Mountain chicken about to be released in its usual habitat
Two of the young artists performing in tonight’s calypso competition will be singing about the critically endangered mountain chicken.
According to a statement from the Department of Environment, they are proud to be a co-sponsor of the Montserrat Union of Teachers Annual St. Patrick’s Day Junior Calypso Competition for 2012. The show will take place at the Montserrat Cultural Centre at 8:00 pm with 11 young competitors vying for the crown.
Two artistes, SUGA-T and BIGTIME will be singing songs about the threatened Mountain Chicken.
Project coordinator for the Mountain Chicken Project, Miss Sarah-Louise Smith is delighted the children have an interest in spreading the message of conserving the mountain chicken, as it will take a community effort to ensure the frogs’ survival for future generations. The calypso show provides an avenue to keep the general public informed and generates support and interest in protecting the mountain chicken and its habitat.
SUGA-T’s song, Save the Mountain Chicken, was written by Justin “Hero” Cassell, while King Fire penned Hoop Hoop for the calypsonian BIGTIME, with some editing assistance by Herman “Cupid” Francis.
mountain chicken calypsonians
The Mountain Chicken is only found on Montserrat and Dominica and is under serious threat of extinction as a result of the introduction of the invasive chytrid fungus in 2009. The Department of Environment is collaborating with the Darwin Initiative, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Zoological Society of London to determine the best possible course of action to support the frog’s continued survival.
