Co-pilot arrested for attempt to smuggle in 12 Grey Parrots

KUWAIT: Customs officials foiled a co-pilot’s attempt to smuggle 12 exotic birds on a commercial flight that landed in Kuwait on coming from New York. The African Grey Parrots were found inside a closed suitcase placed between the passengers’ luggage and the co-pilot later admitted he was trying to smuggle them. A source in the Customs General Department said that the same co-pilot was previously detained on similar smuggling charges but was released on parole. Each bird costs KD 150 to KD 200 and can be sold for over KD 1,000 in Kuwait, the source added.

How to breed a Carolina parakeet

Walton Ford's unsurpassed impression of the Carolina parakeetIt is likely that in historic and prehistoric time the Carolina parakeets interbred with close relatives in Mexico and the Caribbean. The genes that made Carolina parakeets unique could still linger in these populations. With the advances in Molecular biological techniques identifying those genes is now possible. Screening the conure populations of Mexico and the Caribbean could identify specimens with genes of the lost Carolina parakeet. Bringing such birds together trough selective breeding should result in birds that much resemble Carolina parakeets genetically. Genes that can’t be found could be synthesised. Ultimately resulting in the deextinction of the Carolina parakeet.

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Vincy parrots getting attention in Germany

Left:  A Vincy Parrot secured and well cared for at the ACTP facility in Germany. St.Lucian Timotheus Jean Baptiste, Project Coordinator, prepares food for the young parrots. Inset: Katrin Scholtyssek takes extra care in feeding a young parrot.Four Vincentian journalists will return to the state tomorrow following an assignment in Berlin, Germany.

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Adopt an acre to help Trust

The magnificat Cayman Brac Parrot. Image by Simone ScottThe next time you take a hike through the Mastic Trail or visit the Cayman Brac Parrot Reserve, you could just find yourself standing on your own land.

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Naughty kea caught, banished from camp

Mischievous band of juvenile Kea. Image by Pedro Vizcaino Pina. A band of kea have been kicked out of a Christian campground in Kaiteriteri for continuing bad behaviour.

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