Challenges for ex-situ management and conservation of Crowned Eagles in Argentina. First International Workshop On Ex-Situ Eagle Management And Conservation

MIGUEL D. SAGGESE; ROBERTO PEREYRA LOBOS; ANDRÉS E. CAPDEVILLE; RAMIRO RODRÍGUEZ; JUAN CARLOS CHEBEZ; AGUSTÍN IE. QUAGLIA; MARCELO CAVICCHIA; ADRIÁN DIGIÁCOMO; EUGENIO COCONIER; ELBA PESCETTI; JORGE ANFUSO

Oropesa, Toledo

Workshop; FIRST INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON EX-SITU EAGLE MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION"; 2006

Eagle Conservation Alliance, ECA

The crowned eagle (Harpyhalieatus coronatus), (Order Falconiformes, Family Accipitridae), inhabits central and northern Argentina, southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and eastern Bolivia. It is classified internationally as endangered by Birdlife International 2004, and is currently considered one of the most endangered raptor species in Argentina. The global population of crowned eagles has been estimated in less than 1000 individuals, and currently it is considered extinct in several areas where its presence was recorded in the past. Information about its biology and natural history is scarce. Like other species of eagles, crowned eagles require large territories to live and find prey of medium to large size. Most reports about their breeding biology suggest that this eagle raise only one chick every two years. The reasons for crowned eagle scarcity are not well understood. However, human persecution, loss of its natural habitat due to cattle ranching and soy bean agriculture, and reduction in the availability of prey are proposed as the main causes for their low numbers and continuing declining. In addition, collisions with vehicles and electrocution with power lines contributes to its endangerment. Crowned eagles are commonly presented to rehabilitation centers and zoos in central and northern Argentina affected with different medical conditions. Recovery and release to the wild of these birds is sometimes possible, but many of them are not able to be fully rehabilitated. Currently, more than twenty crowned eagles live in captivity in different rehabilitation centers and zoos of Argentina. These captive birds are currently used for ex-situ conservation programs including rehabilitation, captive breeding, biomedical studies, education, and recovery programs. Recently, a task force aimed to the study and conservation of this eagle in Argentina involving researchers from different disciplines along the country has been formed to address the in–situ and ex-situ conservation of this eagle. The possibilities and challenges associated with the ex-situ conservation of crowned eagles in Argentina will be discussed during this presentation.