Dr. Brightsmith, our co-director, visits Innovative Parrot Conservation Project in Colombia
Last week, TMS’s Dr. Brightsmith visited his collaborator Alejandro Rigatuso at Fundacion Loros, located outside Cartagena, Colombia. Dr. Brightsmith toured the 370 ha (914 acres) working farm and nature reserve to observe this groundbreaking project firsthand.
Fundacion Loros is dedicated to rehabilitating parrots that were previously involved in the illegal wildlife trade. Colombia faces a significant challenge with a high number of parrots from illegal trade and limited options for their rehabilitation. Alejandro and his team at Fundacion Loros are making impressive strides in improving the lives of these birds. Over the past year, they have released 27 Amazon parrots, with at least 22 of them returning to the feeders and thriving. Remarkably, these parrots are still moving as a single flock, showcasing a level of group cohesion rarely seen in other parrot release projects.
A key factor in the success of this initiative is the collaboration with Chris Biro of Bird Recovery International. Chris used parrot free-flight training to prepare 23 of the young parrots for life outside the cage.
In Colombia, the government rarely permits the release of animals back into the wild. However, Alejandro has developed a network of feeders that allows these parrots to free fly while maintaining a semi-dependent state on the property. This innovative method significantly enhances the lives of dozens of native Colombian parrots.
This visit aligns with our vision and mission to advance collaborative efforts in wildlife conservation and promote sustainable development for the benefit of both biodiversity and local communities. Congratulations to Alejandro and all the project members for their hard work and outstanding success!
