The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of the province of Santa Fe has presented a conservation plan to protect the Crowned Eagle and the Yellow Cardinal, two native species in critical danger of extinction recognized as natural monuments.
This effort took place in the Vera department on March 18th and 19th, with the participation of specialized organizations, representatives from public and private entities, and local stakeholders.
An integrated initiative to protect biodiversity
During the meeting held at Las Gamas ranch, the main axes of the conservation plans were outlined, and the progress made in 2024 was shared, such as the replacement of dangerous power lines, a key measure to reduce bird mortality in the region.
Enrique Estévez, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the importance of working together to preserve these species as part of a broader commitment to biodiversity and provincial ecosystems.
Objectives and axes of the conservation plan
The main objectives of the plans are to reduce threats to these species, improve knowledge about their natural history, and promote habitat connectivity through conservation on private properties. Four key axes guide the actions:
- Reduction of anthropogenic threats, such as illegal hunting, electrocutions, collisions, and drownings.
- Scientific research to better understand the needs of the Crowned Eagle and the Yellow Cardinal.
- Habitat connectivity, increasing the surface area of forests and savannas in collaboration with private sectors.
- Ex situ management, to recover individuals and reinforce wild populations.
About the Crowned Eagle and the Yellow Cardinal
- Crowned Eagle (Buteogallus coronatus): A large species that inhabits forests and savannas. With only 1,000 specimens worldwide, it faces threats such as habitat loss, poisoning, and illegal hunting. Its reproduction is very slow, with only one egg per year.
- Yellow Cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata): It inhabits grasslands and savannas with scattered trees, with a global population estimated between 1,000 and 2,000 specimens. Its main threat is illegal wildlife trafficking, in addition to habitat degradation.
Yellow Cardinal
Santa Fe: a reference in conservation
With this initiative, Santa Fe strengthens its environmental commitment by completing conservation plans for its four provincial natural monuments, adding the Maned Wolf and the Pampas Deer.
These plans not only ensure the protection of endangered species, but also promote the balance of ecosystems and the biological richness that defines the region.
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