Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black...

17
Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) Julio Agricole

Transcript of Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black...

Page 1: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019)

Julio Agricole

Page 2: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Introduced

Native

Ring-necked parakeet – Global distribution

Introduced to >39 countries

Page 3: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Threats posed in Seychelles

• Compete with native species

• RNP carries highly contagious diseases including Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease (PBFD); which could infect the black parrot

• Most destructive bird pest in agriculture/ horticulture

Page 4: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

History of Ring-necked parakeet in Seychelles

• 1980s - Introduced as cage pets

• 1997 - 5 individuals were found in the wild

• 2001 - Jardin du Roi count: 20 - 25 individuals

• 2004 - 2005 - Eradication program started: 56 shot

• 2008 - Survey : 50 - 60 individuals counted

• 2011 - SIF launch the eradication project for RNPs

• 2012 - Estimate of 288 RNPs on Mahé

• 2013 - Intensive eradication phase

• 2016 - Follow up/verification phase

Page 5: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Methods

• Roost counts

• Feeding sites

• Flight paths

• Perching areas

• Collecting areas en route to roosts

Observations

Page 6: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Methods

• Cage traps

• Mist-netting

• Shooting

Catching methods

Page 7: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Journey through the eradication..

• Talking to the public/public events

• Radio and TV adverts/interviews

• Public outreach – posters, house visits

• School & public presentations

• Newspaper & magazine articles, adverts

• Facebook posts & newsletter articles

Publicity campaign

Methods

Page 8: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Methods

Huge public support for project

Reported sightings of RNPs

Allowed shooting of birds on private properties

Constantly updated on bird movements

Support and encouragement

Public support

Page 9: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Status in early 2019• 545 RNPs culled

• 95% RNP culled were shot

• RNPs culled on Mahé, Praslin (1 RNP) & Silhouette (1 RNP)

• 3 roost sites found

• 13 yellow RNPs

• Total of 26 team members (17 Seychellois)

• Substantially improved public awareness on invasive alien species

Page 10: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

No more katover in

Seychelles!!!!

Page 11: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Where were they caught?

Page 12: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Number of ring-necked parakeets caught each year

2541

373

94

7 110

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

# R

NP

Mist-netted

Shot

Other Methods

Page 13: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

150

105

73

214

0

50

100

150

200

250

Female adult Male adult Juvenile Unknown sex

Nu

mb

er

of

RN

P

Gender and age of RNPs caught

Page 14: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Stomach contents of RNPs caught

51%

17%

16%

8%

4% 2%2%Unknown seeds

Fruit pulp

Tree bark

Albizia seeds

Grit

Mango

Cassi

Page 15: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Outcomes• Threat to endemic black parrot eliminated

• Agricultural pest species removed

• Seychelles’ 1st ‘public’ eradication

• World’s 1st successful RNP eradication!

• Important lessons for other countries

• Highly trained local invasive species staff

• We have shown that it CAN be done!

Page 16: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in

Acknowledgments

Project would not have been possible without support from:

• European Union

•Department of Environment

• Environment Trust Fund Seychelles

• GEF/UNDP-PCU

• Police Security Services Wing

• Seychelles People’s Defence Force

• The Seychelles Public

…all past members of the RNP team

Page 17: Ringed-necked parakeet Eradication Project (2011 - 2019) · 2020. 8. 17. · could infect the black parrot • Most destructive bird pest in ... History of Ring-necked parakeet in