What the Heck is Catalina Island

Westcoastperson

Westcoastperson

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
So for those who have never heard of Catalina Island, it is an island off the coast of Los Angles. It is very beautiful with some of the best dive spots in the world and includes lots of interesting fauna including Catalina Island Foxes, California Sea Lions, and Harbor Seals. But that is not why it is so relevant to zoo chat. This island is important because it used to be a hunting reserve. The old owners populated the island with Mule Deer, Boar, Sheep, Bison, and Indian Blackbuck. The sheep and the boar were exterminated because of environmental issues but the rest are still there and they prohibit you from hunting the bison and blackbuck. I just find this island very interesting and I wanted to share it with you all. If you know anything else about the island comment it below.
 
Yes, very interesting island in biogeographical terms but I don't understand the question either as it is written more like a rhetorical question / statement.
 
Incidentally , I remember reading a book that I think mentioned this island called "Rat island".

The chapter detailed the efforts of conservationists in the 90's to control invasive rats and mice that had established themselves there and were having a negative impact on native / endemic species.

Apparently PETA organized a campaign of intimidation and attempts at obstructing these programs and "animal rights activists" even burst into these conservationists office dressed in giant rat costumes and began violently assaulting them. :rolleyes:
 
Onychorhynchus coronatus said:
Yes, very interesting island in biogeographical terms but I don't understand the question either as it is written more like a rhetorical question / statement.
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yes, it is supposed to be rhetorical. I know some stuff about Catalina Island but the point is too get others to talk about what they know about it
 
Onychorhynchus coronatus said:
Incidentally , I remember reading a book that I think mentioned this island called "Rat island".

The chapter detailed the efforts of conservationists in the 90's to control invasive rats and mice that had established themselves there and were having a negative impact on native / endemic species.

Apparently PETA organized a campaign of intimidation and attempts at obstructing these programs and "animal rights activists" even burst into these conservationists office dressed in giant rat costumes and began violently assaulting them. :rolleyes:
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That is very interesting, I know they very recently had success in getting rid of the boars and sheep through hunting. They were assualting people and animals and were digging up native plants
 
Pertinax said:
Is this place where the name 'Catalina' for hybrid macaws is derived from, and if so what would be the connection?
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No, no connection to hybrid macaws. It is an island off the Pacific coast of USA / California.

I dont really know where that name of "Catalina" came from but I would imagine it is named after a specific breeder known for creating this hybrid.
 
Pertinax said:
Is this place where the name 'Catalina' for hybrid macaws is derived from, and if so what would be the connection?
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Catalina Macaws were first created in Captivity and Catalina island used to have a very large bird park, so it wouldn't surprise me. But it is probably just because Catalina in Spanish is pure and the macaws are a mix of the Scarlet Macaw and Blue and Gold Macaw.
 
Westcoastperson said:
Catalina Macaws were first created in Captivity and Catalina island used to have a very large bird park, so it wouldn't surprise me. But it is probably just because Catalina in Spanish is pure and the macaws are a mix of the Scarlet Macaw and Blue and Gold Macaw.
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I don't think it has much to do with the meaning of the name Catalina being "pure" (afterall these are hybrids and not pure) as much as the name having become historically associated / linked with these birds somehow.

It would be really interesting to find what the etymology of this name for these birds means but I haven't found anything online which explains it.
 
Westcoastperson said:
Catalina Macaws were first created in Captivity and Catalina island used to have a very large bird park, so it wouldn't surprise me. But it is probably just because Catalina in Spanish is pure and the macaws are a mix of the Scarlet Macaw and Blue and Gold Macaw.
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Thanks for the information. I think in that case its probably the historical connection rather than the meaning, after all 'pure' is exactly what those hybrids are not!
 
Jana said:
So I found this text "The name Catalina Macaw is derived from the now defunct Catalina Island Bird Park, where this hybrid was first produced. Their developer, as a means of giving that form recognition, can name the hybrid or mutation anything that they deem fit." on internet.
Tony Silva NEWS: Questions and answers. “If I rear a Sun Conure and a Green-cheeked Conure together, can I produce Sun-cheek Conures?”
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Wow ! , so it did actually have a connection to the island , that is really interesting to find out!
 
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