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cover of episode Bird Backpacks Could Help This Parrot Bounce Back

Bird Backpacks Could Help This Parrot Bounce Back

2024/12/30
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Short Wave
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E
Ernesto Ankerlin-Hufflach
J
James Shepherd
N
Nadine Lamberski
Topics
Regina Barber & Rachel Carlson: 我们报道了厚嘴鹦鹉的保护故事,它们的数量在20世纪90年代曾降至最低点,但在圣迭戈动物园野生动物联盟和OVIS的共同努力下,种群数量有所增长,这需要多方面的努力,因为它们面临着森林火灾、走私和森林砍伐等多种威胁。保护森林的同时,也要保护依靠森林生活的当地社区。 我们与当地社区和政府合作,制定更可持续的森林管理方案,最大限度地减少对濒危鹦鹉的影响。起初,我们与当地社区的谈判并不顺利,直到一位女士提出了为了孩子们的未来而保护森林的想法,才最终达成协议。几十年后,她的女儿成为了当地土地的领导者,并续签了保护森林的合同。 我们使用小型太阳能背包追踪厚嘴鹦鹉,这有助于监测其种群恢复情况。这些背包很小很轻,不会对鹦鹉造成伤害,并且会在几年后自动脱落。太阳能背包帮助我们收集跨季节的数据,追踪鹦鹉的迁徙模式和筑巢习性,这有助于我们监测鹦鹉的恢复情况。 厚嘴鹦鹉展现出适应性,它们正在学习利用不同的树木筑巢和寻找食物。在森林中放置人工鸟巢可以帮助厚嘴鹦鹉繁殖,增加巢穴数量。 Ernesto Ankerlin-Hufflach: 我致力于保护厚嘴鹦鹉,这是我继承自父亲的环保事业的延续,也是我为当地社区做出的创新贡献。通过与当地社区合作,我们成功地使厚嘴鹦鹉的数量在过去十年里增长了10%。人们对环保的观念正在发生改变,这让我对厚嘴鹦鹉的未来充满谨慎的乐观。 Nadine Lamberski: 在森林中放置人工鸟巢可以帮助厚嘴鹦鹉繁殖,增加巢穴数量。 James Shepherd: 我们设计了小型、轻便的追踪背包,不会对鹦鹉造成伤害,并且会在几年后自动脱落。太阳能背包帮助我们收集跨季节的数据,追踪鹦鹉的迁徙模式和筑巢习性,这有助于我们监测鹦鹉的恢复情况。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why are thick-billed parrots endangered?

Thick-billed parrots are endangered due to habitat loss caused by deforestation, illegal logging, forest fires, and parrot smuggling. Their population plummeted from historical ranges across the American Southwest and Venezuela to only a wild population in Mexico's Sierra Madre mountains.

What role do local communities play in thick-billed parrot conservation?

Local communities are crucial in conservation efforts. Organizations like OVIS and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance work with them to develop sustainable logging practices, protect forests, and create legal protections for parrot habitats. Community involvement has been key to the success of these initiatives.

How are artificial nesting boxes helping thick-billed parrots?

Artificial nesting boxes provide additional nesting sites for thick-billed parrots, which often struggle to find suitable trees due to deforestation. These boxes are placed high in trees using a rope and pulley system, effectively doubling the number of available nests and improving chick survival rates.

What are the tiny solar-powered backpacks used for in parrot conservation?

Tiny solar-powered backpacks are used to track thick-billed parrots' migration patterns and nesting habits. These lightweight, non-invasive devices fall off after a couple of years and provide critical data on parrot behavior, helping researchers monitor their recovery and population growth.

How has the thick-billed parrot population changed in recent years?

The thick-billed parrot population has increased by 10% over the last decade, thanks to conservation efforts like habitat protection, artificial nesting boxes, and community involvement. Researchers estimate the population was at its lowest in the 1990s, with just over 1,000 individuals.

What challenges do thick-billed parrots face in their natural habitat?

Thick-billed parrots face challenges such as habitat loss from illegal logging, forest fires, and deforestation. They rely on large pine trees for nesting, which are prime targets for logging. Additionally, they are vulnerable to parrot smuggling and climate-related changes in their environment.

Shownotes Transcript

The thick-billed parrot is the only surviving parrot species native to the United States. These brightly colored birds once roamed across the American Southwest and as far south as Venezuela — but today, the only wild population remaining lives high in the forests of Mexico's Sierra Madre mountains. For years, conservation organizations like OVIS ([Organización Vida Silvestre](#OrganizaciónVida Silvestre))) and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) have been working on a multi-faceted conservation project to save these birds. Host Regina G. Barber) and producer Rachel Carlson) dive into the details of that project — and how tiny "bird backpacks" are helping to make it all happen. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)