Rowan Martin, PhD

Lovebird Conservation Update: Education, Nest Boxes and Genetics

Jan 21, 2022

Thank you for Showing your Love to Lovebirds!

Last year, many of you showed love for wild lovebirds by supporting WPT’s Valentine’s campaign, raising vital funds for the conservation of these very special birds. These donations underpinned important progress for some of Africa’s most threatened...

Congo journey: Working together to give African Greys a second chance in the DRC

Oct 21, 2021

On the 6th September 2021, 60 African Grey parrots were far from their home of the lush African forests; instead, they sat on a dusty runway in the remote town of Lodja in Sankuru province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The once wild parrots were going to be illegally flown to Kinshasa, the...

New project trials nest boxes as a conservation tool for threatened lovebirds

Jun 25, 2021

A new project is exploring how artificial cavities can be used to boost breeding populations of some of Africa’s most threatened lovebirds. The project will see the installation of 60 specially constructed nest boxes within Liwonde National Park in Malawi and investigate a number of questions to...

New hope for Timneh parrots in Sierra Leone

Jul 25, 2020

By Dr. Rowan Martin (Director WPT Africa Conservation Programme)

“Wow!” I whispered, barely containing my excitement. In front of us was a pair of Timneh parrots, engaging in what appeared to be a courtship display. There was a distinctive 'head bob’ followed by a clamping together of beaks and...