“One wants to protect the existing population, and the other wants to release more birds.” Parrot release programs are controversial, which Sanderson readily acknowledges. Sanderson’s five breeding pairs represent nine different bloodlines, probably one of the most diverse breeding groups in North America, which will help prevent inbreeding in the wild. “It has been hard for my family to understand,” Sanderson admitted. It has also required at least three hours of labour a day, seven days a week, limiting family holidays, and cost hundreds of dollars a month to keep them fed and sheltered. That has involved an extreme amount of permits and contracts, and the birds have all been quarantined at her aviary for the last five years, with no contact with other parrots or even other parrot owners. Not wanting to give up working with the birds altogether, Sanderson decided to breed them for the World Parrot Trust’s conservation program. “A lot of people don’t know how to care for parrots,” she noted. Sanderson started breeding parrots for the pet trade, but soon discovered that wasn’t a business she wanted to be part of, particularly since many pet parrots end up in unfortunate circumstances. “I got my first one when I was nine, and I’ve worked with them all my life.” “I’ve had parrots since I was a child,” said Sanderson, who will still have three blue-throated macaws – her pets – when all is said and done. It is the result of a lifetime with parrots. Five breeding pairs will remain in Toronto, where African Lion Safari will take over Sanderson’s breeding program, while the majority will eventually head to Bolivia to be gradually released into their natural habitat. Those birds are among 27 who are leaving April Sanderson’s Shawnigan Lake aviary this week. That’s about to change, however slightly, with the release of 17 birds raised in Shawnigan Lake. New life for endangered macaws from CowichanĪccording to the World Parrot Trust, for every blue-throated macaw in the wild, there are 3,750 African elephants, 200 rhinos, 12 giant pandas, and six mountain gorillas. Perhaps they’ll wait and see which birds seem most suitable for release before letting them go? This is certainly a very generous move on the part of the breeder of these birds. I admit I’d be very hesitant to release a bird that’s been living in captivity for 14 years into the wild. Blue-throated Macaws are critically endangered and have a restricted range in the wild, as they are found only in north-central Bolivia. The feathers on the face are also blue on a Blue-throated Macaw (they are black on a blue and gold). Blue-throated Macaws look similar to the much more common Blue and Gold Macaws, but they are smaller, lack the green on the head, and have ‘blue’ beards instead of black ones. Onto parrots: here’s a news article about Blue-throated Macaws out of Canada. His name is Amigo and he’s an Arabian/Andalusian cross. Back to blogging again! I haven’t been blogging too much lately as I’ve been busy with a new job (I’m a wildlife biologist for an environmental consulting firm now) and I’ve been spending a lot of time working with this guy (the white/grey one):
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