Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NATIONAL TREASURE: THE BARBA AZUL
With more than 1200 bird species inhabiting the country, Bolivia is a bird-watcher's paradise. But it's not just the
sheer quantity of species that makes Bolivia such an attractive destination for bird lovers, it is the quality of the
birds you can see.
Asociacíon Armonía, the Bolivian Birdlife International Partner, has developed a series of community-based
conservation programs designed to protect the country´s most threatened birds, principally by creating a feeling of
pride among the locals.
The gorgeous blue-throated macaw
(Ara glaucogularis)
, endemic to the unique Beni savannas, numbers, ac-
cording to the most optimistic of estimates, just 250 individuals. Known to the Bolivians as
barba azul
(blue
beard), this charismatic bird has become a flagship species for Armonía, which runs a superb, community-orient-
ated conservation program aimed squarely at making sure the bird is around for future generations to appreciate.
Threats to the species are numerous, but one of the most unusual is indiscriminate killing for the sole purpose
of harvesting the tail feathers. This practice affects all macaws, but because of the species' similarity to the com-
mon blue-and-yellow macaw
(Ara ararauna)
and a lack of public awareness of its plight, this species has suffered
at the hands of hunters who collect the tail plumes to adorn ceremonial headdresses for regional celebrations like
the famous Moxos festival.
Armonia's response has been rapid, effective and ingenious. It has worked on an extensive public education
campaign designed to teach locals how to distinguish between the two similar blue macaws that occur in the area
and, crucially, to instil a sense of pride in the citizens of Beni for their emblematic bird. An agreement with local
indigenous leaders not to hunt live macaws, but to instead fabricate artificial feathers for headdresses has not only
been a huge success, but has led to the creation of a small and very lucrative local manufacturing industry. Per-
haps most important of all has been the purchase of the small
Barba Azul Reserve
dedicated to the conservation
of the bird.
Visit
Armonía
at its Santa Cruz office (
Click here
) or its Trinidad office (
Click here
)
for more information
on its innovative conservation programs.
Los Lagos
North of Santa de Yacuma is a cluster of 11 wonderful natural lakes flanked by wild rain-
forest and linked together by a network of weed-choked streams which are known collect-
ively as Los Lagos. The two largest lakes are Lagos Ginebra and Rogaguado, both vast
enough to be mistaken for inland seas, but exploring the winding swampy creeks, where
wildlife abounds and you must trade your outboard motor in for a paddle, is where the real
fun is at. This unique and enchanting region has hardly been explored by foreign tourists
because of its remoteness, but for anybody looking for Amazonian adventure it is a real
treat. Whether you are an angler, a nature enthusiast, wanting to relax or just somebody
who appreciates a damn good sunset, Los Lagos ticks all the right boxes.
