IUCN SSC Wild Parrot Specialist Group

Dr. Patricia Latas has One-Health expertise in wildlife, specifically involving anthropogenic injury and disease at the urban wild bird/confiscated/pet trade interface. She is interested in confiscations and rehabilitation of confiscated wild psittacines as related to human, pet trade, and wild populations’ health; and the relationship to conservation issues. She is in the unique position of investigating urban anthropogenic impact on wild psittacines.

She is also a natural history illustrator and a gallery of recent work can be found at www.PatLatas.art

Dr. Pat Latas is currently serving as a consultant for avian health, welfare and well-being; across the spectrum from local bird hoarding cases to global conservation of birds and evaluation of naturalized urban parrots. Her interests focus on the health, welfare, well-being, conservation and protection of wild psittacines. Leadership roles in the Parrot Researchers Group, Parrot Conservation Alliance, International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots and past positions with International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, AAV Welfare and Conservation Committees, and the Wildlife Disease Association/Veterinary Section allow her to voice concerns with this imperiled taxon. She believes deeply that detailed understanding of the natural history and ecological niches of diverse species enriches the ability and skills of avian veterinarians.

Dr. Latas also serves on number of committees, including Southern Arizona Animal Cruelty Task Force
and Arizona Bar Animal Law Section.

Dr. Latas was deeply honored to be selected to work as a kakapo volunteer on pristine Whenua Hou Island with the Department of Conservation in New Zealand, in 2011 and 2014.

Dr. Latas has a DVM from Oregon State; and BS in botany and MS in biology. Dr. Latas has a certificate in
Science Illustration and donates numerous art works to charity fundraising. She donates traditional and digital artwork to a number of conservation organizations.

She reminds us all that birds are a treasure not to be squandered.

I'm a wildlife conservationist, with hands-on experience in the field management and coordination of international conservation and research programs with endangered wildlife. My work focuses heavily on parrots and macaws, participating in or leading 13 programs in 8 countries. My strong interest is in biodiversity conservation based on strategic planning and research, with focus on species highly threatened by extinction. Currently the Network Program Coordinator for the Macaw Recovery Network.