Dry Forests of Margarita Island, Venezuela
Lying off the north-eastern coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea, Margarita Island covers an area of 920km2 divided into two ‘peninsulas’ connected only by a narrow strip of land. Find out how the WLT is protecting this Island of biodiversity...
Project aim
The project area being supported by the WLT is located in the dry forests on the western portion of Margarita Island, known as the Macanao Peninsula. The aim of the project is to safeguard the island's threatened dry forests, which are vital roosting sites for the Vulnerable Yellow-Shouldered Parrot.
Partner:
Other projects in Venezuela:
Urgent funding needed
WLT is currently concentrating its fundraising on supporting project partners with protection of the reserve that has been created, and is not currently undertaking land purchase. If you would like to support rangers in Venezuela and other WLT supported projects please make a donation to the Keepers of the Wild appeal »
Biodiversity
Margarita Island is known to be the largest and most biologically diverse among the Venezuelan Caribbean Islands, with a large proportion of its species found on the Macanao Peninsula.
Margarita Island is home to two of the four most threatened Venezuelan parrot species including:
- Yellow-shouldered Parrot (Amazona barbadensis), considered to be Venezuela’s most endangered parrot; the Peninsular is the sole habitat for the species on the island. It is the flagship species of Provita’s conservation and outreach activities on Macanao and due to the success of Provita’s conservation programme it has been officially named the ‘Regional Bird’ of Nueva Esparta State on the Peninsula.
- The Blue-Crowned Conure (Aratinga acuticaudata neoxena), an endemic subspecies, is also present; its population numbers less than 100 individuals on Margarita Island so this is vital to protect.
Threats to the Macanao Peninsula
- Extreme illegal hunting pressure - primarily for subsistence and development;
- Illegal trafficking - of wild animals and plants;
- Open sky mining - one of the biggest challenges on the Macanao Peninsula especially threatening the seasonal creek beds, dry forests, and xerophytic vegetation patches at lower altitudes
- Lack of protected areas - the only other protected area in Macanao is a small portion included in Laguna de La Restinga National Park.
The reserve
Chacaracual Community Conservation Area
The Chacaracual Community Conservation Area (CCCA) located in the heart of the proposed Macanao Wildlife Reserve includes a diversity of ecosystems from the lowlands to the top of the highest mountains in the peninsula and is an important roosting and feeding site for the Yellow-shouldered Parrot.
An important aspect of Provita’s work in the area involves awareness raising campaigns and environmental education programmes with local communities and schools on the island. These include programmes to highlight the importance of the Yellow-shouldered Parrot, Blue-headed Conure and the four species of marine turtles that nest on the island.
Venezuela News
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