West Indies Project--Conservation Projects
12 Jun 08
Goal:
Help prevent the extinction of raptors found only on the islands of the West Indies and conserve native habitats important for North American migrating birds.
Deforestation and shooting are making life for the Ridgway’s Hawk tenuous in the Dominican Republic. The last remaining stronghold for this critically endangered bird is in Los Haitises National Park, although even the park is threatened by people encroaching on its boundaries for agriculture.
The hawk’s greatest problem stems from local people who mistakenly believe the bird (confused with Red-tailed Hawks) preys on domestic chickens. To stop the killing of this misunderstood raptor, our West Indies Project partnered with the Ornithological Society of Hispaniola to create a play on the life of the Ridgway’s Hawk and take it on the trail. In 2007, nearly 700 people, including children, watched the entertaining performance in 10 rural communities around the park. This innovative technique successfully boosted awareness among those who must learn not to persecute the Ridgway’s Hawk if it is to be saved from extinction.
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