Getting Ready for the Next Step: The Eradication of Feral Cats on Large and Highest Priority Mexican Islands

Mexican islands’ biodiversity is very rich and diverse; several reptile, bird, and mammal endemic species live on them. However, ecological and evolutionary processes have been negatively affected by invasive species. To date, more than 20 island endemics, including mammals, birds and reptiles, have gone extinct on Mexican islands. As a very opportunistic predator that adapts easily to different environments, the feral cat is one of the most lethal invasive species. Restoration of island ecosystems can be achieved effectively by the eradication of this noxious species. In Mexico, 18 islands (<400 km2) have been cleared of feral cats using traditional techniques, i.e. trapping and hunting. These techniques are still being implemented on smaller islands or on islands where populations are small. Nevertheless, on big islands with complex terrain and topography, varied habitats and climates, and with non-target species, there are challenges to overcome. This includes Socorro (130 km2), Cerralvo (135 km2), and Guadalupe (240 km2) Islands. To achieve successful cat eradications on these islands, dispersion of toxic baits will be necessary. Currently, bait trials are being developed by Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas, A.C., and supported by Australian and New Zealand institutions, as part of island-specific eradication plans. To date, these studies comprise feral cat and native species ecology for Cerralvo and Socorro Islands. All data gathered is valuable for eradication planning

Current threats faced by Neotropical parrot populations

Psittaciformes (parrots, cockatoos) are among the most endangered birds, with 31% of Neotropical species under threat. The drivers of this situation appear to be manifold and mainly of anthropogenic origin. However, this assessment is based on the last extensive consultation about the conservation situation of parrots carried out in the 1990s. Given the rapid development of anthropogenic threats, updated data are needed to strategize conservation actions. Using a population approach, we addressed this need through a wide-ranging consultation involving biologists, wildlife managers, government agencies and non-governmental conservation organizations. We gathered up-to-date information on threats affecting 192 populations of 96 Neotropical parrot species across 21 countries. Moreover, we investigated associations among current threats and population trends. Many populations were affected by multiple threats. Agriculture, Capture for the Pet Trade, Logging, each of them affected > 55% of the populations, suggesting a higher degree of risk than previously thought. In contrast to previous studies at the species level, our study showed that the threat most closely associated with decreasing population trends is now Capture for the local Pet Trade. Other threats associated with decreasing populations include Small-holder Farming, Rural Population Pressure, Nest Destruction by Poachers, Agro-industry Grazing, Small-holder Grazing, and Capture for the international Pet Trade. Conservation actions have been implemented on < 20% of populations. Our results highlight the importance of a population-level approach in revealing the extent of threats to wild populations. It is critical to increase the scope of conservation actions to reduce the capture of wild parrots for pets.We would also like to thank the European Network on Invasive Parakeets (ParrotNet. Cost Actions: ES1304-240316-071371, ES1304-240316-071371), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET-PIP 112-201501-0598), Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (FONCyT-PICT 2015-2281), and Brazilian National Council of Research (CNPq) for financial support

Current threats faced by Neotropical parrot populations

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:49:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-10-01Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasAgencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y TecnológicaPsittaciformes (parrots, cockatoos) are among the most endangered birds, with 31% of Neotropical species under threat. The drivers of this situation appear to be manifold and mainly of anthropogenic origin. However, this assessment is based on the last extensive consultation about the conservation situation of parrots carried out in the 1990s. Given the rapid development of anthropogenic threats, updated data are needed to strategize conservation actions. Using a population approach, we addressed this need through a wide-ranging consultation involving biologists, wildlife managers, government agencies and non-governmental conservation organizations. We gathered up-to-date information on threats affecting 192 populations of 96 Neotropical parrot species across 21 countries. Moreover, we investigated associations among current threats and population trends. Many populations were affected by multiple threats. Agriculture, Capture for the Pet Trade, Logging, each of them affected > 55% of the populations, suggesting a higher degree of risk than previously thought. In contrast to previous studies at the species level, our study showed that the threat most closely associated with decreasing population trends is now Capture for the local Pet Trade. Other threats associated with decreasing populations include Small-holder Farming, Rural Population Pressure, Nest Destruction by Poachers, Agro-industry Grazing, Small-holder Grazing, and Capture for the international Pet Trade. Conservation actions have been implemented on < 20% of populations. Our results highlight the importance of a population-level approach in revealing the extent of threats to wild populations. It is critical to increase the scope of conservation actions to reduce the capture of wild parrots for pets.Instituto Multidisciplinario sobre Ecosistemas y Desarrollo Sustentable CONICET—Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos AiresJustus-Liebig-Universität Giessen Department of Animal Ecology and SystematicsTexas A&M University Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center Department of Veterinary Pathobiology College of Veterinary MedicineSociedade de Pesquisa em Vida Selvagem e Educação AmbientalUniversidade Federal de SergipePrograma Lapa Verde Centro Científico TropicalFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo Universidad Nacional de La PlataArea de Conservación Pacífico Central ACOPAC Programa de Vida SilvestreWildlife Conservation SocietyAarhus UniversityGrupo de Ecología Conservación de Islas A.C. (GECI)University of California Department of Environment Science Policy & ManagementUniversidad Nacional Federico VillarrealUniversidade Federal de GoiásInstituto Venezolano de Investigaciones CientíficasProyecto Selva de Pino ParanáUnidos por las Guacamayas A. C.SELVA: Investigación para la conservación en el NeotrópicoInstituto Nacional de Tecnología AgropecuariaUniversity of BrasíliaUniversidade Federal da Paraíba Centro de Ciências Exatas e da NaturezaCentro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Aves Silvestres/ICMBioUniversidade Federal do Pará Instituto de Ciências BiológicasGuyra ParaguayUniversity of Colorado Department of Integrative BiologyThe World Parrot TrustBirdsCaribbeanFundacion del RioUniversitat de BarcelonaSociedad Conservacionista Audubon de VenezuelaUniversidad de Sancti Spíritus ¨José Martí Pérez¨Estación Biológica de Doñana CSICFundación Pro-BosqueCompañeros en Vuelo PIF-SVInstituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras CONICET—Universidad Nacional de Mar del PlataUniversity of North Texas Biological SciencesOne Earth ConservationInstituto Espaço SilvestreUniversidade do Estado do AmazonasNational Aviary Conservation and Field ResearchUniversity of Cape TownBirdlife InternationalPaso PacíficoUniversidade de Passo FundoBiola UniversityMinisterio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (MARENA)Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de HidalgoFundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do SulAQUASISFundación Botánica y Zoológica de BarranquillaProvitaCIT Jujuy CONICET—UNJuFundación de Ciencias para el Estudio y la Conservación de la Biodiversidad (INCEBIO)UNESP Instituto de Biociências de BotucatuUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México Estación Biología Chamela Instituto de BiologíaVinculación Interdisciplinaria para el Desarrollo Ambiental y lo SocialMesserli Research Institute University of Veterinary MedicineMuseo Noel Kempff MercadoGobierno Autónomo Departamental de Santa CruzUniversidad Autónoma de SinaloaMuseu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo (MZUSP)University of Freiburg Evolutionary Biology and Animal EcologyMuseu de História Natural Capão da ImbuiaFundação Neotropica do BrasilCEMAVE: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa para a Conservação das Aves SilvestresCORBIDIAsociación Fauna ForeverUniversity of San Francisco Xavier de ChuquisacaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México Museo de Zoología Facultad de CienciasU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery ProgramEcho Parrots and PeopleCátedra de Ecología General y Recursos Naturales Universidad Nacional Arturo JauretcheFundación para la Investigación y Conservación de los Loros en Bolivia (CLB)Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA CONICETLaboratorio Nacional de Análisis y Síntesis Ecológica Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoDepto. de Estudios Ambientales Universidad Simón BolívarUNESP Instituto de Biociências de BotucatuConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas: CONICET-PIP 112-201501-0598Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica: FONCyT-PICT 2015-228

Current threats faced by Neotropical parrot populations

Berkunsky I, Quillfeldt P, Brightsmith DJ, et al. Current threats faced by Neotropical parrot populations. Biological Conservation. 2017;214:278-287.Psittaciformes (parrots, cockatoos) are among the most endangered birds, with 31% of Neotropical species under threat. The drivers of this situation appear to be manifold and mainly of anthropogenic origin. However, this assessment is based on the last extensive consultation about the conservation situation of parrots carried out in the 1990s. Given the rapid development of anthropogenic threats, updated data are needed to strategize conservation actions. Using a population approach, we addressed this need through a wide-ranging consultation involving biologists, wildlife managers, government agencies and non-governmental conservation organizations. We gathered up-to-date information on threats affecting 192 populations of 96 Neotropical parrot species across 21 countries. Moreover, we investigated associations among current threats and population trends. Many populations were affected by multiple threats. Agriculture, Capture for the Pet Trade, Logging, each of them affected > 55% of the populations, suggesting a higher degree of risk than previously thought. In contrast to previous studies at the species level, our study showed that the threat most closely associated with decreasing population trends is now Capture for the local Pet Trade. Other threats associated with decreasing populations include Small-holder Farming, Rural Population Pressure, Nest Destruction by Poachers, Agro-industry Grazing, Small-holder Grazing, and Capture for the international Pet Trade. Conservation actions have been implemented on < 20% of populations. Our results highlight the importance of a population-level approach in revealing the extent of threats to wild populations. It is critical to increase the scope of conservation actions to reduce the capture of wild parrots for pets