CASA Welcomes
Lored Captain Jack

The parrot was received at CASA, delivered by Gerald Wohlers a member of the CDCB and the son of Humberto Wohlers the Wildlife Supervisor at the Belize Zoo, and CASA/CDCB Staff prepared caging.  In the weeks that followed Gerald Wohlers, fed, treated and cared for the parrot and instructed CASA staff with regard to feeding and care. 

As the wounds healed it became readily apparent that the right-eye was lost and that the parrot would not regain the sight of the right eye.  The lack of full-vision and the absence of appropriate training among its own species rendered it a poor candidate for release.  The loss of a single eye, given the location of a parrots eyes on the side of the head, will interfere with flight, in locating food, guarding against predators, and being accepted among the flock.  Communications with local wildlife veterinarian and member of the CASA Advisory Board, Dr. Eduardo Tesecum, confirmed that the parrot was not releasable.  Sadly, CASA Staff came to recognize the plight of the parrot, knowing that it would never be able to join the parrots flying overhead; however, the parrot’s gentle disposition and affable personality had earned it the name Lored Captain Jack, and the CASA staff having grown attached to it, welcomed Capatain jack as the 1st Ambassadopr to Casa Avian Support Alliance. 

An evaluation by Mr. Humberto Wohlers, confirmed that the wounds were healing well with no signs of infection, clean vents, vivid color, healthy musculature, reasonable coordination for young bird lacking the site of one eye, the absence of mites, ample appetite and warm personality.  A fecal sample analysis, performed on July 27, 2007 indicated no sign of internal parasites.  On the evening of Mr. Wohlers visit Captain Jack was provided the branch of a sour-plum with ample green leaves, Craboo berries(Byrsonimacrassifolia) and portion of a palm frond.  Jack immediately began shredding the bark from the sour-plum, chewing the leaves and feeding on the craboo berries, pleased and apparently full he then perched and rested quietly.  Later in the evening the staff and Mr. Wohlers discussed the gardens being cultivated north of Jack’s cage and agreed that it should support not only the visiting avi-tourists but our avian guest as well.

As Captain Jack rapidly matured over the weeks that followed a new cage of greater size with more extensive perching was constructed. This caging will serve until the Rehabilitation Building is complete, where Captain Jack will find long term residence in an aviary like cage located on the front, west portion of the structure.  In that location, where the exterior walls will be made of wire mesh, Captain Jack will be able to interface with the staff and public, providing ample opportunity for socializing with the new flock. Should the occasion arise, birds that could share the aviary with Captain Jack might include Aztec Parakeets and/or White-fronted Parrots.

Coming issues of the CASA newsletter will feature a column penned by Captain Jack, that will relate his experiences and his life at the Casa Avian Support Alliance.  Additionally, Captain Jack will be exchanging letters with the sixth grade students of Cramer Elementary School of Goshen New York. Instructor, Ms. Catherine Hallock of Wurtsboro, New York, who has been teaching multi-disabled students for 19 years, will assist the students in the preparation of letters that will introduce the students to topics involving Central American geography, environmental conservation, and avian migration patterns involving species common to upstate New York and Belize

The sponsors of Casa Avian Support Alliance extend a heartfelt and sincere thank-you to Ms. Mary Hilderman-Smith of Nantucket Island for her generous contribution to Captain Jack and her wish to establish a fund in honor and support of this little Red-lored Parrot who will for years to come be 1st Ambassador on behalf of Casa Avian Support Alliance.