Pinzón azul - Conservation of the blue
chaffinch of Gran Canaria
LIFE98 NAT/E/005354
Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data R e a d m o r e Contact details:
Project Manager: Juan Carlos MORENO MORENO
Tel: +34922473930
Fax: +34922473947
Email: juancarlos.morenomoreno@gobiernodecanarias.org
Project description:
Background
The Canary Islands' blue chaffinch is endemic to this archipelago and is one of
the 23 globally threatened bird species in Europe. Two sub-species have been
identified, which inhabit some of the endemic pinewood habitats of the islands
of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. On the latter there is a danger of extinction, and
only one population remains, with about 150 individuals. This concentration in
one single forest patch is the biggest threat to the sub-species, as any unforeseen
accidents such as a fire or an epidemic, could result in its extinction. The species
also has a very low rate of reproduction, probably due to intense predation of the
nests and breeding birds. Work started on a conservation plan for the species in
1991. The elaboration of this plan was co-financed by LIFE from 1995 to 1997. Objectives
The project's objective was to reduce the risk of extinction of the Gran Canarian
sub-species of the blue chaffinch. To achieve this, the project aimed to draw up
and adopt a species recovery plan. The project intended to improve the
conservation status of the only existing wild population by bringing the factors
contributing to mortality under control and by boosting the birds' survival rate.
The most important actions planned were the control of predators and the
development of a supplementary feeding programme. The project also intended
to establish some new population nuclei to reduce the risk of extinction of the
species. This complex procedure was planned in several phases, starting from
studies on the genetic variability and viability of the population. The next step
was to develop a captive breeding programme allowing the breeding of about 20
birds each year. These birds would be released in the Tamadaba pinewood, an
optimum habitat for the species, to restore the population in the area. Finally,
leaflets, posters and television were to be used to warn against starting fires in
the pinewoods, considered a major threat for the target species. Results
This project, a continuation of an earlier project that was carried out between
1994 and 1997 (B4-3200/94/776), made a very important contribution to the
conservation of the blue chaffinch and the Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
designated for it. The species is considered as priority for funding under
LIFE-Nature. The main project achievements were as follows: The monitoring of the only wild population of this singular species provided
information that was very useful in trying to improve its status. A flexible
decision-making approach to habitat management was implemented, so
that the SPA where the only population lives was managed according to
technical criteria based on a broad knowledge of the species' requirements
and the threats to it identified. As a result of habitat and species management, a significant improvement
of the species’ conservation status was recorded, from a net yearly
population loss of about 15 percent to stabilisation and even population
growth, both in absolute numbers and in breeding success figures. The final
population figures stabilised at around 185 birds, with the population
spread through a 3,000 hectare forest patch (enlarged since the beginning of
the project). In addition, the data collected during the project period were used to
develop population viability models, giving projections of the extinction risk
under different scenarios in which several conditions of the population and
the habitat were simulated. These models constitute a very good basis for
future management. The species recovery plan was drafted, including consultation with the main
relevant stakeholders. It contains all the relevant measures necessary to
guarantee the conservation of the blue chaffinch. The management of the
species is being undertaken according to the provisions of the plan. A high quality facility for captive keeping and breeding, funded by LIFE, was
created and maintained. Many difficulties arose in creating a reliable captive
breeding methodology, and ultimately the project did not succeed in its aim
of producing a pool of birds to allow for reintroduction. However, a large
proportion of the required work was completed, a series of protocols and
methodologies were tried and refined, and a large pool of information about
captive breeding and its problems, which could be valuable for other
passerine conservation programmes in the EU, was made available. A pilot experimental release of birds was also carried out, involving the
release and permanent monitoring of six birds in an area selected as
optimum to host a new blue chaffinch population nucleus. The beneficiary
drew a series of interesting conclusions about this pilot work, which will be
of great value when the definitive reintroduction is carried out. With this
experience of research and testing, the island of Gran Canaria should
become a focal point regarding the conservation management of birds. Several people were trained in different issues regarding the species, from
caring for birds in captivity and breeding, to field techniques. They should
be the guarantee for future transmission of knowledge amongst the
competent bodies in charge of the species, and the application of the
knowledge generated to other similar species, both in the Canary Islands
and more generally. The projects value in 'pump-priming' has already been
demonstrated by the fact that some of the protocols developed have been
used by the same team to breed chicks of the endangered species Calandrella rufescens, with optimum results. Different stakeholders, such as the forestry sector, the army and the
administration managers, became more aware of the issues, thus helping
prevent certain activities and careful surveying of the potential external
threats to the species’ habitat (such as accidental forest fires). Two
permanent posts for the breeding centre, which were intended to continue
after the project’s end, and one for a coordinator biologist, were created
thanks to the project. The project was one of the first conservation
passerine programmes involving captive breeding, with important
demonstration value. Top
Environmental issues addressed:
Themes
Species - Birds
Information - Governance - Awareness raising - Information
Keywords
endangered species‚ population dynamics‚ protected area‚ conservation of
genetic resources‚ introduction of animal species‚ decision making support‚ environmental awareness‚ monitoring system‚ environmental training‚ nature
conservation‚ emergency plan‚ management plan Target EU Legislation
Nature protection and Biodiversity
Directive 79/409 - Conservation of wild birds (02.04.1979)
Target species
Fringilla teydea Natura 2000 sites
Not applicable
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Beneficiaries:
Coordinator
Type of organisation
Description
Partners
Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación
Territorial
Regional authority
The Land Planning and Environment Ministry
of the Regional Government of the Canary
Islands is responsible for management
planning for endangered species and national
areas, and for the designation of Natura 2000
sites. None Top
Administrative data:
Project reference
Duration
Total budget
EU contribution
Project location
LIFE98 NAT/E/005354
01-JAN-1999 to 31-DEC -2002
329,396.37 €
197,637.82 €
Canarias(España)
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Read more:
Publication: Article-Paper
Publication: Book
Title: MtDNA control region diversity in the
blue chaffinch, Fringilla teydea. Molecular
Ecology, 9(9): 1421-1427. Author: J. Pestano, R.
P. Brown., F. Rodríguez Year: 2000 No of
pages: 7 Title: El pinar canario: fauna y conservación
Author: G. Delgado & Naranjo, J.J. Year: 2000
Editor: Gob. de Canarias. Cons.P.Territorial y
M.Ambiente No of pages: 114 Top
Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data R e a d m o r e