From the brink: Saving the Puerto Rican parrot

Ricardo Valentin works at the Rio Abajo Aviary, which is part of a program working to breed and release the endangered Puerto Rican parrot. The parrot is indigenous to Puerto Rico and used to be abundantly found throughout the Island when Christopher Columbus landed there. However, it's numbers have decreased drastically since then.
When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico last year, it wiped out many of the wild parrots and damaged the breeding facility. After the storm, the wild population totalled less than 90 birds.
Several months after Maria, the aviary and the forest are still reeling from the effects of the Hurricane. Ricardo and his team must now rebound if the parrot is to have a chance to survive.
By Isaiah Somanas

[@richardmacleansr8341]

I worked as a volunteer on the Parrot Project back in the 90's. It was not an easy thing. We walked up to 40 min ONE WAY into the rain forest without any trail or any markings so that we did not give away the location of the wild nests. We had to be in the blind BEFORE sunup and could not leave until well after sundown. We would listen to a mic in the nest to ensure that the parrots were not attacked by other birds, snakes or even flies who would lay their eggs in the skin of the baby birds. But not a single one of us would say NO if we were asked to do it again.

[@CanadianParrotConf]

Ricardo and his team are to be commended for all they have done in such difficult conditions. The Puerto Rican Amazons are so lucky! Thanks to everyone for all you do. Gracias!!

[@FastEddie60]

It is great to know that the Puerto Rican parrot 🦜 is being preserved ! Thanks 🙏 to all the people involved in preserving this elegant bird

[@amazonico1234]

A wonderful piece of film-making. II like it because it provides a window into our work.

[@rodimus371]

Ricardo Valentin thank you for what you do . I’m from utuado and currently live in Nj and I’m grateful for your work . Thank you

[@Phenom0420]

If there is any way to be of assistance through donations or organizations, please let us know. 🙏 Thank you for all the good work you do.

[@denniscruz4991]

What an incredible insight of my beautiful homeland and the efforts of our own to promote and achieve conservation of our native fauna! Thank you for all you do. 🦜🇵🇷

[@victorrosario6554]

Ricardo te felicito por tu trabajo en mantener estas cotorras. Your dedication and efforts are remarkable. Thank you for all your efforts. Maybe one day I will be able to visit PR and see those parrots.

[@TarasOleksyk]

I shared on all my social media, i hope that many people will see it.

[@edgarconception9487]

Thank you for sharing.

[@OGMeatball]

I miss pr🇵🇷💙

[@JoseCruz-it9gb]

Gracias

[@vector8310]

13 birds in 1975? Wow!

[@AlexisVega-xi5yq]

We need to get this video to more people

[@myriamcupril9104]

I 💘 PR Parrots 🦜 🤣

[@profishinjr4880]

I saw one in the wild

[@lvstream720]

ohh

[@STARIZZY458]

Hola parrots big feet’s parrots coquis aqwww