Araripe Manakin Wildlife Refuge, Brazil

Weber Andrade Girao e Silva Silva

As a result from previous efforts, a conservation plan for the Araripe manakin was published in November 2006 after thoroughly being discussed with stakeholders and environmental authorities, in order to avoid the extinction of this Critically Endangered bird endemic to Chapada do Araripe (NE Brazil). The main consensus stated in this conservation plan is that a fully protected area is needed to protect the remaining habitat of the Araripe manakin and the water sources that are concentrated in the same area. The information gathered through this project will enable the team to write a formal proposal outlining the protected area to the environmental authorities. The team also aims to discuss the geographic limits and management issues related to the creation of the protected area with stakeholders.