The Tambopata Macaw Project Talk

Dr Donald Brightsmith, the manager of the Tambopata Macaw Project gives a lecture on the use of the clay lick by the various parrot species.  He also shows how the researchers study the growth of the baby parrots.

If you would like to see this amazing place for yourself, start with my article here and also learn how the use of frequent flier miles can get you all the way to Puerto Maldonado so all you have to pay is the taxes and the cost of the Tambopata Research Centre package!

Shopping To Support Conservation – Peru

Tis the season to shop, so why not give some wonderful gifts that in turn give back to the environment?  If you go to Peru to see the macaw clay lick in the Tambopata National Reserve, you will find these beautiful wall-hangings called arpilleras being sold at the airport gift shops and in some of the lodges. One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t buy more of these when I was there and also some of the other crafts they have as they are absolutely gorgeous!

But even if you don’t have a trip planned, you can still get one of these gorgeous artworks for yourself or as a gift for someone!

  These are handmade by indigenous artisans in the jungles of Peru. Each wall-hanging is an original; hand-sewn and unique.  Your purchase will aid local communities and protect wild areas.  These amazing one-of-a-kind fabric artworks support indigenous communities which in turn protect their local clay licks – an arrangement that benefits parrots and humans alike. Funds raised from each sale encourage this sustainable trade.  There is more information here about how arpilleras support conservation and ecotourism.

OK, so now you want one (or 10) and you don’t plan to go to Peru in the near future?  Don’t worry!  They can be ordered from the World Parrot Trust and you have a choice of a USA based store and the UK/Worldwide based store.  All profits go to support their conservation projects that save wild parrots around the world.  I have seen many wild parrots rescued and returned to the wild because of World Parrot Trust over the years.

I have 4 arpilleras in my home and they are treasured featured artworks in my bird room.  If you can’t go to the rainforest, why not bring the rainforest to you?   (And then plan a trip there in the future!)