Natures Corner

Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford is supporting the project.

“The objectives of the Cayman Parrot Jungle nature park are in line with the government’s plans for the further development of tourism in the eastern districts.

“During my discussions with the developers, I expressed the expectation that this project will provide employment for Caymanians, particularly those living in the eastern districts and I am pleased that the developers have embraced this objective,” Mr. Clifford said.

Mr. Dilbert echoed this sentiment.

“I am happy to be able to give opportunities to my fellow Caymanians for careers,” he said.

Part of the site will be set aside as a traditional Caymanian farm.

“We will be growing peppers, bananas and plantains, and raising chickens for eggs, and in the long term have mango trees.

“We’ll be one of the only mango farmers in Cayman happy to see the local parrots,” Mr. Dilbert said, with a smile.

He clearly is a fan of all the big birds and is keen to ensure they will be well–cared for and happy in their Cayman home.

“We want to leave the park as close as possible to its natural state. The birds will be in spacious aviaries able to fly around. It will be very near to their natural environment,” he said.

The owners also hope to attract every endemic species of bird to the park through the use of feeders and, where necessary, enable the introduction and preservation of the birds’ natural habitat, Mr. Dilbert explained.

He added that all the animal caretakers at the parrot jungle will be trained in the proper care of the wildlife that will be living in the park.

The facility is located on the site of the farm which belonged to Mr. Dilbert’s maternal grandparents, Alford and Alta Scott, to whom the park is dedicated. A commemorative plaque acknowledging his grandparents will be displayed at the park’s entrance.

The owners have approached the Department of Agriculture to get the necessary approval. Dr. Colin Wakelin, veterinary officer at the department, explained the procedure.

“They applied to the Department of Agriculture to operate an animal park. It has gone through the preliminary stages of review and it is subject to final approval.

“The decision–making process should be completed by the end of the month,” he said.

With Cayman’s growing population and expectations of more than two million tourists coming to the island in 2006, Mr. Dilbert believes the park has great potential for success.

“Our goal is to develop and maintain a safe, lushly landscaped, family oriented and environmentally friendly tropical park where everyone on Grand Cayman can observe and interact with birds, animals and nature.

“We’re losing so much of our natural habitat. I’d like to be part of helping to preserve our wildlife,” Mr. Dilbert said.

The developers are planning to build special concrete shelters to protect the birds, and any animals they bring in, during hurricanes.

The owners are also planning a children’s playground and, in the second phase of construction, a water park with pools and slides.

The parrots will probably remain Mr. Dilbert’s first love, however. Raising the birds has been his hobby since 1974, when he learned about taking care of all different animals from his grandfather, Mr. Scott.

He is looking forward to having all the different parrots at the jungle.

“What a beautiful thing it will be in the bush when these guys are all squawking. I can’t wait,” he said.