Report on the current status of the Harpy Eagle Conservation Proyect in the Infierno Native Community By Renzo P.

Piana MSc

Between April 2003 and April 2004, our field work was focused on gathering information on habitat requirements (forest characteristics such as canopy height, basal area of trees around the nesting sites) of the species and the impact that human activities (i.e. gathering of palm leaves, collection of Brazil nuts, subsistence hunting, selective logging, etc.) have on nesting pairs and juvenile birds. This information is already helping us to establish land use policies that promote low impact forest use and the maintenance of healthy Harpy Eagles populations. Our long research in one of Perus the most biodiverse area has already contributed to the conservation of the species. Our findings that linked the relatively high abundance of Harpy Eagles in our study area and the existence of Brazil nut tree stands, has forced INRENA (Peruvian National Institute of Natural Resources) officers to implement Harpy Eagle conservation measures in areas that are subject to Brazil nut collection. Our findings have also helped to re categorize Harpy Eagles conservation status in Peru from Endangered to Vulnerable although I suggested it should be listed as Data Deficient due to the lack of consistent information on the status of the species in other parts of the Peruvian Amazonia. At the moment Peruvian biologist Renzo Giudice is conducting field research in order to determine some of the characteristics that Harpy Eagles nesting trees have. Mr. Giudices research is aimed to establishing nesting sites requirements for the species and will help us to determine the availability of nesting trees in the region and the effect that selective logging can have on the availability of nesting trees and nesting sites. This research is conducted in collaboration with the faculty of Biology of the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina and will help Mr. Giudice to obtain the degree of biologist.

Local people participation in the conservation of Harpy Eagles in the Tambopata river basin is still high. The project has contributed to raise concern on the importance of preserving this and other big raptors species in the region. The participation of the Infierno Native Community inhabitants in this project has served as an example that is still used to promote local peoples participation in conservation. In the near future, Mr. Giudice will go back to the field in order to keep on searching for more active and abandoned nests. This will help him to expand his sample size and to get more info on nesting trees characteristics. The funds you have provided will be used to help Mr. Giudice to continue his research.