This video is brilliant if short....
An Ethiopian endemic in trouble is the grandly named Prince Ruspoli's Turaco (PRT). The macaw-sized bird with it's scarlet and navy-blue wings, long tail, and green-and-white head was first found amongst the personal effects of the prince after he had been trampled to death by an elephant in 1893. As the unfortunate nobleman had not had the time to label the specimen, it's origins remained a mystery for half a century before the species was seen in the wild by a Cambridge naturalist in southern Ethiopia.
Liben Lark.
The PRT carries with it the unfortunate distinction of being classified as Critically Endangered which is the highest level of threat. It looks set to follow in the footsteps of another bird the Liben Lark which is itself heading towards being the first recorded extinction of mainland Africa's birds, the population of which is thought to number fewer than 100 birds.
Prince Ruspoli's Turaco. John Richard Darbyshire.
But there is good news, a lifeline has been thrown for these birds thanks to funds collected at last years British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water....'Hope springs eternal'....Alexander Pope 1688-1744.
LEARNING SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY!
LEARNING SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY!
Let us hope enough is done in time to save this birds from extinction.
ReplyDeleteVery esoteric PW, and a change from the CG regulars?
ReplyDeleteYes, here's hoping Warren.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Phil....I'm off to search my Concise Oxford now!