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Control of invasive ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri) in an island Biosphere Reserve (La Palma, Canary Islands): combining methods and social engagement

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Abstract

The ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri) has been naturalised in La Palma Island Biosphere Reserve since the late 1990s. Due to landowners’ complaints about the impact of parakeets on crops, a control scheme was implemented to eliminate the known population, initially estimated at 70 birds. The programme finally comprised three different phases. Between December 2015 and September 2016, 107 parakeets were removed by trapping using 14 decoy traps. Due to inefficient handling and trap shyness developed by the parakeets, traps were removed from October 2016 to November 2017, with at least 20 parakeets remaining in the wild. The control measures restarted in December 2017; 34 parakeets were counted and 13 were trapped. Since the parakeets had started to breed, the method was changed from trapping to shooting, to remove the last 34 parakeets. In total, during the entire project (December 2015–May 2018), 175 ring-necked parakeets were managed: 154 removed from the environment, 1 handed over to the project staff, and 20 registered by authorities as pets. Considering the undetermined number of ring-necked parakeets kept as pets on the island, an early detection and rapid response system has been set up by the island council, engaging public workers and volunteers to investigate and control new escapes. This project is one of the few cases worldwide where naturalised breeding populations of this invasive species have been successfully eliminated from the environment. Negative effects on biodiversity and human interests were thus minimized, and especially important, this was achieved without generating any social conflict.

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Acknowledgements

Firstly our deepest gratitude to all the local volunteers, as without their involvement in the project, such good results would never have been achieved. We are particularly grateful to the Dirección Insular de la Administración General del Estado, for their direct support of these pioneer activities, while encouraging other local Administrations to join the effort. The town councils of Breña Alta, Breña Baja, Santa Cruz de La Palma, El Paso, and Los Llanos de Aridane kindly allowed us to use air rifles in public areas to shoot the last parakeets. Special thanks to La Palma fire-fighting team for their help in hanging and removing nest-box traps from high palm trees. The Club Siete Cejos members (Enrique Huertas, Francisco Javier Felipe, José Miguel Morera and Roberto Hernández) and José Luis Sánchez collaborated in shooting the last naturalised parakeets. Rafael Martín Romera (Maroparque Zoo), as well as Cándido González and Judith González, provided us with the first decoy parakeets and free access to the best trapping places. We thank the Fundación Canaria Reserva Mundial de la Biosfera La Palma and the Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente for accommodating SS during her working stay. SEO/BirdLife performed the first complete survey of ring-necked parakeets on the island. Special thanks to Antonio Hernández, registered veterinarian, who humanely carried out the euthanasia protocols. The Environmental Service staff of the island government (Cabildo Insular de La Palma), especially Guillermo Hernández and Rafael Pedro Rodríguez, was intensively involved in the project. Trapping and shooting measures had the pertinent legal administrative permits from the authorities (Expte. No. EEI-011/2016, from the Canary Government, and Ref. No.: A/OT-111/2015, from the Cabildo Insular de La Palma). We thank Manuel Nogales, Emiliano Mori and Diederik Strubbe for their comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript.

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  1. INBIMA (Invasive Bird Management), C/Patricio Madán, Nº 1, 2º Bloque, 2º Piso, 38008, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

    Susana Saavedra

  2. Servicio de Medio Ambiente, Cabildo de La Palma, Avenida Los Indianos Nº 20, 2º, 38700, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Island, Spain

    Félix M. Medina

  3. Grupo de Ecología y Evolución en Islas (IPNA-CSIC), Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez Nº 3, 38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

    Félix M. Medina

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  1. Susana Saavedra
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Saavedra, S., Medina, F.M. Control of invasive ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri) in an island Biosphere Reserve (La Palma, Canary Islands): combining methods and social engagement. Biol Invasions 22, 3653–3667 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-020-02351-0

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