The story of wildlife management

Lead author: Christopher Cox; Contributors: Donald Anthony, Lyndon John, Michael Bobb, Paul Butler

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The early days of wildlife conservation

Based on the literature, the earliest known mention of the fauna of the island was in 1667 that noted existence of the boa constrictor. This was in the writings of Father Jean Baptiste Du Tertre, in his work ‘Histoire générale des Antilles habitées par les François’ describing the snakes of the island that at the time was called ‘Sainte Alouize’ by the French colonialists. Father Jean Baptiste Du Tertre was a French blackfriar and botanist. The next record related to the wildlife of the island was in 1776 with the formal introduction to the world of science of the St. Lucia Parrot (Amazona versicolor) as described by Philipp Ludwig Statius Müller. Müller was a German zoologist and professor of natural science at Erlangen, Germany who specialized in the scientific classification of species.

The earliest known field observations on the birds of Saint Lucia were made in the 1840s by Lieutenant R. E. Tyler who resided in Saint Lucia for at least two years during that period. He made a collection of some nineteen colored drawings of eighteen species of birds on Saint Lucia that were contributed to the museum collection of the Zoological Society of London. In 1849 Lieutenant Tyler published Notes on the Serpents of St. Lucia on behalf of the Zoological Society of London. The next account on the island’s native wildlife was by Philip Lutley Sclater, an English lawyer and zoologist who published On the birds of the island of Saint Lucia, West Indies in 1871.

An important contribution to the knowledge on birds of Saint Lucia was by Reverend John E. Semper, who was the Colonial Chaplain of the island and an amateur ornithologist. He published Observations on the birds of Saint Lucia between 1871 and 1872. Over the 1870s he amassed an extensive specimen collection of native birds. In those early days of discovery and description of the plants and animals, the scientific procedure demanded that researchers (and collectors, normally skilled hunters on behalf of researchers) extracted specimens from the wild, preserved them, and sent them overseas to universities and museums for expert analysis and comparison against other identified specimens to ascertain the ‘taxonomic status‘ (‘taxonomy’ referring to the assignment of species and their classification to similar organisms based on shared characteristics). It was on the basis of such taxonomic studies that scientific understanding of the uniqueness of Saint Lucia’s birdlife started to emerge, with the assignment of common ‘English’ and scientific names to the birds; locals had known the birds by local kweyol names. The Semper’s Warbler (Leucopeza semperi), a species found only on Saint Lucia, now exceedingly rare or perhaps extinct, was named after Reverend Semper.

A few years later in 1876 Joel Asaph Allen, an American zoologist, mammalogist, and ornithologist published a List of the birds of Santa Lucia. He authored subsequent listing publications in 1880 and 1881.

[insert accounts of the bounty on the fer-de-lance; the find of the cribo snake eating a fer-de-lance; other interesting history???]

The turn of the twentieth century marked the beginning of the well-known studies of the avifauna of the Caribbean by James Bond, the famous American ornithologist and expert on the birds of the Caribbean. James Bond published his definitive Birds of the West Indies in 1936. This publication drew on his work, Notes on some birds of Saint Lucia of 1932. The publication has been in continuous print since then, with multiple editions to account for updates in taxonomic classifications. Incidentally James Bond’s name was the inspiration for the name of the lead protagonist of the James Bond 007 book and film series that was created by British novelist Ian Flemming.

Around the same time Stuart T. Danforth of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez carried out his extensive work on the island’s birds reported in his publication, The Birds of Saint Lucia in 1935. For his research he was ably supported by Stanley John who was a forest guard from the community of Forestiere. In those days responsibility for forest management fell under the Department of Agriculture; this pre-dated the Forestry Division that was formally established in 1946. Stanley was a skilled wildlife tracker and hunter who collected many of the bird specimens that were sent overseas for scientific study. In his day Stanley was regarded as the most knowledgeable on the island’s wildlife, where in the 1950s he authored recurring newspaper articles in the Voice Newspaper on the island’s birds (Sir Calixte George Sr., personal comms.).

Prior to the mid-twentieth century, conservation of wildlife was not explicitly connected to conservation of the forests, that were under severe exploitation and succumbed to widespread deforestation since European colonialization. The need to conserve forests was seen to be first and foremost in the interest of reducing the threat of landslides, soil loss and negative impact on streams and rivers, a matter of growing concern from the late 1800’s. This alarm was finally heeded in the aftermath of the catastrophic landslides at Ravine Poisson in November 1938, referred to as Black Monday where at least 150 lives were lost. The plight of wildlife as impacted by the loss of forest habitat only started to take root in the early 1970s with the concern over the likely extinction of the St. Lucia Amazon.

Wildlife conservation takes flight; the plight of the St. Lucia Parrot

Due to its size, distinctive appearance and habits, the St. Lucia Amazon (Amazona versicolor), known locally as ‘Jacquot’ has long been recognized as very special to the island’s natural patrimony. Historically, parrots were kept as pets and, similar to some larger bird species such as ducks, shorebirds, pigeons, and doves, parrots were hunted as gamebirds. The hunting tradition was well-established in the colonial French culture and cited among the factors negatively impacting the populations of many species. In Martinique and Guadeloupe, St. Lucia’s neighbours to the north, also had unique parrots confined only to these islands. The Martinique Parrot (Amazona martinicana) was known to be a commonly hunted game bird. In fact, an old cookbook from the island made reference to changes in the flavor of the flesh when it consumed particular fruit that was in season at a given time of the year [check Paul on this]. The Guadeloupe Parrot (Amazona violacea) evidently succumbed a similar outcome where by [year] the birds became extinct in the wild.

The St. Lucia Amazon and its relatives on other islands of the Lesser Antilles are among the largest Amazon species in the world; this includes the Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis) and Red-necked Amazon (Amazona arausiaca) found in Dominica, and the St. Vincent Amazon (Amazona guildingii) native to mainland St. Vincent. The Imperial Amazon is the largest parrot in the Amazona genus.

Without dedicated conservation effort the St. Lucia Parrot population had declined to perilously low numbers by the late 1970s. Habitat destruction was a significant factor in the decline of parrot populations. John Stanley Beard’s vegetation classification map, published with his 1949 report titled the Natural Vegetation of the Windward and Leeward Islands, categorized the forests in the southern part of the island as ‘secondary forests’, meaning that these areas were recovering in the wake deforestation.

The extensive deforestation and loss of habitat crucial to survival of the parrot can be deduced on examination of the land tenure mapping from the early colonial period, when estate holdings were granted to settlers by the French colonial regime. These estates spanned virtually across the entire southern half of the island, extending well into the mountainous interior, as illustrated by the 1787 Le Fort de Latour map. The granting of these estates no doubt triggered unchecked deforestation for cultivation. The mountainous areas within what is now the Quilesse Forest Reserve contain remnants of ancient agricultural activity, where one can still observe scattered mango, cocoa, and coffee trees growing in the understory.

Similarly, in areas in the north of the island, estate holdings encompassed forests along northern Barre de l’Isle ridge, extending from Piton Flore to La Sorciere. There is little doubt that parrot habitat was severely degraded by cultivation practices, as food sources for the bird were eliminated. Indeed, the report accompanying the Le Fort de Latour mapping noted the presence of coffee plantations on the slopes of La Sorciere extending to the summit! The loss of trees such as gonnmyé (Dacryodes excelsa) (typically used for nesting, and heavily utilised for traditional canoe construction) and bwapen mawon (Magnolia dodecapetala) among others (as food sources), undoubtedly impacted the survival of the population, confining it to a restricted area in the centre of the island, which could only support a relatively small number of individuals.

With the end of slavery and abandonment of many of the estates, particularly those in the rugged interior, the colonial government escheated many of these lands, placing them under protective management. Over time, formerly cultivated areas were gradually reclaimed by native fruit-bearing and nesting trees, fostering favourable conditions for the growth of the population.

Although there were no scientific studies in the early part of the twentieth century, it was widely known that the parrot was rare and potentially on the path to extinction in coming decades, but this was with some mixed speculation. Sydney Porter, writing in 1929 (in Notes on the Rare Parrots of the genus Amazona in Avicultural Magazine Vol. VIII. No. 1 of January 1930) noted that 20 years prior the population was on the verge of extinction but due to rigid protection by the Government the population was rapidly increasing (pages 25-26 in the online publication). Another investigator, K. Frost wrote in 1959 that the bird was not as rare as often thought. The Red Data Book of 1966 however stated that the population was in rapid decline (Jeggo, 1975).

The first dedicated study on the population status of the parrot was conducted by David Wingate, an ornithologist and naturalist from Bermuda who in 1969 published A summary of the status of the Saint Lucia Parrot (Amazon versicolor) and other rare birds of Saint Lucia. In his study over April 22 to May 15 1969, he found that the bird was present in some numbers, noting however that as many as 40 were being hunted annually. Wingate’s survey, commissioned by the International Committee for Bird Protection (now BirdLife International), revealed a drastic drop in the St. Lucia parrot population from about 1,000 birds in the 1950s to just 100 in 1975. There have been observations of dead birds being sold in the produce market in Soufriere as food. [need ref]

In response to the mounting evidence that the parrot population was in peril, in 1975 the First population survey of the St. Lucia Amazon was carried out by the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust (now Durrell Wildlife Preservation Trust) with a grant from Save Animals From Extinction (SAFE) International between April and August. The expedition was led by David Jeggo, Deputy Curator of Birds of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, with assistance from Stephen Jovicich of Houston, Texas, who at the time was a university student, as well as St. Lucians Stanley John (serving as the team’s guide) and Julian King, who was assigned by the Forestry Division. The assessment was timed to coincide with the breeding season of the parrot. The survey estimated that the wild population was between 100 to 150 birds, underpinning the first organized and urgent effort to develop a long-term strategy and decisive action for conserving the bird. The report from the expedition can be read here; pages 34 to 41.

In 1976 the report Amazona versicolor: a study of the St. Lucian Parrot was published by Stephen Jovicich and Holly Nichols. Holly Nichols was also engaged (along with her husband Dr. Tom D. Nichols) in research work on the Imperial Amazon and Red-necked Amazon of Dominica and the St. Vincent Amazon under the Lesser Antillean Amazon Parrot Programme. [info on who funded]

Part of the strategy involved establishing an ex-situ breeding program for the bird, which meant transferring a small population to locations outside the island as a precaution, with the intention of eventually reintroducing them into the wild. At that time, concerns were raised that due to the low number of birds remaining, any pressures from habitat destruction or severe hurricanes could threaten the survival of the species.

In 1976 David Jeggo returned to Saint Lucia for a second expedition, with Holly Nichols. On the authority of the Government, six parrot chicks were taken from the wild (two chicks each from three different nests) and brought back to Jersey on government loan in order to build a captive population at the Jersey Zoological Park. This added to two birds already at Jersey. Due to the endangered status of the birds, the transshipment process (via the US?) needed to be via application to the Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service under consent of the Government of Saint Lucia. The application was made by Holly Nichols, and Stephen Jovicich transferred the birds [is this correct in terms of who carried the birds and how?]. In 1982, the parrots achieved their first successful captive breeding.

In 1977 a student expedition from the North East London Polytechnic (now University of East London), led by Paul Butler, carried out a Study of the St. Lucia Amazon that included conservation recommendations. This study, conducted in partnership with the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust beginning in 1978, promoted the adoption of several measures such as revising wildlife legislation, granting amnesty and registering captive parrots, establishing nature trails, and initiating an education program. These efforts represented a shift wherein wildlife conservation, centered around the St Lucia Parrot as a flagship species for forest conservation, and became integrated into the activities of the Forestry Division, with personnel and resources specifically allocated to the conservation programme.

The parrot conservation programme was established, focusing field studies within the Soufriere and Quilesse Ranges, where the majority of the parrot population resided, primarily in Quilesse Reserve, Central Reserve A, and Central Reserve B. Parrot research efforts were led by Paul Butler, who served as Conservation Advisor to the Forestry Division beginning in 1978, and received field support mainly from Michael Bobb, forestry officer in the Soufriere Range, along with a field crew consisting of Lester Jn. Baptiste, Nicholas ‘Yellowman’ Marcellin, and Augustin ‘Klue’ Isidore. Parrot nest boxes were installed based on technical guidance from Ariel Lugo of the US Forest Service of Puerto Rico, who had experience working with the similarly endangered Puerto Rico Parrot (M. Bobb, personal account). The work was documented in the 1980 Study on The St. Lucia Parrot its changing status and conservation, published by Paul Butler in Conservation of New World Parrots.

A significant event occurred in August 1980 when Category 3 Hurricane Allen (3–4 August) passed near the island, damaging approximately 80% of the forest and killing an estimated 40% of the trees, according to David Whitman, a US Peace Corps volunteer with the Forestry Division at the time. The hurricane, with sustained winds reaching 130 miles per hour as it passed just south of the island, impacted forests along the highest ridges in particular by toppling older trees and stripping away leaves and fruit. There were concerns about potential losses among the bird population, where there were reports of dead birds on the forest floor [substantiate]. Although the precise impact of the hurricane on the bird population was not determined, it was generally believed that the remaining population was left highly vulnerable in the wake of the storm.

In response to the disaster, the parrot public education programme was expanded. Paul Butler recounts: “The objective of the outreach campaign was to build an island wide awareness of the forest and its importance not just for timber but also as a habitat for wildlife and a source of water. Water that was critical not only for domestic use but for agriculture too — including for the banana industry which was then in its heyday. Indeed, it was the banana industry that was partially responsible for the rampant deforestation that was occurring at the time as small-scale farmers cleared the steep slopes of the interior to plant “green gold”. Forest clearing resulted in rivers drying during the dry season and floods in the wet. Siltation carried valuable topsoil away and exacerbated the reduced water flow. There was no major water storage reservoir to meet the island’s needs, so the forest’s role in water regulation was critical. Jacquot would become the voice of the outreach program which resulted in a new-found pride in the environment and the declaration of the parrot as Saint Lucia’s National Bird. The education campaign was multi-faceted and targeted kids, the wider public and decision makers. It included posters, billboards, bumper stickers and radio programs; as well as school visits complete with costumes and puppets.” Read here for his story on the education programme.

The outreach program led to the formal adoption of the parrot as the National Bird and in 1980 the Wildlife Protection Act was passed. The Act gave widened provision for protection, conservation and management of wildlife in Saint Lucia including designation of wildlife reserves and enforcement of hunting regulations. The Wild Birds Protection Ordinance of 1885 was repealed.

One of the conservation strategies included the establishment of a parrot conservation reserve. This initiative was led by Paul Butler in [year]. The parrot nature reserve was situated within Central Reserve A, with its southeastern corner extending into the Quilesse Reserve. Although it was never formally declared [verify], this reserve remains listed as [official designation] among the proposed protected areas of the country.

The next major population census of the St. Lucia Parrot was conducted over [dates]. The results were presented in the 1988 Survey Report on the St Lucia Parrot (Amazona versicolor) by David Jeggo, Donald Anthony, and Lyndon John. This census found that bird numbers had [findings?].

On the success of the captive breeding programme at the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, in 1989 two captive-bred parrots, Lucy and Oswald were handed over to the Saint Lucia Forestry Department. The hand-over ceremony was held at Jersey’s Channel Islands facilities and attended by Prime Minister Sir John Compton. On arrival in Saint Lucia, a reception was hosted at the new Forestry Department headquarters at Union, Castries, where the birds were placed in wildlife enclosures on-site. The collaboration included training Forestry staff in bird handling; George ‘Zoo’ Antoine, Mary Justin, and Donald Anthony travelled to JWPT for training between [year] and [year].

The conservation education programme of the Forestry Department was enhanced in 1992 through the acquisition of the Jacquot Express environmental education bus from the World Parrot Trust (WPT). This mobile exhibit, formerly a passenger bus operating in [name of city in the UK], was retrofitted with educational materials, videos, and interactive displays designed for children. The initiative was undertaken in collaboration with RARE and Paradise Park, located in Hayle, Cornwall, England.

Between 1994 and 1996, additional focused field research on the parrot was conducted through a collaboration between the Forestry Department and the World Parrot Trust, supported by a MacArthur Foundation grant and technical guidance from Noel Snyder, known for his work with the Puerto Rico Parrot (Amazona vittata). James ‘Jim’ Dawson from [university] led the project with team members Michael Bobb, Rhikkie Alexander, Alwin Dornelly, Lyndon John, and Donald Anthony, along with student volunteers from Columbia University. The project also provided equipment to strengthen the Forestry Department’s capacity.

The next St Lucia Amazon parrot census was conducted in 1996, organized by the Wildlife Preservation Trust International (WPTI) (now known as Wildlife Trust) in partnership with the Forestry Department. This census, led by [lead investigator], estimated that there were between 350 and 500 parrots living in the wild. The findings indicated an upward trend in the population, no doubt associated with efforts in public education and forest conservation. Despite this increase, the population remained classified as endangered and continued to face high vulnerability. [confirm if there were any surveys since 1996].

A subsequent parrot census was conducted in 2009 by the Forestry Department in collaboration with Durrell as part of a three-year research initiative, with findings published in that year. Durrell’s Senior Keeper Hester Whitehead and Matt Morton, Durrell’s Conservation Biologist based in the Caribbean, coordinated the survey effort. This study estimated the population to have rised to between 1,750 and 2,250 individuals, distributed across a 116 km²range over the island.

The year 2010 marked the beginning of a new phase in the ex-situ breeding programme for the St. Lucia Amazon, facilitated by a breeding loan agreement between the Forestry Department and the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP). As part of this agreement, ACTP provided infrastructure upgrades to the visitor facilities at the Forestry Department headquarters and supplied vehicles to support fieldwork activities.

Conservation efforts spanning over forty years have contributed to the improved status of the St Lucia Amazon. The estimated wild population now ranges between XXX and XXX individuals, with their distribution having expanded into the northern areas around La Sorciere. Observations of the birds are regularly reported in adjacent forested regions around Bouton in the west, as well as in the southern and eastern uplands near the communities of Saltibus, Desruisseaux, and Millet in the west-central part of the island, where they are commonly seen feeding on cultivated fruits such as mangoes and golden apples.

Saving the endangered reptiles

St. Lucia Whiptail

St. Lucia Iguana

St. Lucia Racer

Other wildlife work

St. Lucia Thrasher

Invasive Alien Species – common iguana wild pig mongoose

Wildlife conservation within the international arena

CITES

Ramsar

Saint Lucia has the most endemic birds (found nowhere else on the planet) among the Eastern Caribbean islands…eight in total!

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