Brazil real estate purchase ‘will help protect endangered birds’
A South American bird sanctuary is to be extended following the purchase of a 479-acre property in Brazil.
The acquisition of the estate in eastern Brazil has almost doubled the size of the Stresemann’s Bristlefront Reserve, which was established in 2007 by the American Bird Conservancy in partnership with Fundacao Biodiversitas.
Extension of the sanctuary will help to improve protection of endangered species such as Stresemann’s bristlefront, the red-browed parrot, hook-billed hermit, banded cotinga and Bahia tyrannulet.
"The area is threatened by deforestation for cattle ranching and fires, making the creation of the reserve by American Bird Conservancy and Biodiversitas critical for the survival of the species," said David Wiedenfeld, assistant director of international programs at the American Bird Conservancy.
According to the organisation, the new acquisition includes untouched Atlantic forest, which is one of Brazil’s most rapidly disappearing habitats.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recently announced plans to protect the Amazon rainforest, including proposals to pay small farmers to plant trees in deforested parts of the area.
