There are many groups along with the Wildlife Conservation Society that have been working for years to save the Scarlet Macaws of Guatemala. Currently there are an estimated 200 left in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve. Threats largely include poaching, habitat destruction, and the failure to replace the dwindling adult population with surviving fledglings. Their proposals for addressing these issues are far-ranging, including a study to determine factors influencing chick survival in the nest. This year they will be conducting a pilot study to see how to conduct health assessments of growing chicks in the wild. For this aim, I will be spending a month with them in March/April 2009. I will consult as needed from her broad ranging experience in Guatemala and with previous chick health assessment studies in both captive and wild parrots. My hope is to bring enough equipment to help the local conservationists determine what might be feasible for future studies, and to see how I and others might support these birds and people in the future. Part of my work will include getting an overview of the human and socioscientific issues in this project so as to work with the people to increase their long term studies and effectiveness dealing with the human realm of avian conservation.
Equipment List for Field Kits
March – April 2009
Important Items though not Necessary for the Good Field Kit Cost Received Funding Item Gifted by Vet Funding provided by: GPS (range $250-$450) 300.00 Camcorder MiniDV 598.00 Binoculars (range $275-$600) 300.00 Digital Voice Recorder 152.95 Spotting Scope 299.00 Tripod 82.79 Surgical Instruments (already has) Microscope slides 4.99 Specimen vials (various sizes - 20) 13.50 Blood collection tubes (box of 50) 42.57 Hematological Stain 82.41 Gram Stain Kit 134.80 Fecal Float Solution/Supplies 47.00 Culture Swab with Transport (10) 9.90 Icepacks 17.50 Minicooler 18.50 Field Bags for Equipment (2 for 15-25 each) 40.00 Great Field Kit Cost Received Funding Item Gifted by Vet Funding provided by: Mini Centrifuge 199.00 Pippette 103.95 Microscope 399.00 Semi-Professional Video Camera 3,249.89 & accessories, film, tripod 400.00 Satellite computer uplink/phone -- phone/equipment 429.99 -- yearly fee 750.00 Digital Projector 425.00 Tablet (computer) 1,999.00 Printer 179.00 Endoscope (variable) Isoflurane regulator (variable) Field Kits bags (4 from $16 - $28) 100.00
Field kits are designed for teaching and pilot studies. These field kits double up as mini-avian hospitals to teach avian medicine in all aspects of avian conservation (back at the hospital, education center, ecotourist site, rehabilitation, reintroduction locations). In addition, these field kits emphasize the importance of media and communication to network/collaborate with other groups, as well as understanding the human component in avian conservation.
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