Puerto Rican Parrot Wins A Close Shave From Extinction : Science Desk

A species whose total count was as low as 13 has now survived 4 decades and wins its race against extinction. The reports have come from RIO ABAJO NATURE PRESERVE, Puerto Rico, where the Puerto Rican parrots who were marked close to extinction has survived in captivity and a minor percentage in wild to increase their total count to 400, where 300 lives in the nature preserve and 100 are in the wild.

A species whose total count was as low as 13 has now survived 4 decades and wins its race against extinction. The reports have come from RIO ABAJO NATURE PRESERVE, Puerto Rico, where the Puerto Rican parrots who were marked close to extinction has survived in captivity and a minor percentage in wild to increase their total count to 400, where 300 lives in the nature preserve and 100 are in the wild.

Puerto Rican Parrots are the only species of parrots native to the area and one among the 30 parrot species available in America. They are characterized by their red foreheads and turquoise feathers under their wings. They only grow up to 1 foot in length and are famous for the secrecy and single mate for life. They reproduce once every year.

The Rio Abajo Nature Preserve is quite happy with the achievement, "This is a huge step" says Gustavo Oliveri, Coordinator of Rio Abajo Parrot reintroduction program, "It shows the population can sustain on itself". The wild parrot nests were recently discovered by scientists and the nests also had Puerto Rican Parrot eggs. Although the eggs did not hatch, but this is considered quite a success by the community. Although birds in captivity are having the chicks fine and this year, the nature preserve had 51 parrots born and 15 were born in wild.

There were close to 1 million parrots in Rio in late 1800's, but the population decreased humongous counts when the habitats started getting destroyed following the clearing of forests. By 1950's the population was recorded as 200 and by 1975 the count reached to 13. This was the closest that any recorded animal reached, so close to extinction. Finally with the efforts of scientists, the count was increased to 50 by 1989 - but unfortunate turn of events caused the count to reduce, following the Hurricane Hugo.

Captive breeding started in 1972 and first chick was born in 1979.

Read Report by Philly.com

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- Unknown Updated at: Monday, August 19, 2013