Believed to be turned off in Mexico, Harpy Eagle resurfaces in the jungle of Chiapas
Harpie eagle – a striking species, almost mythical thought in Mexico – has been documented in the Lacandon jungle Chiapas, marking a historic moment for environmentalists.
The discovery of the elusive eagle, announced this month at Chiapas Birding and Photo Festival, follows almost a decade of Surveillance led by the community in the region.
ЁЯжЕ | The Arpia Eagle, one of the most important and majestic birds in the world, stands out from its natural beauty. pic.twitter.com/1mipohsz9j
– Uhn Plus (@uhn_plus) January 25, 2024
“For many years, the scientific community considered that it was a species extinct in Mexico,” said Alan Monroy-Ojeda, An ecologist with a doctorate. in tropical ecology. “Now we can announce to the world that Harpy Eagles still exist here.”
He also said that observation will be supported by a future article in a scientific publication, but did not say which one.
Registered as in the process of disappearance by virtue of Mexican law, the Harpie Eagle is one of the largest birds of prey in the world, women are generally larger than men. Although the two have a wingspan which can reach 2.2 meters (7 feet), women generally weigh from 6 to 9 kilograms (13 to 20 pounds), with males generally from 4 to 6 kilograms.
Both sexes are qualified hunters whose diets are dominated by arboreal mammals such as monkeys and lazy people.
The Harpie does not reproduce once every two to three years, which is unusual in birds and contributes to its rarity, and women manage to conceive only one baby by effort of nesting.
Its world number of population is estimated at 20,000 to 50,000, but this scope is not very precise. Their greatest number are in South America, in particular Brazil, while their populations in Central America are extremely small or almost extricated, without reliable number available.
The reappearance of the Harpy Eagle in Chiapas – a Mexican state in the Southeast historically part of its range – comes after a 2011 photograph by an indigenous guide near the Mexico -Guatemala border, revived research efforts.
Monroy-Ojeda has credited the monitors of Siyaj Chan, a group of members of the Aboriginal community who live near the Chiapas-Guatemala border. Its participants make regular field visits and wildlife monitoring and received training and equipment.
Monroy -Ojeda is the scientific director of Dimensi├│n Natural, a Mexican organization dedicated to the study, documentation and protection of priority species and their habitats – in particular neotropical prey birds in the Lacandon jungle.
He warned that the Harpie Eagle (Harpia Harpyja) The population remains critical, citing deforestation and fragmentation of habitat as existential threats. He and others go beyond the best areas to implement a reintroduction strategy to strengthen the conservation of the bird.
“The challenge of keeping this eagle is that of everyone,” he said, recognizing collaborations with the National Commission for Natural Zones (Conanp) in Mexico, Natura and Mexican ecosystems (A 20 -year -old non -profit organization dedicated to the protection of biodiversity in the Lacandon tropical forest in Chiapas) and local communities.
Efra├нn orants Abad├нa, an ecologist who witnessed the eagle, recalled his meeting: “He stole next to us, giving incredible photos. Today, there is hope that we can save this majestic bird. тАЭ
The Lacandon jungle, a biodiversity hotspot sometimes affected by the violence of the cartel, has also been a refuge for other rare species, including a Hawk-eagle in black and white of which the first Mexican nest was documented in 2023.
The two species are facing pressures of logging and agricultural expansion, although ecotourism and habitat protection initiatives led by the community aim to counter these threats.
In addition, the two are linked to popular superstitions and beliefs in indigenous cultures.
The Harpy eagle, for example, was sometimes considered a witch or a supernatural being, which led to his persecution and his hunting.
His return offers a fragile victory.
“Immediate action is urgent,” said Monroy-Ojeda. “The forests of Mexico – and the life they support – disappear daily.”
With reports from Aristegui News,, Mongabay.com And For this reason!
