HEALTH EVALUATION OF FREE-RANGING SCARLET MACAWS (ARA MACAO CYANOPTERA) IN THE MAYA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, GUATEMALA: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Maya Biosphere Reserve is one of the last remaining rainforest strongholds in the region, situated at the heart of the Selva Maya, a trinational forest spanning Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico. Efforts of Wildlife Conservation Society – Program for Guatemala contributed significantly, in the last 10 years, not only to the preservation, but to the increase of population of scarlet macaws (Ara macao cyanoptera), one of the iconic species of the region. To assess the health status of the population of scarlet macaws, blood samples were collected from 8 nestlings in 2012 and 9 nestlings in 2013. Chicks were parent-reared (5 in 2012, 6 in 2013) or hand-reared (3 in 2012, 3 in 2013). The nestlings were removed from the nest cavities and hand-reared for different reasons: low weight and/or poor health, evidence of natural predation of nest and being the third chick (usually the smallest bird dies by the size difference with his two older siblings, unable to compete for food). All birds appeared to be in good condition during physical examination. On PCR testing, no birds were found positive for Avian polyomavirus, Chlamydia psittaci, Pacheco’s disease virus, Psittacine beak and feather disease virus. On ELISA testing for Antibodies Antigangliosides (GM1, GT1b, Extract of psittacine gangliosides), related to Proventricular dilatative disease, birds showed negative results. ELISA for detecting the presence of serum antibodies against P40 Avian bornavirus nucleoprotein was carried out, with negative results. This is a first study to publish data on the health status of free-ranging scarlet macaws in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala. Results indicate that the birds are free of tested antigens but we will continue the monitoring and research so as to increase the chances of survival of this endangered population.