Wild Parrot Ecotourism - Family - Pets

Many species of parrots are large and spectacular, and have good potentials to serve as a focus for ecotourism development. As a conservation technique, ecotourism can give economic benefits to local communities and cause them to value and protect the ecosystems on which the parrots depend. However, potentials for ecotourism do not extend equally to all parrot species, as many lack the charisma to make them major attractions, while others are too unpredictable in movements to allow reliable viewing in specific locations. Thus while the maroon-fronted parrot (Rhynchopsitta terrisi) offers excellent potentials for ecotourism because of its concentrated nesting in spectacular and consistently-used cliff colonies, the same potentials do not exist for the maroon-fronted parrots close relative, the thick-billed parrot (R. pachyrhyncha). Although spectacular enough in appearance, the thickbills nest in dispersed fashion in trees, and are notable for their erratic presence in spec ific areas. Thick-billed parrots also nest in a range currently troubled by widespread cultivation of illicit drugs, rendering the safety of ecotourism in some question and presenting some difficulties in attracting tourists to the area.

Perhaps the most successful example of ecotourism centred on parrots is that developed for viewing of large macaws at clay licks of south-eastern Peru (Munn 1992). The clay-lick spectacle is reliable and massive and a proven tourist attraction, despite the difficulties of getting to the area (which may actually be part of the attraction). Further, it represents a major income-producing phenomenon for local communities and has been practical to connect with the need to preserve the rainforest habitat of the species involved. Overall, ecotourism represents the third most important economic activity for south-eastern Peru (Munn 1992), and this potential may continue to grow. For this ecotourism to work a focus on parrot health and sexing is required.

Wherever charismatic parrots exist and concentrate for whatever reasons (clay licks, waterholes, waterfalls, colonial nesting sites, reliable roosting sites, etc.), the possibility of ecotourism needs to be considered as a conservation option. But this needs to be done with full knowledge of the weaknesses and risks of this approach. If implemented improperly, ecotourism can lead to regrettable consequences of a variety of sorts, including degradation of the very resources on which it depends and disruption of local human cultures (see Brandon 1996).

Of principal concern is the proper distribution of economic benefits to be derived from the ecotourism. If the benefits do not stay substantially in local communities, then one cannot expect to see the development of local support for preservation of the ecosystems involved. Even if the benefits do remain largely local, the connection with needs for ecosystem protection may be missed without proper education efforts, or may simply be ignored if benefits are not substantial enough (see Brandon 1996). Unfortunately, in many cases of ecotourism development, the benefits have wound up primarily in the hands of extranationals or nationals that are far removed from the actual scene. Proper structuring of the economic benefits is something that should be addressed at the very outset of ecotourism development, and not simply be left to chance. To minimise exploitation and corruption as much as possible, the economic benefits should be controlled and realised by local communities a s a whole rather than by individuals.

Another weakness of the ecotourism approach is the fact that it can be expected to be vulnerable to unpredictable fluctuations in international economies, changes in currency exchange rates, and changes in perceptions of the risks of visiting various parts of the world. A few well publicised bombings and kidnappings have the potential to sabotage the basic viability of tourism wherever it is developed for whatever purposes. Nevertheless, it is clear that many developing countries are turning to ecotourism as a major economic benefit (e.g., Costa Rica). In many cases, it works reasonably well to generate income, even if it does not always benefit conservation efforts.

Thus far, the overall track record of ecotourism in aiding conservation has been disappointing, although positive potentials still exist, assuming structural changes can be implemented in the way the industry generally operates (see Brandon 1996). The main problem to be corrected is that economic returns do not substantially benefit local communities in many cases. In addition, visitor fees to protected areas, at least for non-nationals, are often underpriced and could easily be increased to generate more substantial benefits. Another change that can make a significant difference is gaining the co-operation of governments in channelling funds raised from public reserves back into reserve maintenance and protection.

Reproduced with permission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and the World Parrot Trust.

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