Vanessa Tavares Kanaan (en)

Brasil / Ecology / Biology

Current Technical Director of Instituto Espaço Silvestre, Member IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Member of the Advisory Board of Refauna and Clay Hill Memorial Forest. Creator and coordinator of the Amazona vinacea reintroduction project at the Araucárias National Park and the Alloatta guariba clamitans reintroduction project on Santa Catarina Island.

Postdoctoral researcher in Ecology from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (2012), postdoctoral researcher in Agroecosystems from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (2011), PhD in Animal Science from Purdue University, USA (2008), Bachelor’s degree with honors in Psychology and Biology from Campbellsville University, USA (2002). Specialized in Applied Ethology, Animal Welfare and Conservation, primarily working on the following topics: rehabilitation, release, and monitoring of wildlife; translocations for conservation purposes, social behavior, conditioning, and environmental enrichment.

Master conference (included in the congress plans)

Reintroduction of vinaceous-breasted parrot (Amazona vinacea) at the Araucárias National Park, Brazil: 13 years of socioeconomic and environmental impacts.

DateTimePlaceSpace available
Sunday, November 123:45 – 4:30pmMain auditórium

C.C. Termales El Otoño

500

Pre-registration

 

Amazona vinacea is the most endangered parrot species of the Atlantic Forest, a world’s top biodiversity hotspot. Historically, it occurred in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, but has become rare throughout its extensive range. Populations are considered extinct in some areas, including the Araucarias National Park (ANP), Brazil. The project to reintroduce A. vinacea at the ANP started in 2010. A total of 503 individuals victims of illegal wildlife trade and captive bred have been received and rehabilitated for a period of up to 24 months. A number of 256 parrots have met behavioral, health and genetic criteria and were released in 13 distinct events and monitored. Citizen Science is one of the best monitoring methods used. In order to decrease the threats that led parrots towards local extinction, plural intervention strategies were implemented to raise awareness and engagement of the local community. In addition to educational and citizen science activities that have reached over 500.000 people, a project to generate work to local women was implemented in 2017 resulting in a 62% increase in their income. Birdwatching events held at the ANP and surrounding areas have gathered more than 100 people. In 2015, the Amazona vinacea Protection Network was created and improved communication among key players, such as the government, community and environmental agencies, which increased law enforcement and wildlife rescue efforts in the ANP region. Our results suggest that it is possible to successfully rehabilitate parrots, improving animal welfare and giving individuals a chance to play their ecological roles and contribute to conservation, while engaging stakeholders and promote birdwatching.

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