Satellite Telemetry of Blue-Throated Macaws in Barba Azul Nature Reserve (Beni, Bolivia) Reveals Likely Breeding Areas

The Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis) is a Critically Endangered species endemic to the Llanos de Moxos ecosystem of Beni, Bolivia. To aid conservation of the northwestern population that utilizes the Barba Azul Nature Reserve during the non-breeding season, we set out to learn the sites where these birds breed using satellite telemetry. We describe preliminary tests conducted on captive birds (at Loro Parque Foundation, Tenerife, Spain) that resulted in choosing Geotrak Parrot Collars, a metal, battery-operated unit that provides data through the Argos satellite system. In September 2019, we tagged three birds in Barba Azul with Geotrak collars, and received migration data for two birds, until battery depletion in November and December 2019. Our two migrant birds were tracked leaving Barba Azul on the same date (27 September), but departed in divergent directions (approximately 90 degrees in separation). They settled in two sites approximately 50–100 km from Barba Azul. Some details of the work are restricted out of conservation concern as the species still faces poaching pressures. Knowing their likely breeding grounds, reserve managers conducted site visits to where the birds were tracked, resulting in the discovery of breeding birds, although no birds still carrying a transmitter were seen then. A single individual still carrying its collar was spotted 13 August 2021 at Barba Azul. The work suggests that the Blue-throated Macaws of Barba Azul use breeding sites that are scattered across the Llanos de Moxos region, although within the recognized boundaries of the northwestern subpopulation. We conclude that the use of satellite collars is a feasible option for research with the species and could provide further conservation insights.

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Movement and mortality of Australian pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus) banded at inland and coastal breeding sites in South Australia

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc14925 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 271 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gregory R. Johnston ◽

Maxwell H. Waterman ◽

Clare E. Manning

Keyword(s):

South Australia ◽

Population Declines ◽

Long Distance ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Continental Scale ◽

South Eastern ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

Causes Of Mortality ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

South Eastern Australia

Globally, pelican populations have decreased, with three species being of conservation concern. Australian pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus) are not regarded as endangered, but have declined across south-eastern Australia. Information on their movements and causes of mortality are required to interpret the importance of these regional declines to the species’ global population. We explored patterns of movement and causes of mortality by analysing recoveries from 14 615 Australian pelicans banded over 37 years between 1969 and 2006. Data from 243 leg band recoveries showed that Australian pelicans move distances of up to 3206 km, and travel across the species’ entire geographic range, within a year of fledging. We found little evidence for the popular notion that these birds move en masse from the coast to inland areas in response to flooding rains. Maximum recorded age of a banded Australian pelican was 15 years. The banding data suggest that the regional pelican declines could reflect long-distance movements rather than an overall population response. However, a concentration of band returns from south-eastern Australia where the declines have been recorded, and the high incidence of human-induced deaths (16.4%) suggest otherwise. Accurate assessment of population trends in long-lived, long-distance nomads such as Australian pelicans requires assessment at a continental scale. Our results emphasise the importance of knowledge about fundamental aspects of a species’ biology for accurate interpretation of regional population declines.

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Check-list of Vertebrates in the “Tenuta dei Massimi” nature reserve (Rome, central Italy) with some remarks on local conservation priorities

Natural History Sciences ◽

10.4081/nhs.2014.23 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 25 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Corrado Battisti

Keyword(s):

Nature Reserve ◽

Central Italy ◽

Conservation Priorities ◽

Check List ◽

Local Conservation ◽

Mosaic Landscape ◽

Data Set ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Bibliographic Data ◽

Conservation Concern

We reported a complete check-list of Vertebrates for the “Tenuta dei Massimi” nature reserve, a protected area well representing a remnant agro-forest heterogeneous mosaic landscape of the “Campagna Romana”. Data were obtained from a large original and bibliographic data-set on a large time-span (1991-2012). This reserve represents an area with a high value of species richness when compared to the surrounding metropolitan areas, also including a large number of species of conservation concern at different scales. We obtained evidences for the occurrence of 141 species (one fish, six amphibians, 12 reptiles, 101 birds, 21 mammals). Among them, some species are of conservation concern at European, regional or local scale. Further research should be focused on a set of fragmentation-sensitive species to verify the long-term viability of their local small populations [e.g. Hyla intermedia Boulenger, 1882, Bufo lineatus Ninni, 1879, Muscardinus avellanarius (Linnaeus, 1758), Sorex samniticus Altobello, 1926)].

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Discovery of breeding grounds of a Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus flock that winters in Iran, via satellite telemetry

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270902002204 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 327-333 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yutaka Kanai ◽

Meenakshi Nagendran ◽

Mutsuyuki Ueta ◽

Yuri Markin ◽

Juhani Rinne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Satellite Telemetry ◽

Migration Routes ◽

Breeding Area ◽

Volga River ◽

Western Population ◽

Siberian Crane ◽

Grus Leucogeranus ◽

Volga River Delta ◽

Breeding Grounds ◽

Conservation Plan

Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus occurs only in Asia, and is Critically Endangered. The western population of the species has been almost extirpated, wintering at just two known sites, in Iran and India. To help conserve species that migrate long distances it is essential to have a comprehensive conservation plan that includes identification of migration routes and key resting areas. One Siberian Crane was satellite-tracked from the south Caspian Sea to its breeding grounds in Russia during the spring of 1996. The crane began migration on 6 March, and completed its migration on 1 May. This destination was formerly unknown as a breeding area for the species. During migration, the crane rested primarily at the eastern end of the Volga River delta. This suggests that the delta may be an important resting site for Siberian Crane.

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Accounting for the low survival of the Critically Endangered northern bald ibisGeronticus eremitaon a major migratory flyway

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605313000665 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 312-320 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

G. Serra ◽

J. A. Lindsell ◽

L. Peske ◽

J. Fritz ◽

C. G. R. Bowden ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Satellite Telemetry ◽

Bird Species ◽

Range Shift ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Conservation Action ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Critically Endangered Species ◽

The Past ◽

Geronticus Eremita ◽

Wintering Areas

AbstractThe poor survival rate of immature northern bald ibisesGeronticus eremitaduring their first years spent outside the natal site is driving the last known wild colony of the migratory eastern population to extinction. To inform emergency conservation action for this Critically Endangered species we investigated the distribution range and behaviour of immature birds in passage and wintering areas, and the threats to which they are subject. We integrated recent satellite telemetry data with visual observations spanning 130 years. We assessed threats across the range, using satellite tracking and field surveys. Our results show that during the years before they return to the natal site in Syria, immature northern bald ibises reside away from the recently identified adult wintering site in the central Ethiopian highlands. They occur mainly across the northernmost 70–80% of the adult migratory range. Historical records suggest that immature birds spend more time along the western Arabian Peninsula now than in the past. This range shift exposes them for longer periods to threats, such as hunting and electrocution on power lines, which are absent from the wintering site used by adult birds. We suggest that other threatened and declining bird species sharing the same flyway probably face the same threats during migration.

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Effects of mangrove removal on benthic organisms in the Siangshan Wetland in Hsinchu, Taiwan

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.5670 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e5670 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yu-Chi Chen ◽

Ta-Jen Chu ◽

Ju-Der Wei ◽

Chun-Han Shih

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Satellite Telemetry ◽

Wiener Index ◽

City Government ◽

Benthic Organisms ◽

Breeding Grounds ◽

Rehabilitation Strategy ◽

Structure And Functions ◽

Mangrove Biomass ◽

Mangrove Degradation

Mangrove degradation is a well-documented trend, but the spread of mangroves within the Siangshan Wetland in Hsinchu, Taiwan, runs contrary to that trend. The spread of mangroves changes the structure and functions of habitats for benthic organisms, causes infilling of estuaries and flooding and creates breeding grounds for small black mosquitoes. A large-scale mangrove-removal project was undertaken by the Hsinchu City Government from October 2015 to March 2016. They also investigated the consequences of mangrove removal on benthic organisms and adjacent habitats from October 2015 to September 2016, and the density, species count, Shannon–Wiener index (H′), and Pielou’s evenness index (J′) of the mangrove and non-mangrove regions were compared. In this study, we used satellite telemetry images to monitor fluctuations in mangrove density from 2006 to 2016. The non-mangrove region exhibited more variations than the mangrove region. After mangrove removal, species returned to their original habitats and noteworthy biological values significantly increased in the mangrove regions. This study presents evidence to argue that mangrove removal benefits benthic organisms. The results indicate that mangrove removal can be an appropriate habitat rehabilitation strategy for benthic organisms. The ecological findings of this study can inform coastal managers or other officials who seek to steward mangrove biomass.

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High fidelity to wintering, stop-over and breeding sites shown by a Long-billed CurlewNumenius americanustracked with satellite telemetry on migratory flights across North America

Bird Study ◽

10.1080/00063657.2015.1073678 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 62 (4) ◽

pp. 556-560 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alina Olalla-Kerstupp ◽

Gabriel Ruiz-Aymá ◽

José I. González-Rojas ◽

Antonio Guzmán-Velasco

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Satellite Telemetry ◽

High Fidelity ◽

Breeding Sites

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From Mediterranean to Scandinavia—timing and body mass condition in four long distance migrants

Ornis Svecica ◽

10.34080/os.v25.22552 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (1–2) ◽

pp. 51-58

Author(s):

Christos Barboutis ◽

Leo Larsson ◽

Åsa Steinholtz ◽

Thord Fransson

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Arrival Time ◽

Long Distance ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Swedish Study ◽

Collared Flycatcher ◽

Stopover Sites ◽

Early Arrival ◽

Breeding Grounds ◽

Pass Through

In spring, long-distance migrants are considered to adopt a time-minimizing strategy to promote early arrival at breeding sites. The phenology of spring migration was examined and compared between two insular stopover sites in Greece and Sweden for Icterine Warbler, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Collared Flycatcher. All of them migrate due north which means that some proportion of birds that pass through Greece are heading to Scandinavia. The Collared Flycatcher had the earliest and the Icterine Warbler the latest arrival time. The differences in median dates between Greece and Sweden were 3–4 weeks and the passages in Sweden were generally more condensed in time. The average overall speed estimates were very similar and varied between 129 and 137 km/d. In most of the species higher speed estimates were associated with years when birds arrived late in Greece. After crossing continental Europe birds arrive at the Swedish study site with significantly higher body masses compared to when they arrive in Greece and this might indicate a preparation for arriving at breeding grounds with some overload.

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Investigation of Dengue Fever Outbreak in a Rural Area of Islamabad, Pakistan: A Case Control Study

10.1101/2021.10.01.21264329 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fawad Khalid Khan ◽

Khurram Shahzad Akram ◽

Ambreen Chaudhry ◽

Mir Muhammad Hassan Bullo ◽

zakir Hussain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dengue Fever ◽

Nonstructural Protein ◽

Health Department ◽

Control Measures ◽

Outbreak Investigation ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Nonstructural Protein 1 ◽

Breeding Grounds ◽

Ns1 Antigen

Background: In the second week of October 2019, five suspected cases of dengue fever were reported from union council Sohan, Islamabad rural (population 45,747) to the health department, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Outbreak investigation was conducted with the objectives to identify risk factors and to recommend control measures. Methods: Outbreak investigation was conducted from 17 th October to 25 th November 2019. A case was defined as, “fever and two or more of the following signs/symptoms; headache, retro-orbital pain, joint/bone pain, myalgia and petechial rash with NS1 test (Nonstructural Protein 1) positive during 8 th October to 25 th November 2019 among residents of Sohan”. Age and sex-matched controls were recruited from the same neighborhood. All cases were positive for NS1 antigen. Blood samples from five suspected cases were collected and tested for laboratory confirmation. Results: A total of 547 households were surveyed and 85 cases were identified. The mean age was 34.4 years + 16.05 (range 3-71 years). The attack rate was 0.19% whereas the most affected age group was the 45-54 years (AR 0.43%). Males were predominantly affected (n=48 56.5%). Among all cases, 32% (n=27)) had stagnant water inside or around their houses (aOR 2.65, CI 1.20-5.83, P= 0.005), 33% (n=28) were using mosquito repellent (aOR 0.35, CI 0.17-0.70, P <0.001), 31% (n=26) used indoor residual spray insecticide (aOR 0.48, CI 0.24-0.97, P =0.041), and 73% (n=62) used full protective clothing (aOR 0.17, CI 0.05-0.58, P <0.001). All five blood samples were tested positive for NS-1 antigen. Conclusion: The presence of accumulated rainwater in pools and empty receptacles around houses acted as breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquitos and was the most probable cause of this outbreak. Following our recommendations, the health department-initiated mosquito breeding sites control activities through residual insecticide spray and advocacy on the use of protective measures against mosquito bites.

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Land and sea-based observations and first satellite tracking results support a New Ireland breeding site for the Critically Endangered Beck’s Petrel Pseudobulweria beckii

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270919000145 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 58-74

Author(s):

MATT J. RAYNER ◽

KAREN A. BAIRD ◽

JEREMY BIRD ◽

STEVE CRANWELL ◽

ANDRĒ F. RAINE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

East Coast ◽

Local Population ◽

Satellite Telemetry ◽

Breeding Site ◽

Satellite Tracking ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Satellite Transmitter ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Pelagic Habitat ◽

Near Shore

SummaryThe Beck’s Petrel Pseudobulweria beckii is a ‘Critically Endangered’ seabird whose breeding sites remain unknown. Historic observations suggest the species’ distribution is concentrated in the Bismarck Archipelago and particularly southern New Ireland. Over the course of two research expeditions in 2016 and 2017 we used on-land and at-sea observations, local interviews and satellite telemetry to understand the distribution of the species, its at-sea movements and potential breeding locations. Land-based and at-sea observations indicated that the area of Silur Bay in southern New Ireland was a significant site for Beck’s Petrel with numbers of birds increasing near shore prior to dusk and birds observed in spotlights over land. A local population is estimated to be in the low thousands. In 2017 a single Beck’s was captured at sea, fitted with a satellite transmitter and tracked for eight months. This bird maintained a core distribution off the south-east coast of New Ireland and north of Bougainville for 122 days. During the tracking period, the bird was located over land at night seven times; predominantly over southern New Ireland, where the signal was also lost for extended periods suggesting occupancy of an underground burrow. In August the bird migrated 1,400 km to a core pelagic habitat north of West Papua before the signal was eventually lost. Our combination of land- and sea-based observations and analysis of behaviour from satellite tracking supports the conclusion that a breeding site for Beck’s Petrel lies in the inland mountains of southern New Ireland and most likely in the high-altitude zone (> 2000 m) of the Hans Meyer Range. Further investigations are required to determine the exact location of breeding colonies in the mountains of southern New Ireland and the importance of a potential west Papuan non-breeding pelagic habitat for the species.

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A conservation assessment of the terrestrial invertebrate fauna of Mkambati Nature Reserve in the Pondoland Centre of Endemism

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v59i1.1428 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Michelle L. Hamer ◽

Rob Slotow

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Biodiversity Hotspot ◽

Invertebrate Fauna ◽

Conservation Assessment ◽

Forest Patches ◽

True Bugs ◽

Terrestrial Invertebrate ◽

Global Biodiversity ◽

Conservation Concern

Mkambati Nature Reserve (NR) falls within the Pondoland Centre of Endemism, which is part of the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany global biodiversity hotspot. The biodiversity status of this area is based largely on its flora, and the invertebrates are poorly known. The area is under threat from various proposed developments. We surveyed 14 orders in three invertebrate phyla at 26 sites with two main objectives: (1) to assess the fauna in terms of conservation value, and, (2) to identify habitats and sites of conservation concern. From the survey, 3231 samples were sent for identification and 425 species were identified. A minimum of 18 new species were confirmed. Mkambati NR shows exceptional diversity for molluscs (Gastropoda, 51 species), bees (Apoidea, 48 species) and true bugs (Heteroptera, 65 species). At least 43 species collected from the Reserve are South African endemics, 31 have a restricted distribution within South Africa and 18 are only known from the Reserve itself.Conservation implications: The authors provide the first assessment of the invertebrate fauna of the Mkambati NR, which indicates that it is a rich and important fauna. The results highlight the need to consider invertebrates in other biodiversity assessments in the Pondoland region. In terms of habitats, for both forest and grassland there was a large difference in the invertebrate communities at different sites, even over relatively short distances in grassland; shared habitat attributes clustered sites with more similar communities, for example, rocky ledges or the sea shore. All forest patches are a priority for protection.

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