On March 3rd Dominica joins the rest of the world in celebrating World Wildlife Day 2020, under the theme “Sustaining all life on Earth”. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.
Dominica boasts of having a rich biodiversity with a number of species well represented.
Some species are currently listed as critically endangered and are a serious concern. Some of these species also play a critical role in the culture and traditions of Dominica. The Sisserou or Imperial Parrot is one such icon, as its Dominica’s one of two true endemic birds, the National Birds – stands out on our National Flag and Coat of Arms symbolizing national pride and patriotism. The Mountain Chicken or Crapaud which was once our national dish is now threated to extinction by the infectious Chytrid fungus. It also serves as the logo for Dominica’s National Commercial Bank.
The Division throughout the years has embarked on strategic projects aimed at conserving, managing and protecting endangered species found in Dominica. Ongoing projects include;
- Parrot Conservation Project
- Mountain Chicken Project
- Sea Turtle Conservation Project.
Ongoing public awareness on these conservation programmes form a major part of the Division’s work-plan. The Division is involved in the preparation of resource material for continued awareness and outreach in schools and communities. There’s also a great emphasis on coordination of monitoring and data collection.
Some of the benefits and functions of wildlife include pollination, seed dispersion, community tourism (tour guiding), education, research, and artistic inspiration. This demonstrates the great socio-economic value of our various wildlife species
As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Dominica is exposed to several unique vulnerabilities, such as the impact of Climate Change and economic impact of natural disasters. Hence, the Forestry, Wildlife and National Parks Division is seeking a participatory role in the sustainable management of Dominica’s wildlife, so that Dominica will remain the Nature Isle of the Caribbean for generations to come.
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