First Protected Area Established for Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw

Blue-throated Macaws (Ara glaucogularis) at Chester Zoo. Photo: David FrielAsociación Armonía (BirdLife in Bolivia), with the support of American Bird Conservancy and World Land Trust-US, has created the world's first protected area for the Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis), a species with an estimated global population of 300 individuals. The group purchased a 3,555 hectare ranch in the grasslands of eastern Bolivia, a site with 20 Blue-throated Macaws during the breeding season.

Blue-throated Macaw is endemic to savannas in the Beni province of Bolivia, and depends on motucu palms for nesting. These palms occur in palm "islands" embedded in the extensive seasonally-flooded grasslands. The entire known population of the species exists on private ranches which undergo yearly burning and heavy grazing by cattle.

The new Barba Azul Nature Reserve also protects excellent Beni savanna habitat with good populations of Vulnerable species, such as Sharp-tailed Tyrant Culicivora caudacuta, Cock-tailed Tyrant Alectrurus tricolor, and Black-masked Finch Coryphaspiza melanotis.

Healthy populations of the Near Threatened Greater Rhea Rhea americana and Orinoco Goose Neochen jubata are common in the area.

Research in the area of the new reserve found the highest known density of Blue-throated Macaw with a roosting site in the dry season holding 70 individuals and 20 during the rainy season. The birds inhabit a remote area with poor access, and the large group roosts in the forest islands. Armonía/Loro Parque Fundación have identified a further five ranches for sale that are at risk of being developed and that are essential for the expansion of the new private reserve, to protect 41% of the of the known Blue-throated Macaw population.

"This work builds on the Armonía/Loro Parque Fundación Blue-throated Macaw Conservation Program which has supported both research on the macaw and public outreach, including a pride campaign to build awareness of the macaw and support its conservation", said Bennett Hennessey, Executive Director of Armonía. "Raising public awareness to build local support for the macaw is our most potent tool to halt the illegal taking of these rare birds for the pet trade."

"In the face of this development pressure, there is an urgent need to expand the new reserve to conserve a viable population of this spectacular macaw and the many other vulnerable species within it", said Byron Swift, Executive Director of World Land Trust - US.

"This is a huge conservation achievement", said George Fenwick, President of American Bird Conservancy. "The main threats to Blue-throated Macaw are capture for the pet trade and habitat destruction for cattle ranching, and, until now, the species's habitat was completely unprotected."

Armonía is planning the development of a research station and ecotourism facility with access by airplane at the site to help support the project, and through Bird Endowment and Loro Parque Fundación support, the organization has also been experimenting with nest boxes for the birds. The macaws are taking to them readily and this provides an exciting opportunity to boost macaw breeding success while habitat restoration is underway. It should also be possible to expand macaw habitat by creating new tree islands. Removing grazing pressure will improve habitat within existing tree islands and improve conditions for other savanna species. Similarly, controlling fire will enhance habitat for all grassland species and prevent degradation of the tree islands.