Current Projects

Echo Parakeet

World's most successful parrot conservation programme

We have always enjoyed a productive relationship with the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust (now the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust), and in 1990 they invited us to join in the financial support for the Echo Parakeet (Psittacula echo) on Mauritius.

At that time there were only about 12 individuals of the species left - this would have been an almost unsolvable problem, if it were not for Dr. Carl Jones and his outstanding team from Mauritius, New Zealand, Canada and the UK. We put much of our limited resources towards this project, and to date this totals over £100,000, plus about £30,000 we persuaded other organisations to donate.

With a blend of ingenious scientific and avicultural initiatives and a series of outstanding hand-rearing experts, Carl Jones and his many enthusiastic helpers have now brought the total number of Echo Parakeets to over 300 individuals. Most have been released back into the limited forest area on Mauritius, and many of these are now breeding without any assistance apart from some supplementary nest boxes.

A remarkable success story, unique in the world of endangered parrots. WPT intends to continue its support, and invites all to join them in this effort.

To learn more about our efforts to save this species:

• PsittaScene Volume 19, Number 4; November 2007; pages 3-9
• PsittaScene Volume 15, Number 2; May 2003; pages 3-5
• PsittaScene Volume 13, Number 4; November 2001; pages 10-11
• PsittaScene Volume 13, Number 2; May 2001; pages 4-5
• PsittaScene Volume 12, Number 4; November 2000; page 17
• PsittaScene Volume 11, Number 3; August 1999; pages 10-11
• PsittaScene Volume 11, Number 1; February 1999; pages 6-7
• PsittaScene Volume 10, Number 1; February 1998; page 13
• PsittaScene Volume 9, Number 4; November 1997; pages 1-4
• PsittaScene Volume 9, Number 1; February 1997; page 10
• PsittaScene Volume 8, Number 4; November 1996; page 9
• PsittaScene Volume 8, Number 1; February 1996; pages 6-7
• PsittaScene Volume 7, Number 1; February 1995; page 9
• PsittaScene Volume 6, Number 4; November 1994; pages 6-7
• PsittaScene Volume 6, Number 2; May 1994; pages 10-11
• PsittaScene Volume 5, Number 4; November 1993; pages 5-6
• PsittaScene Volume 5, Number 3; August 1993; pages 1-3
• PsittaScene Volume 4, Number 4; November 1992; pages 7-10
• PsittaScene Volume 3, Number 4; November 1991; pages 6-7
• PsittaScene Volume 3, Number 1; February 1991; page 3
• PsittaScene Volume 1, October 1989; pages 5-6

To help save this parrot please:

Or Contact Us to learn more about how you can help.