Puerto Rican Parrot Project
Partners

United States Forest Service

Once abundant and widespread throughout the island of Puerto Rico, the last refuge for the Puerto Rican parrot became the Caribbean National Forest, managed and administered by the U.S.D.A./Forest Service.  The United States Forest Service is in charge of managing the habitat for the species, performing routine maintenance of nest cavities, assisting on pre-breeding and post breeding surveys, conducting intensive swarm (bees) trappings, covering nest entrances after the breeding season, modifying of nest cavities and public outreach.

As a partner in the recovery efforts for the species the Forest Service is part of the Puerto Rican Parrot Interagency Committee, the Puerto Rican Parrot Technical Committee, and the Puerto Rican Parrot Scientific Advisory Team.  The Forest Service also plays a key role in various scientific studies that will continue to provide valuable information towards the road to recovery for the parrot.

Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

Since the DNER was created in 1972, its mission has been the custody of PR’s most precious natural and environmental resources, many of them unique in the planet. If more information about this state agency is needed they can be contacted at (787)723-1464 or by fax at (787)723-4255. Their physical address is Muñoz Rivera Ave., Stop 3.5, San Juan, PR (the entrance to the Department is just 200 meters before the Senate of PR and 500 meters before the Park Service Facilities/San Cristobal Castle. Their postal address is P.O. Box 9066600, Puerta de Tierra Station, PR 00906-6600.

Like the FS, as a partner in the recovery efforts for the species the DNER is part of the PRP Interagency Committee, the PRP Technical Committee, and the PRP Scientific Advisory Team. The DNER also plays a key role in captive breeding and management of the species, assisting on pre-breeding and post breeding surveys, radio telemetry of released parrots, management of potential candidates for release prior to such stage, evaluation of potential sites other than the Caribbean National Forest for re-introduction of the PRP, and various scientific studies that will continue to provide valuable information towards the recovery of the parrot from the brink of extinction.

United States Geological Survey

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center are working with scientists in Puerto Rico to increase the reproductive success of the Puerto Rican parrots in captivity with the long term goal of releasing captive-reared birds into the wild.  The USGS provides veterinary support for the health and management of the wild and captive flocks of  Puerto Rican parrots.  Some major tasks include:

• Intense nutritional evaluation of captive and wild bird diets

• Disease surveillance in the Caribbean National Forest and Karst region

• Development of a breeding management plan

• Refinement of rearing and release protocols using information gained from the Hispaniolan Parrot Release project in the Dominican Republic

• Field efforts focusing on warble fly control and evaluations of wild chick mortality

Comments/Suggestions/Additional Information

Should you have any comments, suggestions, or require additional information please contact the following:

Luquillo Aviary
Jafet Velez-Valentin, Aviary Operations Coordinator
Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program
P.O. Box 1600
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 00745
Phone: 787/887-8769 (Rio Grande Office)
Phone: 787/360-1615 (Luquillo Aviary)
Fax: 787/887-7512
E-mail: Jafet_Velez@fws.gov

Rio Abajo Aviary or Jose L. Vivaldi Memorial Aviary
Ricardo Valentín, Aviary Operations Coordinator
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
P.O. Box 439
Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00613-0439
Phone:  787/ 815-1462, 1428, 1517
Fax: 787/815-1509
E-mail: aviariorioabajo@hotmail.com