Ex situ population of the Harpy Eagle and its potential for integrated conservation

Abstract

A main priority in conservation is the protection of species in their natural habitat. However, ex situ management of threatened species is a recognised strategy of conservation. Harpy Eagles (Harpia harpyja) are removed from the wild due to illegal capture, nest tree destruction, or other conflict sources. This study presents a review of the current ex situ Harpy Eagle populations in Brazil and worldwide, including information on the origin, sex, and year of entrance or year of birth under human care. Worldwide, until 2020 there were 205 Harpy Eagles in 77 different facilities in 16 countries, with 40 institutions in Brazil and 37 in other countries. The largest ex situ Harpy Eagle population is maintained in Brazil, with 139 individuals (75 females and 64 males) in 40 institutions. Of these institutions, there were 24 zoos, seven conservation breeding centres, six commercial breeders, two wildlife shelters, and one wildlife sorting centre. In Brazil, 62% (n = 86) of the individuals were hatched in the wild and 38% (n = 53) were bred in captivity under human care; for the wild individuals, only 73% (n = 64) have a known state of origin, with the majority from Pará state. This investigation provided relevant information to establish an ex situ demographic database. These individuals may potentially constitute a genetically and demographically viable safety population for future conservation strategies, as well as a source for research and education applied to Harpy Eagle integrated conservation.

Long-term concentration of tropical forest nutrient hotspots is generated by a central-place apex predator

“…Harpy eagles have succumbed to a 41% decline in their distribution range 47,48 , and have been locally extirpated over vast landscapes of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Mesoamerica, which now lack this apex predator and its long-term forest nutrient transport and aggregation, and downstream bottom-up effects on vegetation. The restoration plans dedicated to the species in the Atlantic Forest 47,49 will provide an opportunity to test how the return of those species affects this phenomenon.…”

Long-term female bias in sex ratios across life stages of Harpy Eagle, a large raptor exhibiting reverse sexual size dimorphism

“…Oliveira et al . [87] also recorded the births of 53 Harpy Eagles in zoos: 29 males and 24 females. But the number of males ( n = 35) that entered zoos from the wild was lower than the number of females ( n = 51) [87].…”

“…Additionally, the female Harpy Eagle may eat their own eggs and even their offspring [84]. However, the SRs at birth found in studies of captive Harpy Eagles did not deviate from 1 : 1 [67,87]. Watson et al [67] recorded the births of 49 Harpy Eagles in zoos in Central America: 25 males and 24 females.…”

“…Watson et al [67] recorded the births of 49 Harpy Eagles in zoos in Central America: 25 males and 24 females. Oliveira et al [87] also recorded the births of 53 Harpy Eagles in zoos: 29 males and 24 females. But the number of males (n = 35) that entered zoos from the wild was lower than the number of females (n = 51) [87].…”

“…Oliveira et al [87] also recorded the births of 53 Harpy Eagles in zoos: 29 males and 24 females. But the number of males (n = 35) that entered zoos from the wild was lower than the number of females (n = 51) [87]. Zoos maximize the production of Harpy Eagle eaglets by removing and artificially incubating the eggs and caring for them.…”