Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A GREEN-GREEN SITUATION
The gorgeous green plumage, electric-blue wing tips and red forehead of the great green
macaw(Ara ambiguus)have long attracted collectors of exotic birds. The (illegal) sale of
just one macaw can fetch several thousand dollars, despite the fact that the species'
nervous personality causes them to fare poorly in captivity. International trade has de-
pleted the population, even though the macaw is protected by the Convention on Interna-
tional Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).
Deforestation also threatens the great green macaw. The northern lowlands have
suffered from heavy deforestation in recent years due to the demand for increased agri-
cultural and pasture land. Furthermore, thealmendrotree(Dipteryx panamensis),whose
nut provides 90% of the macaw's diet and whose high hollows are far and away the pre-
ferred nesting tree for breeding pairs, is highly sought after as a luxury hardwood. Extens-
ive logging of thealmendrohas severely cut back potential nesting sites, and as a result
the great green macaw is endangered. It's estimated that Costa Rica's population is as
low as 200, with as few as 30 breeding pairs left.
coterie of nonprofit organizations and government agencies established the San Juan-La
Selva Biological Corridor to protect existing green macaw populations as well as other
species in the area. The corridor bridges the gap between existing protected areas. Even-
tually, all of these protected areas will form a Mesoamerican biological corridor that will
stretch from Mexico through Central America.
In 2005 the
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Maquenque
was officially de-
clared by then-president Abel Pacheco. Owing to this victory, Maquenque now protects
an estimated 6000 species of vascular plant, 139 mammals, 515 birds, 135 reptiles and
80 amphibians. And as a 'mixed-use' wildlife refuge - the first of its kind in Costa Rica - it
allows human residents to continue living and working within its boundaries. However,
most of the refuge's approximately 500 sq km, which are privately owned, are now bound
to certain regulations, such as the drastic reduction of activities including logging. So
where does this leave the residents, who depend on forestry and agriculture for subsist-
ence?
the non-profit Rainforest Biodiversity Group in partnership with several other nonprofit
organizations. The Costa Rican Bird Route has been working with and educating com-
munities within these protected areas to help create viable and sustainable ecotourism
