Loro Parque deeply regrets the passing of Thomas Arndt, one of the leading figures in the study, classification and promotion of parrots on an international level.
A renowned ornithologist, photographer, editor and a global reference in parrot studies, Thomas Arndt dedicated more than 40 years of his life to observing, studying and documenting parrots in the wild around the world. His focus was not limited to the best-known species, but also extended to those less explored, the ‘shadows’ on the parrot map, contributing decisively to expanding our understanding of their diversity, distribution and biology.
For more than four decades, Thomas Arndt maintained a close and unwavering collaboration with Loro Parque and the Loro Parque Foundation. He was a distinguished speaker at the International Parrot Congresses held in Tenerife every four years, where he generously shared his experience, his scientific insight and his extraordinary knowledge of these birds.
During his annual visits to the breeding station of Loro Parque Fundación, he found in the world’s largest genetic reserve of parrots a unique source of observation, study, and comparison with the species and subspecies he had documented in the wild. The exchange of knowledge with the scientific teams of Loro Parque and Loro Parque Fundación was always constructive, enriching, and deeply appreciated by both parties.
Thomas Arndt was the founder of the publishing house Arndt-Verlag and, from 1988, editor of Papageien, one of the world’s most prestigious specialist magazines in the field of parrots. He was also editor of WP-Magazin and co-author of several reference publications. His work Lexicon of Parrots will remain an essential guide for generations of ornithologists, breeders, conservationists, and parrot enthusiasts.
His speciality was the parrots of South and Central America, as well as the genus Micropsitta, the pygmy parrots of New Guinea, considered among the smallest parrots in the world and, for a long time, a true mystery to science. In addition, for more than 15 years, he focused part of his work on the systematics of the taxa of the genus Pyrrhura in and around the Amazon basin. In 2007, together with Professor Michael Wink, he presented the first results of an extensive review of this genus.
Thomas Arndt observed and photographed parrots in the wild as few others have done. Throughout his career, he contributed to the description of new subspecies and to the location and documentation of little-known species, leaving a scientific and visual legacy of incalculable value.
His passion, rigour, and generosity will forever remain part of the history of Loro Parque and Loro Parque Fundación.
Thank you, Thomas, for a life dedicated to parrots and to the knowledge of nature. Your legacy will continue to inspire those working for their conservation.
