Dominica Forest
Jaco Parrots
Sisserou Parrot
Jaco Parrots in Aviary
Dominica's Parrots
Two of the world's rarest parrots survive on a single island. RSCF's long-term commitment to in situ conservation, and our defense of Dominica's sovereign wildlife authority, defines our work in the Eastern Caribbean.
THE SPECIES
Two Parrots Found Nowhere Else On Earth
Sisserou Parrot
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Amazona imperialis — Imperial Parrot
~350–450
PRE-MARIA POP
Endangered
IUCN STATUS
CITES I
TRADE STATUS
The largest Amazon parrot and Dominica's national symbol, the Sisserou is critically dependent on old-growth montane forest. With a low reproductive rate, typically one chick fledged every other year, and a protracted age of first reproduction, recovery from population disturbances is measured in decades, not years.
Red-necked Amazon
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Amazona arusiaca — Jaco Parrot
>1,200
PRE-MARIA POP
Vulnerable
IUCN STATUS
CITES I
TRADE STATUS
Social, gregarious, and more resilient than the Sisserou, the Jaco demonstrated a strong rebound following Hurricane David in 1979. Its larger population size, higher reproductive rate, and adaptability make it a better candidate for recovery, though it remains fully protected under Dominican law and CITES Appendix I.
RSCF POSITION AND UPDATES
Conservation on Dominica's Terms
In 2017–2018, RSCF and dozens of international conservation partners responded to two converging crises: the catastrophic destruction wrought by Hurricane Maria, and the unauthorized export of Dominica's protected parrots to a private aviary in Germany. Below is our documented record, including formal advocacy letters submitted to CITES, UNEP, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, alongside our comprehensive scientific statement on why in-situ conservation must remain the guiding principle for Caribbean parrot recovery.
OCT 2017
Hurricane Maria Response
Category 5 Hurricane Maria made catastrophic landfall on Dominica, causing unprecedented damage to the island's forests and wildlife. RSCF immediately mobilized field equipment, supplies, and funding support in coordination with Dominica's Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division, Loro Parque Foundation (LPF), IFAW, ZGAP, and Birds Caribbean. Multiple shipments totaling tens of thousands of U.S. dollars in equipment were sent to support parrot surveys and aviary rehabilitation.
APRIL 2018
Multi-Organization Protest of Parrot Export
RSCF was one of eleven signatory conservation organizations expressing formal concern over the March 17, 2018 transfer of protected Jaco and Sisserou parrots from Dominica to Germany. The joint communication was shared with UNEP, CITES, Dominican government officials, and U.S. and European wildlife authorities. An independent expert review of the facility's parrot health report was also commissioned.
May 2018
Expert Coalition Letter to UNEP & CITES
RSCF, joined by over 40 national and international researchers, veterinarians, and conservation leaders, submitted a formal communication to the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and representatives within CITES, the Government of Dominica, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the European Union, including a review of the CITES documentation used to authorize the transfer.
A Commentary on Dominica's Parrots after Hurricane Maria
RSCF OFFICIAL STATEMENT - PAUL R. REILLO, DIRECTOR, RARE SPECIES CONSERVATORY FOUNDATION
The Case for In-situ Conservation
On behalf of RSCF and our international conservation partners, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the many caring supporters who share our deep concerns for the people and wildlife of Dominica. Living here in Florida, we are very familiar with hurricanes and appreciate both the devastation and resilience associated with them. The principal reason Dominica's parrots survived Maria is the progressive, continuous conservation investment made by Dominica's Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division (FWD) and its committed conservation partners over the past 30+ years. Dominica has long been a model for in situ parrot conservation.
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The country's proud sovereignty and FWD's governing authority over all wildlife matters, as specified in Dominica's principal wildlife legislation, The Wildlife Act, and its role as Scientific Authority for CITES , have prevented Dominica's parrots from becoming embroiled in trade and collectors' tangles, which have sadly marginalized many genuine parrot-conservation efforts in the Caribbean and American tropics.
Post-Maria Status of Both Species
Maria caused catastrophic damage to Dominica's infrastructure and forests, significant loss of human life and wildlife, and is arguably the strongest cyclone to have hit the island in recorded history. Still, thanks to its healthy pre-hurricane population size (>1,200), the Jaco parrot, Amazona arausiaca, is now being sighted throughout Dominica, foraging wherever food can be found. With a clutch size of 2–3 and an early age of sexual maturity, the Jaco exhibits a high reproductive rate and, as after Hurricane David in 1979, is expected to recover on a similar trajectory.
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The secretive Sisserou likely numbered ~350–450 birds prior to Maria. Since the hurricane it has been confirmed with multiple sightings within the Northern and Central Forest Reserves and in patches of habitat within and adjacent to the Morne Trois Pitons and Morne Diablotin National Parks. FWD's parrot team has sighted approximately 20 Sisserous, with perhaps another 10–15 detected by vocalizations. Due to its protracted age of first reproduction and low reproductive rate — typically one chick fledged every other year — the Sisserou's recovery is likely to be markedly slower. Even following Hurricane David, nearly 25 years were required for the Sisserou to reestablish most of its former range.
"Dominica's parrots have survived hurricanes for millennia. Wild populations have rebounded thanks to broad-based, on-island conservation measures — not extraction to foreign aviaries."
The Parrot Export Controversy
The recent exportation of Dominica's aviary parrots to Europe — under the guise of conservation — contradicts decades of scientifically sound, proven conservation practice with significant, tangible accomplishments: creation of the Morne Diablotin National Park, community-based conservation outreach, model agro-processing in the village of Dublanc, and long-term capacity enhancements to the FWD.
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Despite the seemingly apparent urgency to "rescue" the Sisserou from post-Maria challenges, this parrot's life history, dependence upon old-growth forest, and low fecundity preclude it from being a viable candidate for so-called "conservation breeding." There were only two A. imperialis in the aviary, both exported to Germany along with 10 A. arausiaca undergoing rehabilitation. Given the Imperial's biology, initiating a sustainable captive population would require collecting most or all of the wild population — something that is unethical, scientifically indefensible, and unnecessary.
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Historically, some export campaigns have extended grandiose promises of support for in-country programs without providing scientifically vetted documentation, or unconditional, transparent support for the wildlife authorities themselves. Often nested in these arrangements is a veiled agenda to export wildlife in exchange for financial or material support, with little transparency regarding funding sources or conditions attached to the exported wildlife.
RSCF's Position on Wildlife Sovereignty
As specified by IUCN (Soorae, 2016), when captive management or breeding is necessary, it should be prioritized in the country of origin. Safety-net captive populations for Caribbean Amazons can and should be accomplished in situ whenever possible, as proven on Puerto Rico with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's program for A. vittata and on Dominica with both Amazona species. In contrast, no ex situ captive population of any Caribbean parrot species has successfully recovered a native, wild population.
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Resources and funds used to create and sustain ex situ Caribbean parrot populations could instead establish sustainable in situ captive populations that preserve island control over wildlife, thwart illegal trade, bolster pride, and retain species in the country of origin where they belong. It bears emphasizing that all captive birds on Dominica and Puerto Rico survived Maria. Maintaining a safe haven for non-releasable parrots on Dominica. through the Parrot Conservation and Research Centre, established in 1999, should be the top priority for any captive birds.
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FWD's experienced field teams and ornithologists wisely assert that Dominica's wild parrots should be kept on Dominica. Responsible NGOs must unconditionally support the country's conservation needs in situ — including enhancing FWD's professional capacity and physical infrastructure. Veteran Forest Officer Stephen Durand, having led the parrot team for 37 years, exemplifies this perspective better than anyone.
Emergency Response & Ongoing Needs
Emergency post-Maria support came from FWD's dedicated personnel, RSCF, LPF, IFAW, ZGAP, Birds Caribbean, and private donors. IFAW mobilized emergency rehabilitation teams to repair the aviary and rehabilitate injured parrots for re-release. LPF provided rapid funds for a new FWD vehicle; ZGAP deployed funds for parrot surveys documenting post-Maria population status. Birds Caribbean and RSCF sent multiple shipments of equipment — totaling tens of thousands of U.S. dollars — including aviary supplies, chain and pole saws, tarps, boots, and a complete replacement aviary.
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Parrot surveys are conducted using GPS-based methods and Dominica's seasoned parrot trackers, all of whom have decades of experience monitoring the parrots across Dominica's challenging terrain. Additional, sustained support is needed. Maria inflicted unprecedented damage to the country's physical, financial, and natural resources. Dominica's wildlife must be given the fullest opportunity to recover within its sovereign borders.
Current Status - Eastern Caribbean Program
RSCF's work in Dominica is part of our broader Eastern Caribbean conservation program, which includes species recovery efforts, capacity building for regional wildlife authorities, and ongoing field support. For the latest updates on our work in Dominica and across the Caribbean, visit our Eastern Caribbean program page or contact us at info@rarespecies.org.