In October 2005 the EU banned the importation of wild-caught parrots, but this does not mean the welfare of parrots in EU countries, and their associated Islands, are given any better protection.
I visited the Greek Island of Rhodes (Rodos to locals) about five years ago and I was horrified at the abuse and cruelty I witnessed. On my return home I wrote to those in influential positions, who I felt could help to address the issues I raised, and to take action to investigate and improve the welfare, especially of parrots and donkeys.
I have recently returned to Rhodes and found nothing had changed, in fact, it is worse and I was deeply distressed at what I saw. When you confront cruelty and welfare issues with the local people who are involved and remind them that they are in the EU, the answer you get is, “This is Greece” or “This is Spain” meaning we do things our way – I have raised welfare/cruelty issues in both countries, but sadly, the abuse and cruelty is too well established and will not stop, unless there is intervention from outside.
While in Rhodes, I again went to Lindos, where there is an Acropolis, and for those who have not been, the Acropolis is situated on top of a hill that is quite hard to climb up, so donkeys are used to take visitors partway to the top. In the square below there are donkeys all saddled up with their keepers in charge, waiting and pressing for business, and on my recent visit, there were approximately 15 donkeys.
The previous time I was there, the number of donkeys was greater as a USA cruise ship was moored in Rhodes harbor and there were a lot of Americans in Lindos wanting to go up to the Acropolis. It is obvious the owners of donkeys know when the Cruise ships are in and provide more donkeys for the financial rewards they bring.
Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Parrots magazine.
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Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Parrots magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Parrot language issue
Puerto Rico’s endangered parrots are facing a new threat to their survival – their strange squawks. In a phenomenon never seen before, Puerto Rican parrots bred in captivity, with a view to being released into the wild, were communicating with a different dialect to the wild populations.
Regent parrots thriving in SA wetland
Passion drips from Tim Field’s every word when he speaks about eastern Regent Parrots. The wetland manager at Banrock Station in South Australia is, it’s fair to say, smitten with these striking birds. “September and October is Regent Parrot survey time,” Tim says, “So we’re up well before dawn to make sure we’re at the wetland’s to track the fly-in, fly-out breeding population.”
Landmark event for Philippine Cockatoo
Exciting news has recently arrived of a landmark event in the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program (PCCP), the long-term endeavour to bring about the recovery of this ‘Critically Endangered’ species endemic to the Philippines. For the first time ever, a Philippine Cockatoo rescued from the wild, and subsequently released back to its original site, has been recorded to breed and produce a healthy hatchling. Such rescue and release to augment the wild population is just one of a raft of conservation measures conducted by the PCCP and supported by the Loro Parque Fundación over many years.
Increasing Knowledge of the Most Endangered Parrots
Fifty years ago our knowledge of the status of parrots in the wild was limited. Few parrot species were known to be in danger of extinction and these were mainly Amazona parrots which were confined to small islands. At that time very few species had been studied in the wild.
Coronavirus threat to PNG's animal rescue centre
Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea and is home to its unique animal rescue centre that is now facing the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, and could be shut down. Papua New Guinea is the most populous nation in Melanesia and faces a potentially devastating wave of Covid-19 infections.
Cucurbitaceae enrichment for our parrots
The group of cucurbitaceae is the one that includes cucumbers and pumpkins. Climbing or creeping plants that usually cover large areas to produce fruits that usually accumulate a lot of water. In nature, these plants defend themselves with a very bitter substance called cucurbitacin.
Rare macaw refuge destroyed
A rare bird sanctuary in Brazil, which is home to 15 per cent of the world’s population of Hyacinth and Lear’s Macaws, has been destroyed by fires, and there are now fears for the survival of these blue macaws. “It is very sad to see decades of my family’s work, years taking care and preserving nature, for this to happen,” said Ana Maria Barreto, owner of the São Francisco do Perigara, a cattle ranch and bird sanctuary of more than 61,000 acres in Mato Grosso state.
The value of animals
Children at a nursery and day care facility were delighted to receive a visit from some very special guests. Learning Land in Workington has a range of animals drop by, as part of an educational encounter paid for by the Co-op. The store has been working with animal specialists, Pet Encounter Cumbria, based in Workington, to deliver therapeutic and educational visits to children and the elderly.
Complete Psittacine Subtle Secrets for Feeding Psittacines – and Getting them to Eat
I have been daily feeding psittacines for 40 years now and there have been times in the past when I felt that was all I did each day – pets, breeders, babies, the birds at the shoppe in Santa Fe. The good news is this has taught me a whole lot about how to do it. And across all species groups, there are some really good guidelines for what to feed, when to feed, and how to make sure your parrots are actually consuming what you are giving them.
Calabash for parrots
Different types of calabash has grown this year very well within our organic crops and a big advantage for our parrots that are relishing every moment during this season.
