Loro Parque recovers species thought to be extinct

The move recognises the remarkable achievements of three conservation organizations – Fundación ProAves, Fundación Loro Parque, and American Bird Conservancy (ABC) – in conserving the species.

Many in the birding and wildlife community rejoiced in 1998 when Fundación ProAves, funded by ABC and Loro Parque rediscovered a colony of 81 Yellow-eared Parrots in the Andes of Colombia, South America after the species was thought to be extinct.

Parrot Once Thought Extinct Now Numbers Over 1,000 – Huge Environmental Victory for Colombia

It has now been announced that the status of the Yellow-eared Parrot is being downgraded from “Critically Endangered” to “Endangered.”

The IUCN announcement confirms that the challenge is being successfully met with the Yellow-eared Parrot now standing at more than 1,000 individuals.

“Since 1999 the Loro Parque Foundation has supported ProAves in its exceptional efforts to bring about the recovery of the Yellow-eared Parrot. With the announcement today that this species is no longer Critically Endangered, we are proud that our support has paid off in the best possible way. The come-back of the Yellow-eared Parrot is singularly impressive, and the conservation program of ProAves should be used as a model of success to avoid the extinction of other threatened parrots.” added Wolfgang Kiessling, President of Loro Parque Fundación.

The Yellow-eared Parrot conservation effort was further advanced by the support and commitment of local governments, rural communities and environmental education projects such as the “Environmental Education Mobile Classroom Loro Bus.” The bus has had a remarkable array of achievements through its visits to 17 departments and 43 municipalities in Colombia, reaching over 120,000 children.

Eleven years after starting conservation efforts to save the Yellow-eared Parrot, efforts continue with the hope that the spectacular Yellow-eared parrot is once again a common sight across the Andes of Colombia.