When
we started this project in 2003, we wanted to study the species of animals that
were considered associated with Paraná Pine forest, especially the threatened
species.
We searched for birds throughout Misiones, and we found several rare and little-known
species. We examined museum specimens and looked in published papers to compare
historic and current abundance and distributions of some of these birds. We
interviewed local farmers and loggers to find out what they thought about some
of the species.
Watch our video
Conservation problems
Capture of Vinaceous Amazons
(Amazona vinacea) and other animals to be kept as pets on
the farm or in town;
Destruction of specific habitats required by specialist
birds (e.g. yatevo bamboo for the
White-bearded Antshrike Biatas nigropectus);
Over-hunting of some species (e.g. Black-fronted Piping-Guan
Pipile jacutinga);
Lack of information about many species’ biology.
Toward
some solutions:
We conduct research to answer questions about the
ecology of the Atlantic forest and the biology of rare or
threatened species.
To address some of the problems identified by our
research, we advise policy and we run a local education
program.
We visit rural schools with puppet shows, games, and
discussions. We aim for children to understand the concept
of extinction, to care about keeping threatened animals in
the wild, and to know how they can help, on their own farms.
We visit farms to generate an exchange of ideas and
eventually many farmers participate actively in conservation.
We use the media (radio, newspaper and television) to
reach a wider audience.
We are helping park rangers start a series of
educational field days in Araucaria Provincial Park.
We helped establish the annual “Fiesta de la Araucaria”,
now organized by the Park Ranger College and the
Municipality of San Pedro.
We make posters, signs, and pamphlets to educate the
public about threatened animals of the Paraná Pine forest.
Who are we?
We are a diverse group
of people, including biologists, park rangers, small-holder
farmers, and students. We come from different parts of
Argentina, San Pedro, and other countries.
When
we started this project in 2003, we wanted to study the species of animals that
were considered associated with Paraná Pine forest, especially the threatened
species.
Toward
some solutions:
