RSCF Blog Squad

Weekend Activities...Bongo on the Move

2011-11-14T06:04:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, November 12, we moved 2.1 bongo (two males, one female) to a partner facility in Martin County. The photos here document the move and all the excitement that goes with this sort of event. It takes a great team (thanks to Dr. Mark Davis, his tech Kelly, HC Ranch team, and RSCF staff members), coordination, and LOTS of muscle!

RSCF bongo are kept in large, open acre pens (5 acres or more). RSCF director, Dr. Paul Reillo, and Dr. Mark Davis ride out on an ATV to dart the animals with a tranquilizer. Then, another team goes in on an ATV with a trailor to transport the animals out of the pens and to the transport truck. There, Dr. Davis takes blood samples, vaccinates and ear tags each bongo, while still asleep on the trailer. Finally, a reversal drug is administered and the bongo wakes up.

Thanks to all for the great teamwork. Our bongo are now at their new home, and will be the nexus for a new breeding group. We plan to send several more to the facility and will keep you posted with more photos and video. For more information about RSCF's bongo programs, be sure to visit our website!

Worm Wars!

2011-07-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

This is a nice little video shot by RSCF's animal care specialist PJ Deitschel. A group of pygmy marmosets "share" a giant mealworm. Makes you hungry, right??

Parrot Monitoring on Palm Beach 2011

2011-05-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday RSCF staff members Dr. Paul Reillo, Dr. PJ Deitschel, Danielle Payne and Karen McGovern headed over to Palm Beach to check in on the ferel population of Green Cheek Amazons that live there. The colony is doing extremely well, and RSCF has been checking in on six active nest cavities this season. We weighed and examined eight chicks, banding four with colorful identification bands, then returned them safely to their nest cavities. All the chicks we examined were healthy and robust! We also filmed inside several nests, using a camera system designed by RSCF that uses a one-inch infa-red camera attached to the end of an extending 50-foot pole. We got some great footage of adults with eggs and chicks.

It is wonderful to see so many active and healthy nests. The flock is indeed doing well this year!

Babies!

2011-05-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick slideshow of the latest photos taken of our five 2011 Red Browed Amazon babies. Less than a month old, already showing feather pins and color! Quite a lovely bunch...Below the slideshow is a video of the babies enjoying lunch. Boy, can they eat!!

New Truck for the Bongo Surveillance Program!

2011-04-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

This new field vehicle, made possible by a generous contribution to RSCF by Mr. Ken Coe, leveraged by the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust (and with special consideration by CMC Motors in Nairobi), is dedicated to the Bongo Surveillance Programme. It will be used to transport the BSP team into remote, mountainous terrain across the Aberdares, Mt. Kenya, Mau Mt. Eburru and surrounding areas to conduct bongo monitoring and surveillance, collect DNA samples, perform GPS/GIS surveys and maintain a vigilant presence to help protect the last wild mountain bongo populations. The one-owner vehicle is turbo-charged for high-altitude use, and is equipped with all-terrain suspension and tires, intake snorkel, and bull guards to protect the drive-train and occupants. This vehicle replaces the well-worn Toyota Hilux purchased by RSCF six years ago, which ferried RSCF Research Associate into the field during his Ph.D. research on mountain bongo, and subsequently became the BSP's first dedicated field transport.

Endangered Exotics in our Backyard...

2011-04-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

Since the 1940s, a ferel population of endangered Green Cheeked Amazon parrots (Amazona vidirigenalis) has nested in Palm Beach County. RSCF has monitored this group for many years, photographing the flock, filming inside nest cavities and banding babies. The group has begun nesting again this year, and yesterday RSCF staff visited the flock to assess nests and breeding activity. Six active nests were discovered so far, and we will continue to monitor the group closely. Green cheeks are native to Mexico and are considered endangered in their native country.

Here are a few shots of the colony, which includes individuals of other Amazon species including Double Yellow Head (Amazona ocracephala oratrix), Blue Front (Amazona aestiva), and Orange Wing (Amazona amazonica).

RSCF Welcomes Dr. PJ Deitschel to our Team!

2011-04-13T05:51:00.000-07:00

RSCF is thrilled to welcome Dr. PJ Deitschel to our staff. Dr. Deitschel will serve as our on staff veterinarian and resident farm manager.

PJ brings to RSCF 27 years of knowledge from working with over 300 species of wild mammals, birds and reptiles. A passion for animal advocacy led her to the field of wildlife rehabilitation where she gained extensive expertise in urban wildlife issues while managing a large rehabilitation center and sanctuary in NY. Recognizing a need for experienced wildlife veterinarians, PJ returned to school in her home state of NM and subsequently obtained her DVM from Colorado State University. She pursued her interest in wildlife medicine as the veterinary advisor for a conservation foundation in South Africa and then as the Clinic Director for CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) in Sanibel FL. Most recently PJ served with Wildlife Operations and as a Natural Resources Advisor on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response team. She shares her home life with a laid-back lop-eared house rabbit named “Yebo”.

Welcome aboard, PJ!!

New Mico Video!

2011-04-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a funny little video of Mico discovering a hat in his enclosure...

Lab on Wheels Sent to Dominica!

2011-03-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

Last week, RSCF sent an RV to the Caribbean island of Dominica for use as a mobile parrot lab. The vehicle will be posted at the Parrot Research Centre in the Botanical Gardens and will be available for the Parrot Research Team. RSCF will outfit the mobile lab with an incubator, brooder and basic lab equipment so the team can have an isolated, mobile space to work with the island's two endimc parrot species, the Imperial Amazon and the Red-Necked Amazon.

RSCF would like to thank the Batchelor Foundation and Tropical Shipping for their continued support, we couldn't have done it without you!

Wild Things a WILD SUCCESS!

2011-02-22T09:03:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, February 13, we held our fifth annual wildlife art show, called Wild Things. The show is hosted by Gisela and Howald Pferdekamper and brings artists together from around the country to show wildlife-inspired art in support of RSCF's conservation programs. This year we had several new artists, including mixed media artist Anthony Burkes and art photographer Melinda Moore. RSCF trustee Dr. Mark Davis screened a portion of his new film, Horns of Hope, about our efforts to save endangered black rhino in Zimbabwe. As you can see from the photos, we had a great time and the art was amazing! We partnered with Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, and the guests loved meeting the non-releasable rehab animals, including an alligator, crested cara cara, corn snake, and skunk!

For more information about the show, contact Karen McGovern.

Bouncing Baby Bongo

2010-12-08T08:11:00.000-08:00

Finally! The newest addition to the bongo herd has arrived.

Iguanas Ready for the Cold!

2010-11-30T08:37:00.000-08:00

Even though south Florida doesn't get too cold, sometimes it gets a little too cold for our scaly friends, the iguanas. Today we decided to clean out their hibernation box and get it all prepped and ready to go for the winter. Here are some snap shots of the staff helping out Sammie and Yoshi for the future cold snaps.

New Employees at RSCF!!

2010-11-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

RSCF wants to welcome our new staff employees Uziel and Danielle! We put together a little bio on each of them to get to know them better.

Uziel was born and raised in Maywood, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago and recieved a Bachelor of Science in Biology. This was where his interest in the animal field began. From there he took internships at Cosley Zoo, Brookfield Zoo and volunteered at Willowbrook Wildlife Center. One of his favorite animals, that he's worked with thus far, are kangaroos. Uziel's animal dream would be to work with jaguars. At the moment he wants to continue working in the animal field and is open to where his future may lead him. Outside of working with a diverse group of animals he enjoys scuba diving, going to the beach and any other outdoor activities. At home he's got a sulcata tortoise, two sun conures, a peacock and miniture pincher.

Danielle was born in Japan but raised in Lake Worth, Florida. She is part of a navy family and was moved out of Japan when she was six months old. Danielle recieved her Bachelor of Science at the University of Florida in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Her internships include sea turtle work in North Carolina and Juno Beach and has had the opportunity to work with manatees at Crystal River in Ocala. She would love to work with medium to large sized mammals and stay in the realm of conservation work. Danielle is interested in creating crafts out of recycled items, a regular wiz in transforming trash into treasure. Other interests include spending time with her dog, reading, and drawing. Her pets include two dogs and two lovebirds.

They both are looking forward to working with RSCF and seeing where their paths will go from here on out.

Dead Pine Removal

2010-11-03T08:20:00.000-07:00

Here you see an old dead pine being taken down by Paul's ropes and tractor. We periodically take any dead pines down so we don't have a collapse on a fenceline, cages, or any expensive equipment. We first cleared the area with machetes so Paul had access to the tree which he then scaled with an extension ladder and tied a rope 3/4 of the way up to help pull it down and direct the fall. While the rest of us stood at a safe distance Paul used the chainsaw to carve out an angle out of the trunk and then made his way to the tractor where tension was put on the rope and, as you can see, the tree was retired. Hope the video is as enjoyable as it was for us to witness. Also, the tree made a nice heavy exhaling thud as it hit the earth.

How to Compost Rare Species style

2010-10-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

Here we see Hollie teaching us how to reduse, reuse, and recycle through composting. Hopefully this video will inspire others to do the same. Also, here are some links with more info on composting:

How To Compost

Wiki How

Red Worm Composting

Compost Guide

2010 Pygmy Babies!!

2010-10-19T08:51:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! RSCF wanted to put together a little slide show and video presentation of our latest pygmy marmoset babies of 2010. Starting at the top of our list is a juvenile male, born at the end of January, who is very curious and loves checking out the camera. Following him is a little girl born in May. Then we have the juvenile male's sibling born in August. And capping it off with our latest twins, born late August. These guys are really hard to get a picture of. They flee when they see us. We have to wait until they get older and start to venture on their own. This is when they cling to the cages and we finally have the chance to sex them.

A Vinaceous Greeting!

2010-10-13T09:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a little snip-it of our only pair of Vinaceous Amazon parrots. Unfortunately these guys are on the IUCN list of endangered animals. Their populations in South America are depleting. RSCF just wanted to share a little visual so everyone can see how pretty they are.

Help Wanted at Rare Species Conservatory Foundation!

2010-10-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

RSCF is seeking a qualified, part-time animal care specialist. Must have experience with exotic wildlife, work outdoors, weekend, and holidays. Duties include the daily care and management of a 30-acre wildlife center, animal care, records keeping, diet preparation, and property maintenance.

Candidates must be fit, able to lift 50 lbs and have a working knowledge of basic farm equipment (ATV, tractors, etc.).

Hours: 20-30/week. Wage: $10.50/hr

Send inquiries, resume and contact information to:
info@rarespecies.org

RSCF is located in Loxahatchee, Fl. www.rarespecies.org

Bongo Update!

2010-10-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few snap shots of our bongo. Excuse the quality of the pictures but we still just wanted to share what we've got! Don't worry, better pictures and videos are soon to come!

Lunch Time for Susie & Sammie

2010-09-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

Check out our new picture and video of the week. Our picture is of Susie, our female golden-lion tamarin, taking a lizard from fellow keeper, Hollie. They love their lizards. It's a special treat that they don't get on a regular basis.

This is a video of our large male iguana, Sammie, chowing down on his lunch. During the warmer months their appetite greatly increases compared to the winter time.

Spring Cleaning!!

2010-09-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we cleaned out one of our 50 foot cages. It was unfortunately covered in weeds. It's important to clear them out to make sure there aren't any potential threats growing or hiding in the vegetation. For instance, there can be invasive plants, such as Brazilian pepper taking root inside the cage. Or there can be snakes, hornets or other pesky critters, that aren't welcomed. Here is a little slide show of some before and after pictures. Hauling out two large trash bags filled with weeds. And an unfortunate hornet stinging incident with one of our keepers. After all the work and slight injuries the cage was restored to it's cleaned out self, so it could be kept at a level where the pots could be monitored for not housing anymore unwelcomed friends. Unfortunately a lot of the plants/trees in the cage look like twigs, but that is because the birds love to land on them and rip them apart. They are the birds' natural play toys.

Pic & Video of the Week!!

2010-09-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

Check out this picture Rose took of a native black and yellow argiope spider. Interesting fact; after females lay their eggs in the autumn they die. Eggs hatch in autumn, but they stay in the sac until spring. And males usually have a zig-zag pattern in the middle of their webs. I think this spider is a boy. Very cool!

This is our female red-browed amazon parrot that goes by "Bow Wow Bird." Here's a little clip of her making a trilling sound and saying her name. While she also gives kisses to the camera.

Invasive Plants on the Prowl!

2010-09-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

During the drier months the staff at RSCF tries to go out and tackle some invasive plants and nuisance weeds. It may be the hottest time of year, but it's the easiest time to be able to get into certain areas without being flooded down with water.

One of the biggest weeds we tackle is Cesar's weed. It is native, however when it starts blooming it can shoot out to higher than 6 feet and take over the landscape. In the beginning of the following video we have our intern, Neil, hacking some pesky weeds down.

Lead keeper, Rose, gives a little synopsis on Brazilian pepper. An invasive plant sometimes confused with native holly. This species of tree produces a dense canopy that shades native plants from access to the sun. They are usually found in warmer climates and do not fare well in cold regions.

Finally, David shows us a little sneak peek on the invasive plant Ligodium. This vine usually starts at the base of a tree and begins growing upward. Without being tackled it will grow out towards nearby plants strangling them and stealing all their nutrients.

The best way to kill invasive species is by pulling them out, making sure to get the root. Hang them somewhere upside down so the roots cannot reach soil and regrow. However, with Ligodium, since it becomes such a tight knit knot of a vine, it's best to spray it with herbicide.

Make sure to check out which invasive plants may be in your backyard that you can maintain and prevent from spreading. Let's try to keep Florida's plant and wildlife as native as possible!!

Bath Time!

2010-09-02T07:06:00.001-07:00

When it gets hot, we all like to cool down with a nice shower, especially the Red-browed Amazon parrots. Here are some shots of bath time via shower by hose. The birds love this, and end up soaked to the skin. As you can see, they hang upside down, spread their wings and thoroughly enjoy themselves!

Pic of the Day!

2010-08-31T08:41:00.000-07:00

We discovered new pygmy marmoset twins this morning. Mom gave birth late last night or before dawn today. Hard to photograph in the best of circumstances, so all I could get was a shot from the outside. Mom is VERY SHY. I'll try to get more over the next days and weeks when the babies are a bit bigger. These are fresh from the oven! Mom is great, nursing both at the same time. SO TINY!!

Adorable Pygmy Marmoset Photo of the Week!

2010-08-24T06:27:00.001-07:00

One of our new babies...SO CUTE!!!

2010 Babies!!

2010-08-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

We thought you would like to see some photos of this year's baby red-browed Amazon parrots. The "Fantastic Five" are now fully weaned and living most of the time in their new flight cage. We bring them inside during the hottest part of the late afternoon and overnight. Soon they will be completely acclimated to thier new enclosure and will stay out full time. When we bring them inside, they are usually hot and tired. So, you will see in the last few photos that they enjoy a good bath to cool off!

We will soon know the sex of each bird, we sent off some feathers for DNA sexing just last week. We'll keep you posted!

Pygmy Marmoset Munchies...

2010-08-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

We have a new FlipShare video camera, and we're all having fun figuring out how to use this neat little device. Here is a short video of a couple of our pygmy marmosets enjoying mealworms and crickets for lunch. Forgive the shakey quality--we're learning! We promise, the videos will get better with practice!!

Baby Bongo!!

2010-07-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

On Friday, July 9, 2010, we welcomed a new addition to our bongo family. Although, she wasn't discovered until Sunday. This is due to the fact that usually the mother will hide the baby when it's first born. It gives the baby time to acclimate itself and get its foot barrings. We believe our new little baby is a girl! Off first look usually the head gives away the sex. Males have larger heads. So far the baby has been doing very well these past two weeks. She's been hanging out with one of our big male bulls. Clearly she feels safe laying around with him. Below we have a few small video clips. It's a little difficult to see her. She definitely stays away from us, so it's hard to get a really close up visual on her. She's strong and running around. So far this year we have a total of five new baby bongo! One of the videos includes the other older babies, laying around with a couple of adults. You can tell the difference by the fact that they don't have horns yet and if they do they're very little.

Summer and More!

2010-07-09T06:13:00.001-07:00

Well, summer is finally here, and the farm is alive with activity. We've been so busy we haven't had time to post lately! Our parrot breeding season has been extremely successful, with five new baby redbrows almost weaned and ready to take flight in the new enclosure we just built for them. We have four baby bongo on the ground and running, and our pygmy marmoset colony has increased as well, with new babies everywhere. All are doing well, more photos to come soon!

We also have some new and returning staff members on our team. Neil Grossman, who was our summer intern last year, is back for the month of July. We're happy to have him and put him to work immediately!

We also have welcomed Tony Sheets, our new Director of Operations. He will be managing our 30 acre facility, which will be a BIG help. Tony is from Daytona Beach, and has been a volunteer with RSCF over the past few years, helping out with our overseas program on Dominica and lending a hand on the farm whenever he could. We are very happy to have him as a permanent addition to the staff! Tony will be residing on-site, so we welcome him to his new home!

Here are a few pictures of what we've been up to, many more to come!

Love Your Mother - Celebrate Earth Day with Us!!

2010-04-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

Earth Day is this week! What better way to express your love of nature than through art? Art and Nature are linked, you can't have one without the other. This Friday, we plan to show you that link with our Celebration of Earth Day from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The gallery will be filled with amazing art reflecting our natural world, and we have partnered with 1000 Friends of Florida, the Lake Worth Tree Board, and the Oceanside Green Market for the evening. We'll be giving way trees, wildflower seeds, and great information about how you can help preserve our natural world.

This evening is brought to you courtesy of Gallery artists Karen McGovern, Karen Windchild, Edith-Perla Smith and Tracy Rosof-Peterson.

Mico the Mighty Marmoset Takes Over the Web!!

2010-04-06T05:02:00.000-07:00

Our resident, famous pygmy marmoset, Mico, has become quite popular these days. He's met hundreds of RSCF visitors and has quite a fan-base. In fact, he now has his own Facebook page! Please take a moment to visit his page and "friend" him. Our goal is to become the monkey with the most friends on Facebook! Be sure to read his profile to find out just how Mico came to be such a famous character.

Besides Facebook, Mico also has his own on-line retail store hosted by Zazzle. Here you can find T-Shirts and sweatshirts, notecards, even a scateboard all with Mico's image! He even has his own postage stamp! RSCF recieves a portion of every sale, so please visit the store--you'll find great one-of-a-kind gifts and support RSCF's wildlife conservation programs while you shop!

Photo Op!

2010-04-06T04:55:00.001-07:00

Thought you might enjoy some new photos from around the Farm. Spring is here, and all the critters are very happy to welcome the warmer weather. This past winter was the longest and coldest in many years. We are so glad to see longer, warmer days! We've been busy, planting trees and sprucing up the property. The aviary is especially active right now, with the Red-browed Amazon parrots beginning their breeding season. We check nest-boxes for eggs every morning--tricky business, because not only might there be eggs in the box, but also a very angry parrot! We then artificially incubate the eggs, and in 26 to 28 short days a chick hatches! We'll keep you posted....

We also have a new addition to our bongo herd. Last month a new baby was born with a very unusual stripe pattern near his rear. This squiggly line has earned him the name "Doodle". He's a very fiesty young bull and already running with the big boys.

We Have A Zazzle Store!

2010-03-15T07:06:00.001-07:00

Now you can buy all things RSCF related at our brand new Zazzle store! A portion of every sale will be donated to RSCF, so please get your credit cards out and take a look! T-shirts, stickers, note cards, even a SCATEBOARD are available with images of Mico, or pygmy marmoset spokesman. More to come, bongo and parrots on the way, so check back often!

Create a personalized gift at Zazzle.

Name That Bongo!!

2010-03-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

We'd like to introduce you to our newest baby bongo, born February 14th. He is adorable, and we discovered he has a very unusual stripe pattern on one side....One of the stripes sort of wanders.

So, we need to name this guy! Submit your suggestions to rscfstaff@gmail.com. We'll pick a winner and let you know!

RSCF "Wild Things" Art Show a Wild Success!!

2010-02-23T08:13:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, February 21, RSCF held its fourth annual art show called "Wild Things". The show features artists from around the country offering works inspired by nature. Twelve artists participated this year, and the show is held in the private studio of an RSCF friend and supporter.

The night was so fun! Christen Mason of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary joined us with education animals from their rehabilitation facility. The crested caracara and barn owl were huge hits with the guests. Another special guest was best-selling author Tami Hoag. She signed her new book, Deeper than the Dead, and donated 100% of book sales that night to RSCF!

Over 250 guests attended the event, which raised much needed funds for RSCF's wildlife conservation programs. Take a look at our slide show of images...As you can see, we all had a wonderful evening!

The Perfect Gift!!

2009-12-18T05:37:00.000-08:00

Seasons Greetings,

Are you looking for that last, perfect Holiday gift for someone special? Consider giving a truly meaningful gift--a donation in a loved one's name to the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation. Simply visit us online and click the "Donate Now" button. Your gift will help support crucial wildlife conservation programs. You can specify a program or species to support--just e-mail a note with the person's name and address to the donation form, along with any specifics you'd like. Support bongo for Billy or parrots for Pam! We will send a written acknowlegement to the person named in the donation, along with an image of a Bongo Antelope, Amazon Parrot, Pygmy Marmoset, or Golden-lion Tamarin (you choose). Simply include your choice in your email to info@rarespecies.org. This is a gift you will love to give, and love to recieve! Thanks in advance for your much-needed support.

P.S. Please pass this on to your friends and family!

Happy Holidays,

Rare Species Conservatory Foundation
www.rarespecies.org

Invasive vs. Native Plants

2009-11-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

Invasive exotics may be responsible for destroying more natural habitat each year than is destroyed through land development. Highly invasive exotic species severely disrupt native ecosystems. They may eliminate or severely alter habitat for wildlife by displacing food plants or altering the structure of the ecosystem. A few problem exotic species are extremely flammable and may pose a danger to humans, as well as wildlife and the native flora, when they burn. Some invasive species can invade and clog waterways. On the other hand, these exotic plants have invaded the natural wildlife of Florida for so long that some native animals have also become accustomed to using these plants for shelter, nest building or food. We, the staff of R.S.C.F., decided to pick a few invasive and native species to talk about and share some pros and cons on these plants.

Invasive Air Potato & Melaleuca

There are over 200 species of Melaleuca (genus Myrtaceae). Both air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) and melaleuca are invasive plants. Most Melaleuca are native to Australia, and are considered shrubs and trees. They were introduced into Florida in the early 20th century, in an early attempt to dry up the everglades and make it a more agricultural habitat. Now they have swarmed southern Florida making it harder for native plants to grow.
Air potato was introduced to Florida in the early 1900s, and is native to tropical Asia and sub-sahara Africa. It is actually part of the Yam family, which in West Africa is considered a popular food item. However, uncultivated species such as the air potato can be poisonous. It is important to know this if you have animals on your property so they do not eat it accidentally. The best way to get rid of it is to dig up the root and remove it from the ground.
It is important for us to understand the problems with invasive plants. They drown out native plants, taking them longer to grow, if at all. With that being said, the animals that rely on those plants just lost their habitat, and it’s a vicious never-ending cycle. It just goes to show how one little invasive plant can make such a difference in the ecology of an area.

Brazilian Pepper vs. Dahoon Holly

Sinus terebinthifolius goes by many common names: Florida Holly, Christmas berry, Rose Pepper, but the more proper name would be Brazilian Pepper since it came from South America. It was introduced as an ornamental plant in the late 1800s and has now almost completely replaced many native floras such as the similar-looking Dahoon Holly. This holly (Ilex cassine) is a Florida native and it fights to regain a foothold as the Brazilian Pepper continues to blanket the landscape.
Both species are similar in appearance, but have differences to look for. The pepper grows more like a large bush with veined green leaves whereas the holly grows rather straight like a tree with darker glossy leaves. They both produce berries (in the female plants, not males), but at different parts of the year. The Brazilian's berry is dry while the Dahoon Holly's is juicy (but surprisingly disgusting) and the Pepper produces more berries per plant than the Dahoon so it spreads exceedingly faster. The berries are a very important food source for wintering songbirds. American robins wintering in Florida eat tons of "Florida holly" berries, and their population has probably increased since this weed was brought to Florida. It is, in fact, the birds that have spread Brazilian pepper all around. The seeds pass through their stomachs and germinate in little plops of fertilizer! Honey bees also make honey from the flowers.
Today, efforts have been put towards projects to eradicate the berried devil from Florida's landscape. It's a slow process because in order to remove it completely the land has to be practically clear-cut to ensure no remaining seeds, roots, or saplings. As Florida citizens however, we have a moral responsibility to try and keep our state intact with natives and remove what we can from our individual properties and although the work can be tedious at least there is a drive if not towards eradication than towards control.

Native Pines vs. Australian Pines

In North America there are 36 native species of Pines (genus Pinus). Pines are important for various reasons such as food, colonization of burned sites, cover for wildlife, and members of this group are sometimes used for reforestation. These trees reproduce through their cones. The small male cones provide pollen and the larger woody cones which provide the seeds usually have sharp prickled tips. Throughout Florida we have several Pine species such as Spruce Pine, Sand Pine, Loblolly Pine and Slash Pine. Due to the removal of Shortleaf Pine and Longleaf Pine, endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker populations have plummeted. Also found in Palm Beach, Florida is a non-native flowering tree, which looks just like a pine called Australian Pine or Horsetail Casuarina. These trees were introduced to North America mostly to control erosion and improve soil fertility. Ironically this non-native tree provides a permanent home for a small population of non-native but very endangered Green-cheeked Amazon Parrots. This small population could be vital to the species for future reintroduction to east-central Mexico where its native range lies. Green-cheeked Amazon populations in Palm Beach, Florida are controlled by a finite number of Australian Pine, which are used as nest cavities. Rare Species Conservatory Foundation is home to a small rescued Captive population of a few individuals.

What can one person do?

Dealing with invasive plants is a Catch-22. They can cause serious damage to the native wildlife, however some animals have learned to cope with these plants and use them for security and food. They are typically difficult to eradicate. Hand clearing, broad-scale use of herbicide, bio-control, fire, flooding, and clearing followed by herbicide use are just some of the options used to control problem plants. It is nearly impossible to completely remove all exotics in Florida. There are so many exotics and invasive plants that have overrun the habitat it would simply cause mass habitat destruction if all exotics were cleared out. However, one can focus on keeping sections or islands of native plants, while keeping other areas of exotics maintained.

• Become informed, and share your knowledge.
• Learn how to tell the invasive exotics from less dangerous species.
• Remove invasive exotics from your own yard or land.
• Don't use nearby natural areas as places to throw yard debris.
• Volunteer to remove exotics from natural areas.
• Support bio-control programs.
• Let your elected representatives know that you support the control of exotic species.

Florida Native Plant Society:
http://www.fnps.org/pages/plants/invasives.php

Floridata:
http://www.floridata.com/index.cfm

Team BLOGSQUAD!

2009-09-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

We thought you might like to meet the members of RSCF's BLOGSQUAD. All are animal care specialists with RSCF.

Lead Keeper, Rosemarie Willms. "Hello. Rosie, here. I started at RSCF in the spring of 2007 and immediately loved it. I've learned a great deal working here; from identifying and treating avian diseases and parasites to caring for and managing psittacines, ungulates, primates and everything in between. I have even learned a thing or two about ATV repairs, setting pipelines, and exhibit design and construction. Our responsibilities here include riding an ATV through the swamp to feed 1,000 lb. bongo antelope, fighting off mosquitos to feed in the aviary, observing all the animals and their diet/behaviors, cleaning dishes, chopping fruit, and doing whatever odds and ends on the property need to be done that day. I also keep track of ordering insects (for our primates), feed/supplies, and anything else we might need. Before working here I attended Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach and not only with this job am I lucky to indulge my passion for nature, I also get to flex my artistic muscle by participating in RSCF's annual art show "Wild Things"."

Keeper I, Hollie Chiles. "Hello! I Graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Followed by an Associates of Science degree in Zoo Animal Technology. I aspire to continue obtaining knowledge on various animals and have a specific interest in large cats. Outside of work I enjoy dancing, outdoor activities and dream of traveling the world. "

Keeper I, David Reyes. "Hi! I was born and raised in Queens, New York, and recently graduated from Santa Fe Teaching Zoo in Gainesville with an Associates Degree in Zoo Animal Technology. The animals I am most interested in are reptiles, especially monitor lizards and large birds such as birds of prey. I'm fascinated with wildlife, and would love to work with all types of animals. Some of my hobbies are reading (science fiction), being outdoors, playing basketball and football, and I enjoy video games. "

Keeper I, Patrick Morin. "Greetings! Currently I am a student at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Before starting with RSCF, I participated in an internship with the Department of Environmental Protection. I learned a lot about environmental policy and law enforcement, studied mangrove growth patterns, and marine ecosystems.

Quote of the Month

2009-09-24T06:17:00.000-07:00

The written word can be a powerful source of inspiration. With that in mind, we'll be printing an environmental "quote of the month". These passages are meant to inspire, challange, and enlighten. If you would like to submit a quote, please e-mail us.

October's quote comes from Dale Jamieson and was published in "Ethics on the Ark".

"One hope that I have for the future is athat we will recognize that if we keep animals in captivity, then what we owe them is everything. Whatever else we may believe about the morality of zoos, I hope we can come to the consensus that these animals are in our custody through no wish or fault of their own. They are refugees from a holocaust that humans have unleashed against nature. If we keep animals in captivity, then we must conform to the highest standards of treatment and respect...for the animals themselves have no voice in human affairs, and as nature recedes their voices are ever more silent."

Arranged Marriages

2009-09-14T09:58:00.000-07:00

RSCF has one of the largest, oldest populations of captive pygmy marmosets (callithrix pygmaea) in the U.S. These tiny monkeys can easily fit in the palm of your hand and are found in the forests of Peru. Two weeks ago, we decided to create new breeding pairs from existing non-related family groups resident at our facility. We carefully considered age and personality when deciding who to pair with whom. The process isn't as easy as you might think. It's always stressful to capture these tiny primates, and disturbing family groups can create quite a bit of drama! Each new pair has to be closely observed after introduction--we always hope for "love at first sight". All in all, we created five new "arranged marriages" in addition to our existing two stable family groups and four other mature pairs. Everyone is getting along , and if all goes well we will be welcoming new pygmy babies to our growing families!

So far everyone is doing well and getting used to their new living arrangements. We placed the new pairs in large, planted exhibits full of palm trees and tons of great perching to run and play on. In the beginning it was difficult to find the new pairs (it's amazing how well they can hide) but now they’re more conspicuous and seem to be quite comfortable with each other and their new surroundings. Ah, love is in the air!!

Rescuing Rhino!

2009-09-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

This just in...In June of 2009 RSCF trustee Dr. Mark Davis participated in the translocation of 29 endangered black rhino from high-risk areas (poaching) to safer, protected areas. The rhino are under constant attack by poachers seeking to harvest their horns. The relocation effort has never been filmed before. The short video below is just a sample of hours of video shot by Dr. Davis. We hope to bring you much more, very soon!

Goodbye Neil and Ellen!

2009-08-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

Today we bid goodbye to Neil Grossman and Ellen Martin, our most recent summer volunteers/interns. We will miss them!! Both worked so hard, and were EXCELLENT workers. The entire staff of RSCF enjoyed their company and their obvious dedication to animal care.

Neil and Ellen will be returning to Gainesville for college and we hope they will visit us again in the not-to-distant future. We wish them the best! Both will soon be submitting blog posts about their experiences here at RSCF, so stay tuned.

Bye Guys!!!!

From left to right: Rosie Willms, Neil Grossman, Ellen Martin, Hollie Chiles, David Reyes and Dr. Paul Reillo.

Introducing "Rare Friends"

2009-07-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

RSCF now has a support group called "Rare Friends". The group consists of chairpersons and members who are working together to help raise awareness and funds for RSCF. They just launched a retail shop on Etsy, called Rare Friends. Please take a moment to stop by, they are offering great T-shirts, posters, tote bags and more. Great gifts, and they donate all proceeds after cost to RSCF. So, get your wallet out and go shopping!!!

In the News...

2009-07-08T06:07:00.001-07:00

Dr. Reillo was recently interviewed by our local newspaper. The article has been posted online with the Sun Sentinel. Take a look!

Local Foundation is Acting Global to Save Rare Species...

A Day in Pictures...

2009-07-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

The staff took some great photos documenting an average day here at RSCF. We made it into a nice slide show--take a look!

RSCF on the News...

2009-06-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

Fireworks - A Love Hate Relationship

2009-06-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

NewsChannel 5 visited us this morning to interview RSCF director, Dr. Reillo, about fireworks and wildlife. Since we lost a rare red-browed Amazon parrot in January to fireworks (the bird thrashed itself to death on New Year's Eve--neighbors shooting illegal fireworks), we have made it our mission to spread the word regarding the use of illegal fireworks and how this affects wildlife. Every year wild and captive animals are terrorized by public use of illegal fireworks. In Florida, it is illegal to use any fireworks that leave the ground and explode, yet every year these types of materials are bought, sold and used by the general public. The effects on wildlife are devestating, especially in rural areas. Loxahatchee, where we are located, is a rural, agricultural community with a strong equestrian presence. Anyone with livestock or captive animals hates the 4th of July and the ensuing 24-48 hours of exploding mayhem. Horses spook and slam themselves in their stalls, sometimes breaking free and crashing into fences. Many equestrian facilities have to litterally drug their horses during holidays when fireworks will be used, just to make sure they don't harm themselves or others.

For RSCF this is an especially critical issue. We house rare and endangered animals that are wild, not tame. We cannot move them or somehow enclose them during these times. The stress of capture would be the same or worse than the stress of fireworks. We have groups of 1,000 lb. African antelope spread over 20-acres. Exploding fireworks can spook them--luckily they have plenty of room to move about and hide.

It's different for the parrots we work with. Again, these are rare and endangered animals housed as wildlife in large, free-flight aviaries. When, in pitch-darkness, sudden explosions occur, their response is immediate flight--crashing into the walls of their exhibits in the dark. That's how we lost the red-brow in January due to head-trauma.

Let's not forget the toll on humans--every year someone, somewhere, blows off a finger (or worse) lighting illegal fireworks. Is it really worth it?

So, our message is simple. Don't break the law! Use fireworks that are LEGAL and attend community fireworks exhibits that are supervised. Respect your neighbors and the animals they keep. Wildlife has no voice or choice over what humans do. They are the unwitting and innocent victims of our excess and stupidity. It's great to celebrate our country's independance, and municipal fireworks displays are spectacular and fun. Shooting illegal fireworks in your backyard celebrates nothing and the resulting damage to animals and humans far outweighs the momentary thrill.

Animal Planet Star Visits Parrots

2009-06-25T05:12:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week RSCF Director, Dr. Paul Reillo, spent the day filming a flock of ferel green-cheek Amazon parrots with Animal Planet host, Nigel Marven. Nigel has become a great friend of RSCF, and recently traveled to the Caribbean island of Dominica with Dr. Reillo to get a first-hand look at our conservation field programs and tour the "Nature Island".

While in Florida, Nigel gathered research and film footage for an upcoming documentary on exotic wildlife living in Florida. While in the Sunshine State, Nigel traveled to the Everglades to film wild pythons and green iguanas, and finished his trip with a day spent monitoring parrots with RSCF. We'll keep you posted regarding film release dates!

Feathered Fugitives...

2009-06-22T06:19:00.000-07:00

Here they are...the two baby green-cheeked Amazon parrots stolen from thier nest last week. Had to snap this quickly, the camera freaked them out. They are doing well, starting to eat corn and some seed. Almost fully feathered--still have wing and tail feathers to come. They have adjusted to their new surroundings, and we are hoping to get them up and flying as fast as we can. Trying to handle them as little as possible so they stay as "wild" as possible. The good news--both now bite like crazy and hate people. Perfect.

Parrotphenalia

2009-06-16T05:19:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy few days, folks. Began last Thursday when RSCF staff visited a local feral population of green-cheek Amazon parrots. These birds are originally from Mexico, and are now endangered. The wild population in Florida is derived from escaped imports dating back to the 1940s. These birds are now an important group, one of the largest wild populations left. We (RSCF) have been studying this group for years, filming within nest cavities using a telescoping camera probe, banding babies, etc. We estimate up to 200 birds may be in this group. Every year we monitor nest cavities, which are in Australian pine trees. Last Thursday we discovered one of the active nests (had two babies in it) was empty...with a wire trap in the tree. The babies had been poached (stolen from the nest). WHAT A MESS! The trap was well-made, the thief obviously has done this before. Devestating loss to the flock and the police were called, reports made, and eventually the story hit the local press. We've been on the phone ever since.

Monday we got a call from a local pet shop--they had the babies. Someone tried to sell them to the shop, but the owners knew better and refused to buy them. Faced with the prospect of having to care for wild, baby parrots no one would buy, the thief simply left them at the pet shop, and then the owners contacted us. So, the happy ending is that we have the babies--tired, skinny and hungry. They are not fully flighted and cannot eat seed yet. We are hand-feeding them three times a day. We hope to rehabilitate them quickly (within a month or so) so we can return them to the flock before they leave the area (usually around the end of July). If we miss that window they will have to remain in captivity until the flock returns next year to breed (usually around April).

It breaks my heart to see these birds in a cage, and I am so disgusted by the entire event. Why must we constantly try to put a dollar value on wildlife? If the pet shop owners hadn't been decent, understanding people, these birds would have spent their lives trapped in a cage, miserable. What gives humans the right to take wild animals of any kind and force them into a life imprisoned for our amusement? Why can't we appreciate wildlife as it is naturally? I can tell you from personal experience, nothing compares to seeing a parrot in full flight, in the forest, screaming its lungs out as it flies FREE. I can only hope that humans can learn to appreciate wild animals in wild places, not in cages and pens, not as PERSONAL PROPERTY.

These babies have a chance now, we will do all we can to get them fat, happy and FLYING with the flock as soon as possible. We'll keep you posted...

Red-Brow Babies Run Wild!!

2009-05-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, back to the cute babies. This is a short video (from a cell phone, sorry for the less-than-wonderful quality) of our four oldest red-browed Amazon parrot babies learing how to move around outside thier brooder boxes. At this age, they move up to actual cages with perches, and we have to teach them how to move around, flap, and generally behave like birds. They also loose a little weight at this stage, and begin to think about actually flying. Very exciting and frightening all at the same time. What a mob!

And Now for Something COMPLETELY Different...

2009-05-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

We've been blogging a lot about babies recently. Baby parrots, baby marmosets, all the cute stuff. WELL, we discovered some not-so-cute babies recently. The lovely creature you see here is a native Florida bark scorpion. She measures about 2.5 inches in length and was found on our neighbor's property carrying 20 or so babies on her back. YES, I SAID 20 OR SO BABIES ON HER BACK! Pretty cool once you get over the EEEWWWWW factor. We released her, with her brood, into one of the fields on our 30-acre center. Scorpions are actually helpful, eating other, more destructive insects like termites--a real scorpion favorite snack. And, they glow under black light--how cool is that?? Yes, they do deliver one heck of a painful sting, but nothing deadly to humans...I SWEAR!

Baby Videos...Can't Resist!

2009-05-25T14:42:00.001-07:00

Since starting this blog, we've been going through all our old video tapes for cool stuff to post here and found a treasure trove of video all starring "Mico" the King of Marmosets. Mico's mom died giving birth to him about 3 years ago, and we hand-reared him. He's quite the little star, a tiny creature with a HUGE personality. He is now all grown up, and lives with his girlfriend "Trixie". He still enjoys human company, but we try to resist and let him be a monkey. Hopefully, he and Trixie will have babies of thier own--soon if we're lucky. We'll keep you posted. In the meantime, here is a classic Mico montage from his impossibley cute baby days.

Just Hanging Around...

2009-05-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

Here at RSCF we have several pygmy marmoset family groups. Family groups are comprised of an adult pair and their offspring. Only the dominant female will breed and raise young. The entire family group will help care for the babies and during the first two months of its life, it is passed between the backs of the parents and juveniles. Currently, we have two family groups raising young and the first baby is finally venturing off on his own. He is a brave little guy with a head full of hair, as you can see. Any name ideas for this little boy? Please e-mail us!

What's for Lunch?

2009-05-13T09:20:00.001-07:00

In the wild, pygmies’ diet consists of berries, buds, fruits, flowers, lizards, frogs, various insects, and most importantly sap and gum from various trees. The sap and gum provides calcium and sugar, along with vitamins and minerals. Pygmies are known as "gum feeders" and their jaws and teeth are specially designed for gnawing away grooves in wood to collect the sap. Here at RSCF, we try to recreate a diet that is as close to their natural foods as possible. We feed our pygmies yams, insects, a variety of fresh fruits and veggies, yogurt, honey, bread, and a manufactured marmoset "chow". They love the worms that we feed them and often we find our pygmies munching on little lizards they catch in their enclosures. Here is a video of one of our males chowing down on a freshly caught exotic Cuban anole. YUM!

Fun Day

2009-05-12T09:03:00.001-07:00

Today we collected Red-brow fecal samples to test for parasites. We searched high and low for fresh bird poo (doesn't that sound FUN?). After gracefully collecting the samples, we brought them in the office and examined them under the microscope in search of parasites such as acanthocephalan eggs (Centrorhynchus sp.) and Capillaria eggs. Two of the three cages tested positive for the commonly occurring Centrorhynchus eggs. A simple water soluble treatment will clear this up in no time. We hope you enjoy these pictures provided courtesy of RSCF's crack team of "fecal technicians"!

Weezer

2009-05-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Weezer is our resident Brazilian hawk-headed parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus fuscifrons), a subspecies of the more common Guyanese hawk-headed parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus accipitrinus). Unfortunately, Brazilian hawk-heads are nearly extinct--less than 100 are believed to exist in the wild and less than a dozen remain in captivity in the U.S. The most visible difference between the Brazilian hawk-head and their more common relatives is that Brazilians have an entirely dark colored head and face, versus the white feathers found on the crown of the Guyanese hawk-head. Enjoy the video below of Weezer and his cage mate (a Guyanese) fanning and displaying at the camera. Hawk-heads are one of the few parrots that can raise the feathers around their head and neck in a spectacular "crown". Rather like an Indian headdress!

FANTASTIC FOUR!!

2009-05-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

Today's pic of our amazing ever-growing red-brow quartet....Aren't they CUTE????

Baby Got Back!

2009-04-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

This flattering photo is of our oldest baby red-browed Amazon chick...a whopping two weeks old. These chicks grow at an amazing rate. This guy (or gal, there's no way to tell at this point) started out at 15 grams, now over 200! And, as you can see, they carry all that weight in the rear. Boy, can I relate! The goal for most baby birds is to get as big as they can as quickly as they can to survive. From the looks of things, this bird is going to be HUGE! His clutch-mates are doing well, more pictures to come.

Baby Time!

2009-04-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

View Album

Get your own

These are our first baby Red-browed Amazon parrots (Amazona rhodocorytha) of the 2009 season! RSCF has been breeding red-brows in captivity for close to 20 years, with the goal of eventually re-establishing these birds in their native forests of Brazil. These chicks hatched during the second and third weeks of April. Since they hatched we have been feeding around-the-clock every 1.5 to 2 hours. Upon hatching, they weighed 15.8, 14.7, and 14.5 grams respectively. The chicks are weighed daily, prior to feeding, to track weight gain and growth. These guys gained over twice their hatch weight in just three days! Red-brows gain weight quickly, averaging a 15% increase in total body weight per day.

Since Red-brows are the rarest South American parrot and at one time less than a dozen remained in captivity in the United States, every egg laid at RSCF's breeding and research center is removed from the nest, artificially incubated, and hand-raised to ensure optimum growth and development. If we are lucky, the breeding pair may re-clutch, producing more eggs than would naturally occur if the hens were allowed to sit and incubate the clutch on their own.

The fourth chick just hatched this morning--photos to come soon. There are several more eggs incubating that should be hatching over the next few days and weeks. This will definitely be a busy and exciting summer! Stay tuned for more updates!

Life as an Intern at RSCF - Ashley Gray

2009-04-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

In 2008, RSCF hosted two interns during the summer. Eva Kennedy and Ashley Grey spent several weeks living and working at RSCF's Florida breeding and research center. They share their thoughts and experiences here. If you are interested in RSCF internships please contact us!

Ashley Gray - Intern 2008

My trip began on August 7th and lasted until August 17th 2008. I left the infamous Virginia humidity for a new kind of weather pattern found in Palm Beach, Florida. I was greeted by Eva who was the other intern from Emory University. We were scheduled to stay in the cabin on site and become full-time employees during our stay. She had already been there a month prior to my arrival so she quickly told me what to expect. I had only a slight idea what I would really be doing when I got to Palm Beach. I just said “sign me up” when I heard I would be working with endangered species!

My future goal is to attend the Virginia Tech Veterinary School. In order to apply to Vet School, you must have animal related experience, veterinarian related experience, and research experience. I had heard about the Rare Species Conservatory through a connection at the University of Virginia. A quick phone call to Dr. Reillo, and I was set to be there in August. I knew I would never have an opportunity such as this one to work with these endangered species so closely. Not only did it fulfill my passion for animals, but it also helped provide me with deeper insight into the natural world than I had expected.

My first morning started at 7:30 am. Eva and I got ready in our cabin so we could begin our routine at 8 am. Since I had gotten there Saturday night, I was interested to walk around and see the actual facility. We made the rounds in the aviary checking on all the parrots and monkeys. Then, I met all the employees who were friendly and great to work with. The first task of the day is the prepare all the food bowls and set up the golf cart so we can easily feed all of the parrots, monkeys, bongo antelope, and iguana! I never had realized how extensive their diet must be in order for them to maintain perfect health. After this, I went with Justin into the Bongo Antelope compound and helped him give them hay, grain, and fresh water. I was shocked when I saw the Bongo’s for the first time! They were a lot larger than our Virginia White-tailed Deer, which was what I had pictured them to be like. We finished the day around 11 am once all the animals were happy and fed. This became my daily routine for the next 9 days, which was very convenient allowing us to do other things during the day.

Dr. Reillo and I went on Sunday night to the Breakers Hotel to check out the Red-cheeked Amazon parrot, which nests there all summer. It is a very endangered parrot that RSCF monitors during its stay in Palm Beach. I liked the bird already with its exquisite taste! I had never been to the Breakers before and enjoyed walking around the premises. We ended up only seeing about six birds since it was the end of their season, and they migrate to another food source the beginning of August.

Since my interest lies within the field of Veterinary medicine, Dr. Reillo became a great resource for me. He is very well connected around Florida and helped me find things that would interest me. One day, I got to shadow Dr. Hammond at Lion Country Safari, who is an Exotic Veterinarian. It was an amazing experience and one I had never had before. Another day, I shadowed Dr. Davis who is a Large Animal Veterinarian. I helped pregnancy check over 200 cows and saw my first full-scale cattle operation. It was an experience in itself. Not only did Dr. Reillo allow me to learn from Rare Species Conservatory, but he also helped me gain experience in other parts of Florida. I would have never had this opportunity if it weren’t for his help.

I hope to come back to Florida at some point in the near future to help out more because it really opened up my eyes. It made me understand the many other aspects of the animal world besides Vet Med. I recommend this experience to anyone who loves animals and is open to an amazing experience! I just want to thank everyone again at Rare Species Conservatory for helping me achieve my future goals while learning things along the way!

Life as an Intern at RSCF - Eva Kennedy

2009-04-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

Eva Kennedy - Intern 2008

“There are thirteen African Mountain Bongo around you right now, so please keep your lights off, stay quiet, and follow my golf cart to your cabin.”

As I tentatively followed Paul and Karen into the night, contradicting feelings of excitement, relief and apprehension fell over me. Excitement – I had finally reached the long-awaited tropical destination in southern Florida with promises of caring for beautiful, rare animals, not to mention enjoying the palm tree lined beaches… Relief – I could finally escape the car that had held me captive during the 10-hour drive from Atlanta… and of course… Apprehension – not only was I blindly following a small cart down a dimly lit dirt road but also, it was apparently sandwiched between two groups of graceful but deadly antelope weighing in at over 700 pounds each.

Regardless, once Paul and Karen introduced me to my cozy cabin living space, the month of interning at the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation held greater promise than ever. I did always love a challenge and after working with brown capuchin monkeys for the last 3 years, I eagerly awaited the opportunity to gain experience with a greater variety of species… no matter how intimidating or mysterious.

Currently, I am entering senior year at Emory University in Atlanta and am majoring in psychology (with a focus in animal behavior and primatology). I am also pursuing a minor in visual art. I have been working with Frans de Waal in his Living Links capuchin lab at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and have traveled to Africa with one of the RSCF board members, Richard Estes. Dr. Estes is not only the leading expert on Wildebeest, but he knows more about nearly every African mammal than anyone I have encountered thus far. It is people such as him, and Paul – who can perform surgery, hand-raise a baby parrot, and then erect a building – that make RSCF such a diverse and enriching community. Volunteering at the Conservatory provided me with invaluable experiences in habitat maintenance, behind-the-scenes visits to the surrounding animal parks (such as Lion Country Safari and the Palm Beach Zoo), access to talented and experienced professionals (like RSCF board member and veterinary, Mark Davis), the experience of caring for and raising exotic species, while also provoking a heightened consideration of the economic aspects of environmental design and of other problems facing modern conservation efforts in both the United States and around the world.

When I reflect upon my first impressions of the Rare Species Conservatory, they invoke both laughter and emotion. From going through the daily motions of feeding the numerous Amazonian parrots, Pygmy Marmosets, Golden Lion Tamarins, and African Bongo, to pulling high-tensile fences and digging up invasive plant species (such as Brazilian Pepper trees and potato vines), volunteering at RSCF provided a multifaceted experience in animal care and conservation. At the Conservatory, you quickly learn that nothing builds teamwork like “pokey-sticking” ten-foot wooden fence posts into the ground during the midday August heat in south Florida. I gained the essential hands-on experience necessary in creating successful animal habitats and received unique insight into the breeding and conservation techniques for multiple rare animal species. Rare Species shows that even a small organization can lead the way in saving an endangered species.

I thank Paul, Karen, Dick, and the rest of the board, as well as Rose, Justin, Kevin, and Anita on the RSCF staff, for welcoming me into their impressive organization and illustrating the dedication and determination involved in the preservation of our planet’s species.

Back to the Future--The Red Browed Amazon Parrot

2008-07-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

It’s that special time of year—the weather is getting warmer, the days longer and the aviary is alive with activity.

For the past 20 years, the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation has been working with—among other species—Aamazona rhodocorytha, the red-browed Amazon parrot. Red-brows are endangered, listed as CITES Appendix I on 2 June 1970. For those of you unfamiliar with the species, red-brows are, simply put, beautiful birds. Large—adults can reach up to 700g in weight—with flaming red feathers on their foreheads, blue and yellow cheeks and throat, and a bright green body. Native to eastern Brazil, fewer than 800 likely remain in the wild.

The red-brow fascinates and inspires me. Anyone who breeds any species of parrot can attest to the almost “addictive” quality of working with these amazing creatures. Parrots have captured the attention of humans for centuries. The red-brow is, for me, an enigma of a species. Unlike more common Amazons, the red-brow is shy, relatively quiet, and extremely difficult to breed in captivity. In fact, all the red-brows in the U.S. are derived from perhaps 15 wild caught birds brought into the country from 1975-1985, and many of these birds were “mistakenly” identified as festive and blue-cheek Amazons.

I love to cheer for an underdog and the red-brow is a perfect example. Rosemary Lowe herself believed the species doomed, writing in 1984:

"Were there as many as one dozen pairs in captivity there would be some spark of hope for the future of the Red-browed Amazon. Instead, there is none."

Well, don’t count the red-brow out yet—there is some good news to report. For many years now, RSCF has been focused on red-brow recovery with the ultimate goal of red-brow repatriation. That’s right—we hope to one day to help re-establish red brow populations in the wild, in Brazil. Beginning with eleven birds in 1982, our captive population now numbers 34 from three generations. As I write, there are two fertile eggs in the incubator and judging by the behavior in the aviary, more are on the way.

As I said, the species inspires me. The red-brow simply doesn’t want to give up. That being said, this blog posting isn’t about how to raise red-brows. I’m not going to list incubation techniques or nest-box designs. I wanted to talk about red-brows because to me, the species represents what the future of aviculture could be—a collective group working together to maintain and recover endangered avian species with the ultimate goal of supporting habitat protection and supplementing dwindling populations in situ. If this can be done with red-brows, the precedent will be set that aviculture can—and should be—much more than a consumer-driven hobby. There have been attempts to reintroduce parrot species before but unfortunately there are few shining success stories. The red-brow could change that.

I’ve spoken, blogged and written many times about the history and current status of aviculture. The past few years have been tough, to say the least. Private bird breeders have been dealt some serious blows to the industry and currently the trade in captive raised pet birds is on the decline. Economic woes, bad press, animal rights activism, tightened legislation in animal trade, and the threat of avian flu are but a few of the troubles dramatically affecting bird breeders all over the country. While this may sound like totally bad news, I see it as a fantastic opportunity. What better way to promote aviculture in a positive light than by working with scientific organizations to breed and repatriate endangered species? How about giving range states for endangered species real sovereignty over their wildlife, no matter where the animals live? Imagine the pride that comes with local communities seeing their own famously rare parrots rebound with the help of international friends and support.

You may ask, “isn’t all of that what zoos are supposed to do?” Good question, and the answer is usually “no”. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) is the governing body for all accredited zoological institutions in the United States. The mission of the AZA is primarily to educate the public. They also “Promote and facilitate collaborative conservation programs”, (www.aza.org). What this means is that many zoos and aquariums don’t have sufficient staff or money to independently implement conservation programs on their own—at least not substantially. Zoos know how to house and exhibit animals. When it comes to conservation programming, with few notable exceptions, zoos partner and fund those programs that bring them the best return for the dollar (i.e. more people through the gate).

Again, I see all of this as an opportunity. I would challenge aviculturists as an industry to begin a dialogue to come together as a unified force to support avian conservation programs in a structured, powerful and public way. The face of private aviculture, in my opinion, has to change. I’m not directing this to the folks out there with a few budgies or cockatiels—although they can certainly support conservation programs as well. I’m really directing this to those folks who have been breeding parrots for decades, who know that the future of many species can directly benefit from their expertise, and who also recognize that something has to be done now. Parrots are a perfect flagship species—one of those select few charismatic groups of animals that have a direct link to human influence and history. People love—and will support—saving parrots in the wild. Aviculturists have an opportunity here: take part in protecting and preserving the very animals that have paid the bills for so many years before they, and the aviculture industry, disappear forever.

If ever there was a need for a super-hero for parrot conservation and aviculture it’s now. Luckily, we just may have one in the mighty red-brow.

Author’s note: As of this writing, RSCF is hosting the organization’s first conference with representatives from Brazil to begin a collaborative program supporting the captive breeding of red-browed Amazon parrots in Brazil. For more information about this program contact karenmcgovern@rarespecies.org.

Posted by RSCF Curator, Karen McGovern

Bongo Dreamin....

2008-07-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

It’s raining…again. It’s been raining for days and days—the usual weather pattern during the U.S. infamous hurricane season. The cypress head in the back of the property is finally full almost to overflowing. It’s my favorite place on the 30-acres of land I’m lucky enough to call home. A group of 5 bongo antelope live in this area (of the 13 bongo living at RSCF)—one Africa’s most endangered large mammals, and the flagship species for the Mount Kenya National Park, a United Nations. designated World Heritage Site.

The cypress-head is a truly magical spot. Knobby wooden cypress “knees” push up through fern and muck, while mature cypress stand straight and tall, their branches twisting to the sky. Great blue herons and scissortail kites nest here, along with the impressive pileated woodpecker—one of my favorite native birds. You can hear the hollow knocking of a determined pileated drilling a pine for grubs a mile away—long before you catch sight of that fabulous brilliant red headdress and dramatic black and white wing-span.

It gets deliciously misty back here, and in the early morning light we often come upon the lead bongo bull, “Squiggy” taking a bath with one or more of his favorite females in the main pond of the cypress head. They lounge ass-deep in duckweed, blissfully at peace in a dream-like setting. Bongos are spectacular animals. 800-1000 lbs of caramel and white striped hide topped with dramatic, twisting horns that can reach over three feet in length. In January of 2004 we sent 18 of these magnificent creatures by private plane back to their native homeland of Africa. The goal is to build a captive breeding population that will eventually be released into the protected Mount Kenya National Park. Someday, bongo from my backyard will run free in Africa—sort of mind-blowing when you think about it.

But back here on the farm, you can almost forget that you are on the very edge of frightening suburban sprawl and reckless development. I envy the bongo this peace and tranquility, and will fight to the death to insure that they have it for all of their days.

From Curator, Karen McGovern