2) Period under review: 1/5/97 to 31/12/98
3) Total expenses: US$ 39,894.51
4) Execution: UNIDERP: University for the Development of the Pantanal region
5. Other sponsors: Within Brazil: Estancia Caiman, Toyota do Brasil S/A and Pousada Arara Azul. From the USA: California Community Foundation (Hyacinth Macaw Fund, Smart Family Foundation, Wallis Foundation). From England: Parrot Society and Hyacinthine Macaw Survival Fund.
6)Summary: The following annual report of the PROJETO ARARA AZUL/UNIDERP refers to the activities in the years 1997 and 1998. A large step in this period was achieved by the setting up of a permanent base in the Pantanal. This resulted from an initiative by the owner of the Estância Caiman, Roberto Klabin. This was followed up by an agreement between UNIDERP and CAIMAN. Starting from July 1998 we invested more effort in the Miranda area of the Pantanal. Most of the biological work and management took place in that area, which had been little investigated up to that point in time. However, we continued monitoring nest sites to verfiy reproduction success and carried out educational activities and conservation measures in the Nhecolândia and Abobral areas. We monitored 176 nest sites in 1997 and 174 in 1998. We also repaired 19 natural nest sites in the whole period. We installed 70 artificial nest boxes in three districts in 1997 and an additional 35 in 1998 just in the Miranda area. We enjoyed some success with the artificial nest boxes. They were occupied by blue macaws and other species as well for breeding purposes. The breeding potential of the blue macaws increases each year. There were nigh on 2 eggs per female in 1997 and 1998. In 1997 44 young fledged from 36 nest sites and 35 from 36 nest sites in 1998. Predation and mortality from other causes continue to be a negative factor in the breeding success of the population. Most of the young were weighed, measured, examined and had blood samples taken for DNA analysis. Preliminary results indicate that males and females were more or less equal and the analysis of genetic variability is being prepared for publication. During the period under review we received trainees and inducted them into various activities in the field. We presented some research results to the scientific community. We made many presentations, published work in journals and magazines for public consumption and disseminated information on the radio to the local people. This important work has resulted in considerable progress in increasing the willingness of the people of the Pantanal to participate in conserving the blue macaw in its natural habitat.
The research work of the Projeto Arara Azul/UNIDERP
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