Hi all.
I was recently recovering from influenza and was going through old
National
Geographics, and came accross an account of an effort to rescue the then
endangered Puerto Rican Parrot, it having been reduced from nearly a
million to twenty-three birds by 1975.
A team of experts was assembled to save the parrots from extinction.The
team devised a unique method to deal with the worst aggressor which was
the
Pearly-eyed Thrasher,a nest-stealer.
They provided a more attractive nest for thrashers several feet away from
each parrots nest.The thrashers then ignored the parrots but would drive
away any intruding thrashers from the area.It was thus converted from a
predator to a watchdog.
The team's leader,a Jim Wiley (U.S.Fish & Wildlife biologist) announced an
improvement in numbers but added "This will be one of the closest calls we
have ever had if we are to save this species."
Now , as this was the position in April,1983,(Nat.Geo.Vol.163,No.4) could
any of our readers tell me what has been the outcome of thiscliffhanger?
Thanking you in anticipation,
Reg Clark.
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