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Parrots. A Species at Risk!

by Biol. Oscar S. Aranda Mena |

Have you ever thought of the number of parrots which are caged in your neighborhood alone? Perhaps you are among the area residents who consider parrots to be a traditional Vallarta pet? or to be more precise a traditional Mexican pet. Unfortunately, almost all of those playful green birds are captured from nearby jungles.

A Green Tradition
Almost every child (and adult) has wanted at some time to have a parrot at home; to teach it to talk, and proudly display it on one's shoulder. This tradition comes from pre-Hispanic eras, but became a wider trend during the Spanish conquest when the Europeans found themselves amazed at their vivid colors.

Condemned to Life in Prison
For a captured parrot, living in a cage would be its best future. After reaching their point of sale, on rare occasions are treated and fed delicately by their new owners, until they grow and become so mischievous and need to be caged for the rest of their lives.

The Grim Reality
At this time, you may be thinking that this could not be happening in Vallarta. What people are not aware of is that for every parrot that is sold, at least eight others have died during their capture, handling, and transportation.It has been estimated that the amount of parrots (of all types, including macaws) that are captured annually, in Mexico alone exceeds 70 thousand parrots. There is simply no jungle in the world that can withstand this degree of pillaging.

Winds of Change?
The government has finally done something in this regard, and last year a new law was enacted prohibiting the capture of any of the 22 species which include the wild birds. Likewise, it's worth mentioning that in Vallarta, there is a group of people who have launched an ambitious project to recover the green macaw, this includes a wild bird and captivity breeding program, as well as the protection of their habitat.

It is all a matter of willpower. As much as you may want to acquire a wild parrot, think of its future and the important role it plays for our wild jungles. If you really appreciate them, protect them and help in the conservation efforts currently underway!

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