Core to IFAW’s work are the pillars of rescue, rehabilitation and release of animals in the places they call home. Without concern for the welfare of every individual animal, our global conservation efforts to save wildlife populations and habitats from natural and human caused threats would be for naught.
When we first arrived in Dominica in October, our worst fears were confirmed. The devastation from Hurricane Maria was near total. Not a single building was spared, and the natural forests, home to the island’s two endemic amazon parrots – the imperial and red-necked parrots – had been ravaged. Thankfully we came prepared with supplies to provide relief for communities and their animals.
We initially sent more than 1,000 pounds of food for dogs and cats to Dominica in the wake of the storm, and when we were finally able to get our team to the island, we managed to transport another 1,300 pounds. This is in addition to the hundreds of pounds of food specially prepared to feed the endangered imperial amazon and threatened red necked amazon parrots.
Dominica’s Parrot Conservation and Research Centre was devastated in the storm and without electricity for months. With help from IFAW's Dr. Erika Flores and Chief Veterinarian Dr. St. Aimee, the team was able to safely rescue, assess, treat, and in some cases, operate on injured parrots even at dusk using battery-powered lights.
In December, IFAW's rescue team returned to Dominica to aid in the rehabilitation of red necked amazon parrots (locally known as "jacos") and to provide continued support to impacted communities and their animals. Red necked amazon parrots are threatened with extinction and every individual within the population makes a difference in the survival of the species.
Finally, just this week (February), the team returned for the third stage of our work with Dominica’s parrots – the hopeful release of those ready for life back in the wild!