An endangered widow
This amazing species is yet another example of how selfish human desires to keep exotic pets drives a species to extinction.
Why is it so hard to understand that keeping a bird captive does not benefit anyone?
This delusional idea that the pet has been bred from long standing captive populations and is thus not taken from its wild home is wishful thinking. Many are absolutely convinced their bird or mammal from the pet shop has been captive-bred and has not come to them though wildlife smugglers. Just because those with vested interest say so – that is just mind boggling.
Truth is that a huge percentage of the wild animals caught in the wild die on their way to the pet shops, and because of this the traffickers catch even more to be certain they end up with a profitable number of live ones.
This species has been completely wiped out in huge parts of its range, and if people continue to purchase this pet from pet shops it will become extinct entirely! It has already fast-tracked to endangered status.
When the human population on this planet was a fraction of today, keeping a beautiful bird in a cage as a pet, to hear its occasional song of desperation and confusion being caged, did not have any impact on the species as a whole.
Any intelligent person will understand that no tradition of the past has any validity today as if it is applied to just a few percent of the human civilization it will devastate the target, be it a parrot, pangolin or orchid.
It is not sustainable, and extraordinarily selfish!
What is an incredible experience is to encounter a wild and free individual like this female, who knowingly and willingly approaches humans.
Here she is sitting on the roof of the reception building of Bom Bom Principe, assessing every human passing by. Her eyes reflecting a very intelligent and gentle being.
She has previously had at least one successful breeding in one of the trees on the property, but her companion died, and since then she has not wanted a new partner. Instead she has approached the humans and regard them as her extended family for many years now.
It is quite strange to hear her kind fly by overhead but never responding to their calls. She has become silent, yet her need to be social and to belong to a group has resulted in her close interaction with the humans at Bom Bom Principe.
One early morning I watched her fly low from the Bom Bom Islet to one of her many perches around the reception area. I suspect she had her breakfast on the islet as it was brimming with ripe fruits there. Some days I did not find her, and other days she sat right in front of the door!
This is her choice and this is how interaction between wild animals and humans should be – on their terms.
Stop keeping exotic animals as pets as it is driving species after species to extinction!
It sounds like this:
Elevation: 6 meters
Last updated on 7 December 2020
