BRAZIL REPORTS THAT THE ENDANGERED LEAR´S MACAW  IS THREATENED BY ILLEGAL BIRD COLLECTORS

Brazilian Institute for Environment and Natural Renewable Resources - IBAMA

14 July 1998.

Brasília - The Lear's Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari) is one of the world's most
endangered species. Occurring only in the semi-arid northeastern region of
Bahia in Brazil, its area of occupation was only located in 1978 by a team
led by Dr. Helmut Sick (who was one of Brazil's best known ornithologists).
Due to habitat alteration, hunting and capture for the illegal trade, the
species is facing a very critical situation — the populations of Lear's
Macaw have been reduced to less than 130 individuals in the wild. The
illegal capture of these birds for trade has been recognized as one of the
most important factors in the species' decline.

The rarity and precarious status of the Lear's Macaw in the wild has
accorded it the highest level of protection provided under the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - CITES.
Brazil has been a party of the CITES Treaty since 1975.

In addition to being a party of CITES, Brazil has strict domestic
legislation prohibiting the export of wildlife species. The Brazilian
Wildlife Protection Act of 1967 prohibits the commerce of wildlife and
products or objects that implicate their capture, pursuit or destruction.
According to this law, it is considered illegal to keep Lear's Macaws in
captivity. It is important to note that since the legislation came into
effect, Brazil has never issued any permits for the export of this species.

In 1992, the Brazilian Government created a Working Group today called
Committee for the Preservation of Lear's Macaw. This Committee is
responsible for the development and implementation of the conservation
management plan for this species, which includes habitat protection,
anti-poaching efforts, field conservation, research and educational
programs.

Legal protection and the involvement of a number of institutions have
contributed to the conservation of the Lear's Macaw in Brazil. Contributing
organizations have included the Brazilian Institute for Environment and
Natural Renewable Resources (IBAMA), National Fund for the Environment –
FNMA, São Paulo Zoological Foundation, Biodiversitas Foundation, Busch
Gardens (USA), Houston Zoological Gardens (USA). Other groups that have
supported conservation efforts include the World Parrot Trust (UK), the
Wildlife Conservation Society - WCS (USA) , CETREL S.A. and PETROBRAS - the
Brazilian Oil Company.
The Brazilian wildlife authorities of IBAMA, in collaboration with state and
local municipal agencies have been conducting a major campaign against the
poaching in the region. Successes include the arrest in 1995 of a smuggler
called Paraíba, who was caught with a Lear's Macaw in his possession. In
early 1998 the field team was able to observe a poaching attempt and
apprehend the infractors in the act of placing the nets for the capture of
the birds. In May of 1998, eight more birds were confiscated from an
aviculturist called Zezão in northern Brazil. Despite increased security and
ongoing efforts to control poaching, the Lear´s Macaw populations are still
threatened. Many birds are still taken from the wild by trappers - going to
a few illicit collectors of rare species.

Unfortunately, Lear's Macaws are also being smuggled internationally from
Brazil. In 1996 two birds that did not have any legal documentation or
permits were confiscated from Mr. Lawrence Kuah Kok Choon at an airport in
France. The French governmental authorities collaborated fully with the
Brazilian conservation effort by repatriating the birds to Brazil. Sadly,
one of the birds died at the French airport before it could be returned to
Brazil.

In an international effort to conserve this species, the authorities in
Singapore confiscated two Lear's Macaws from a private collection, of Mr.
Lawrence Kuah Kok Choon, the same infractor of the episode in France. This
issue and the eventual disposition of the birds is now being addressed by
the Singaporean legal system. Also this year, the British government
confiscated three birds from a collector in Yorkshire. The Brazilian
Government has requested the repatriation of all of these birds.

There is an expectation that both the Singaporean and the British
governments will support the conservation of this species by acting quickly
to repatriate the confiscated birds to Brazil, following the example of the
French government and according to the CITES regulations. It is hoped that,
these governments will access the heaviest penalties possible under their
laws and jurisdiction against the infractors.

The position of the Brazilian Government and the Lear's Macaw Committee is
that all undocumented and illegal birds should be confiscated by the
authorities of the country in which they are found, and be returned to
Brazil as part of the conservation program. As there have been no official
permission for legal export of Lear's Macaws from Brazil. All repatriated
birds, as well as those confiscated in Brazil, will be evaluated for
possible return to the wild or for participation in a coordinated captive
management program.
There is a strong national commitment to the preservation of the Lear's
Macaw in Brazil, as has been demonstrated by a recent grant of $ 200,000 to
the project by the National Fund for the Environment – FNMA. In conjunction
with project collaborators, this major grant has facilitated the protection
of the area against poaching, supported field research, habitat restoration,
conservation and educational programs.

The conservation of endangered species and the preservation of the world's
biodiversity is a responsibility that all governments must take seriously.
The illegal trade in rare and endangered species is a problem that has
crossed national boundaries and can only be addressed through cooperation
and support of all parties.

Contacts in Brazil:  Maria Iolita Bampi
   Chief, Department of Wildlife
   Diretoria de Ecossistemas
   SAIN – Av. L-4 Norte
   Edificio Sede – IBAMA
   70800-200 - Brasilia/DF - Brazil
   (Phone): 55-61-225 8150
   (Fax):   55-61-316 1067
   (e-mail): mbampi@sede.ibama.gov.br

   Luiz Francisco Sanfilippo
   Chair of the Committee for the Preservation of Lear's Macaw
   Av. Miguel Estefano 4241,
   04301-905 - São Paulo/ SP - Brazil
   (Phone): 55-11-276 0811
   (Fax):   55-11-276 0564
   (e-mail): aves@zoologico.com.br