Raptors Conservation and Rescue Program: Results and Conservation Status of the Crowned Solitary Eagles (Harpyhaliaetus coronatus) rescued in Argentina

MANUEL ENCABO; GUILLERMO WIEMEYER; ULISES BALZA; LAURA TORRES BIANCHINI; FACUNDO BARBAR; NICOLÁS LOIS; RAMIRO RODRÍGUEZ; ANDRES CAPDEVIELLE

Bariloche

Conferencia; I Worldwide Raptor Conference; 2013

Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche (CRUB) - Universidad Nacional del Comahue

Large predators are particularly sensitive to disturbances caused by anthropogenic activities. Paradoxically, human intervention is currently essential in resolving problems involving endangered species. Such intervention includes the rescue, rehabilitation and eventual release of injured individualsinto the wild. Programs worldwide are working with these conservation strategies, and have proven to be a successful and necessary tool, contributing to scientific research and to the maintenance of ecological niches. The main goal of this presentation is to present the results obtained by PCRAR afterten years of extensive work with Solitary Crowned Eagles, which is threatened on a national and global scale. Each case was treated differently, with the utilization of a wide variety of techniques ranging from modern falconry to isolation in enclosed areas free from human contact. There have been 20 registered rescues of Crowned Solitary Eagle in Argentina; PCRAR has actively participated in 95% of these cases. The causes of intervention have been due to anthropic factors in 80% of the cases and 20% have been due to natural causes. Rehabilitation proved to be successful in 100% of the cases. 70% (14/ 20) of the individuals have been released back into their natural environment, while two others are soon to bereleased. The remaining percentage consists of individuals who are fulfilling a role in education and socialization. One case was euthanized. The average amount of time spent on VHF-monitoring and direct observation after release is 6.7 months and with satellite technology the average is three years.Rehabilitation methods have improved and time spent in captivity has shortened over time due to acquired knowledge and experience. Nevertheless, environmental disturbances caused by man are continually on the rise, making it necessary to maintain and improve the techniques used to respond to these changes.