First Home for Blue-throated Macaws

Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis), Critically Endangered

With only an estimated 300 individuals surviving in the wild, the Blue-throated Macaw is critically endangered. The threats come mainly from habitat loss and illegal trapping. To nest, the birds require motucu palms, which grow in islands dotting the grasslands of Bolivia. Unfortunately, the only known habitat suitable for the birds exists on private ranch lands, where annual burning and intensive cattle grazing occur. The other major threat to these birds is illegal trapping for the caged-bird market.

Fortunately, several conservation organizations working together have purchased an 8500+ acre ranch where Blue-throated Macaws are known to nest. This is the first protected area for these rare birds, which is great news. However, much more area needs to be protected to ensure the recovery and continued well-being of these magnificent birds. There are four other ranches for sale, that combined with the new purchase, hold 41% of the Blue-throated Macaw population. Unfortunately, at $30 an acre, the land is being eyed by foreign cattle ranchers.

If you want to help protect the habitat of the Blue-throated Macaw, you can donate to the World Land Trust, Bird Endowment, Loro Parque Foundation, or Asociación Armonía, all organizations involved in the conservation of the Macaws.

You can also buy a stuffed toy Blue-throated Macaw or sign up for a Parrot Lover's Cruise from Bird Endowment.

More for Your Money

Normally, here at Not Extinct Yet, I tend to focus on organizations that are working on conservation of endangered species or animal groups--the Kakapo, the Vaquita, Rhinos, Frogs, etc.

But for Earth Day 2008, I thought I'd present an opportunity to give, which will help conserve an endangered ecosystem--the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil. The forest, a hot-spot of biodiversity, has lost 93% of it's original area. It is home to many endangered species, including the Golden Lion Tamarin.

The Nature Conservancy, one of my favourite organizations, has started the Plant a Billion Trees campaign, to restore the Atlantic Forest. Their goal is to, well, plant a billion trees obviously. Over the next seven years, they will plant Guapuruvu, Golden Trumpet, Ice-cream Bean, and Capororoca trees, which will restore important habitat, as well as remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

For just $1, you can plant a tree. Every tree counts!

Happy Earth Day!

Hello, Good-bye

Gorgeted Puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae)

The Gorgeted Puffleg is a species of hummingbird recently discovered in Colombia. It was first documented during expeditions in Southwest Columbia, in the mountainous Serrania del Pinche region. Researchers fear the bird may soon go extinct, due to loss of habitat. To remain undiscovered for so long, it's range must be very small, and slash and burn agriculture is on the rise in that area. This distinct bird has a large irridescent throat patch (in males) and white tufts above the legs, hence, the Gorgeted Puffleg.

River Dolphin Survey

Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)
Gray River Dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis)

A nearly complete survey of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America has turned up more Pink and Gray River Dolphins than expected. According to scientists, they have noted that the Dolphins seem to have moved to different areas, but have not suffered huge declines. Still, they continue to face threats such as pollution and habitat degradation. Having a good grasp on the state of this species will allow a conservation plan to be put into action.

Support efforts to help the River Dolphins.

Cotton Crown

Cotton-top Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus)

A pair of Cotton-top Tamarin twins were born recently at the Marwell Zoo, in the UK. These small squirrel-sized monkeys are native to Colombia, where they have become endangered due to deforestation and exportation for research. These little furry creatures have the coolest headdresses. They remind me of some sort of Mayan Prince, or the Emperor, from the Emperor's New Groove.

Species of the Week, Feb 18

Blue Poison Frog (Dendrobates azureus)
All frogs worldwide



The Blue Poison Frog is one of the most (in my opinion) beautiful frogs in the world. But that might just because I happen to like blue better than green, orange, red, yellow, or a bunch of other colours. It lives in the South American country of Suriname, on Vier Gebroeders Mountain, and nowhere else in the world. Well, nowhere else in the world except a lot of zoos', aquariums', and collectors' glass tanks. This is actually a good thing, since its abundance in captivity means that it is not at threat in the wild from poaching. It may be threatened in its tiny range, from time to time by fire.

More alarming is the worldwide outbreak of Chytridiomycosis, a fungus affecting at least 30% of the world's frog species, and contributing to a planet-wide decline and extinction of amphibians. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Botanical Gardens Conservation International have teamed up to create a global Amphibian Ark--a system of zoos and gardens that will house endangered species, while the fungal and other crises are dealt with.

In honour of frogs throughout the world, all posts this week will be frog-themed.