Establishment of a Quetzal cloud-forest reserve in Guatemala

Biological Conservation

60

the Kwando River in the Caprivi, north of the Botswana frontier, and, as the species is absent from the eastern Caprivi (Rautenbach, 1971), it is believed that this animal had come from Botswana, although it could also have come from southeastern Angola where Black Rhinos are still recorded.

References ANDERSSON, C. J. (1856). Lake Ngami. Hurst & Blackett,

London: v q- 546 pp., illustr. BRYDEN,H. A. (1893). Gun and Camera in Southern Africa. Stanford, London: xiv ÷ 544 pp., illustr. CAMPBELL,A. C. & CHILD,G. (1971). The impact of Man on his environment in Botswana. Botswana Notes and Records, 3, pp. 91-110. RAUTENBACFI,J. L. (1971). Observations on mammals of the Eastern Caprivi Strip. Transvaal Mus. Bull., 11, pp. 5-6. SMITHERS, R. H. N. (1971). The Mammals of Botswana. Trustees, National Museums of Rhodesia, Salisbury, Museum Memoir No. 4, 340 pp., illustr. WOLFGANGVON RICHTER,

Wildlife Ecologist, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, PO Box 131, Gaborone, Botswana

CANADIAN GOVERNMENTANNOUNCES$5,000,000 FUND FOR FEDERAL-PROVINCIALCROP DEPREDATIONPROGRAMME

The Canadian Ministers of the Environment and of Agriculture, the Hon. Jack Davis and the Hon. H. A. Olson, recently announced that the Federal Government is prepared to provide $5,000,000 for a five-year federal-provincial programme to reduce the problem of crop depredation by waterfowl on the prairies. If accepted by the provinces, the programme would go into effect forthwith. Damage to grain crops during the five-year period of the agreement could be reduced substantially by lure crops, the Ministers said, and the remaining damage would be covered by a form of crop insurance to farmers which would be negotiated with the provinces. The three prairie provinces would match the federal contribution to this programme, if agreements are reached. In the first year of the programme's operation, the Federal Government would put up $I,000,000, to be divided between a joint federal-provincial lure crop programme and--as an interim measure--the existing provincial crop damage compensation programmes.

Similar amounts would be made available for the following four years of the plan. Mr Davis and Mr Olson said that the Federal Government has been concerned about the severity of the crop depredation problem on the prairies, which are the major breeding grounds for ducks in North America. Annual damage caused by ducks trampling swaths and eating unharvested grain has been estimated to average about $6,000,000. While the Federal Government is not legally responsible for damage caused by migratory birds, the Ministers pointed out, it nevertheless believes that the many thousands of Canadians who enjoy waterfowl hunting on the prairies would not want to see waterfowl populations seriously diminished in order to reduce economic hardships suffered by farmers whose grain is spoiled by ducks. When Mr Davis met with prairie resource ministers in March, the formation of a federal-provincial committee to study prairie waterfowl management problems was recommended. This new committee met in Edmonton in April, 1972, under the chairmanship of Dr John S. Tener, Director of the Canadian Wildlife Service, to consider a CWS proposal for dealing with the problem. After benefiting from these and other discussions, the proposal was approved by the Federal Cabinet. JOHN F. CAMERON, Information Officer (Wildlife), Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

ESTABLISHMENTOF A QUETZALCLOUD-FOREST RESERVE IN GUATEMALA

The establishment of a reserve of virgin cloud-forest on private land with resident populations of Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) and Horned Guans (Oreophasis derbianus) was the primary objective of a joint International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and World Wildlife Fund project. An area of approximately 1,000 acres (405 hectares) above 5,000 feet (1,524 metres) elevation on the southern slopes of Volcano Atitl~in in southwestern Guatemala was chosen. As of April 1972, no other private or public reserve had been officially established to preserve the national bird of Guatemala, the Quetzal--one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Exploitation and destruction of its habitat, the 'cloud-forest', or lower-montane wet forest, classified by Budowski (1965), are proceeding at a rapid rate in Guatemala, the rest of Central America, and southern Mexico. A minimum of conservation practices, game laws, and conservation

Conservation Around the Worm

officers, exists in most of the countries involved. For these reasons, a Quetzal cloud-forest reserve was urgently needed to protect the magnificent primary forest vegetation, the two endangered bird species mentioned above, associated wildlife, and the local watershed. Through contacts made by the writer during a National Geographic Society expedition to photograph and study the Quetzal in 1968, and through the interest of the Cleveland County Bird Club of Norman, Oklahoma, which has chosen the Quetzal as its special conservation project, arrangements were made to establish this reserve. Financial support was provided by the Cleveland County Bird Club and the World Wildlife Fund, USA Appeal, and project coordination by IUCN. The Guatemalan landowners have formed

61

Totals vary from 100 to 200 inches (2,540 to 5,080 mm) per year. There is a definite dry season extending from late November or early December to late March or early April; however, cloud and fog cover are common in the afternoons throughout the year. Temperatures average about 65°F (18.3°C) by day during the dry season at the lower border of the Reserve, but decrease considerably towards the top of Volcano Atitl~in (11,600 feet = 3,538 m). Most of the Reserve lies in the lower-montane belt and is composed of virgin lower-montane wet forest. Some trees measure up to 8 feet (2.4 m) dbh (diameter at breast height) and over 150 feet (46 m) in height. Large pines (Pinus sp.) appear above 7,000 feet (2,134 m) and continue almost to the summit. A narrow belt of bamboo occurs as understorey between 7,800 and 8,800 feet (2,379 and 2,684 m). No running water can be found above 6,000 feet (1,829 m). Scree begins at roughly 9,200 feet (2,805 In), and the slopes towards i! i the summit are very steep. Sulphur fumes escape from crevices at the top and often the ground is too hot to lie upon. Volcano Atitl~in has been inactive since the late 1800s (Fig. 1). In 1972, ten adult Quetzals were observed near the southern borders of the Reserve and nine more in the buffer zone below it. One Horned Guan was heard calling at 9,000 feet (2,743 m). The Quetzals were in a state of early courtship in April. The largest group consisted of three males and three females which were seen together on one tree. Also observed were 4 Crested Guans (Penelope purpurescens), 10 Emerald Toucanets (Aulacorhynchus prasinus), 40 White-lipped Peccaries (Pecari angulatus), 6 Fox Squirrels (Sciurus sp.), and numerous small birds. Data on Quetzal reproduction, behaviour, home range, and feather structure, may be found in Bowes & Fig. 1. Volcano Atitl6n from south side, showing part of Allen (1969) and LaBastille et al. (1972). During March and April 1972, the boundaries of the Quetzal Reserve area on forested lower slopes. Photo: Dr Anne LaBastille. preserve were delimited, marked, and partially cleared on the southern border. Quetzal nests were noted and an association, 'Association Atitl~in for the Protection protected from predators by metal flashing around their of the Quetzal', with a board of directors and local tree-stubs. Twelve artificial Quetzal nests were built members. The initial 1,000 acres have been turned over (Fig. 2) and installed within the Reserve. Most of to this Association, and several hundred more acres are promised both to the Reserve and as a buffer zone below the existing Reserve area. It is intended that the Reserve be used solely for scientific and educational purposes, and it will not be open to the general public. The cooperating landowners are responsible for managing the reserve and admitting suitable visitors. The preserved area on the southern slopes of Volcano Atitkin lies between 5,600 feet (1,707 m) and 8,000 feet (2,438 m) and receives annually a large amount of Fig. 2. Group of artificial Quetzal nests prior to installation. orographic precipitation from the Pacific coast. Photo: Dr Anne LaBastille.

62

Biological Conservation

these were also protected with metal flashing around their upholding stubs, as described by Bowes & Allen (1969). Two large-lettered signs were erected at trail entrances to the Reserve (Fig. 3). Three official game wardens were picked from a number of farm workmen who labour on the landowners' properties. These men are all especially competent in the field, although they cannot read or write. Six men were appointed honorary game wardens.

References BOWF.S,A. L. & ALLEN,D. G. (1969). Biology and conservation of the Quetzal. Biological Conservation, 1(4), pp. 297-306, 5 figs. BODOWSKI, G. (1965). The choice and classification of natural habitats in need of preservation in Central America. Turrialba, 15(3), pp. 238-46. LABASTILLE,A., ALLEN,D. G. & DURRELL,L. W. (1972). Behavior and feather structure of the Quetzal. Auk, 89(2), pp. 339-48. ANNELABASTILLE, West of the Wind Publications, Big Moose, Eagle Bay, New York 13331, USA c]o Ecology Program, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, USA

CENSUS IN APRIL 1972 OF THE ATITL~.N GREBE (Podilymbus gigas), GUATEMALA

Fig. 3. Sign at trail entrance to Quetzal Cloud-forest Reserve, Volcano Atitldn, Guatemala. Photo: Dr Anne LaBastille.

The official wardens will wear uniforms, but carry no firearms, while on patrol. Because of the very rugged terrain and inaccessibility of the Reserve area except by passage over private land by jeep road and foot trail, patrols are necessary only during weekends. To assist future visitors and scientists who come to the cloud-forest, a basic supply of camping and field equipment was left at the farm closest to the Reserve, and a list of safety rules and suggestions for conduct while observing Quetzals was given to the landowners.

A new census of the Atitlfin or Giant Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus gigas), also known as 'Pato Zambullidor', or 'Poc', was made during 4-10 April 1972, at its only known station of Lake Atitkin, Guatemala. The main part of the Lake (from Islas de los Gatos around to San Lucas Tolim~in, Panajachel, San Pedro de la Laguna, and ending at Chutinamit Hill in the bay of Santiago Atitl~in) was censused by Dr Anne LaBastille. The bay of Santiago Atitl~in was censused by the Government Game Warden, Sr Edgar Bauer. The head of the Division of Wildlife, Ministry of Agriculture, Sr Jos60vidio, also participated. Boats, motors and gasoline, were donated in part by the Division of Wildlife through Sr Bauer, and by the Catholic Mission, 'Micatokla', of Santiago Atitlgn. The census was performed with a Craig portable tape-recorder using male Grebe territorial calls on tape to elicit responses for sound identifications. Binoculars were used for sight identifications. The same method described by Bowes (1969) was employed, namely stopping the boat in front of each well-vegetated bed of Reeds (Scirpus californicus) or Cattails (Typha domingensis), playing the taped call three times during a period of about 5 minutes, scanning the edge of the vegetation and surrounding water-surface with binoculars, recording Grebe responses and sightings, and then moving the boat along the shore approximately 100 metres--the average width of a Grebe's territory. The census was carried out mostly in the mornings to avoid the waves and wind of the afternoon 'chocorail' (south wind). However, an unexpected 'norte' (north wind) and waves hampered census efforts on April 5 and 6, and might have inhibited Grebe