of Loro Parque,
Wolfgang Kiessling, who personally showed her the different
Loro Parque and Siam Park have received the visit of the Princess nooks and secrets of the park, and together they also enjoyed
of Thailand, Professor Dr. H. R. M. Chulabhorn Mahidol, who the dolphin and orca shows.
was in Tenerife during the 12th and 13th of July, 2009 for a
private visit, and has used the fine weather to visit the parks in
the Canary Islands that represent an authentic cultural reference
to the Kingdom of Thailand, and which were visited by her sister,
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, in 2008 for the inauguration
of Siam Park, the water park with aquatic attractions.
Princess Mahidol who has stayed in the Royal Suite of the Hotel
Botánico enjoyed the first day of her visit in the impressive
installations of Siam Park, with the outstanding beauty of its
architecture as well as the authencity of the architectural themes,
and the tropical gardens. The Director of the park, Christoph
Kiessling, guided her on an enjoyable visit, with detailed
explications about the attractions and their different decorative
aspects inspired by the beauty of Thailand. The following day,
Princess Chulaborn Mahidol with her husband and Mr and Mrs Kiessling
Their Royal Highnesses choose the Hotel Botánico for their stay in Tenerife
The Bill Clinton Suite was chosen by Their Royal Highnesses
of Spain, Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofia, during their
stay for the inauguration of the Grantecan Telescope in La
Palma. On their arrival, hundreds of supporters waited for
them in the streets bordering the Hotel Botánico, waving
banners and with high expectations because of the long
awaited visit of the Royals to Puerto de la Cruz.
Entering the Hotel, Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofia greeted
the President of Loro Parque and owner of Hotel Botánico,
Wolfgang Kiessling, as well as the mayor of Puerto de la
Cruz, Lola Padrón, and also members of the management
and staff of the hotel, who had prepared for the visit with
great enthusiasm and honour. Later the Royals joined the
scheduled dinner, sharing smiles and greetings with the rest
of the guests who offered them a warm applause.
The Secretary of State for Tourism, Joan Mesquida, visits Loro Parque
The Secretary of State for Tourism, Joan Mesquida, visited
as part of his official trip the most famous and awarded
zoo in Spain, Loro Parque. He was accompanied by the
Director General of Tourespaña, Mr. Antonio Bernabé,
the Government Commissioner, Mr. José Antonio Batista
Medina, the Mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, Mrs. Dolores Padrón
and the City Councillor for Tourism, Mrs. María José Ferrer.
They were all welcomed by the President of Loro Parque,
Mr. Wolfgang Kiessling and the management of the park.
During the visit, they answered the questions of the press,
were photographed and enjoyed the Orca show. The visit
ended at the site of the new attraction, Katandra Treetops,
which will be inaugurated the 24th of September.
Mr Kiessling and Mr Mesquida (first and second left)
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LPF NEWS
Loro Parque Fundación
increases to 850,000 euros its
spending on environmental projects in 2010
The Advisory Board of the Loro Parque Fundación has
decided, after two days of deliberation, to increase to 850,000
euros the amount it will spend on research and the pursuit of
environmental programmes in 20 countries worldwide. This
means a rise of 20,000 euros more than it has committed in
2009, and represents great confidence by the sponsors and
supporters of this foundation, given the difficult financial
and economic situation at the moment. This decision will
have a positive impact on the conduct of at least 29 projects
for species recovery, especially parrots, as well as on the
educational activities and protection of whales.
At this 14th Annual Meeting, which was held in Loro Parque,
various conservation experts and advisors, from public and
private corporate bodies at international level, analyzed and
discussed in detail the priorities of the proposals which had
been presented for projects, as well evaluating the results
of projects started in earlier years, in order to renew the
activities. In this regard, it is worth highlighting the success
achieved in breeding 1,112 chicks from 160 species and
subspecies of parrots.
In addition, research on immunology and bioacoustics of
whales will continue, conducted in collaboration with the
Universities of La Laguna and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Last but not least, the important economic contribution of the
sponsors of the Loro Parque Fundación, whose collaboration
is essential to accomplish all these environmental projects,
is fully recognised. Among the companies supporting the
initiatives are Kalise, Caja Madrid, Pepsi, Banca March,
Versele-Laga, World of TUI, Compañia Cervecera de
Canarias, Cepsa, Fontasol, Redisa, Embotelladora de
Canarias, Fonteide, ESHL, Fuente Alta, Cash & Carry, Dona,
Litogafía Romero, Abaxis, Ono, Netzing and many more.
Among the most important are two projects: one of them
aimed at the conservation of dolphins in the Mediterranean
and Atlantic, to which Loro Parque Fundación has committed
a total of 90,000 € in the next 4 years. Outside of the Canary
Islands, the project to highlight is dedicated to the protection
of the Blue-throated Macaw in Bolivia, which in 2010 will
have a budget of 85.000 €.
36 students of veterinary medicine choose Loro Parque to make
their practical courses
The Loro Parque has received 36 students of veterinary
medicine from the University of Giessen in Germany. The
students came to Tenerife to make a 15 day practical course
in the different departments for the maintenance and care of
the animals in Loro Parque. It is an internationally renowned
and certified zoo which leads in the fields of environmental
practice and welfare of animals, and has state-of-the-art
technology and scientific capability in collaboration with
experts and scientists worldwide.
interventions, learn about the procedures for identification
and examination of the animals, and furthermore get to know
the routines of feeding and medical controls.
This training event forms part of an arrangement that Loro
Parque has established with this well-known academic
institution, and which has been undertaken for 15 years,
with the intention to offer students of veterinary medicine
a possibility to observe and learn about the different species
of animals from all over the world, and are maintained in
Loro Parque.
During the two weeks of practical courses the young people,
aged between 20 and 26, can participate the hand-rearing
of parrots in special facilities, observe surgeries and clinical
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Veterinarian Dr Kirstin Oberhäusen instructs students
Famous Canarian artists finalize in Loro Parque the next presentation of
Expo-Orcas of the Loro Parque Fundación
Concluding the artistic work of Expo-Orcas, the versatile
and famous Canarian artists Ildefonso Aguilar, Elena
Lecuona, Anibal del Rosario and José Antonio Zárate, who
are committed to the environmental workof the Loro Parque
Foundation, finalized in Loro Parque the details of the next
presentation of Expo-Orcas, which will take place the 4th of
September in the culture centre TEA, Space of the Arts. In this
project the famous artists Pepe Dámaso, Carmen Cólogan, Iker
Muro, Luis Kerch and Gonzálo González have participated,
and have paid homage to Nature by artistically decorating 13
sculptures of orcas, within the project Expo-Orcas that Loro
Parque Foundation started in 2008.
In this initiative to create awareness about whales 6 social
collectives from all the islands have also participated, and
they were guided and supported by the afore-mentioned artists
who helped them to design 7 huge orca sculptures with diverse
designs, materials and techniques, for them to be exhibited
soon in certain municipalities of the Canary Islands.
This exhibition “Expo Orcas” aims to promote awareness in
Canarian society so it respects the protection of whales. This
will link the fields of environment and sustainable tourism
with culture and urban participation.
Thus these celebrated artists have adopted each sculpture
as their own, to artistically transform each sculpture, and
leaving on them the mark and inspiration that characterises
them as artists, hence producing truly unique and singular
sculptures with high symbolic content. Furthermore, all
the sculptures made by the artists have been donated to the
Loro Parque Fundación for the benefit of various projects
for the conservation of cetaceans. In this regard, 100% of
funds collected by this activity will go entirely to cetacean
conservation programmes within the Macaronesia Initiative.
Among the groups participating in this awareness project
are the Friends of Las Breñas Club, Lanzarote Shelter, the
University of La Laguna, and children, youth and senior
groups.
Loro Parque Fundación laments the death of Michael Jackson, one
of its most eminent members
Loro Parque Fundación laments the death of popular singer
Michael Jackson who, besides being a member of this
non-profit organization and having a known fondness for
animals, particularly primates, visited Loro Parque in 1993.
Michael Jackson came to Tenerife during the presentation of
his album Thriller, the best-selling album of all time, to give
a magnificent and majestic concert. During his stay on the
island, truly memorable are his steps through the gardens of
the Hotel Botanico, where he stayed with his entire team in
the Royal Suite.
Go West for Parrots! - A new book from Rosemary Low
For those interested in tropical birds, South America is a paradise. Rosemary Low’s journeys
to the Neotropics, starting in 1975 and spanning 33 years, are described in her new English
language book of 320 pages “Go West for Parrots!“. The emphasis is firmly on the parrots and
other birds and fauna, with a sprinkling of people, culture and adventures along the way.
Available from Insignis Publications, P.O.Box 100,Mansfield, Notts NG20 9NZ,UK. Tel:
+44 1623 846430.
Price GBP11.95 plus GBP3 postage UK, GBP5 Europe, rest of world
GBP8.50 airmail, GBP5 surface mail.
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A book by Julia and Roland Seitre
“Papageien Down Under”
As its title implies, “Papageien Down Under” is about
parrots in Australia, with text (in German) and photos by
Julia and Roland Seitre, a couple of the world’s leading
wildlife photographers, with a keen interest in parrots. As
expected, this book is lavishly illustrated with their unique
photos, and the text not only gives information about parrots
living in the wild, but also personal experience with them.
Roland Seitre will also be a speaker at the VII International
Parrot Convention in Tenerife, 22 – 25 September 2010,
where participants will also have the opportunity to see his
excellent photos. The hardcover book is published by ArndtVerlag, size 280 x 280 mm, with 160 pages and 300 colour
pictures, and priced at 39.80 euros.
Recent support to Loro Parque Fundación
A generous donation to the Loro Parque Fundación for the
conservation of threatened parrots came from Mr. Bernd
Schneider from Dresden, who recently presented to LPF a
cheque for 4.000 euros from his company Netzing Solutions
AG. This parrot friend has even used a Blue and Gold Macaw
for the logo of his company, which is active in the mobile phone
sector. The Vogelfreunde (bird friends) Achern e.V. also made
a donation during their annual fair in Germany, which was
attended by Inge Feier, who is voluntarily helping to represent
the foundation from time to time in these kinds of events. Mrs
Feier sold articles at the foundation stand, and the Vogelfreunde
Achern presented a cheque for 1.000 euros. Recently also the
director`s team of Banca March made a visit to our offices in
Loro Parque, and decided again this year to make a magnificent
five-figure euro donation. We give our deepest thanks to these
and all other supporters.
Netzing Solutions
Vogelfreunde Achern e.V.
Banca March
2010:
United Nations
International
Year of Biodiversity
You are an integral part of nature; your fate is tightly linked
with biodiversity, the huge variety of other animals and plants,
the places they live and their surrounding environments, all
over the world. You rely on this diversity of life to provide
you with the food, fuel, medicine and other essentials you
simply cannot live without. Yet this rich diversity is being
lost at a greatly accelerated rate because of human activities.
This impoverishes us all and weakens the ability of the living
systems, on which we depend, to resist growing threats such
as climate change.
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The United Nations has proclaimed 2010 to be the
International Year of Biodiversity (IYB), and people all over
the world are working to safeguard this irreplaceable natural
wealth and reduce biodiversity loss. This is vital for current
and future human well-being, but we all need to do more.
Now is the time to act, and the IYB is a unique opportunity
to increase understanding of the vital role that biodiversity
plays in sustaining life on Earth. During the IYB, the Loro
Parque Fundación will be making its contribution to conserve
biodiversity by directly supporting 31 projects, many of
which will be to protect species and habitats in the most
biodiverse regions of the world. The LPF and Loro Parque
will also be helping indirectly through their collaboration
with official partners of the IYB, such as the Convention
on Migratory Species (CMS) and the World Association of
Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
News from the parrot collection
September: As the parrot breeding high season is coming to its
end, we have registered a higher number of ringed chicks than in the
middle of September last year. We are especially happy to announce the
repeated hatch of two young Pesquet’s Parrots (Psittrichas fulgidus).
They are now growing together with their two siblings in the BabyStation of Loro Parque. Thus, we are very proud to have produced four
youngsters of this zoological rarity in this year, given that this particular
parrot species is held in very few zoos worldwide and is very rarely
bred.
Psittrichas fulgidus
Some days ago, the first Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta
pachyrhyncha) of the season hatched, after the pair had unfortunately
broken the first egg by throwing it onto the floor. The second egg was
taken out of the nest immediately after it had been laid and artificially
incubated, and now this youngster is also growing in the Baby-Station.
The female laid a third egg which we left her to incubate, in order to
allow her to practice and to prove her natural rearing methods and
abilities.
We have registered a very interesting entry from the USA. In the
framework of the international breeding programme, we received
from “Busch Gardens” in Tampa, Florida two adult Lear’s Macaws
(Anodorhynchus leari). At the beginning of the 1980s, Busch Gardens
was successful in breeding this species for the first time ever and
two young females were raised, and have remained living in Tampa.
However, as a partner for each of them has never been found, it was
decided to hand them over to Loro Parque Fundaciónn (and at the
same time give the ownership to the Government of Brazil), which
has been very successful in the breeding programme and will do its
best with them within this programme. The LPF President himself, Mr.
Wolfgang Kiessling, brought them on his recent journey from America
to Tenerife, and both macaws are at present in quarantine. After that
it is foreseen to pair them with young males bred by the Loro Parque
on foundations that reach down to 16 meters below ground in order
to assure its resistance in case of extreme storms. Walkways and a
hanging bridge lead through and over the treetops, making it possible
for the visitors to get an in-depth view into the life and behavior of
all the different bird species which live here together. These include
parrot species such as the spectacular Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger
aterrimus), Pesquet´s Parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus), Moluccan Cockatoo
(Cacatua moluccensis), Ducorp’s Cockatoo (Cacatua ducorpsi), Galah
(Eolophus roseicapillus) and New Guinea Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus
roratus polychlorus), all of which are represented in pairs, and parrot
species such as Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella), Superb Parrot
(Polytelis swainsonii), Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius), Swift
Parrot (Lathamus discolor), Red-capped Parrot (Purpuricephalus
spurius), Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and other numerous
Australasian lory species.
Pyrrhura griseipectus
Anodorhynchus leari
Foundation. With these two new specimens the number of Lear’s
Macaws held in the Loro Parque Foundation goes up to 17.
October: At the moment, Loro Parque is still enjoying the recent
opening of “Katandra Treetops”. As says the separate article on this
new walk-through free-flight aviary, since the 24th of September this
has been open to the public. The architectonical challenge was taken on
by the German Construction Company Carl Stahl from Stuttgart, and
was finished in two years. An important number of mature trees such
as eucalyptus, fig and palm trees have been integrated into the aviary
in order to create an authentic Australian –Asiatic jungle atmosphere.
The aviary is sustained by 17 pylons, themselves being constructed
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The real stars of the aviary are without any doubt the lories which present themselves in big
flocks of different species, displaying the great colours of the tropics and surprising the visitors
with their daring flight maneouvres right above their heads. And when they land on the visitors’
heads, shoulders or on their stretched hands, they prove the big confidence they have in people.
Nearly all the feeding sites are visible to the visitors so that they can observe all the different
species while eating. Of course, the free flight of the birds has amazed people most of all, who
are confirming us every day that the new aviary has been a great idea which has turned itself into
another special and spectacular attraction at Loro Parque.
November: The 2009 annual Board Meeting of the LPF which took place in October is
reported in a separate article, but it is worth mentioning here that one of the field projects to benefit
will be for the conservation of the Grey-breasted Parakeet (Pyrrhura griseipectus), previously
considered as a subspecies of the White-eared Parakeet (Pyrrhura leucotis griseipectus). This
is why it is even more important to protect his small population, which lives in a tiny area of
Ceará State, North Brazil, in order to protect and recuperate it. Furthermore, during the last few
years we have established a population consisting of five pairs of Grey-breasted Parakeet in
the LPF Breeding Centre in La Vera, Tenerife, which have already bred and raised ten chicks
successfully. This is the first step towards setting-up a genetic reserve of this species, which
should also motivate other breeders to give some more attention to this very rare and attractive
Pyrrhura species.
The LPF parrot collection has two sensational newcomers. It is increasingly harder to find parrot
species and subspecies which are not represented in the LPF collection, and this is why we
are especially happy to welcome the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus robustus), an African
Parrot subspecies which is very rarely found in captivity. In Europe, only the Zoo of Mulhouse in
France has had a small breeding group of this species so far. By means of an exchange for other
parrots, we were able to acquire four individuals from this zoo. Together with the Brown-necked
Parrot (Poicephalus r. fuscicollis) and the Grey-headed Parrot (Poicephalus r. suahelicus), LPF
now maintains the three largest representatives of the genus Poicephalus. A pair of Bolivian
Military Macaws (Ara militaris boliviana) also gives us very interesting newcomers. This
very rarely kept subspecies distinguishes itself from the nominate form (militaris) through its
distinctive red-brownish bib. Our young breeding pair of this subspecies was acquired from a
Spanish Breeding station.
Poicephalus r. robustus
Ara militaris boliviana
¡Siam Shark!
Since the beginning of November we have been able to enjoy
one of the most stunning attractions in Siam Park. We are
referring to the change in the aquarium exhibit of the Tower
of Power, which now houses a group of sharks. Thus, for
some visitors the speed reached on the 28 meters high slide is
not enough when passing through the acrylic cylinder where
they see the sharks. The same applies to the visitors floating
along the Lazy River, who now wish that it would not be so
slow as they pass along the tunnel through the aquarium.
The sharks that live together are four Grey Nurse Sharks
(Carcharias taurus), two Black-tipped Reef Sharks
(Carcharhinus melanopterus), four Nurse Sharks
(Ginglymostoma cirratum) and four Common Stingrays
(Dasyatis pastinaca), to which will be added an additional
eight Black-tipped Reef Sharks and four Common Stingrays
in January 2010.
In addition to specimens that so far have lived on the premises
of Loro Parque, we can add some sharks from an aquarium
in Fuerteventura which closed its doors, giving them a new
home and a new family and friends. The two transportations
undertaken lasted 19 hours until all the animals had entered
their quarantine tank and were completely acclimated,
obtaining a 100% survival in the whole process. In total, four
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transportations were made from Loro Parque to Siam Park, of
5 hours and with the same successful outcome.
Without any doubt the new home for the sharks is a suitable
environment for the different species of elasmobranchs,
which may even get to reproduce successfully due to, among
other factors, the solar and lunar illumination that positively
influence sexual stimuli of the sharks. They will be closely
monitored to check the different behaviours associated with
reproduction.
Loro Parque Fundación
Annual Report 2008
Record amount of 750,000 euros committed to projects
Unprecedented breeding success of Lear’s Macaws
Rescued animals as educational ambassadors
LPF support improves protection of cetaceans off western Africa
The Loro Parque Fundación (LPF), with headquarters in Loro Parque, Tenerife, Spain,
operates internationally to conserve threatened species and their habitats, through
education, applied research, responsible breeding programmes, and communitybased conservation activities that use these species as ambassadors for nature.
These flagship species are parrots on land and cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in
the oceans. These animals have characteristics, such as interesting behaviours and
bright colours, which easily attract the attention of people, making them effective
emblems to increase support for environmental protection locally and globally.
Due to project actions, this species also
reached 1,000 in its wild population,
and was down-listed from Critically
Endangered to Endangered.
The “Year of the Dolphin” (YoD) was
extended into 2008 and, as an official
partner of the Convention on Migratory
Species (CMS), LPF developed activities
for cetacean conservation throughout the
year. This included being represented at
the WATCH II (Western African Talks on
Cetaceans and Their Habitat) conference,
which resulted in a signed MOU for
better protection of small cetaceans. In
collaboration with the Society for the
In continuation of its aim to increase its commitment to conservation, allied with
its the habitual prudent management of its resources, the LPF was able in 2008 to
destine the record amount of 750,000 euros for activities resulting in the protection
of species and their habitats, working hand-in-hand with many local partners.
Conservation of species and habitats in the wild
The projects in the wild of the LPF encompass many activities, including applied
research, measures to protect and restore the parrots and their habitats, and the
participation of local communities in environmental education and sustainable
development. In 2008, the LPF conducted 22 in situ projects for the management and
conservation of wild populations of threatened parrots.
The projects for threatened species of mainly Andean parrots in Colombia, in
partnership with Fundación ProAves, continued to make impressive gains. The
critically endangered Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis) had another year
of producing many fledged juveniles, and the total population increased to 1,000
birds for the first time. Given that the total was only 81 birds in 1999, the recovery
has been spectacular, due entirely to the innovative project, which rates as the most
successful of its kind in the Americas. A similar success was attained by Philippine
Cockatoo Conservation Programme, which in 2008 celebrated its 10 year anniversary.
Again due entirely to the project, the population of Cacatua haematuropygia in its
stronghold of Rasa Island exceeded 200 birds, a ten-fold increase over the ten years.
In quite remarkable ways, these projects have co-opted the local communities into
the protection of their parrot species, providing people with livelihood opportunities
to favour the parrots instead of threaten them. This is also the case with the new
phase of the project to protect the 1,563 km2 Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in
Thailand, which this year expanded help to farmers for sustainable cattle-raising and
bamboo cultivation, thereby reducing pressure on the wildlife. Furthermore, the LPF
President presented to the Department of National Parks a vehicle donated by LPF for
improvement of the patrols and monitoring of the reserve.
Protection of Marine Mammals, LPF
supported the conservation of the Baltic
Harbour Porpoise population, which
suffers many pressures. The LPF also
recuperated several injured Loggerhead
Turtles (Caretta caretta), and a Grey
Seal (Halichoerus grypus) rescued
in Morroco, and eight months later
successfully returned it to the Atlantic in
northern Spain.
Back in the New World, the use of nest-boxes to boost populations of several
threatened endemic species of Pyrrhura in projects in Colombia and Ecuador showed
how appropriate this technique is for the genus. The El Oro and White-necked
Parakeet Pyrrhura orcesi and P. albipectus of Ecuador deserve special mention. In
the neighbouring country, the LPF signed an agreement with the Government of
Perú to help conserve the Grey-cheeked Parakeet Brotogeris pyrrhopterus and the
Blue-headed Macaw Propyrrhura couloni. Help for the Lear’s Macaw in north-east
Brazil continued, especially to improve protection of the expanded 1,477 ha reserve
in Canudos, managed by Fundação Biodiversitas, and to develop an ecotourism plan.
1
Management of parrots in captivity
The LPF owns and manages the world’s largest, most diverse
parrot collection, and maintains this unique genetic reserve in
its own breeding centre. It is used to improve parrot welfare
and conservation, and for environmental education, through the
exhibition of parrots in Loro Parque.
In the year, 1,110 parrot chicks of 173 species and subspecies
were leg-ringed, in every case a process supervised and
registered by the CITES authority of Spain. The successful
breeding included a high proportion of species threatened
in the wild or rarely found in captivity, including the Scalynaped Amazon (Amazona mercenaria), Blue-headed Macaw
(Propyrrhura couloni), Pesquet’s Parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus)
and Lear’s Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari). The two pairs of
the latter species, on deposit from the Brazilian Government,
bred again in their second year in our centre, producing four
chicks. The Lear’s Macaws can now be accommodated in the
isolated area constructed in 2007 for Spix’s Macaws, because
during 2008 an entirely new and separate breeding facility was
built for the letter species, affording the most appropriate and
secure conditions that exist. A male proven to breeding in our
facilities was returned to us from a centre in Germany at the end
of the year, ready to pair again with his former mate. In June,
LPF hosted the EAZA Regional Collection Planning meeting
for parrots.
Awareness and education
Our education department sustained and increased its activities,
especially within the formal agreement between the LPF and
the Ministry of Education of the Canary Islands’ Government.
Using the internet as an important channel of communication,
the video-conferences between the LPF and schools and
other centres took on a much greater momentum. The videoconferences encompassed a variety of subjects, which included
showing the rescued turtles in our aquarium facilities, and
Humphrey, the Grey seal that was later released. The videoconferences were mainly with schools in the Canary Islands and
peninsula Spain, but also went as far as Germany and Thailand.
Despite the advantages of video-conferences to bring into each
school the real-time images of live animals in Loro Parque,
it should be mentioned that many schools also made a direct
educational visit to the park. Of the other educational activities
taking place, one special event was a conference about Climate
Change.
2
Research and training
The LPF has for many years supported various initiatives to
discover the causal agent of PDD (Proventricular Dilatation
Disease) and this year conducted a survey of top researchers to
define the current state of knowledge. The survey results just
preceded the discovery by a research group of a new virus,
Avian Bornavirus, as the potential causal agent of PDD. The
other main research projects were a continuation from recent
years, including immunology and bioacoustics of Orcas
(Orcinus orca) with the University of La Laguna, and the Orca
diet using isotopes, with the CIRCE research group. The study
of the haematology and biochemistry of stranded Loggerhead
Turtles (Caretta caretta) in order to improve survival completed
its second with the University of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.
In addition to the researchers, the LPF hosted 58 students who
undertook longer-term periods of training to gain practical
experience. In September 25 veterinary students from the
University of Giessen attended a three-week course which
also gave the opportunity for practice as well as theory. The
10th Parrot Workshop especially for breeders took place in the
German language.
Recognitions and relations
In the south of Tenerife in September Siam Park, a new and
leading water park associated with Loro Parque, opened its
doors, and has since become an important supporter of the LPF.
In June the LPF held its second Benefit Dinner, a prestigious
event attended by 600 people, and opened with a piano recital by
the renowned Luis Ascot. More than 50,000 euros were raised
from this event for the conservation activities of the LPF. The
LPF breeding centre received an eminent visitor in September,
H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindorn of Thailand, who
not only showed great interest in the parrots, but also in our
educational activities which she witnessed on her visit to Loro
Parque. The LPF had the good fortune to enlist as ambassadors,
Frank Elstner, German TV personality, and Hardy Krüger Jr.,
actor. They join existing ambassadors Brian May, guitarist, Boris
Izaguirre, TV personality and Su Zhigang, Chinese entrepreneur.
The activities of the LPF were frequently broadcast by the
German TV channel VOX, and 156 of our articles about parrots
and conservation were published in 26 journals in 16 countries.
THE LORO PARQUE FUNDACIÓN PEOPLE
President
Wolfgang Kiessling, President , Loro Parque S.A.
Honorary Vice-Presidents
Dr Wolfgang Grummt - Animal Park Friedrichsfelde, Berlin,
Germany
Dr Wolf Michael Iwand - Director, Department of Corporate
Environmental Management, Tui AG, Germany
Dr Jorgen B Thomsen - Senior Vice-President, Conservation
International; Executive Director, Critical Ecosystems Partnership
Fund, USA
Board of Advisors:
Dr Tomás de Azcárate y Bang - Head of Sustainable Development,
Ministry of Environment, Canary Islands, Spain
Dr Susan L Clubb - Avian Veterinarian, Hurricane Aviaries, USA
Dr Nigel J Collar- Leventis Fellow in Conservation Biology,
Cambridge University, BirdLife International, England
Povl Jorgensen - Aviculturist, Denmark
Dr Ian R Swingland - Emeritus Professor Conservation Biology;
Founder, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, England
Roland Wirth - President and Founder, Zoological Society for the
Conservation of Species and Populations, Germany
Board of Trustees
Wolfgang Kiessling, Brigitte Kiessling, Christoph Kiessling,
Isabell Kiessling, Jaime Rodríguez Cíe
Staff
Dr David Waugh, Director, Dr Javier Almunia, Deputy Director,
Dr Matthias Reinschmidt, Curator of Birds, Rafael Zamora, Asst.
Curator, Dr Sara Capelli, Dr Heinrich Müller, Dr Kirstin Oberhäuser,
Veterinary Department, Ruth Batista, María Fernández, Education
Department, Nicole Hategan, Secretary
3
Statement of Financial Activities 2008
Income
2008 (€) 2007 (€)
A. Donations Loro Parque: Conservation and breeding activities
435.551
408.091
+ 6,7
39.311
40.140
-
D. Net sales of surplus parrots for conservation benefit
393.845
309.945
+ 27,1
E. Net sales of promotional items for conservation benefit
314,256
350.555
- 10,4
F. Donations from sponsors, members, founders, other income
714.054
1.007.155
- 29,1
G. Bank interest
272.386
223.130 + 22,0
2.169.403
2.339.017
-
7,3
H. Support to education, research and conservation projects
649.578
669.814
-
3,1
I. Conservation, breeding, education and research costs:
Personnel and administration
757.678
662.525
+ 14,4
B. Donations Loro Parque: Breeding centre improvements
TOTAL INCOME
Diff. (%)
2,1
Expenditure
J. Depreciation
67.901 72.654
- 6,5
L. Tax expenditure
17.041 29.935
- 43,1
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
1.492.198
1.434.928
+ 4,0
RESULT
677.205
904.089
- 25,1
Assets
2008 (€)
2007 (€)
Dif. (%)
Land, buildings, machinery, other fixed assets
786.394
854.295
Parrot collection (original value)
Financial assets and merchandise stocks
555.996
555.996
8.335.933
7.626.052
TOTAL ASSETS
9.678.323
9.036.343
Fondo social (Capital)
1.360.471
1.360.471
Transitory funds
Transitory funds
8.225.935
7.548.731
TOTAL FUNDS
9.678.323
Balance Sheet 2008
Funds
91.917
+ 9,0
127.141
9.036.343
+ 7,1
Summarised accounts for 31st December 2008, of the annual accounts of the Loro Parque Fundación, approved by the
President and Trustees on the 30th of June 2009 and deposited with the Ministry of Education and Science, Madrid.
Who supports us?
Our Principal Sponsor:
The LPF can protect parrots, cetaceans, and many other species and
natural places due to the generous support of many organisations
and individuals. The LPF greatly thanks its members, sponsors,
project funding partners and all other supporters for helping it to
protect some of the world’s natural treasures. Because Loro Parque
continues generously to cover the LPF overheads, 100% of all other
support received was directly destined for our projects
4
Loro Parque Fundación, Avda. Loro Parque s/n, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerfie, Canary Islands, Spain
T: +34 922 374081, F: +34 922 373110, E: lpf@loroparque-fundacion.org, URL: www.loroparque-fundacion.org
Non-profit organisation registered with the Ministry of Education and Science, Madrid, Spain: Nº 264, 06.10.2005
Let’s check the health of 4,000 parrots!
Throughout the year, all the parrots in the collection of the Loro
Parque Fundación are monitored to ensure that any signs of
illness are identified at the earliest moment, and dealt with by
our team of veterinarians, biologists and technicians. Although
this team is making these interventions whenever necessary, the
policy and practice of the LPF gives emphasis to preventive
medicine, creating as much as possible the optimal conditions
for the parrots to live free of diseases, parasites and injuries.
Fundamental preventive measures include giving the appropriate
diet, preventing access to the aviaries by disease-carrying pests,
the strategic placement of nest-boxes and perches in the aviaries,
as well as the provision of enrichment and so on.
The veterinary/keeper team checks a parrot
However, despite all these aspects some problems can remain
hidden, and therefore it is very important to closely examine
each bird. Birds, as potential prey animals, habitually hide
their symptoms of disease so as not to attract the attention of
predators, or to be edged out of their flocks. Thus, every year
from the end of the main breeding season (around the end of
August) until December, the veterinarians work through the
entire collection, catching every parrot to give it a thorough
examination, and to take a series of samples for laboratory
analysis. This is what we call the annual stock control, and it
is like giving each parrot the equivalent of the annual technical
inspection of a car. For anyone keeping parrots, such an annual
Aviaries in the LPF breeding centre
Ara ambigua: a large species to check
check by a qualified veterinarian is highly recommended,
especially in breeding collections. Performing the control, on
one or a few parrots is one thing, but to perform it on 4,000
parrots, as we have in the LPF collection, is quite another! The
number of birds, and the thoroughness of the control, together
explain why it must take place over several months.
Each parrot is checked for the following: evaluation of
general body condition including body weight and the extent
of development of the muscles as well as subcutaneous
fat deposits. Body condition is determined by palpation of
the pectoral muscles, and allocating a body score based on
the muscle and fat coverage of the sternum. This is a useful
cursory determination of emaciation but it is also important to
check the abdomen and sides of the body. Using alcohol or
Chlorhexidine solution to wet the feathers over the abdomen,
flanks, thighs and neck, it is easier to see subcutaneous fat
deposits as yellow areas under the skin, rather than pinkishred muscle. The breeding effort requires a lot of energy from
the birds, especially when they raise more than one clutch per
season. On the other hand, birds which are more sedentary or
have less breeding activity can present a fat body condition
or mild subcutaneous fat deposits. These conditions are better
evaluated by palpation of the body areas where fat deposits
are present, as well as to identify reduction of body mass in
the chest and leg muscles. With only a simple visual exam,
plumage can often hide the bird’s condition.
17
In the evaluation of feathers and integument, including skin, beak and nails, some birds need their nails cut or beak trimmed if
these present over-growth. Examination of the oral cavity is performed, taking into consideration the appearance of the mucous
membrane, tongue, choanal (at the internal opening of the nasal passage in the roof of the mouth) papillae and nostrils. We check for
presence of secretions in the mucous membrane or nasal discharge that can be related to respiratory problems as well as hyperplasia
(abnormal increase of cells or tissue) of choanal papillae and lack of choanal slit due to dietary imbalance or disease, or oral plaque
related for example to fungal or protozoan infection. At same time the birds are treated for ectoparasite by the application of carbaryl
powder and ivermectin diluted solution by spot application. Feathers are checked evaluating their colour and presence of abnormal
coloration that could be related to nutritional or organic problems like liver disease. In the case of cockatoo species and African grey
parrots it is also important to evaluate the powder-down production that could be reduced in case of disease. The most common
causes include genetic mutation, hepatic disease, malnutrition and Circovirus (Psittacine Beak and Feather) disease. Tidiness of
the plumage is also considered, as healthy birds generally keep their plumage well-preened. It is important to note that, especially
during the breeding season as a more stressful period, some birds can present evidence of feather damage related to over-preening,
self-mutilation or cage mate trauma. During the annual stock control feather samples are collected for Circovirus and Polyomavirus
screening tests using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Newly growing feathers are selected to obtain better samples with cells
from the follicular pulp.
Blood collection is from right jugular vein and the sample size relates to the bird’s body size, never exceeding 1% of body weight.
Blood is stored in EDTA tubes for PCR for Circovirus and Polyomavirus and in Lithium heparin tubes for serological tests. The
serum is stored in a serum bank in our laboratory freezers and screened for Adenovirus, Herpesvirus, Bornavirus, anti-ganglioside
antibodies or Polyomavirus according to our needs and in the context of different research collaborations between our veterinary
department and various researchers in veterinary medicine at the universities of Giessen, Berlin, Leipzig and Camerino.
The cloaca is also assessed externally for enlargement and dilatation (often indicating reproductive behaviour in the hen),
prolapse, presence or loss of sphincter tone, ulceration or inflammation around the mucocutaneous junction. Gently everting
the cloaca allows a cursory examination of the mucous membrane, normally thin, smooth and pink. In susceptible species it
is also important to check for the presence of papillomas. Suspicious areas that show thickenings or pedunculated (on a stalk)
protrusions can be stained with diluted acetic acid solution: blanching of the mucosa is suggestive of papilloma, and confirmation
requires histological evaluation by biopsy sample, through endoscopy or by direct surgery.
From each animal we collect by cloacal swab samples for microbiological survey of the intestinal flora. We culture and identify the
samples in our microbiology laboratory in the LPF clinic. If a bird shows intestinal flora imbalance relating to enteritis-digestive
problems, or pathogenic bacteria are cultured, the bird is brought to the clinic for further examination and any required treatment.
We also collect conjuntival and cloacal swabs for a Chlamidophyla psittaci antigen test in a representative sample of the population,
as well as serum for antibody detection by ImmunoComb® test. Additionally, during the period from August to December we treat
the birds against endoparasites by oral administration of Febendazol in drinking water. This is more important for species kept in
aviaries where they have access to the ground and especially in Australian parrots which forage on the floor and are more exposed to
endoparasitic infestation. Additional recall treatment cycles are run over the year. Nest boxes are renewed during the autumn-winter
season, being repaired and soaked in a bath of permethrin solution against parasites like feather mites or red mites.
The annual stock control, the check-up program of offspring every year and the control of the new animals introduced in the
collection from the quarantine station together comprise an important part of our prophylactic programme performed by the
veterinarians, biologist and technicians of the LPF.
Filming the health check procedures
Platycercus caledonicus: common species
are all included
Vini australis: one of the smallest
to examine
18
Primates of the family Callitrichidae
are New World Monkeys which live
in the tropical forests of Central and
South America. Members of this family
are generally known as marmosets and
tamarins, and they encompass seven genera:
Callibella, Callimico, Callithrix, Cebuella,
Leontopithecus, Mico and Saguinus. The
entire family Callitrichidae is threatened
in the wild because of destruction of their
forest habitat.
The Loro Parque facilities house three
different species of Callitrichidae:
Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator),
Red-handed Tamarin (Saguinus midas)
and White-faced Marmoset (Callithrix
geoffroyi). All three species are managed
within the European region conservation
breeding programme (EEP), with the
intention to build-up a healthy and selfsustaining population in the zoos. The long
term target is to return animals back into
the wild to support and/or to re-establish
wild populations if necessary. Loro Parque
takes an active part in the EEPs and is
breeding the animals successfully.
The veterinary department also endeavours
to discover more clinical information about
these species and Abaxis, leading medical
and veterinary diagnostics company,
has been supporting the Loro Parque
clinic’s efforts to further its scientific
studies in the fields of haematology and
biochemistry in our Callitrichidae. With
the help of Abaxis, which donated the
HM5 haematology machine and the VS2
biochemistry analyzer, we expanded our
A clinical update of the Callitrichidae collection
of Loro Parque
clinical examination to include a complete blood check which comprises haematology
and biochemistry with the mammalian comprehensive profile, as well as thyroxin and
cholesterol values. The veterinarians, technicians and keepers worked together on the
clinical examinations of all our twenty animals. These exams included inspection of the
skin and the oral cavity, palpation of the abdomen, listening to (auscultation) the lungs
and heart, weight check and the blood analyses.
With the mammalian comprehensive profile we measured and obtained the following
ranges of values for the indicated parameters in our Callitrichidae:
Parameter
Value range
Parameter
Value range
Albumin
Alanine Aminotransferase
Total Bilirubin
Calcium
Creatinine
Sodium
Total Protein
Thyroxin
2.4–4 g/dl
10–103 U/L
0.3-0.4 mg/dl
8.3-11.1 mg/dl
0.4-0.7 mg/dl
140-154 mmol/L
6-8 g/dl
4.5-14.76 μg/dl
Alkaline Phosphatase
Amylase
Blood urea nitrogen- BUN
Phosphorus
Glucose
Potassium
Globulins
Cholesterol
47-341 U/L
25–81 U/L
7-14 mg/dl
0.9-6.7 mg/dl
158-247 mg/dl
2.1-3.7 mmol/L
3.5-4.7 g/dl
57-117 mg/dl
Key: g = gram; mg = milligram;
μg = microgram; mmol = millimoles;
U = units; dl = decilitre; L = litre
A special comment to make about the thyroxin values in Callitrichidae is that the level
is much higher and much more varied between individual Callitrichidae than in other
mammals.
The white blood cell count ranged between 9.46-13.43 x 10³/μl; the red blood cell count
was measured from 6.47-8.38 x 106/μl; the haematocrit ranged between 42.36% and
55.19% and haemoglobin between 16.6-20 g/dl.
In conclusion, we verified that all of our Callitrichidae are in excellent health, and we
also achieved new reference values for these species, which will help in the future
interpretation of the blood analysis of this family. We would like to express our gratitude
to Abaxis, who made it possible for us to undertake these studies, and the Loro Parque
clinic utilizes these machines every day to help us understand and preserve our species.
Using an Abaxis blood analysis machine
Saguinus imperator
Callithris geoffroyi: ready for its exam
19
New projects of Loro Parque Fundación
Update of the Review of Small Cetaceans – On-line Version
The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) promotes the creation of international agreements for the protection of
species which cross, during their migratory movements, territories or jurisdictional zones of various countries. The main
focus of the CMS is on the small cetaceans (odontocetes), for which it has promoted various international conventions
for their protection such as ACCOBAMS, ASCOBANS (Agreements on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea,
Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area, and respectively in the Baltic and North Seas), etc. Apart from these,
CMS also carries out awareness programmes, and in this case the promotion of the taxonomic revision of small cetaceans
and the presentation of this new information published on the CMS website. Thus, from the summer of 2009 until the
end of the year, the LPF is financing, together with CMS and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the up-dating of
small cetacean taxonomy and information on their conservation status. The project, conducted by cetacean expert Prof.
Dr. Boris Culik, is to compile the taxonomic, biological, ecological and biogeographical information on small cetacean
species from all over the world. The revised and compiled information published on the CMS website serves as an
environmental education and awareness tool about the threats to small cetaceans.
Innovative methodology for the monitoring, management and conservation
of Bottlenose dolphins in the Mediterranean
The concern about the potential threats to the Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
truncatus) in the Mediterranean is constantly increasing due to different stress
factors related to bioaccumulation of man-made pollutants, combined with the
appearance of infectious diseases, climate change, decrease of fish resources,
collisions, accidental capture and genetic erosion. The activities carried out
in this project by Prof. Antonio Fernández and his team from the University
of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with dolphins from the Atlantic Ocean, will
serve as a control for comparisons with the dolphins from the Mediterranean.
Activities during the four-year project will include the sampling of skin
biopsies of wild and captive Bottlenose dolphins in the Canary Islands, the
determination of pathologies in stranded specimens on the coasts of the Islands,
and the determination of the body temperature of the dolphins through infrared
thermography.
20
Artificial insemination in psittacine species: collection,
evaluation and transfer of semen
Many parrot species are threatened due to destruction of their
natural habitat, poaching or other pressures. One important
conservation tool is captive breeding, to maintain genetic
material, and possibly to release captive bred birds back to
the wild. Some species have few individuals in captivity,
for example the Spix’s macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), which
is also extinct in the wild, and the birds might be forcepaired with the result that the eggs are often infertile.
Male infertility is also a common problem, but such
problems might be overcome with artificial insemination.
Additionally, in captive populations of some species there
are more females than males. The potential exists for these
females to be paired with sterilized males of other species,
and to be artificially inseminated with semen of their own
species.
Although semen collection and subsequent artificial
insemination is frequently and successfully used to generate
large numbers of fertile eggs in birds of prey or turkeys,
semen collection has been only rarely described in smaller
psittacines. Also, to date it has not been possible to collect
semen in larger species. Therefore, only limited data exist
on the semen of parrots, and more information is necessary
as a baseline data for future investigations of male infertility,
artificial insemination and cryo-preservation, as well as to
establish a routine technique for artificial insemination.
Cyanopsitta spixii
This project, by Prof. Michael Lierz and Daniel Neumann
of the Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish,
University of Giessen, Germany, is to find the sufficient
quality and volume of semen necessary for successful
artificial insemination in larger parrots. Part of the project
will take place in the breeding centre of the LPF, and will
include collection of semen using a newly developed
procedure to compare with the previously used massage
technique. Evaluation of semen will be by established
microscopic techniques, including newest computer
assisted semen analysis (CASA).
Artificial insemination of females and assessment of egg
fertility will be conducted.
Innovative therapeutic protocols to treat Proventricular
Dilatation Disease in parrots
Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) is a fatal disease
of birds where inflammation of the central, peripheral,
and autonomic nervous systems is associated with
gastrointestinal dysfunction, and neurological signs that
may include loss of balance and seizures. Progressive weight
loss, regurgitation, crop impaction, passage of undigested
food, and secondary bacterial and fungal infections of
the digestive tract are commonly observed. PDD is most
commonly described in psittacines. Definitive diagnosis
of PDD in the living bird is controversial and it requires
the demonstration of characteristic lymphoplasmacytic
(consisting of lymphocytes [type of white blood cell] and
plasma cells - mature antibody-secreting cells) infiltrates
within nervous tissue of a crop biopsy. To date there is no
100% certain non-invasive test to confirm or exclude the
disease, and the crop biopsy is diagnostic in 50-70% of cases.
Ara ararauna: a large species for possible semen collection
21
Latest research suggests that the disease is infectious, and
although the causative agent of PDD is still not confirmed,
the presence of a new avian Bornavirus in affected parrots
has been demonstrated (and the LPF is financing separate
research on this aspect by the University of Giessen).
In parallel with virus research, in 2006 Prof. Giacomo
Rossi and Dr. Stefano Pesaro of the Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Camerino, Italy, began work on
a new theory that correlates PDD with an autoimmune
response. The characteristic infiltrates around the nerves
show inflammation in the same way that occurs in patients
with an autoimmune disease. In humans for example, the
Guillain Barrè Syndrome (GBS) consists of attacks on
nerves by the immune system, resulting in damage and
inflammation. In GBS, anti-ganglioside antibodies are the
most commonly recognized autoimmune bodies considered
to cause nerve fibre injury, and their presence in the blood
can help to confirm the diagnosis. Gangliosides are complex
compounds naturally produced in the body, present on cell
surfaces, and found mainly in the nervous system.
In analogy to GBS, the researchers suggest a similar
autoimmune mechanism to be involved in PDD. Different
biological agents (virus, bacteria, etc.) are potentially
responsible for stimulating the abnormal response of the
immune system that occurs. Thus, the hypothesis does
not exclude a viral origin, and avian Bornavirus or other
unidentified factors (biological antigens) could be involved
in the outbreak of PDD.
In February 2008 the University of Camerino researchers
challenged six Cockatiels with purified gangliosides, in
an attempt to reproduce the disease. Two weeks after the
booster (one month post-inoculation), 100% of inoculated
and 33% of orally-challenged Cockatiels developed
typical signs. Currently, four inoculated and symptomatic
Nymphicus hollandicus
Cockatiels show typical lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates
in crop biopsies. The subsequent step of this research
supported by LPF and involving private breeders has been
to evaluate, by a new patented and non-invasive serological
test (E.L.I.S.A.) the possible presence and increase of antiganglioside antibodies in the blood of the parrots. To date
the research results demonstrate an increasing of these
antibodies levels in the blood serum of affected parrots in
contrast to healthy subjects. In 2010 the LPF will support
a new study of therapy to treat PDD, by the University
of Camerino researchers in collaboration with the LPF
veterinary team. The new therapeutic protocol is based
on the administration of a new anti-inflammatory element
that selectively suppresses the most important cytokine
(substance leading to inflammatory disorders).
Scarlet Macaw Nest-site Selection and Nest Survival in
Northern Mesoamerica
The northern subspecies of Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao
cyanoptera) occupies a highly fragmented landscape in
Mesoamerica and is under threat of extinction through
the continuing loss of habitat, poaching, predation,
and cavity competition. Recent investigations provide
evidence of historic gene flow of the subspecies cyanoptera
between Belize and Guatemala, advocating a bi-national
management strategy. In 2003, Wildlife Conservation
Society (WCS) initiated a conservation program in
Guatemala that now includes nest monitoring, protection
efforts, and artificial nest construction. The Scarlet Macaw
was identified as the best target species, second only to
the jaguar, for managing the Maya Biosphere Reserve. In
2007, Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD)
undertook the responsibility of co-managing the Chiquibul
National Park, the largest protected area in Belize and part
of the tri-national Selva Maya. The Scarlet Macaw was
also identified as a target conservation species.
However, there is a general lack of knowledge regarding
the breeding Scarlet Macaws in both countries. This project
will provide the fieldwork and analysis necessary to estimate
daily nest survival, and produce models identifying factors
most influential to nest-site selection and nest survival in
Guatemala and Belize. This will guide WCS and FCD in
their management efforts regarding natural and artificial
nest-site management, thus enabling better protection of
these nests in the future. The project will be conducted by
Charles Britt of New Mexico State University.
Ara macao
22
Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, abbotti subspecies on Masakambing
Island, East Java, Indonesia
By: Dudi Nandika, Dwi Agustina, and
Stewart Metz, MD
Konservasi Kakatua Indonesia and The
Indonesian Parrot Project,
Summary
The Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
of the abbotti subspecies is endemic
only to Masakambing Island, East Java,
Indonesia. There are four islands in
the group: Masalembu, Masakambing,
Kramian, and Kambing, but the cockatoo
is now found in the wild only on tiny [5
km²] Masakambing Island, having been
extirpated from the others or possibly
having never existed on Kramian. A new
study was designed to gain information
into the status and habits of this cockatoo.
This study was funded to a large degree
by Loro Parque Fundación. Fieldwork
collaboration
between
Konservasi
Kakatua Indonesia and Indonesian
Parrot Project found only 10 remaining
cockatoos in 2008 and 8 individuals in
2009; three (apparently mated) pairs
and two juveniles, possibly males (as
determined by eye color).
Based on local community information, it was last seen on Masalembu Island in 1987.
Exploration in 1985-1989, with the trapping or killing of hundreds of cockatoos, is one
reason that the cockatoo has become extinct in the latter island. Cahyadin et al.(1994)
explained that staff from remote oil exploration sites, and visitors who came to this
island, took back cockatoos as souvenirs; local villagers shot them for sport or as “pests”
to their crops. Our research found 10 individuals in 2008 and 8 individuals in 2009:
three males, three females and two juveniles (possibly males) making them the most
threatened cockatoo in the wild and one of the world’s rarest birds. The last previous
census in 1999 (Setiawan, 2001), found only 5 individuals, implying some growth in
the population. However, even if true, this population increase is very small, for over a
decade. Note that Masakambing Island is so small, that a census of virtually the entire
island can be performed, suggesting that these population figures are accurate.
The density of the cockatoo population on Masakambing ( 5 km2 ) is 1.6 individuals per
km2. In comparison, the population density of C. sulphurea sulphurea in Rawa Aopa
Watumohai National Park (RAWNP) on the island of Sulawesi is only 0.13 individuals
per km2 (Nandika, 2005). While the population density of cockatoos in Masakambing
is higher than that in RAWNP : the total population which we documented in RAWNP
is greater than 37 individuals . Furthermore, RAWNP has a much larger area (long
transect about 282.44 km2) only a fraction of which was surveyed, explaining the
lower apparent density of the nominate race. Clearly, however, the abbotti race is
notably rarer than the sulphurea subspecies.
The “Masakambing Cockatoo” commonly flies in a group, comprised of 2 – 5
individuals. They are concentrated in the north-central part of the island, in Ketapang
Village. Cockatoos were never found in Tanjung Selamat Village (south section) of
Masakambing, except during foraging flights. Also in Tanjung Selamat Village, there
is a paucity of large trees such as (using the local names): sukun (Artocarpus comunis),
and kapuk also called randu (Ceiba petandra), which are favored by the cockatoos for
nesting and feeding.
Cockatoo make nest-holes using a chink in the trunk or branch or a pre-existent nesthole made by other birds, often in dead, snagged or rotting trees. The table includes
five trees which were utilized for nest-holes (See Table): sukun Artocarpus comunis,
Kapuk Ceiba Petandra, Kelapa Cocos nucifera, Asem Tamarindus indica, and Apiapi Avicennia sp. Cockatoos were observed making nest-holes before the onset of
the breeding season. We measured inactive nest-holes and identified characteristics
of cockatoos nest: height of tree 8-25 m; trunk diameter 28-105 cm; nest-hole height
above ground 6-15 m. Nest-holes were globular or oval with a diameter of about 1223 cm; depth of about 68 cm ; their bases were filled with wood chips and leaf scale to
a height of 10 cm.
Table 1. Plants used by Cacatua sulphurea abbotti
Population and Nests
The Masalembu Archipelago is the sole
remaining location of Cacatua sulphurea
abbotti, in the world, and the bird can still
be found only on Masakambing Island.
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Local Name
Scientific Name
Kelapa Cocos nucifera
Sukun
Artocarpus comunis
Kapuk randu
Ceiba petandra
Asem
Tamarindus indica
Kedondong
Spondias piñata
Belimbing
Averhoa bilimbi
Galompe
Lagerstroemia sp
Lontar
Borassus sundaica
Rumbia
Metroxylon sp
Kelor
Moringa oleifera
Duluk duluk Lumnitzera racemosa
& L. littorea
Tanjang
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
Pidada
Sonneratia alba &
S. caseolaris
Api-api
Avicennia sp
Cockatoo use
Food & Nest-hole
Food & Nest-hole
Food & Nest-hole
Food & Nest-hole
Food
Food
Food
Food
Food
Food
Food
Part Eaten
Fruit
Male flowers
Flowers
Fruit & flowers
Fruit & flowers
Fruit & flowers
Flowers
Male flowers
Flowers
Fruit
Flowers
Food
Food
Fruit
Fruit
Nest-hole
-
23
Interactions with another animals
We witnessed several interactions between cockatoos and other
animals, including both intended predation and competition.
Predating activity was seen from White-bellied fish eagle
(Haliaeetus leucogaster); Rufous-bellied eagle (Hieraaetus
kienerii); Black-winged kite (Elanus caeruleus); Black kite
(Milvus migrans) and Spotted kestrel (Falco moluccensis).
Other predators are lizards (such as the monitor lizard Varanus
salvator) which eat the eggs or cockatoo chicks. The lizards
often live in the Asem tree Tamarindus indica; the cockatoo eats
the fruit of the asem and often perches there, thereby sometimes
bringing the two into close contact. Competitive interactions
occur between cockatoo and another birds such as the Pinkheaded Imperial pigeon (Ducula rosacea) and Black-naped
oriole (Oriolus chinensis. These may eat some of the same
fruit together in same tree (kapuk) without exerting aggressive
behaviour.
Threats
The major current threats to the cockatoo population are ongoing
trapping for the bird trade and habitat destruction, such as cutting
of coconut palms for their wood.
Initial Conservation Efforts
Making a new village regulation (“Peraturan Desa”)
In order to provide a legal basis for the conservation of this
cockatoo, Konservasi Kakatua Indonesia and Indonesian Parrot
Project initiated the drafting and passage of Peraturan Desa No.
1 Tahun 2009 (Village Regulation #1, 2009) which details a
number of measures to conserve the cockatoo on Masakambing.
These include making it illegal to trap, own, or transport a
cockatoo; initial measures to reduce habitat destruction; and the
hiring of the former Village Head to monitor active nests and to
protect them from trappers, as well as to provide information on
breeding ecology. The document was signed on May 14th 2009
with 50 community representatives present, including the Head of
the Village, the village discussion group, the village community
of Masakambing at large, and significantly, the Chief of Police,
along with representatives of KKI – IPP as facilitators.
School visits (Conservation Awareness Pride Program - CAP)
Classroom instruction aimed at stimulating conservation of the
Masakambing Cockatoo included: drawings by the children of
cockatoos in a coloring book written by KKI – IPP; the use of
PowerPoint presentations and videos produced by KKI – IPP;
production of pertinent t-shirts, posters, and notebook stickers;
and bird-watching expeditions. These interactions are designed
not only to increase pride in their unique and very rare bird, but
also to appreciate the threats to it. Since Masakambing is a small
village (total population: 1400), we should be able to reach
virtually the entire adult and child population. We encourage
children to return home and discuss these activities with their
parents. To date we have visited 8 schools on Masakambing and
Masalembu island.
As a means of objective, quantifiable evaluation, Pre-and PostProgram questionnaires have been designed and completed
by 40 students in Junior High School on Masakambing, using
the forms previously developed and used extensively by us in
Java and the Moluccas. The results clearly demonstrate that
that the students are responsive to the issues listed above; that
24
their attitudes towards parrots as intelligent, sentient creatures
are amenable to change; and that they are eager to express their
interest through active participation.
Acknowledgements
Stewart A. Metz, M.D. donated the research funding in 2008.
The Loro Parque Fundación generously funded the research in
2009. Thanks to the local community of the Masalembu Islands
for their help, as well as to local government and communities
in Masalembu for the passage of the new Village Regulation
(Law No.1).
References
Cahyadin Y., Jepson P. & Arif S. 1994a. Status Cacatua sulphurea
abbotti di Kepulauan Masalembo / The Status Assessment of Cacatua
sulphurea abbotti on The Masalembo Islands. Bogor. PHPA/BirdLife
International Indonesia Programme (Laporan No. 2).
Nandika, D. 2005. Kepadatan Populasi Kakatua Kecil Jambul
Kuning Cacatua sulphurea sulphurea J.F. Gmelin, 1788 di Taman
Nasional Rawa Aopa Watumohai Sulawesi Tenggara. Skripsi
Sarjana Biologi FMIPA Universitas Islam As-Syafi’iyah.
Jakarta.
Setiawan, I., E. Putra, P. Yudha, Darjono, O.P. Basuki, D.
Purwandana, A. Suryakusumah, D. Agista. 2001. Telaah Status
Bio Ekologi dan Upaya Pelestarian Kakatua-kecil Jambulkuning (Cacatua sulphurea) di Pulau Masa Kambing, Jawa Timur
dan Pulau Nusa Penida, Bali. PHKA / BirdLife InternationalIndonesian Programme. Memorandum Teknis No. 21.
Note:
A genetic (DNA) study of the cockatoos living on Masakambing
Island, to compare with museum material and C. sulphurea
subspecies in captivity is another aspect of the conservation of
the Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. If anybody can provide
help for this to be done, please contact Dr. Stewart Metz email.
Recent capture and trade of wild African Grey Parrots: the Cameroon project
In recent decades a high level of
capture and legal trade in wild African
Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus) has
occurred. A major exporting country
has been Cameroon, with official
statistics from 1981 to 2005 showing
that it exported 367,166 individuals,
with a yearly average of 15,299. From
1990 to 1996, it exported 48% of the
African Grey Parrots of all countries in
Africa. From 1993 to 2006, the official
CITES (Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of
Fauna and Flora) annual export quota
for this species from Cameroon had
remained 12,000. The high volume of
trade and consistent exceeding of the
quota led to concern over the impact
on wild populations, and the Animals
Committee of CITES called for
scientific-based field surveys of wild
populations, and the development of
National and Regional Management
Plans before resuming any trade,
in line with its recommendation to
institute a moratorium on exports of
P. erithacus from Cameroon for two
years from January 2007. Restrictive
measures were also recommended for
certain other exporting countries within
the natural geographical range of the
species. To help with assessment of
the situation in Cameroon, in 2006 the
Loro Parque Fundación commenced
its financial support to a sustainable
trade and conservation project led by
Dr Simon Tamungang, Senior Lecturer
in Ecology & Wildlife Management,
University of Dschang, Cameroon.
During the period in question, as a
protective measure for livestock and
human health, the European Union
decided to prohibit the importation of
wild-caught birds, effective from 1st
July 2007.
In relation to these restrictions, what is
happening now with capture and trade
of African Grey Parrots? The official
figures (the CITES figures reported by
the member countries) on international
trade in wild-caught live specimens are
analyzed and the results presented in
Tables 1, 2 and 3. These figures exclude
quantification of numbers of specimens
trapped, traded with other countries
illegally, and traded or exploited in
other ways within national borders.
Table 1. Gross exports of live wild-caught African Grey Parrots
Exporting countries
2005
2006
2007
2008
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
Range countries
of Africa
16 48,456 10 17,110 12 6,422 11 10,390
African countries
out of range
9
246
6
215
7
944
5
105
Middle-eastern
10 983
8
53
3
9
4
768
Asian
2
118
2 3,177
2
1,065
1
537
All other countries
18
794
12
61
12
33
8
15
Totals
55 50,597 38 20,616 36
8,473
29 11,815
A = number of countries; B = number of specimens;
Note. All countries not within the natural geographical range of the species re-exported
the specimens.
Table 2. Gross imports of live wild-caught African Grey Parrots
Importing countries
2005
2006
2007
2008
A
B A
B
A
B
A
B
European
19 38,271 13 7,561 11 2,088
15 5,568
Middle-eastern
9
3,987
8
3,689
4 2,238
6 2,861
Asian
7 1,206 12 5,873
9 2,364
6 2,589
African (range
and non-range)
17 5,248
7
2,212 10 1,665
4
756
All other countries
18
1,938 11 1,278 5
122
4
12
Totals
70 50,650 51 20,613 39 8,477
35 11,786
Note: The import and export specimen totals do not exactly tally, possibly due to delays
in the returns made by some countries.
Table 3. Live wild-caught African Grey Parrots from some* exporting range
countries: CITES export quotas and official actual numbers exported
Exporting country
Democratic Republic
of Congo
Quota
Actual
Cameroon
Q
A
Congo
Q
A
Côte d’Ivoire
Q
A
Guinea
Q
A
Gabon
Q
A
Sierra Leone
Q
A
2005
2006
2007
10,000
15,986
12,000
17,053
8,000
8,773
-
3,827
-
958
250
54
-
650
10,000
10,787
12,000
4,300
10,000
606
-
1
-
1,400
250
10
-
0
5,000
3,826
in prep.
704
4,000
1,622
-
1
-
220
250
10
-
0
2008
2009
5,000
6,158
in prep.
307
4,000
3,580
0
5
0
320
250
10
0
0
5,000
0
4,000
0
0
0
-
* Including the main ones.
in prep. = establishment of the quota in preparation.
Hyphen indicates no information
From the figures in the tables several comments can be made. There is an overall
decline in the legal wild-caught African Grey Parrots in international trade, both
in terms of numbers of countries exporting and importing (down to half the
number), and in terms of the number of parrots exported and imported (more than
a 4-fold decrease). There is an almost 7-fold decrease of the imports into Europe.
The figures do not support the hypothesis of an increase of legal imports into
Asia and the Middle East corresponding to the decrease of imports into Europe.
Some additional specific comments can be made. In these figures, South Africa
accounts for 92.7% of all imports into African countries, and accounts for 99%
25
of the higher re-export figure in 2007. Of the continuing
imports into Europe in 2007 and 2008, 99.1% are accounted
for by Serbia, a country not directly affected by the EU
prohibition. The Asian and Middle Eastern countries still
showing signs in 2007 and 2008 of substantial imports are
Bahrain, Lebanon, Pakistan and Singapore.
The downward pressure exerted by CITES on export
quotas appears to have had an effect, with a notable drop
even in 2006 of African Grey Parrots legally exported from
Cameroon. Establishment of the quotas for 2007 and 2008
are noted as in preparation but Dr Tamungang reports that,
as a result of Cameroon not submitting the management
plan to CITES the annual quota was first reduced to 6,000,
and to zero in the following year. The quota remains at zero
pending the production and submission of the document
by the Cameroon government. Dr Tamungang also reports
that the restrictions have caused varied reactions among
trappers and exporters in Cameroon. Some of the traders
with good international connections apparently have found
ways to export their birds to Asian countries. Others have
auctioned birds locally, while others smuggled their birds to
neighbouring countries, where they are sold to parrot traders
now at a better price than in Cameroon. Research confirms
that the parrot trappers receive the smallest economic
share from trade but, given their minimal economic base,
the financial threshold to switch other exploitation is also
low. In this context, the project reports that trappers are
turning to killing the parrots and trading their body parts,
which will now fetch a price as acceptable as trade in live
birds. Obtaining sufficient information of this kind to make
reliable estimates and reveal trends is risky, and takes time to
accumulate. Meanwhile the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife
in Cameroon is still in the process of issuing a public tender
for the work to result in the required management plan.
LPF - supported project team rescuing trapped African Grey Parrots
26
African Grey Parrots in dealer’s premises
Heads (above) and tails ( below) of African Grey Parrots,
confiscated by authorities. WWF Jengi
10 years working for the conservation of the Yellow-eared Parrot
Above all the changes are notable
in the municipality of Jardín, and
one recent great achievement was
having the Yellow-eared Parrot made
the official bird of the Municipality
of Jardin, Department of Antioquia,
and having it included on its shield.
Fundación ProAves proposed this
to the town council and now it has
been officially approved. During
a town council meeting this year,
various modifications were proposed
for the shield, include the Yelloweared Parrot to acknowledge its
importance in the community; as well
as replacing an orchid with a flower
species endemic to the municipality,
Pasiflora jardinensis; adding water
between the Citara mountains; and
making a new species of tree endemic
to the area, Magnolia jardinensis, the
official tree.
In 1998, Fundación ProAves with the support of the Loro Parque Fundación,
initiated the Yellow-eared Parrot project with the main objective of ensuring
the survival of the species (Ognorhynchus icterotis) and to protect its habitat
in the Colombian Andes. 10 years later we continue working steadily and with
dedicated with the sole purpose of ensuring that the populations of the Yelloweared Parrot are healthy and stable. This project is a conservation model that
has been replicated to other endangered species and to the establishment of
protected areas throughout the country
With Fundación ProAves and Loro Parque Fundación at the head, during
these 10 years the project has involved more than 180 people and 47
organizations worldwide, adding the essential contribution and effort of
different communities and success with the specific activities of research,
conservation and education. This allows us to proudly claim that, thanks to
the efforts made, the species now has a hopeful future. Of 81 individuals
found in 1999 we now have over 1000.
Thus for 2009 Fundación ProAves
successfully strengthened its image in
the municipality, being recognized as
one of the main entities that contribute
to
environmental
conservation
through the activities it undertakes
every day. Loro Parque Fundación
congratulates Fundación ProAves for
its spectacular success and celebrates
the 10th anniversary of the Yelloweared Parrot Project.
This commits us every day to do our job with more responsibility and
commitment to both the species, its habitat and the community; we are
confident that future generations will know and appreciate this dream come
true. ProAves owes its birth and growth to the Yellow-eared Parrot project and
the Loro Parque Foundation has maintained his support for the project with
great confidence.
The results are increasingly reflected in the changing attitudes within
rural communities that live in the region of the Yellow-eared parrot, as the
importance of protecting birds and wildlife are being recognized, especially O.
icterotis and its habitat, the Quindio wax palm tree (Ceroxylon quindiuense).
People of the municipalities have a stronger connection to the biodiversity
that surrounds them, and are very proud of it.
New shield
Old shield
27
In November 2006 the first captive workshop for holders of Spix’s
and Lear’s Macaws took place in the zoo of Sao Paulo, Brazil. As
curator of the Loro Parque Fundacion (LPF), I took part in this
2-day event. I could then bring to the LPF, as previously agreed, two
pairs of adult Lear’s Macaws (Anodoryhnchus leari) from the Sao
Paulo Zoo. The Brazilian Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity
Conservation (ICMBio) demonstrated, with the transfer of these
pairs, its trust of the LPF, proved by the regular breeding results with
Spix’s Macaws. The right of ownership remains with the Brazilian
Government and the LPF holds the species merely for breeding
purposes.
European first breeding of the
Lear’s Macaw and more
The intended animals were caught from the enclosures after
inspection, and were put into the prepared transport boxes and
loaded in a truck of the zoo. Together with Dr.Yara Barros, the
Spix’s and Lear’s Macaw Programmes Captivity Coordinator, two
zoo employees plus an escort vehicle with security people, we went
to the international airport of Sao Paulo to check in my valuable
“cargo” and me. First to Madrid, to declare the entry of the animals
from a non-EU country, and then the continuation of the journey to
Tenerife. The animals had survived the transport and were put under
quarantine in the Loro Parque clinic.
Nest-boxes behind artificial rocks
Adult at nest entrance in aviary
Still during the quarantine time I had the opportunity to visit the
habitat of the Lear’s Macaw. There the Lear’s Macaws sleep and
breed in reddish-coloured rock faces. This visual impression before
my eyes, I transmitted my specific proposals to the employees of the
Loro Parque who built, for both pairs of macaws, reddish-painted
simulated rocks as the back walls to the intended aviaries. Two
rock faces act as entrances to the nesting boxes attached behind.
The entrance opening is about 15 cm, and a wooden nesting box is
A. leari chick 48 days old
Adult Anodorhynchus leari
28
attached in each case. In each aviary there are two differently formed
wooden nesting boxes for choice. Including the rock face, the
maximum distance from the entrance to the end of the nesting box
is about 180 cm (left entrance), and about 260 cm (right entrance).
In addition, we have placed in the aviary two conventional wooden
nesting boxes which we call “play-boxes”.
Both pairs went into the new aviaries at the beginning of March,
2007. From a genetic view there were recommendations on how
both pairs were optimally to be paired. However, this was exactly
the reverse arrangement as the animals had already lived together for
some years in the Sao Paulo Zoo and had been paired. The animals
adapted very fast to their new habitat, and in the first week I observed
the animals every free minute. Neither pair bonded, and so after one
week I decided to change the partners. On how it would turn out
later, it was exactly the right decision. The animals were again in
their previous pairings together and welcomed each other almost
effusively. Very quickly the pairs were bonded and went together
on an investigation tour of the aviary. The play-boxes were gnawed,
examined, filled and left again, for the rock cavities on the back wall
of the aviaries. Very fast a preference appeared with both pairs for
the left rock cavity. The animals visited this cavity preferentially
during the day, and used them also at night as a sleeping cavity, as
do the wild Lear’s Macaws. Both pairs were accommodated near
to each other, although not directly side by side, but with an aviary
inbetween with another pair of macaws. Thus, both pairs could hear
each other very well, but see only from a distance.
Pair 1 was the pair which became really active very fast with
breeding behaviour. It took to the rock cavity permanently, showed
false matings over and over again, but also increased intra-pair
aggression, which expressed itself in regular fights, but seconds later
everything was over. Absolutely unexpectedly, after the short time
of being together, the first egg was laid on the 13th of April, 2007,
but unfortunately it was badly damaged and could not be incubated.
Now the nesting box was checked daily, not to put the second egg in
the same danger of the destruction. Only five days later, the second
egg was discovered and immediately taken from the nest-hole.
This was not at all easy, because as long as the parents were in the
cavity, they behaved like “beasts” who would bite everything that
approached them. Checks are possible only if both animals have left
for the cavity for a short time, mostly when there is fresh feed, and
the entrance of the nesting hole is closed with a metal plate.
A. leari chick 20 days old
On Monday, 14th of May, 2007 and the long wait ended. Under
the warmth-making down feathers of his adoptive parents, a
young Lear’s Macaw hatched for the first time in Europe. The
only 20 g chick was accepted immediately as their own young by
the surrogate parents, and was cared for very well and prospered
gloriously. On its 20th day of life the young animal weighed 490 g,
was ringed on with a 14 mm steel ring, and unanimously received
the name “Edward”.
Only 43 animals, mostly confiscated by the authorities from illegal
trade, were registered in mid-2007 in the official studbook.Most
live in zoological facilities in Brazil. In 1984 the first captive
breeding succeeded in the USA, in Busch Gardens,, and the second
breeding happened in 2006 in the Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation
(AWWP) in Qatar.
A. leari chick fed by its own parents, 13 days old.
The second egg also had a small hole in the shell, which could be
repaired with paste, so that nothing was in way of normal development.
As experienced surrogate parents a pair of Green-winged Macaws
(Ara chloroptera) was selected because this had already proved itself
in the rearing of Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus).
The surrogate parents had begun at the same time with their own
clutch and the laid egg was simply exchanged with that of the Lear’s
Macaws. The egg of the Scarlet Macaws was transferred in the
incubator for artificial incubation.
A. leari chick newly hatched
29
Already at the age of 2.5 months the young Lear’s Macaw
appeared in the entrance of the nesting box over and over again
and curiously explored the surroundings, but only at the age of
three months did the bird finally fly out, but with the smallest
disturbance went back in the nesting box. While the chick grew
up with his adoptive parents, pair 1 decided to produce a second
clutch. On the 21st of June 2007 the first egg of the second clutch
was discovered,damaged once more, but also possible to repair with
paste and fostered to another experienced breeding pair of Scarlet
Macaws. The second egg of the secondary clutch was found three
days later. It was damaged so badly that it could not be repaired.
As a result nest checks were stopped, although later the pair laid
the third egg without our knowing. On the 16th of July, after a 26day incubation period the second Lear’s Macaw fledgling of 2007
hatched. This was reared flawlessly by its surrogate parents.
On the 23rd of July we suddenly noticed a complete behavioral
change with our breeding pair of Lear’s Macaws. While before
with the twice a day feeding both birds always came to the food,
suddenly there was only the male at the feeding table, and now the
female did not leave the nesthole any more to feed. The male went
in regularly to feed her. Our patience was put to an unprecedented
test, because we succeeded only on the 5th of August to operate
the metal plate again and to locking out both birds for a short time.
The result was compelling. The parents perfectly raised and fed
a chick to the age of 13 days, already weighing 172 g, with a full
crop. And the complete rearing succeeded without problems, with
just rarely a nesting box control carried out so as to disturb the
adults as little as possible, and this paid off. This young was finally
fully fledged on the 27th of October at the age of 96 days and left
the nesting box.
All three young Lear’s-Macaws still remained some months
with their foster parents /parents, and then in January 2008
were endoscopied (two males and one female) and moved
together into an aviary where they get on well with each other
as a small social group.
Table 1. Lear’s Macaw egg measurements
Length cm Breadth cm
Mass g
4.548
4.400
4.753
4.689
4.500
4.370
4.425
4.545
4.582
4.518
4.274
4.373
4.351
4.572
3.427
3.443
3.709
3.625
3.745
3.712
3.592
3.703
3.778
3.950
3.683
3.728
3.242
3.223 29.0
35.3
33.7
33.0
32.1
30.9
34.1
35.0
30.0
30.4
32.1
23.7
25.8
[text Matthias Reinschmidt, statistics David Waugh]
The breeding year 2008 began rather early for our Lear’s Macaws, but
was even more successful, with two fledged young from each pair being
produced. Here are the basic breeding statistics from the two years:
Egg-laying season – March to July (see graph)
Average dimensions of egg (mean+/-SD) – 4.493+/-0.15 x 3.611+/0.207 cm (n=14)
Average egg weight at laying (mean+/-SD) – 31.2+/-3.45 g
(n=13)
Total eggs produced- 18
Eggs damaged – 10 (55.6%): mainly puncture holes from the
claws of the parents
Fertile eggs – 14 (93.3%, i.e. possible to determine in 15 eggs)
Total young fledged – 7 (38.9% fledge rate)
Weights of chick at hatching (and % weight loss during incubation)
– 20 g (31.0%); 21.7 g (29.8%)
Average incubation period (mean+/-SD) – 27.7+/-1.53 days (n=3)
Defensive Ara chloroptera foster parents
30
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.
Netzing Solutions AG, Rohersa, Frutas Cruz Santa, Emerencio e hijos S.L., DHE, Bärbel & Klaus Binder, Vogelfreunde Achern e. V.,
Brotogeris Society International, Fandango, Fontasol, Garjor, Global Sistemas Integrales S.L., Lero Minusval S.L., Simone
Armbrüster-Röver, Cavas Catalanas, Cumba, Luis y Guillén Carpinteria Metálica, Malinda Chouinard, Mark Hagen,
Papageienfreunde Nord e.V., Reynolds Polymer, Tilla Ganz, Vogelfreunde Höchstadt e.V.
Our thanks to all our sponsors, donors
and other supporters
31

Breeding Lear`s Macaws - Loro Parque Fundación

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