The Red Siskin Conservation Center turns two!

Since the Red Siskin Initiative was founded in 2015, one of our goals has been to build the first Conservation Center for the Red Siskin in Venezuela, a space for where we can receive Red Siskins rescued from illegal trafficking, rehabilitate them, and develop captive breeding protocols for future reintroduction, as well as conduct research and provide learning opportunities for visitors.

Thanks to the support from partners and funders, in 2019 we materialized this dream, inaugurating more than 200 square meters of space dedicated to Red Siskin well-being.  Now we are happy to celebrate its 2nd birthday!

On June 13, the Initiative celebrated the end of the second full year of operations at the Red Siskin Conservation Center in Venezuela (RSCC), located in the state of Aragua at Leslie Pantin Zoo. RSCC activities are core to achieving Red Siskin recovery. More than 15 birds have been rescued from illegal trafficking through confiscations or voluntary surrenders by hobbyists who have learned through the project. Today, we have five pairs of Red Siskins that have reached sexual maturity and  are ready to be part of our breeding program. 

In spite of difficulties due to COVID-19, RSCC activities have not decreased, they have grown! We have new team members who have done a great job with daily care,and have also undertaken deep cleaning, essential parasite control measures, and aviary upgrades, with new nets and a roof to provide even better conditions for our Red Siskins.

The RSCC exists today thanks to the collaboration of many partners, organizations, and people committed to our work. Today, we also celebrate with you! Special thanks to our allies at Smithsonian, Provita, and Leslie Pantin Zoo, for supporting RSI, and to Aviantecnic and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund for funding our project and sharing our vision of #CardenalitoPaRato — Red Siskins for much longer! 

We are celebrating with great joy the second year of the Conservation Center, and we are optimistically awaiting the first offspring of the Red Siskin.