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Conservation
of the Ouvea parakeet
A very restricted range
 The
Ouvea parakeet (Eunymphicus uvaensis) is an
endemic bird of the island of Ouvea, located in the Loyaute archipelago
of New-Caledonia.
The main threats to this forest species
is the habitat destruction
and the illegal trapping of nestlings for the pet trade.
In order to reduce the population decline, the "Association Pour
la Sauvegarde de la Perruche d’Ouvéa" (ASPO) was created in 1993 by the veterinarian of the Loyaute archipelago.
This organization regroups some inhabitants and some tribe chiefs of Ouvea.
Actual actions for the conservation of the species
The conservation programme
is involved in different actions :
- Estimation
of the population size and monitoring :
According to the survey
of 1998, the total population counts around
800 individuals and is mainly concentrated in the northern part of the island.
- Actions against
illegal trade and law reinforcement :
In April 2000, ASPO and New-Caledonian authorities
have proposed to reinforce the CITES protection of the parakeet. The genus Eunymphicus
has been transferred to "CITES appendix I".
Nowadays,
even if the poaching activity seems to decrease, it is still a major threat to the species.
- Protection
and habitat rehabilitation :
Education on the possible sustainable use of the forest has been initiated.
- Management of the breeding sites :
Outside the breeding season
the nests are verified and repaired if needed. Searching for new nests is conducted
during the nesting period. Moreover artificial nests set up in the forest will be tested
in order to know if they will be successfully used by the wild parakeets.
- Translocation
:
The almost whole population
is concentrated in the northern part of the island, and is
really vulnerable to a natural disaster like a cyclone.
The southern part of Ouvea
where some individuals are still found includes some favourable habitat for a
translocation project.
It is why a translocation
of young birds was proposed and tried but the repeated thefts of these birds in the pre-releasing
aviary has stopped the translocation project.
- Prevention
and control of predators :
The black rat
and the brown rat, two major causes of extinction for numerous birds
in the Pacific are absent in Ouvea but are common on the New-Caledonia main island. Poisonous baits
are regularly maintained in the warf harbour in order to prevent rat infestation
by the boats provisioning the island.
The domestic bees
seem to be a new threat to the parakeets. As a matter of fact, bee-keeping has been developed in Ouvea without
any serious management. Several swarms have colonised the artificial nests provided to the parakeets.
- Education
of people :
-
A quarterly magazine « Baginy » (that means parakeet in the local language)
informs the local population on the evolution of the project and
on ASPO organization. The CEPA financially supports this publication.
- Educational actions
have been conducted : poster campaign,
selling of T-shirts and postal cards to the benefit of ASPO, distribution of 5000 free stickers
on the island.
A bird becomes a symbol
Because
of these actions, the parakeet is seen more and more like the emblem of the island :
the picture of the bird appears on the logo of the town-hall, on posters at the
fare of the Loyaute islands and in the aiport.
ASPO is often
contacted for introducing the species to the tourists.
The two employees of the organization are also used as guides for tourists.
Implementation :
Association ASPO, coordinator : L. Verfaille.
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