The economic system currently prevailing on this planet is based on the continuous exploitation of human and non-human beings around the world. Industrial mining, fishing, logging and agriculture have destroyed many valuable ecosystems on every continent and are continuing to do so to this day. Many plant and animal species have evolved to live in specific ecological niches, and when those are degraded or destroyed, these species go extinct. Some species have even been hunted to extinction on purpose.
We decided to name ourselves after one of those species, the Quelili (Caracara lutosa), in order to carry on the remembrance of a magnificent bird, which will never fly on this planet again.
The Quelili, also known as Calalie or the Guadalupe caracara is a bird of prey which used to inhabit the Island of Guadalupe (current Mexico). After white settler-colonialists arrived on the Island, they introduced the European goat into the ecosystem. This quickly caused havoc as the goats multiplied to great numbers in the absence of a natural predator and caused the extinction of various plants endemic to the Island.1 The Quelili was decried as a threat to the goats and the settlers started to kill it in large numbers. In 1900 the last individuals were shot and it was never seen again.
There is little information to be found about this bird and none at all about the role of it in the native culture on the island before colonization. If you have further information we would be very happy if you contact us.