In Dominica a new National Park has been created to preserve the rare
Imperial Amazon (
Amazona imperialis). The Morne Diablotin National
Park, occupying 5 % of the nations land are, is regarded as one of the
most significant bioreserves in the Caribbean by many conservation
groups.
Despite its fragile economy Dominica is known as a staunch conservation
leader. But the creation of the Nationalpark was difficult, because a
parcel of 1,300 acres held by the Dominican Fruit Syndicate and situated
within the boundaries of the new Park had to be bought. Dominica was able
to carry one third of the purchase price of $1.086 million, additional $
750,000 was paid by the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation in Florida,
now facing near bankruptcy. The foundation's small group of volunteer
biologists had not delt with land purchase before, but they had to go
beyond science and education because the parcel had been the last
stumbling block to overcome. Now the foundation board tries to recoup
funds to keep the Foundation alive and to continue field-based research
and conservation programs.
The Imperial Amazon is endemic to Dominica and its status threatenend
although a recovering program has led to population increase. The amazon
parrot is considered a political and cultural icon, being the national
bird of Dominica. But above this, native folklore contends the Dominican
Carib people are reincarnated as parrots.