Ecobreves – CUBA: Endangered Parrot Population On the Rise

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

HAVANA, Jun 15 2009 (IPS) - The population of parrots, an endemic but endangered species, has increased in the central Cuban province of Villa Clara, thanks to a program where the community plays a key role. A project begun in 2003 in Hanabanilla, an area of Manicaragua municipality declared a protected natural landscape, includes placement of artificial nests with the goal of facilitating the birds' reproduction.

“Efforts have put a halt to poaching,” biologist José Antonio Santos, of the National Agency for the Protection of Flora and Fauna, told Tierramérica. He also noted the contribution from the Small Grants Program of the Global Environment Facility.

Only two parrot species inhabit Cuba: the Amazona leucocephala and the Aratinga euops.