1 April 2008

Trinidad expedition for Dundee Zoology students

Zoology students and staff from the University of Dundee will head to Trinidad this summer to join key environmental projects taking place in the Caribbean, including the reintroduction of the Blue and Gold Macaw to the rainforest there.

Ten third-year students are expected to make the trip in June, joined by three staff including expedition leader Dr Stephen Hubbard, Reader in Zoology in the Division of Plant Sciences at the University.

The Blue and Gold Macaw, one of the most strikingly coloured parrots, is an endangered species in Trinidad. The bird was made extinct in the island around 15 years ago through relentless robbing of nests by the removal of chicks for the European and American pet trade.

"We are going to link up with the Trinidad and Tobago Zoological Society on some of their ongoing conservation projects, including the reintroduction of the Blue and Gold Macaw," said Dr Hubbard.

"We have a lot of expertise on tropical birds here at Dundee so it is a natural project for our staff and students to work on."

The Macaw has now been re-introduced to the island and assessing the present state of the colonisation process is an important conservation priority. The Dundee University team, which will include ornithologist Dr Alan Barclay, will provide a team of observers who will gather critical data on the abundance and distribution of the birds.

The Dundee expedition will also look at a number of other environmental and conservation projects.

"There is an ongoing endangered West Indian manatee project over there which we can get involved with," said third-year student Siân Fôch-Gatrell. "Our work will be looking at how we can improve the conservation prospects for the small population of manatees in the area".

"We are also hoping to look into the effects of introducing Guppies, a freshwater fish native to parts of Central America, as a form of biological control to areas in the world currently affected by malarial mosquitoes".

"In the past, attempts to eradicate malaria have been done via the use of harmful pesticides which are persistent in the environment for long after the initial spraying event."

Key to the entire project is raising enough funds to support the expedition. The students have so far raised more than half of their target of £17,000 with a variety of events including band nights, bag packing, a Spring Ball and a match day collection at Dundee United football club.

They have a fundraising prospectus available to anyone who may be able to support their efforts. The team can be contacted through Dr Hubbard at s.f.hubbard@dundee.ac.uk or by calling 07814 562476.

It is hoped to make the expedition an annual event so that Dundee can stay engaged with the conservation projects over the long-term and successive student years can gain valuable experience working in the rainforest.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk