For birders all over the world

Lost manakin is rediscovered in Brazil

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29/05/02 Cambridge, England - The Golden-crowned Manakin (Pipra vilasboasi) has been found by bird researchers forty-five years after it was last seen and first discovered. However, the finders fear that its survival could be threatened by continued destruction of the rainforest for timber extraction, creation of pasture and road development.

Found again in the Pará region of Brazil, the bird is considered to be one of the most enigmatic species of South American bird-life. It was first discovered by ornithologist Helmut Sick in 1957, and officially recognised as a species in 1959. Several unsuccessful attempts have since been made to find the bird.

Fábio Olmos who, together with José Fernando Pacheco, re-discovered the species said: "We were thrilled to find the lost manakin – quite distinctive from other manakins." He added: "The local economy of the area is based on logging and cattle-raising on cleared land. The Brazilian government is encouraging colonization but has no way of controlling loggers, squatters, colonists and gold miners once access is created. Forest destruction will remain a major threat to the long term survival of this beautiful bird and other wildlife of the area."

Alison Stattersfield who leads on BirdLife's globally threatened species monitoring said: "This is tremendous news – this bird hasn’t been recorded for 45 years - but there are genuine concerns that its habitat is under threat from the continued destruction of the fantastic Amazonian rainforest. It is vital that this wonderful natural resource is saved from further destruction and that the Brazilian environmental authorities implement an effective system of protected areas for the region's biodiversity."

Notes:

The Golden-crowned Manakin is one of the least known birds in the world – five specimens were found in 1957 and only one since. The species is on the IUCN Red List of threatened animals (status Vulnerable)

The manakin was found whilst making surveys along the Cuiabá-Santarém Road which is planned to be paved as part of the Avança Brasil Development Program to ease transport access for the logging industry. This area is located between the Tapajós and Xingu rivers. There are no protected areas for habitat conservation in this region of Brazil. Existing National Forests and Indian Reserves do not guarantee the integrity of the ecosystem, as timber exploitation along with other potentially destructive activities are allowed.

For further information please contact Ade Long at BirdLife International in Cambridge, UK, on +44 (0) 1223 277 318