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2 LOCAL NEWS AM:News Thursday, 7 December 2023

Conservation Efforts for the ‘Lora’ in Aruba

ARUBA reintroduced the protective species law for the
conservation of indigenous flora and fauna in 2017,
focusing on the, Yellow-Shouldered Amazon (Amazona
barbadensis) or locally known as the “Lora” parrot. Many

Arubans cherish beautiful memories of these parrots, which
were once part of the ecosystem over 50 years ago before
sadly disappearing. Recent portraits of Princess Beatrix of
the Netherlands visiting the Aruba National Park Foundation

(FPNA) showcased these parrots, indicating ongoing efforts
to rescue and reintroduce the species with local, regional,
and international partnerships.

The Department of Nature and Environment (DNM) has
supported the conservation program since its inception,
aligning with the indigenous flora and fauna protection
law established in 2017. DNM ensured that the Yellow-

Shouldered Amazon parrot remained protected under this
law, even when the parrots were no longer present in the
ecosystem. The hope persisted that one day these parrots
would return to their natural habitat.

The list of protected species under this law is based on
agreements such as the ‘Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)’ and

the ‘Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Protocol (SPAW).’ Image: Sam Williams
In Aruba, the Veterinary Service serves as the CITES tion to sustain itself. Globally, both parrot species, including
authority for fauna, and Santarosa for flora. The collabora- the Yellow-Shouldered Amazon, face threats, making rein-
tion between these entities resulted in a comprehensive list troduction a challenging task.

of protected species in 2017.
FPNA relies on community support for this project, empha-
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) sizing the importance of changing perceptions and raising
Red List assesses species under threat globally. The Yellow- awareness. Conservation efforts focus on educating the

Shouldered Amazon parrot was classified as Critically public to view these parrots not as caged pets but as inte-
Endangered (CR) by IUCN in 2020, indicating an extreme gral contributors to biodiversity. Preserving these parrots
risk of extinction and emphasizing the need for protection. ensures a rich biodiversity for future generations.
This status worsened over time, starting from Vulnerable

(VU) in 1988 to Endangered (EN) in 2000. Rather than confining the parrots for personal enjoyment,
releasing them into the wild contributes to their conser-
Between 1948-50, the parrots disappeared from the wild vation, prevents invasions, combats illegal trafficking, and
due to various reasons, including hunting for consumption, ensures future generations can appreciate these parrots in

interference with agriculture, capturing for pets, and smug- their natural habitat. The DNM director shared his experi-
gling. The population declined, preventing natural repro- ence witnessing Princess Beatrix visiting the secret location
duction. Additionally, invasive species and predators further in Arikok National Park, emphasizing the importance of law
threatened the parrot population. The FPNA took charge of and public behavior in protecting these parrots.

the reintroduction and conservation project.
Thanks to all involved entities for their dedication to the
The Yellow-Shouldered Amazon parrot plays a vital role in conservation and protection of the Yellow-Shouldered
the ecosystem by contributing to biodiversity through seed Amazon parrots, as seen in the parrots awaiting freedom

distribution. FPNA aims to establish a stable parrot popula- soon.