Tenerife Hosts 11th International Parrot Congress
Tenerife welcomed around 800 participants from 57 countries for the 11th International Congress on Parrots, which took place over four days. The event, organised by Loro Parque and the Loro Parque Foundation, focused on advancing knowledge of parrots and developing strategies for their welfare and conservation. It was significant this year, marking the congress’s 40th anniversary and receiving support from the Canary Islands government, the Cabildo de Tenerife, and Puerto de la Cruz Town Hall.
The gatherings began with an accreditation day on September 14, sparking numerous reunions among regular attendees and newcomers, showcasing the congress’s long-standing tradition of fostering connections alongside knowledge.
This year’s congress highlighted the evolution of research on parrots since its inception, shifting from experiential insights of breeders to incorporating advanced fields such as genetics, veterinary medicine, and environmental enrichment. The quality of presentations was notable, with participants voting Dr. Michael Lierz as the top speaker for his contributions.
An important conservation milestone was the agreement for Thailand to send a pair of endangered palm cockatoos to Loro Parque Foundation, enhancing the genetic reservoir of parrots globally.
New initiatives included “Leaders Breakfasts,” informal networking sessions that encouraged real-time discussions among experts, promoting professional connections.
Attendees also visited Loro Parque’s breeding centre in La Vera, home to the world’s largest living genetic repository of parrots. These tours allowed participants to learn about practical conservation methods and fostered new ideas for future projects.
The social aspect of the congress featured events such as the Tropical Night at Lago Martiánez and a Beach Party at Siam Park, showcasing Tenerife’s unique locales and culture. The closing gala on September 17 at the Botánico Hotel symbolically marked the end of the event.
Following the congress, workshops focused on practical aspects of parrot care ran from September 18 to 20, covering topics such as hand-rearing and disease management.
As the congress concluded, it reinforced the message that collaboration among scientists, veterinarians, breeders, and conservationists is vital to addressing complex environmental challenges. Forty years on, Tenerife remains a pivotal hub for the global parrot community.
