Tenerife will become a meeting point for some of the world’s leading parrot specialists this week, as Puerto de la Cruz hosts the XI International Parrot Congress from 14 to 17 September.
The event, organised by Loro Parque and the Loro Parque Foundation, will bring together around 800 professionals from nearly 60 countries, including biologists, veterinarians, breeders and conservationists.
That’s 15 more countries than previous editions, showing just how international the world of parrot conservation has become.
The congress has received institutional support from Promotur Turismo de Islas Canarias, Turismo de Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz Town Hall.
40 years of parrot conservation
The International Parrot Congress has been held every four years since it began in 1986, making this year’s event particularly significant.
It also coincides with the development of Loro Parque itself, which was founded in 1972 by Wolfgang Kiessling with just 150 parrots and 25 members of staff.
Looking back at the first congress, Kiessling admitted he never imagined it would still be going four decades later.
The event has grown considerably since those early days, as has the science behind parrot conservation.
What was once largely focused on traditional aviculture has developed into a much broader field involving genetics, veterinary medicine, nutrition, environmental enrichment and scientific research.
Sharing knowledge and experience
The main purpose of the congress is to give professionals from around the world an opportunity to share knowledge, experience and ideas about the future of parrot conservation.
The academic programme includes experts such as Rafael Zamora and Vivek Menon from the IUCN, alongside a wider group of specialists working in different areas of conservation.
There will also be technical meetings and exclusive visits to the Loro Parque Foundation’s breeding centre, which houses what is described as the world’s largest live parrot genetic reserve.
So, there should be rather more going on than people standing around admiring colourful birds.
Tenerife as a meeting point
The congress also has a strong social and networking element, with events taking place at locations including the Hotel Botánico and Siam Park.
That combination of science, conservation and international networking is an important part of the event’s appeal.
After 40 years, the congress has become much more than a gathering of people interested in parrots. It has developed into an international platform for collaboration around biodiversity, habitat protection and the conservation of threatened species.
And for Tenerife, having around 800 specialists from almost 60 countries arriving in Puerto de la Cruz is another reminder that the island’s role in conservation extends well beyond its beaches and tourist resorts.