annual report - The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund

ANNUAL REPORT 2010 PAGE 36
PROJECT DETAILS:
Locate current and historic nest sites
and catalogue ideal nest site conditions:
increase nest availability by building and
placing artificial nest boxes: protecting
eggs and chicks from predators: develop
nursery for palms and techniques for
propagation.
RESULTS::
Of the initial two nests, one failed and the
other had two chicks poached from the
nest. Two other pairs have since initiated
new nests, but it is too early to tell if they
will be successful. As the third poor season
in a decade, this past year’s experience
has encouraged us to explore and develop
further the possibility of captive breeding
and release to aid the future recovery of the
species.
Eggs recently laid in a wild nest Blue-throat chicks in a wild nest World Parrot Trust researcher investigating a wild Blue-throated macaw nest
HOW THE MOHAMED
BIN ZAYED SPECIES
CONSERVATION FUND
HAS HELPED
“With the support from the Fund this
season, we have found that the threats
from exceptionally dry weather combined
with extensive burning of grasslands
have created unprecedented impacts
on key habitats, including both foraging
and breeding areas. In this season, these
threats have led to near complete breeding
failure for the Blue-throats and the loss of
established nest trees and forest patches.”
“The support we have received from the
Fund has enabled our teams to develop
new conservation methods, to test
restoration techniques, and to reach out to
key stakeholders in the field, at the state,
national, and international level. By raising
awareness of the plight of this species and
its critical conservation needs, the Fund
has helped build our network of supporters
around the world, enabling us to apply
additional resources to the conservation
work both in the wild and in captivity.”
James Gilardi
World Parrot Trust
Blue-throated macaw, Ara glaucogularis
ANNUAL REPORT 2010 PAGE 37