Golden Conure Survival Fund/Golden Conurre Population

Population

Captive Population
Traditionally the best-known method of keeping track of a captive population is through a studbook. There is a Golden Conure Studbook in existence, but it has been stagnant since its last publishing. It is current as of January 1998. The last issue was published by the Phoenix Zoo. Shortly thereafter the Golden Conure Studbook keeper, Bruce W. Bohmke, left the Phoenix Zoo, and the duties of its upkeep were given to Natasha Schischakin of the Houston Zoo. After making initial contact with Natasha at the Gabriel Foundation Symposium in Tampa, FL, 2001 and expressing my desire to help with the studbook, I have tried to correspond with her as per her own encouragement. On numerous occasions over the years, I have made attempts to contact Natasha directly and through Joe Barkowski, Chair-Parrot TAG, to offer my assistance in any way that I can to help to revive the studbook.

My last contact concerning the Golden Conure Studbook was from Joe Barkowski on September 3, 2001. He stated that my desire to move forward with the Golden Conure Studbook was duly noted, and that he would speak with Natasha about it. This proposal never went anywhere.

Since then it is my understanding that the studbook has been moved to Busch Gardens, Tampa, FL. As of today, as fr as I know, all efforts to revive it have proven to be fruitless. I hope an effort will be made to revitalize it soon, or it may be time for interested parties to work together and take other measures such as initiating a replacement studbook. Any further information, ideas, or assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

The most recent issue of the studbook lists 804 golden conures in captivity worldwide, with some facilities housing as many as 50 individuals (Bohmke). As a general rule I would consider there to be at least one bird not listed for every one that is; therefore, the captive population could easily be as many as 1600 birds or more, which comes close to our most recent estimates of Golden Conures left in the wild.

Wild Population
Although our field project has not yet included a comprehensive population survey, Carlos Yamashita, our lead biologist, has estimated as few as 2000 birds left in the wild, and cautions that their numbers will most certainly not exceed 3000.

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