A pair of harpy eagles in the Samborondon Historical Park stopped breeding after three offspring in captivity. Both specimens are long-lived | Report | News

A giant metal mesh demarcates a lush ecosystem that is home to two harpy eagles. (Hapia) Who lives in the historic park? Samborondonlocated in the state of the same name, in the department of Guayas.

There, a tropical moist forest was recreated, the ecosystem for this iconic species, which is in danger of extinction and considered one of the world’s largest birds of prey.

On July 25, 2002, it was declared the symbol of Ecuador’s biodiversity. The first captive chick in South America and the second captive chick in Latin America is born.

This is an unprecedented event in the program to save the species from extinction.

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The pair of harpy eagles are breeding in a reconstructed wet forest at Sampolongdong Historical Park.

“We have four highly endangered species. Our main conservation priorities are the harpy eagle, the coastal crocodile, the brown-headed spider and the Guayaquil parrot,” said Grecia Robles, a veterinarian at the Zambolong Historical Park.

Los Angeles The two harpy eagles are 33 and 34 years old respectively.“They’re no longer actively breeding, but it’s a fairly long-lived species.”

Both were part of a breeding program in 2000 that proved successful. “They were successfully bred in captivity and they produced three offspring that are currently distributed in other conservation centers.”

Harpy eagles are monogamous and live between 35 and 45 years, so the specimens in the Sampolongdon Historical Park are in the final stages of their lives.

A pair of harpy eagles can live together for 25 to 30 years. In the wild, they stay in one place and clearly define their territory, preferring areas with tall trees that provide them with enough food. This is what has been recreated and visitors can watch from the observation tower, which is currently under repair.

The species has a complex reproductive process. They breed every two to three years, with females laying up to three eggs, one of which is responsible for incubation.

Both males and females participate in incubation. Males are the ones most often to leave the nest to bring food, while females are responsible for caring for the young.

The tallest parts of the park’s trees have been recreated to create an ecosystem for the pair, who would typically nest in treetops over 25 metres tall when living in the wild.

In Ecuador, it lives in the humid forests of the Esmeraldas and Amazon regions.

Robles said that like other species, the function of these two specimens is to raise awareness about protecting nature.

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Samborondón Historic Park is home to 52 species

The site is located in the heart of the city and has conservation potential, being a forest connected to the river through mangroves.

Robles said the process of infrastructure rehabilitation has already begun since the Sambolong East Municipality took over the area, which was previously under the management of the central government.

“The park’s current focus is on conserving species. We have 335 individuals of 52 different species, including birds, mammals and reptiles.”

There is even rehabilitation work being done on animals kept in quarantine so that they can be relocated to rescue centres in the country.

The Samborondón Historical Park houses species rescued from animal trafficking at airports, terminals or at home.

As for the birds, they are still free. They are specimens that no longer have the ability to fly long distances, so they live in four ecosystems recreated in a four-hectare area: dry forest, tropical moist forest, floodplain and mangrove. “People think we trim their feathers, but all these species are captive. “They spend the day in the forest and sleep in the quarantine area at night. “

Most of the animals living in Sambolongdong Historical Park are those captured from wildlife trafficking, injured in road accidents or affected by land burning prior to planting.

“A lot of the seizures are by drug traffickers, and these are animals that can’t be returned to the wild, so here we’re giving them a second chance.”

Édgar Muñoz, director of environmental management at the Zambolongdon Council, said the park has become part of the Zambolongdon municipal government’s assets. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children and people with disabilities.