Newsletter, January 2016

Transcription

1 1 Newsletter, January 2016 Vulturine Guineafowl SSP Update Photo by Eric Kowalczyk Paige Morabito SSP Coordinator The vulturine guineafowl Red SSP program planning meeting was in early March. There is a huge demand for this species. Unfortunately, the population has been decreasing over the last few years, since the number of deaths has been much greater than the amount of birds entering the population. Most of the new birds have come from private breeders. There has been little successful breeding. The SSP is currently focusing on increasing the population through acquiring birds from private breeders and importing birds from overseas, along with continued breeding efforts. The SSP is also looking into the reasons for the species elevated mortality rate through all of its age classes. Institutions interested in participating in an overseas import should contact me at psmnj@yahoo.com. Individuals with any insight into this species mortality rate should also contact me as well. Shake, Wattle, and Roll! Eric Kowalczyk Cabot s Tragopan Studbook Keeper In 2009, I wrote the following on the Woodland Park Zoo s blog: The North American regional studbook for Cabot s tragopan (Tragopan caboti) was initiated in Gathering detailed and accurate historical information was the main challenge. Especially with a species that has been successfully bred in the private sector. Several of these breeders are deceased and records are unattainable. If anyone has more information to clarify some of the unknowns, I would be more than grateful to hear from you! Here is some information from the literature that highlights some of the early history: Photo by Paige Morabito Paul Johnsgard (1986: pp ) wrote: All of the current captive stock are derived from birds sent out of China since 1960, when five males and two females were received by the Pheasant Trust. All told, about 15 birds were imported over about a 10-year period, and quite a number of young were raised. In 1978 and 1

2 2 Continued from Page the Trust sold their stock to various private breeders, including Mr. C. Sivelle in the U.S., who has had considerable success with breeding them. In an article published in March, 1980 (pp. 8-20) in American Pheasant and Waterfowl Society Magazine, Charles Sivelle wrote: The Cabot, though bred freely in captivity prior to 1920, was not available for the private propagator until The last Cabot s imported into the U.S. were those obtained by the late Walter Oakie in 1954, however he never raised any young. The current stock all originate from birds imported by the Pheasant Trust from China via Hong Kong. It is believed that about 15 birds (wild caught) were imported over a period of ten years and although a good number of young were raised, it wasn t until 1975 that any of the stock was sold to a private propagator. Several trust members did obtain some breeding loans but only one was successful in raising young recently. During 1978 and 1979 the Trust sold all their Cabot s to five or six private breeders and several have raised young. To paint a more accurate picture of the captive population, I invite all private breeders to participate in this regional studbook. It is essential that we identify all of your birds, and the best way is for assigning studbook numbers for the banded birds. With all these unknowns, the first edition of the North American regional studbook was distributed with data current thru 31 December As of this date, there are birds in 12 institutions recorded in the 3rd edition. Matthieu Dorval (Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes) recently has updated the International Studbook (21 August 2014). For more information, please contact me at eric.kowalczyk@zoo.org Literature cited: Johnsgard, Paul A. (1986): The Pheasants of the World. Oxford University Press. 300 pp. Sivelle, Charles (1980): American Pheasant and Waterfowl Magazine. March, pp Camera trap study in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in northeast Guizhou Province, China Dave Rimlinger Curator of Birds San Diego Zoo This study is being conducted in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve (FNNR) in northeast Guizhou Province, China (27_490 28_010N, 108_ E). FNNR contains 41,900 ha of subtropical and temperate forests with major vegetation zones graded according to elevations: evergreen broadleaf forest (1,300 m), mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forest (1,300 2,200 m), and mixed deciduous broadleaf, conifer, and scrub forest (>2,200 m). The reserve is the only known home of the endangered Guizhou snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi) where the total world population is thought to be about 700 animals. The original focus of the study was the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey study conducted by Dr. Chia Tan of ICR (San Diego Zoo s Institute for Conservation Research) starting in Our project now encompasses three major components: a) scientific research of mammal and bird species (especially focusing on the aforementioned monkey and pheasant species), b) capacity-building of the nature reserve staff and c) conservation education of children residing near the nature reserve. In 2014 camera traps were placed with capturing pheasants as the main target. Four pheasant species have been documented by camera traps so far: Temminck s tragopan (Tragopan temminckii), Elliot s pheasant (Syrmaticus Elliot), Golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) and Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha). Additional camera traps will be placed in April Photos provided by Dave Rimlinger 2

3 3 Blue-billed, Wattled, and Northern Helmeted Curassow Updates Chris Holmes Assistant Curator of Birds, Houston Zoo Currently, there are 16 species of Curassow recognized by the IUCN. Over the years, the conservation statuses of many Curassow species have been rapidly upgraded. Habitat fragmentation has been one of the leading causes of species decline and has resulted in great conservational concern for wild populations. Species Conservation Status Population trend Nocturnal Curassow Least Concern Decressing Crestless Curassow Near Threatned Decreasing Salvin's Curassow Least Concern Decreasing Razor-billed Curassow Least Concern Decreasing Alagoas Curassow Extinct in the Wild Decreasing Northern Helmeted Curassow Endangered Decreasing Southeren Helmeted Curassow Critically Endangered Decreasing Sira Curassow Critically Endangered Decreasing Great Curassow Vulnerable Decreasing Blue-billed Curassow Critically Endangered Decreasing Yellow-knobbed Curassow Near Threatned Decreasing Black Curassow Vulnerable Decreasing Wattled Curassow Endangered Decreasing Bare-faced Curassow Vulnerable Decreasing Belem Curassow Critically Endangered Decreasing Red-billed Curassow Endangered Decreasing Historically, AZA collection space for Curassows has been rather limited. Curassows are large birds that, if imprinted, can be challenging for Keeper Staff to work with and they also require protection in the winter months. The three recommended species (Blue-billed, Wattled, and Northern Helmeted Curassow) have been managed programs since the 1990s. The founder bases for all three of these species are rather limited and despite intensive management over the past 21 years, the population sizes within our institutions remain small. Since all three founder bases are limited, coupled with increased endangerment in the wild, captive population growths will be of great importance in preserving historic AZA bloodlines for future conservation efforts. Low population growth rates have increased sensitivity of these species to boom and bust population trends. Currently, both the Wattled and Northern Helmeted populations are trending towards bust, which can result in the rapid loss of irreplaceable genetics over a short period of time. Minimizing these fluctuating trends will be crucial in future program success. Species accounts of the three recommended species can be found on page 3. Please feel free to contact any of the population managers listed in this article to find out more about these unique species. Although all 16 species of Curassow are interesting and exhibit increasing need for conservation efforts, it is strongly encouraged that AZA institutions only seek out the three recommended species. The longevity of Curassows can exceed 20 years, and non-recommended species will occupy much needed space for species recommended by the Galliformes TAG. The recommended species are currently managed as Red SSPs and more holders/spaces are needed in the coming years to achieve the goals of these programs. 3

4 4 Continued from Page 3 Species Accounts of the 3 Recommended Curassow The Blue-billed Curassow, endemic to Colombia, is currently listed as critically endangered by the IUCN with the wild population estimated between mature individuals. Historically, the AZA population of this species has always been small. However, despite an effective population size of only 6.2 individuals in 2006, this population is now the largest it has ever been in AZA with the current population at 38 birds. The Galliformes TAG has been working closely with the Colombian Zoo Association (ACOPAZOA) to increase breeding success within Colombia and to help with conservation efforts. In total, 12 birds have been captive bred in Colombia since This species has no private sector population, so its continuation and growth is completely dependent on AZA institutions. If you would like to house this species, or would like to help with the conservation effort, please contact Chris Holmes: cholmes@houstonzoo.org The Wattled Curassow, currently considered endangered by the IUCN, was at one time the most prevalent Curassow species, both in AZA collections and in the US private sector. However, the captive population has experienced a marked decline over the past 20 years and is now almost extinct in the private sector, and the AZA population currently consists of only 24 individuals. The wild population of this species has also been facing a serious decline. Even though this species has the largest range of any Curassow, it will likely be uplisted to critically endangered in the coming years. Drastic population decline experienced in all Zoo regions that house, or have recently housed, this species, furthers the urgency to increase the numbers of this AZA population. If you have interest in this species, please contact Charlona Ingram: cingram@houstonzoo.org The Northern Helmeted Curassow is currently considered endangered by the IUCN with its historical range limited to Colombia and Venezuela. However, as this species is thought to have gone extinct in Colombia in 2010, the conservation status of this species may shift. Additionally, the on-going strife in Venezuela has limited the ability to determine the species status in the rest of its range, but it is likely in decline. This species was bred in vast numbers in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but low reproductive efforts/success in the 2000s, along with a senescing population, have resulted in a bust captive population trend. Over the next few years, increasing captive breeding, with a focus on preserving genetic lineages, will be a priority for this species. If you have interest in this species, please contact Kelly Michael Pardy: kpardy@houstonzoo.org Photos provided by Houston Zoo 4

5 5 Surviving Against All Odds Gen Anderson General Curator St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park The Edwards s pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) was first described in 1896 and named after French zoologist and paleontologist Alphonse Milne-Edwards, Director of the Natural History Museum in Paris. Possibly a rarer species in the wild to begin with, no sightings were observed after the 1940 s and was considered Extinct in the Wild until its rediscovery in late In 2012, this species was deemed Critically Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). There have been only two confirmed records since One lone male was confiscated from a hunter in 2000 (which later died) and another male trapped in a farmer s cage in A hen was also found in December 2009, but the general consensus is that the bird was not an Edwards s though it was within the pheasant s historical range. The obvious rarity of this species resulted in a decision by the World Pheasant Association to commence an extensive camera trap survey in 2011 in order to locate this timid species. None were found. It is high likely that this species is Extinct in the Wild, but more surveys and time will be needed to validate this status. The current captive population originates from wild birds, of which only 6-8 where female. Confirmed wild importations of L. edwardsi occurred only during the short time span of Ornithologist Jean Delacour led seven expeditions to Vietnam, bringing back Edwards s pheasants from three of those collection trips. The importations of note occurred in 1924, 1926, and France, Great Britain, and Japan acquired what is now thought to be the founding stock of this species in captivity. aviaries at Huê, the national capital (until 1945), in central Vietnam. Other possible sources include importation in 1936 into England by Walter Goodfellow, by American soldiers after the Vietnam War, and eggs brought into East Germany by a private breeder in the 1980 s. These sources are either unconfirmed or dead ends since the birds never bred. Closed captive persistence of the current captive population is surprising. Two significant bottlenecks have occurred. The first occurred at the very beginning. Only nine confirmed females were founders to the current population and few produced. The Second World War caused further issues in by destroying Edwards s pheasant collections in continental Europe, particularly Clères. Between 1925 and 1939, eighteen chicks were reared. In 1924, fifteen birds were brought into to Europe. 4.3 birds arrived at the Zoological Park of Clères (Delacour s home in France) and the remaining eight males were dispersed to the Museum of Paris, London Zoo, Mrs. Lecallier, and Professor Ghigi in Italy. In 1926, 2.1 pheasants were given to Prince Taka Tsukasa of Japan by Jean Delacour as a gift. At least six chicks were produced from this group over the following couple years which were most likely distributed to other Japanese breeders. Founding stock for North America thought to have originated from these pheasants, though English birds may have also been imported. In 1928, John Spedan Lewis of Great Britain funded Delacour s fourth expedition and two pairs were collected by bird collectors the Webb brothers plus two more pheasants of unknown sex by Delacour. Eight chicks were reared by Lewis the following year. This bloodline survived WWII. About two more pairs arrived to Clères in Delacour s fifth expedition to Vietnam in 1930, nor any that followed, did not mention any further wild collections of L. edwardii. They are thought to have originated from Pierre Jabouille s The threats facing L. edwardsii are daunting: hybridization, inbreeding, habitat threats, and genetic diversity. Edwards s have been hybridized with the Silver (L. nycthemera), resulting in the Imperial pheasant, as early as 1924 in Clères. They were also crossed with Swinhoe (L. swinhoii) in the 1970 s in order to increase the genetic diversity, as a result those hybrids are now being carefully identified and removed from the managed Edwards s population. Discovered in 1964, the Vietnamese pheasant (L. hatinhensis) is now thought to be a genetically mutated form of Edwards s and is no longer an accepted recognized species. It was distinguished from Edwards s by white tail and primary feathers. Fragmented forest habitat caused inbreeding island populations resulting in this genetically mutated form. Market birds were purchased by Hanoi Zoo in Vietnam and controlled cross-breeding with has been initiated in 2013 in order to possibility increase genetic diversity. EAZA and the World Pheasant Association performed ini- 5

6 6 Continued from page 5 tial genetic work with a sample size of 70 individuals. The DNA analyses showed that all 70 have the same haplotype (mtdna) at Dloop mitochondrial DNA. In layman s terms, all the birds originated from the same founder hen. Inbreeding has resulted in reduced body size, reduced or absent crest, white tail feathers, and reduced fertility. Identified hybrids were removed from the managed population. Regrettably, the DNA analysis only analyzed the maternal lineage, not paternal. Genetic work is continuing with the need for additional samples and funding. Between hunting pressure, high reduction of primary forest, and indiscriminate trapping, the habitat threats run high for the Edwards s pheasant. Herbicide spraying during the Vietnam War eliminated much of the historical range in combination with clearing land for agricultural purposes and logging. The majority of the pheasant s historical range has been deforested. It is necessary to focus on exsitu genetic work and conservation breeding of this species before it truly becomes Extinct. Drawings by Debi Talbot REFERENCES Ciarpaglini, P., & Hennache, A. (1997). Les origines de la population captive du Faisan d'edwards (Lophura edwardsi). A. Hennache, coord. The International Studbook for the Edwards s Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) and its conservation. Paris: Ed. Service du Patrimoine Naturel, MNHN (Patrimoines naturels 30: 1 254), Collar, N. J., Gardner, L., Jeggo, D. F., Marcordes, B., Owen, A., Pagel, T.,... & Wirth, R. (2012). Conservation breeding and the most threatened birds in Asia. BirdingASIA, 18, Edwards s Pheasant found in Central Vietnam. Web. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from Pheasant-found-in-Central-Vietnam.aspx Ex situ conservation of the Edwards s pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) EAZA/AZA Galliformes TAG, WPA-ECBG, IUCN-SSC Galliformes Specialist Group Hennache, A., Randi, E., & Lucchini, V. (1998). Genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships and conservation of Edwards's Pheasant Lophura edwardsi. Bird Conservation International, 8(04), Hennache, A., Mahoud, P. S., Eames, J. C., & Randi, E. (2012). Lophura hatinhensis is an invalid taxon. Forktail, 28, Jean Delacour, Le Parc De Cleres. Web. Retrived 5 Apr. 2015, from Le Trong Trai and W.J. Richardson (1999). A Feasibility Study for the Establishment of Phong Dien (Thua Thien Hue Province) and Dakrong (Quang Tri Province) Nature Reserves, Vietnam. BirdLife International Vietnam Programme, Hanoi Symes, Andy. (2012) Archived topics: Edwards s Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi): request for 6

7 7 In support of the Argus Pheasant Argusianus a. argus. Jo Gregson Paignton Zoo The EAZA Argus Pheasant Studbook is held by David Westlake at Paignton Zoo in the UK. The Argus pheasant is one of the least demanding pheasants to manage in captivity. They are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN and they are certainly worth a second look when preparing a collection plan. The male always uses the same branch to call from; choosing quite a stout branch at about a metre high, while keeping the ground below his branch clear of debris. Once the female shows some interest he will jump down from his perch to perform his elaborate display on the ground. With a thoughtfully placed branch Argus pheasants can put on a very good show for the guests. Once our female is incubating the male will still call from his branch. Even though Argus are often recorded as monogamous our bird will continue to display enthusiastically to a variety of birds in the enclosure. Distribution: S Myanmar, SW Thailand, Malaysia and Sumatra. Numbers in EAZA: There are birds in the studbook, which also includes some private holders. Number in AZA reported in ZIMS. Threats: Argus pheasants are under threat from hunting and habitat loss. They are thought to be declining at a moderately rapid rate. The male Argus is an average sized pheasant made to look bigger by his long wings and tail. This may make him seem a bit daunting to some aviculturists. In fact he is a gentle bird that fits well into any aviary. He is also a good pheasant to keep in planted aviaries-because he is not as destructive to plants as some other pheasants. If you like a background noise that gives atmosphere to your exhibits, then the call of the male Argus could be what you are looking for. Males will call from March through to September, even without the presence of a female. The call is a single haunting note that grows into a series of notes getting higher towards the end of each display. We hold a pair at either end of our collection at Paignton and between them their calls covers much of the zoo. I would recommend the Argus pheasant to anyone who is considering a new pheasant to add to a mixed aviary. Our Argus pairs have been mixed with Green turacos, Azure wing magpie, Turtle dove, Socorro dove and ducks such as Madagascar teal, Chiloe widgeon. Even when Argus are rearing chicks they will happily share a mealworm feed alongside other aviary inhabitants. The female incubates alone, but both parents will rear the chicks. It is possible to hand-rear, but the chicks are more time consuming than many other pheasants needing constant encouragement to feed for the first two weeks or so. They imprint easily if reared alone, therefore bantam foster-rearing would be a better option if the pair will not rear their own chicks. Argus are trouble free birds with a fantastic display and a memorable call, what s not to like? They can stay on display for most of the year though they do need frost protection overnight and during prolonged cold periods. 7

8 8 Thanks to everyone that contributed to the first AZA Galliformes TAG newsletter A special THANK YOU to Gen Anderson and Sarah Masse at Hybrid Designs for their work on designing the TAG logo Please send your thoughts, comments, suggestions and ideas for future articles to Katie Vyas (KVyas@denverzoo.org) TAG Chair: Chris Holmes (cholmes@houstonzoo.org) TAG Vice-Chair: Gen Anderson (GAnderson@alligatorfarm.com) TAG Secretary: Katie Vyas (KVyas@denverzoo.org) Steering Committee Members Joe DeGraauw Dominick Dorsa Jim Dunster Bob Lastovica Terry Lincoln Michael Macek Shawn Pederson Dave Rimlinger John Sills Roger Sweeney Galliformes TAG Reommended Species Common name Scientific name Malay great argus pheasant Argisianus argus Edwards's pheasant Lophura edwardsi Tympanuchus cupido Attwater's prairie chicken attwateri Blue-billed curassow Crax alberti Northern helmeted curassow Pauxi pauxi Wattled curassow Crax globulosa Crested guineafowl Guttera pucherani Vulturine guineafowl Acryllium vulturinum Green junglefowl Gallus varius Congo peafowl Afropavo congensis Palawan peacock pheasant Polyplectron emphanum Cabot's tragopan Tragopan caboti Crested wood patridge Rollulus rouloul 8