What the Heck is Catalina Island

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.

 

I'm confused by the title here?

 

It is trying to talk about how bizarre Catalina islands fauna is

 

Why is it a question?

 

It's rhetorical

 

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.

 

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

 

Yeah , I detailed pretty much the full extent of what I know (which isn't a lot) in my comment above.

 

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

 

The "Animal rights activists" did this ? Surely assaulting animals would defeat their purpose ?

 

Ah ok , got you now, the invasives were doing this.

Doesn't suprise me and of course I'm glad to hear that they succeeded in eliminated them .

 

Is this place where the name 'Catalina' for hybrid macaws is derived from, and if so what would be the connection?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

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?”

 

Wow ! , so it did actually have a connection to the island , that is really interesting to find out!

 

I thought it must- it is such an unusual name. I knew it originated from, or is used mainly, in the USA too. I dislike 'Catalina' macaws because they are hybrids and have often wondered how the name came into use- now we know.