Friday JohnKu – AKA -TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell
Thick-billed parrots – Credit: OVIS / Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich

Today’s Good News comes from the Good News Network.

 

Endangered Thick-billed Parrot That Once Roamed the US Is on the Way to Recovery

By Andy Corbley
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A public-private partnership in Mexico just announced that the population of thick-billed parrots is approximately 2,500 individuals—at least 10% higher than that recorded 12 years ago.

The number was determined in a recent population survey in a protected area in the state of Chihuahua, where this charismatic species once roamed north into the United States.

The thick-billed parrot is an emblematic species of the temperate forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental, once found in Arizona and New Mexico.

Since 1995, this species, listed in danger of extinction by the Mexican government, has been the subject of numerous studies and actions for protection and management, while the mountain forests on which it depends have been the focus of extensive reforestation.

These efforts, led by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) and the civil organization Organización Vida Silvestre (OVIS), along with the participation of local communities and other organizations in the US and Mexico, are yielding encouraging results as demonstrated by the increase in population, a statement from OVIS details.

“This emerging success story reflects the importance of collaboration between society and government and a vision of healthy ecosystems and sustainable communities, which is in line with the policies and practices that CONANP will strengthen in the following years,” said the head of CONANP, Pedro Álvarez-Icaza.

Credit: Ernesto Enkerlin / OVIS

The census data suggests that the population of thick-billed parrots will continue to increase as the region’s communities consolidate sustainable forestry management practices.

Sergio Jiménez, OVIS’s executive director, thanked the various institutions’ support.

“This multi-institutional effort led by Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich, scientific director of OVIS, is bearing fruit after three decades, which gives us hope for other species at risk and points to the need for cooperation, persistence, and long-term planning to produce results and effective conservation.”

A significant effort was undertaken in the 1980s to restore populations of this parrot among the sky islands of Arizona. These dramatic, short, squat mountain chains amid the scorching lowlands were perceived as perfect havens for the reintroduction. Still, the problem was that predatory species like the American goshawk had already returned in large numbers to these hills, and their take of the parrots proved unsustainable.

In October 2020, it was announced that a higher elevation among the sky islands, including the Chiricahua mountains, would be sought to form the basis for a new reintroduction attempt.

If populations recover substantially enough in Mexico, the bird may recolonize its former haunts in the Southwestern US without the need for scientists’ intervention.

The good news in this story is that species on the verge of extinction can recover with concerted effort. Today’s JohnKu talks about efforts. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Recovery by John W. Howell © 2024

Even the hopeless,

Can benefit from our help. . .

The key is hard work.

 

60 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA -TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  16. Wonderful news, John. I hope they repopulate in Arizona, as I’d love to see them fly. Miracles abound, don’t they? With dedication and ingenuity, our world could be transformed. Thank you for sharing this great news — and your JohnKu. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Whenever I read a story that a species is on the path to recovery, my heart just swells with joy. This is good news that I hope continues to make forward progress. Thanks so much for sharing. We need stories like this to nourish our souls!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. My dad was a wildlife biologist involved on the recovery team of two endangered animals (One was a bird and another was a mammal.) As you said, it does take a concerted effort.

    Liked by 1 person

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