An AWWP-funded survey to re-assess the conservation status of the Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco (PRT) (Tauraco ruspolii) from 2003 to 2006 discovered the presence of hybrids between the rare PRT and the more common White-cheeked Turaco (Tauraco leucotis) (Link to “Past conservation initiatives” –Turaco study). Following this a research project was funded mainly by AWWP and Conservation des Espèces et des Populations Animales (CEPA, France) on investigating the extent of the threat posed by hybridization to the survival of the PRT. The principal investigator was Mr. Tolera Kumsa, a student of the Masters degree at the Addis Ababa University from 2007 to 2008 under the supervision of Mr. Luca Borghesio and Mr. Jean-Marc Lernould, both leading authorities on the conservation of the Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco (Tauraco ruspolii). The project culminated in a thesis outlining significant observations on the extent and underlying reasons for the hybridization between the two species. The final report summarizing the outcomes of the research project is available through the link below.