Conservation of the Lear's Macaw: Management of an Endangered Species

Abstract

The conservation project for the
Lear's macaw, A. leari,has required a
thorough study of this macaw's evolution,
environment, range, behavior,
food supply and population. A
decline in census was identified and
its most likely cause determined. We
have corrected the causes for decline
and have noted a small increase in
the macaw population in 1989. An
unexpected bonus was the enthusiastic
support of the populace. Certain,
insoluble problems may ultimately
lead to the extinction of A. leari.
Most important of these are oil
exploration by Petrobras and relocation
of settlers into the area by a government
agency. The Lear's Macaw
Project has the support of World
Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the environmental
agency of the Brazilian government,
IBAMA. The infrastructure
created for the Lear's Macaw Project
may be sufficient to deal with the
threats to the continued existence of
A. leari.