A young Puerto Rican parrot survived an attack by a boa constrictor in the Maricao State Forest thanks to the quick action of biologist Raúl Correa from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The parrot, just a month old, had flown out of its nest during the recent breeding season. After being rescued, it spent a day in a hospital to ensure its well-being and was released the next day.
The USFWS reported that the parrot has been seen flying with its parents in the forest. The boa constrictor is an invasive species and a significant threat to the Puerto Rican parrot, which is endangered. The reintroduction of Puerto Rican parrots in Maricao began in 2015 to establish a third wild population, in addition to those in El Yunque National Forest and Río Abajo State Forest.