THE IMPERIAL AMAZON, DOMINICA

Popularly known as “the Nature Island of the Caribbean”, Dominica is home to two endemic Amazon parrot species, the Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis) and the Red-necked Parrot (Amazona arausiaca). The Imperial Amazon, locally known as the Sisserou Parrot, is the national symbol of Dominica and is the largest, and probably the rarest, of the Amazon parrots. A reclusive inhabitant of the montane rainforests on the slopes of the Morne Diablotin volcano in Dominica, the Imperial Amazon was feared to have gone extinct after Hurricane David hit Dominica in 1979. Ever since, the species has been the subject of widespread conservation activities including habitat protection and captive breeding in order to re-establish a self sustaining wild population.

Imperial Amazon

AWWP has been involved in capacity building of the local authorities in charge of conservation of the Sisserou. Logistical support for field activities and funding toward the formal training of personnel in endangered species management has been the focus of AWWP’s initiative. In the near future, a closer collaboration and involvement in the conservation efforts for the Sisserou is envisaged.