A noble quest: Safeguarding the Critically Endangered Philippine cockatoo

Indira Lacerna-Widmann, September 2021

Conservation Careers writer Marie Conroy speaks to CLP alumna, Indira Lacerna-Widmann, about her heroic efforts to save the Philippine cockatoo from extinction.

Known for their ability to mimic humans, the Philippine cockatoo can talk, sing, and even dance, making these intelligent and beautiful parrots a much sought-after pet. However, poaching, together with habitat loss, are driving the species to the brink of extinction.

With a once-thriving population over the Philippine archipelago, their numbers have dropped by a staggering 80% over the last 40 years.

Today, they are extinct in much of their range with the island of Palawan now being the last stronghold of this parrot.

This is where CLP alumna, Indira Lacerna-Widmann, comes in. Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of the Katala Foundation, she is working hard to protect the species.

Building a brighter future for people and parrots

Indira, who is from the Philippines, started working on the conservation of the cockatoos (known locally as Katala) in 1998.

However, her interest and skills in nature and wildlife began at a much younger age. As she explains to me, nature and being outdoors has always held a special place in her heart. “My parents encouraged me to explore the outside world and taught me many skills which are invaluable to me today,” she remembers. Besides swimming, playing outside and learning about nature and animals, a key skill she learnt from her father was the ability to engage with others. “I never realised that the people management skills he taught me would come in extremely handy in the future,” she tells me.

And from her mother she learnt determination and to aim high. Values that help her in her conservation work to this day.

Another key influence in her life is her life partner, Peter Widmann, a wildlife biologist. “He introduced me to the Philippine cockatoos and has always encouraged me,” she says. It was together with Peter that Katala Foundation was founded.

The Katala Foundation – Conserving with people

The initial work of Katala Foundation in Dumaran, Palawan was enabled by funding from the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP). This initial work provided confirmation of the Philippine cockatoo population in Northern Palawan, which gave the team enough evidence to convince the local municipality to declare certain areas as protected critical habitat. A key early step in the conservation journey.

I asked Indira how they hope to save this beautiful species from extinction. “We do this through many ways such as engaging local communities and decision makers to help secure long-term conservation projects, to education and to building pride in these amazing animals, so we can change behaviours.”

But that is the tip of the iceberg at this dedicated foundation. Their conservation program includes nest protection, identification, protection and management of key conservation sites, habitat restoration, conservation education, community involvement, rescue of individual birds, translocation, and conservation breeding for later re-introduction.

Building connections

Indira explains that the benefits of conservation go beyond the individual animals. Which is something she often explains to local people who don’t understand the connection between wildlife, habitats, and people. And is difficult to explain to someone who’s livelihood is at stake. Which has led to many tough questions from locals, such as: “What is more important for you? The Philippine cockatoo or our empty stomachs?”

Her resilient response has been to help people to understand the benefits of protecting nature. “I explain to them, that when you protect the habitat, it’s not only a benefit for the cockatoo, but it also benefits us. So, when you protect the forest, you have a water supply all year round where you don’t worry about droughts. When you protect the mangrove, which is the breeding and the foraging ground of the Philippine cockatoo, you will encourage fish to spawn there.”

And does it work? Yes, as she explains and it’s a huge motivation that keeps her going. “If even a small number of people are touched by what I say, then that’s a great feeling. And when they say thank you to you, genuinely because now they understand, then that for me is really very important. Sometimes they might give you a fish, to say thank you. It’s those simple gestures of genuine care that really move me. And it’s a reinforcement that motivates me that maybe I can do more to help.”

Transforming lives

With so many ambitions the team have secured the help of some unlikely allies – prisoners, ex-convicts, and even ex-poachers.

The team saw the potential of support from convicts as they are allowed to walk through forests that surround the penal colony. Forests where the cockatoos’ nest and breed. The convicts record details on the cockatoos and help with a plant nursery as part of the habitat restoration program. Not only does this help the project, but it also provides meaningful work for these people.