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 Located
in the Brazilian state of Piaui is the Hyacinth Cliffs Reserve,
privately owned by BioBrasil (a non-profit, non-governmental
organization). The cerrado habitat that makes up the reserve
is thought to be one of the most complex ecosystems in the world,
serving as a “biodiversity hotspot.” Once the cerrado
included 21% of Brazil’s land (1,783,169sq.km), now it
encompasses only 20% of its original size (356,634sq.km) The
Hyacinth Cliffs Reserve (10,000acres) boasts over 200 species
of birds, including the Hyacinth macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus,
the largest parrot in the world.
At one time, Hyacinth macaws were widely distributed throughout
Brazil. In 1995, less than 5,000 Hyacinth macaws were living
in the wild, surviving in three separate populations, the northeastern
population being the smallest. Populations have been threatened
due to hunting, agricultural expansion, logging, mining, urban
growth and poaching.
Since 1996, special efforts have been put in place to help the
Hyacinth macaw population recover. The Hyacinth Cliffs Reserve
is one of the biggest and safest refuges in the area for the
Hyacinth macaw, with guards monitoring the area on a regular
basis. In addition, ecotourism has been introduced into the area
to provide jobs for local inhabitants. As a result of the recent
efforts to preserve the endangered Hyacinth macaw, it is essential
to determine the success of the conservation and protection efforts
by determining the number of Hyacinth macaws currently living
in the area. It is critical to continue to preserve the habitat
of the Hyacinths in order to maintain genetic diversity which
will lead to the long term sustainability and health of this
endangered bird.
Melissa Babich, one of our birdshow trainers here at the Minnesota
Zoo, has been invited to participate in the upcoming census of
the current Hyacinth macaw population within the Reserve. The Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant Program of the Minnesota Zoo awarded Melissa
$2500 in 2004 to cover her travel and lodging expenses to allow
her to participate in this vital conservation effort.
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