At the invitation of a very good friend, I went down to Patagonia, Argentina in late January to learn more directly about the conservation action and research on the Hooded Grebe. As Bruce B noted earlier, it's a critically endangered grebe whose global population is now fewer than 1000 individuals. It's alarming to think that a species first described in the 1970s may possibly go extinct within my/our lifetimes.
Bruce wasn't sanguine about the species long-term survival but having spent time with the determined and remarkably competent Argentinean grebe team, I'm feeling more optimistic. There is a concerted effort to protect all breeding sites and to improve reproductive success. Not only are the Argentineans great people to be with, they're smart and effective and a really talented group of conservationists. I learned just today that this group was instrumental in creating a new national park; Patagonia N. P. has been accepted by the government and many, if not most, of the grebes nest within the boundaries of this new park.
I've posted some pics from my trip on flickr and there are some links to more information therein:
Best, Peter
0 comments:
Post a Comment