﻿Ex situ population of the Harpy Eagle and its potential for integrated conservation.

Marcos José De Oliveira,Wanderlei De Moraes,Francisca Helena Aguiar-Silva,Aureo Banhos,Nei Moreira,Tânia Margarete Sanaiotti

doi:10.3897/zookeys.1083.69047

Ex situ population of the Harpy Eagle and its potential for integrated conservation.

Marcos José De Oliveira, Wanderlei De Moraes + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1083.69047

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Abstract

A main priority in conservation is the protection of species in their natural habitat. However, ex situ management of threatened species is a recognised strategy of conservation. Harpy Eagles (Harpiaharpyja) are removed from the wild due to illegal capture, nest tree destruction, or other conflict sources. This study presents a review of the current ex situ Harpy Eagle populations in Brazil and worldwide, including information on the origin, sex, and year of entrance or year of birth under human care. Worldwide, until 2020 there were 205 Harpy Eagles in 77 different facilities in 16 countries, with 40 institutions in Brazil and 37 in other countries. The largest ex situ Harpy Eagle population is maintained in Brazil, with 139 individuals (75 females and 64 males) in 40 institutions. Of these institutions, there were 24 zoos, seven conservation breeding centres, six commercial breeders, two wildlife shelters, and one wildlife sorting centre. In Brazil, 62% (n = 86) of the individuals were hatched in the wild and 38% (n = 53) were bred in captivity under human care; for the wild individuals, only 73% (n = 64) have a known state of origin, with the majority from Pará state. This investigation provided relevant information to establish an ex situ demographic database. These individuals may potentially constitute a genetically and demographically viable safety population for future conservation strategies, as well as a source for research and education applied to Harpy Eagle integrated conservation.

Highlights

Conservation actions for endangered bird populations involve the maintenance of the natural habitat, with protection of the nests and offspring until they are mature enough to disperse (Butchart et al 2006; Pacifico et al 2014)
The first Harpy Eagles in the care of a zoo in Brazil were reported during the 1890’s (Sanjad et al 2012; Pais 2013), but in the last few decades, they have been frequently removed from nature by anthropogenic actions (Trinca et al 2008; DeLuca 2012; Silva et al 2013; Freitas et al 2014; Gusmão et al 2016; Gusmão et al 2020), and many have been destined for zoos (This study, Table 1)
In the last 37 years (1984 to 2020), it was possible to document a minimum of 122 wild Harpy Eagle entrances to facilities in Brazil, with an average of 3.2 individuals/year

Summary

Introduction

Conservation actions for endangered bird populations involve the maintenance of the natural habitat, with protection of the nests and offspring until they are mature enough to disperse (Butchart et al 2006; Pacifico et al 2014). In Brazil, which has the largest population, it has been classified as Vulnerable to extinction since 2014 due to the loss of habitat and removal of individuals from nature (Brasil 2014a; Banhos et al 2018). The first Harpy Eagles in the care of a zoo in Brazil were reported during the 1890’s (Sanjad et al 2012; Pais 2013), but in the last few decades, they have been frequently removed from nature by anthropogenic actions (Trinca et al 2008; DeLuca 2012; Silva et al 2013; Freitas et al 2014; Gusmão et al 2016; Gusmão et al 2020), and many have been destined for zoos (This study, Table 1)

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