Help The Wild Parrot Rescue Center in Honduras to Save Their National Bird
LoraKim Joyner, an avian veterinarian from the USA, a parrot conservationist, and the Director of One Earth Conservation has recently opened a wild parrot rescue center in Honduras. They are raising money on Deposit a Gift. Recently, I caught up with LoraKim Joyner to learn more about the effort; here’s what he told me:
What is the social benefit you hope to achieve with or through your crowdfunding campaign?
We seek to improve the lives of the indigenous Miskito people of Honduras and the parrots they protect. In particular, our crowd funding will support the establishment of Wild Parrot Rescue Center in the village of Mabita. This rescue center will care for parrots that have been confiscated from poachers who sell the birds into the illegal wildlife trade. These parrots are cared for until they can be released into the wild. Funds raised also go to pay the staff of the rescue center, improving the lives of those in this remote village by providing income.
How much money are you hoping to raise and why? How much have you raised so far?
We seek to raise $17,500. Funds raised go to pay the $2,700 for salaries for the two Co-Directors, $2,700 for food, $1,500 to build a flight cage, $300 for veterinary supplies, and $300 for other needed supplies. In addition, we would like to construct a clinic and nursery, which will cost another $10,000.
We have raised: $5,220.
Whom are you trying to help with your project and why?
The primary purpose of the Rescue Center is to save the scarlet macaws of Honduras. Once they flew over all of Honduras, and now there are only several hundred left in La Moskitia. If we don’t save them there, the Honduran national bird will be gone forever. A Rescue Center is the key piece for saving the birds, for the governmental authorities must have a reliable place to send parrots that they have confiscated from the poachers. If there is no center, the authorities will be less likely to enforce their national laws. The Center has been operating without support and funds for the last couple of years, and the villagers have been caring for and paying for food and supplies on their own. At times, they have had to choose whether to feed themselves, or the parrots.
Contributions to the Rescue Center will keep the villagers from using their scant resources to care for the birds, and will also help them earn the necessary cash income to pay for medicines and other important items to survive.
If the indigenous people in this village of Mabita know of our support, and receive it, they can continue to take a stand against the forces that seek to take their land, their resources, and their parrots.
What rewards, if any, are you offering to your supporters?
We offer:
“Parrots Fly Free” wrist bands
Public acknowledgement of donations in our newsletter
T-shirts
Personal acknowledgement from a rescue center worker in Honduras
Their name on a sign or plaque on the flight cage and clinic
Free Nurture Nature Workshop
Check out the campaign:
Visit the website.
Follow on Facebook.
Follow on Twitter at @LoraKimJoyner
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