| |
|
|
|
This species is listed as endangered by the 2000 IUCN Redlist
and is protected from trade under CITES Appendix I. Major threats
are habitat loss due to hydroelectric development, exploitation
for the international and local pet trade, and hunting by local
farmers as nuisance animals and occasionally for meat. Hyacinth
macaws can bring $5,000 to $10,000 each in the pet trade. This
high price fosters a dangerous level of poaching and smuggling.
Trees are cut down to remove young from nest holes, which not
only removes that generation of birds, but permanently destroys
the nest site. Hyacinth macaws don't breed every year under the
best circumstances, so predation on chicks is particularly harmful
to species' survival. Since captured young survive so poorly (up
to 99% die between capture and sale), adults are sometimes trapped
through liming of perches or use of baited clap-nets. For every
macaw that arrives safely abroad, five probably died on the way.
Another threat to the hyacinth macaw is the increased sale of
feather art by local Indians. Feathers from up to 10 macaws are
needed for a headdress. Once used only for local religious purposes,
increased tourism in remote rain forests has led to more visitors
bringing home art made with endangered species.
Several field research projects have been conducted recently
including population surveys, studies of nesting and feeding habits,
and placement of artificial nest boxes. Ecotourism encourages
locals to protect a profitable resource. Captive breeding is managed
through a Population Management Plan and studbook.
|