Regina Barber

A century ago, some residents say those forests were filled with nesting parrots. But over the decades, their habitat has shrunk and their population has plummeted, which is why in 1970 they were listed as endangered.

A century ago, some residents say those forests were filled with nesting parrots. But over the decades, their habitat has shrunk and their population has plummeted, which is why in 1970 they were listed as endangered.

A century ago, some residents say those forests were filled with nesting parrots. But over the decades, their habitat has shrunk and their population has plummeted, which is why in 1970 they were listed as endangered.

But in Monterey, a town in the Sierra Madre, there's a conservation group called OVIS, or Organización Vida Silvestre, Wildlife Organization, that partners with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Ernesto Ankerlin-Hufflach is the director of science there.

But in Monterey, a town in the Sierra Madre, there's a conservation group called OVIS, or Organización Vida Silvestre, Wildlife Organization, that partners with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Ernesto Ankerlin-Hufflach is the director of science there.

But in Monterey, a town in the Sierra Madre, there's a conservation group called OVIS, or Organización Vida Silvestre, Wildlife Organization, that partners with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Ernesto Ankerlin-Hufflach is the director of science there.

Love the name. Yeah. Protecting the thick-billed parrots is kind of the latest step in what's been a longtime interest in conservation that Ernesto inherited from his father.

Love the name. Yeah. Protecting the thick-billed parrots is kind of the latest step in what's been a longtime interest in conservation that Ernesto inherited from his father.

Love the name. Yeah. Protecting the thick-billed parrots is kind of the latest step in what's been a longtime interest in conservation that Ernesto inherited from his father.

On top of the generational change he's making to be a conservationist, Ernesto is also innovating by involving the local community. For almost 30 years, he and his collaborators have been helping to save thick-billed parrots. And it might be working.

On top of the generational change he's making to be a conservationist, Ernesto is also innovating by involving the local community. For almost 30 years, he and his collaborators have been helping to save thick-billed parrots. And it might be working.

On top of the generational change he's making to be a conservationist, Ernesto is also innovating by involving the local community. For almost 30 years, he and his collaborators have been helping to save thick-billed parrots. And it might be working.

You're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

You're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

You're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

Hey Shortwavers, Emily Kwong here. Believe it or not, the year is almost over. And as we are reflecting on 2024, we're thinking about the hundreds of podcast episodes we've brought you this year. I mean, episodes about big things like climate change, nuclear energy, COVID.

Hey Shortwavers, Emily Kwong here. Believe it or not, the year is almost over. And as we are reflecting on 2024, we're thinking about the hundreds of podcast episodes we've brought you this year. I mean, episodes about big things like climate change, nuclear energy, COVID.

Hey Shortwavers, Emily Kwong here. Believe it or not, the year is almost over. And as we are reflecting on 2024, we're thinking about the hundreds of podcast episodes we've brought you this year. I mean, episodes about big things like climate change, nuclear energy, COVID.

And episodes about weird and wonderful things like sea cucumbers, the biology of memory, the science of skincare trends you see on TikTok. And episodes about stuff we just can't stop obsessing over. I'm looking at you, naked mole rat succession war. Now is the time of year when we reflect on all that work and ask you to support it.

And episodes about weird and wonderful things like sea cucumbers, the biology of memory, the science of skincare trends you see on TikTok. And episodes about stuff we just can't stop obsessing over. I'm looking at you, naked mole rat succession war. Now is the time of year when we reflect on all that work and ask you to support it.