FEATURE
Peninsula. In 2007, with 2-3 months of volunteer work in the summer, it was established that scarlet macaws in ACOSA feed heavily on beach almond (Terminalia catappa).
Beach almond is native to southeast
Asia but has been naturalised in almost all tropical areas by ocean currents and humans. Tolerance of stress by wind and salt makes beach almond ideal for beach habitats. On beaches, T. catappa stabilizes sand dunes with its extensive roots, provides food and shade for humans and animals and apparently has potential for commercial cultivation. A key aspect of beach almonds is the bearing of fruit during the dry season. According to a review of tree phenology in the Indian dry tropics only approximately 12% of tree species that exist in dry forest areas flower during the dry season. This makes the beach almond a very important food source during a time of limited fruit and seed production. Research has shown that several seed predators in Costa Rica feed on beach almond seeds, but the main two predators are scarlet macaws, and variegated squirrels (Sciurus variegatoides).
Apart from the important research work funded by the Parrot Society UK, a major success story, has been the production of a colouring book for elementary school children, which
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has been used in many schools in the region. Team members visit the schools regularly to explain the importance of vigilance to the children, which they pass on to the adults in their families. Chris Vaughan sends regular reports to the Parrot Society UK on progress and developments with the project. At the one-day seminar in 2010 at Twycross Zoo Fiona Dear, who has worked for extensive periods in Costa Rica with the project, came to make a presentation on its work. There is still much work to be done there in conserving the two populations of Scarlet Macaw in Costa Rica and the Parrot Society UK will continue to support it wherever possible.
DONATE TO OUR CONSERVATION FUND…
CLICK THE LINK BELOW:
http://www.theparrotsocietyuk.org/donations.php
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