Critical Brazilian reserve expanded to protect Endangered birds and monkey

Two new additions to Brazilian reserve will help protect rare birds, critically endangered monkey

October 2013. Two new properties totalling about 237 acres (96 hectares) have been added to the Brazil's Serra Bonita Reserve, expanding protection for six rare birds, a critically endangered monkey, the yellow-breasted capuchin, and a wide diversity of flora and additional fauna, including 330 bird species. Another measure of the conservation value of the region was illustrated in the 1990s when a world record of 458 tree species was counted in an area the size of a football field.

The acquisition of the two parcels was a joint effort involving three conservation organizations-American Bird Conservancy (ABC), Instituto Uiraçu, and Rainforest Trust (formerly called World Land Trust-US). Funding for the purchase was provided by these groups, in addition to the Robert Wilson Charitable Trust and other private individuals and groups.

Moist submontane Atlantic rainforest

The reserve is located in the Serra Bonita Mountain Range, which is one of the last remnants of moist submontane Atlantic rainforest in southern Bahia. This range covers an area of approximately 18,525 acres (7,500 hectares), located in the municipalities of Camacan and Pau Brazil, about 80 miles (130 km) from the port city of Ilhéus on the Atlantic Coast.

Birds of conservation concern that depend on the area include six species that are on the published IUCN threatened bird species list: the Bahia Tyrannulet, (endangered-will be downlisted); Pink-legged Graveteiro, (vulnerable); Plumbeous Antvireo, (vulnerable); Salvadori's Antwren, (vulnerable); Seedeater, (vulnerable); and Temminck's Seedeater, (vulnerable). These latter two species are attracted to the area's seeding bamboo.

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