Parrot Conservation in the Neotropics

The recognizable Amazona parrots are highly threatened by the pet trade, hunting, and habitat destruction. This module provides an overview of how their popularity has enabled their status as a flagship species and a conservation tool. The St. Lucia parrot, once reduced to as few as 100 birds in the 1970s, is profiled here as an example to illustrate how these parrots have been used to promote conservation and increase public awareness and environmental education. In the accompanying exercise, students estimate the vital statistics of populations using raw data to determine best management strategies and sustainable harvest levels.