Aid for wildlife missing

(CNS): Food that was sent  by the National Trust to help the birds on the Brac left starving after Hurricane Paloma appears to be missing. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the bird food, feeders and water trays that recently arrived on the Brac to assist the wildlife, they are asked to please call Wildlife Rescue Project Manager Alison Corbett at 926-6474.

The Trust reports that denuded and destroyed trees and vegetation resulting from Hurricane Paloma could lead to the surviving native wildlife on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman facing starvation. Birds are especially vulnerable, including the endangered endemic Cayman Brac Parrot and Red-legged Thrush, the White-winged Dove, baldpates, warblers and more. 

Many have been sighted foraging and competing at ground level for what little food remains. However, using lessons learned from Grand Cayman’s Ivan experience, the National Trust’s Cayman Wildlife Rescue programme was activated, and a post-Paloma initiative to offer immediate relief to wildlife was kick-started by an anonymous $1,000 donation.

National Trust staff will be traveling to the Brac to assess the hurricane’s impact on local wildlife, both off and on their own properties. They will assess two historic sites (Eldemire House and the Brac Trust House), as well as the 17-acre “Splits” reserve (a freshwater split on the Bluff) and the 281-acre Brac Parrot Reserve. "Brac residents are very concerned and are indeed eager to help the situation,” said  “Many have expressed deep concern and have volunteered to help their wildlife."

Trust General Manager Frank Roulstone agreed. “We are encouraged that, even under very difficult conditions, people in the Brac are concerned for the well-being of these other residents who also have lost homes, food and water,” he said. “Feeding birds after Ivan undoubtedly had a positive impact, and the situation in the Sister Islands is no different. It may be months before plants recover sufficiently to once again provide them with enough food.”

With that in mind, Cayman Wildlife Rescue plans to continue supplying both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman wildlife with food for as long as necessary. "Donations of bruised or over-ripe food would be greatly appreciated,” Corbett said. “Food suppliers and distributors may contact the Trust to donate fruit they cannot sell.”

Residents can also help by putting out food and water in elevated places. They are asked to contact Cayman Wildlife Rescue to offer assistance and others interested in donating or volunteering should contact Corbett at 926-6474 or caymanwildliferescue@gmail.com.