Assessing the Relative Impacts of Roadkill and Nest Poaching on the Population Viability of the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, Ara ararauna (Aves: Psittaciformes), in a Brazilian National Park

Carvalho-Roel, Carine Firmino; Júnior, Oswaldo Marçal

doi:10.3390/d13120652

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 38 publications

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“…The last relationship does not imply causality, as multiple causes may contribute to the decline of Neotropical parrot populations, but it suggests that poaching may play a key role, as noted by expert opinion (Berkunsky et al, 2017). However, more research efforts are needed to better understand the actual impact of poaching on population declines, as little is known about the sustainability of this illegal activity and its effects on population dynamics and viability (Beissinger & Bucher, 1992; Carvalho‐Roel & Júnior, 2021; Valle et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Poaching sources and trade routes in Peru and Ecuador warn of the unsustainable rural demand for preferred parrot species

Romero-Vidal

Toledo‐González

Bunn

et al. 2023

Conservat Sci and Prac

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Illegal wildlife trade remains highly active in the Neotropics, as indicated by the thousands of parrots annually sold in illicit city markets. However, little is known about where parrots are poached, whether certain parrot species are selected among those available in the wild, their trade routes, and potential conservation impacts. We conducted a large-scale survey in Peru and southern Ecuador to simultaneously estimate the relative abundance of parrots in the wild and as household pets in rural areas, determine their origin (locally poached or bought at city markets), and measured the shortest distances to their native ranges and markets through the existing grid of roads. Householdpoached native parrots were found in 96% of the rural localities surveyed. Most pets were locally poached, with only 14% of them bought at markets. Parrot poaching was highly selective, with preferred species (mainly Amazon parrots and large macaws) being collected much more than expected given their abundances in the wild and attaining higher prices than the other species. Individuals that were moved away from their native ranges or bought at distant markets were of those species most preferred by people, and covered large distances (up to 1010 km), even crossing country boundaries. Our results differ from those previously obtained from city markets and seizures of illegally traded parrots in Peru, where preferred species were underrepresented. Local poaching and rural trade activities act at very large spatial scales and negatively affect the population trends of preferred parrot species. This unsustainable scenario is a challenge to the application of effective conservation actions aimed at halting poaching and illegal trade. These actions should focus on very extensive and remote rural areas throughout the Neotropics rather than just on well-known markets located in large cities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Poaching sources and trade routes in Peru and Ecuador warn of the unsustainable rural demand for preferred parrot species

Romero-Vidal

Toledo‐González

Bunn

et al. 2023

Conservat Sci and Prac

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Will Brazilian City Dwellers Actively Engage in Urban Conservation? A Case Study with the Charismatic Neotropical Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)

Tryjanowski

Santos

Martínez-Miranzo³

et al. 2022

Birds

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The Blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) is a charismatic and easily recognized species. While they are classified as being of “least concern” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, their populations are declining. In Brazil, the accelerated destruction of one of its key habitats, the Cerrado biome, is a principal cause of their decreasing abundance. As with other species affected by loss of the Cerrado, active conservation measures are required. While usually rare in urban ecosystems, Ara ararauna occurs and breeds in small numbers in the city of Rondonópolis, a medium-sized city located in Mato Grosso, Central-West Region of Brazil. Blue-and-yellow macaw pairs nest in the tops of dead palm trees, but as the macaws are nest-site limited and suitable dead trees are scarce in urban areas, the installation of artificial nest sites in domestic backyards could help that urban population to thrive. To investigate whether local people would be willing to engage with conservation efforts and in particular to support macaw conservation, we surveyed the attitudes of Rondonópolis residents to measure: (1) citizens’ preferences among the bird species that occur in the city; (2) the average area of their yards, and (3) the willingness of residents to: (a) plant fruit trees to attract macaws to their yards and (b) to install artificial nests in their yards. Larger and more colorful birds (Ara ararauna, the Red-and-green macaw Ara chloropterus and Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco) were the bird species most valued across all socio-economic groups, suggesting that the charismatic species would be more likely to be supported by urbanites. Overall, people had good biodiversity knowledge, with respondents being able to identify half of our sample of local bird species, on average, and almost half had seen a nest site. The great majority were willing to plant fruit trees (78%) and provide nest sites (70%) for macaws. This willingness to engage was not affected by socioeconomic differences. These data indicate that a municipal macaw conservation program could be successful in Rondonópolis, and we argue that macaws could be a flagship species which would benefit wider efforts to engage Brazilian urbanites in active engagement with nature.

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Assessing the Relative Impacts of Roadkill and Nest Poaching on the Population Viability of the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, Ara ararauna (Aves: Psittaciformes), in a Brazilian National Park

Cited by 2 publications

References 38 publications

Poaching sources and trade routes in Peru and Ecuador warn of the unsustainable rural demand for preferred parrot species

Poaching sources and trade routes in Peru and Ecuador warn of the unsustainable rural demand for preferred parrot species

Will Brazilian City Dwellers Actively Engage in Urban Conservation? A Case Study with the Charismatic Neotropical Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)

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