RESERVA LAPA VERDE

Protection of the Great Soldier Macaw

Reserva Lapa Verde is named after the Great Soldier Macaw

Measuring up to 85 cm, the Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) is one of the largest parrot species. Because of its green plumage, it is known as “Lapa Verde” in Costa Rica. Greater military macaws prefer to live in dense tropical lowland rainforests, and the “Almendro” (forest almond tree, Dipteryx panamensis) in particular plays a vital role in their diet and reproduction. Approximately 90% of soldier macaw nests are located in almendro trees. However, it takes about 60 years for these mighty giant trees to provide nesting cavities that are large enough. Equally important for the breeding season are the hard-shelled, almond-shaped nuts of the almendros, which the Lapa Verde—unlike most other animal species—can easily crack open with its powerful beak. The seasonal migration of the birds depends on the regional fruit supply of these and other important food trees that are protected on the Tropica Verde areas.

Threats to
the Lapa Verde population

Due to the ongoing destruction of their habitat, the survival of these magnificent birds is seriously threatened. The former range of the soldier macaw, which stretched from Honduras to Colombia, has already shrunk by more than 90 percent. Deforestation of the rainforest continues to advance. In the remaining forest areas, poaching and illegal trade also threaten the survival of this species.

Current surveys at 16 locations showed that the number of greater soldier macaws in Costa Rica in 2019 was at least 169 individuals. The Ara ambiguus is on the Red List of Threatened Species and is considered critically endangered according to the IUCN classification. To ensure the long-term survival of the Lapa Verde in Costa Rica, the last, previously unprotected breeding areas in northern Costa Rica must be saved from destruction.

Macaw couples stay together for life and can live up to 60 years in the wild

Threats to
the Lapa Verde population

Due to the ongoing destruction of their habitat, the survival of these magnificent birds is seriously threatened. The former range of the soldier macaw, which stretched from Honduras to Colombia, has already shrunk by more than 90 percent. Deforestation of the rainforest continues to advance. In the remaining forest areas, poaching and illegal trade also threaten the survival of this species.

Current surveys at 16 locations showed that the number of greater soldier macaws in Costa Rica in 2019 was at least 169 individuals. The Ara ambiguus is on the Red List of Threatened Species and is considered critically endangered according to the IUCN classification. To ensure the long-term survival of the Lapa Verde in Costa Rica, the last, previously unprotected breeding areas in northern Costa Rica must be saved from destruction.

Pesticide-laden pineapple cultivation destroys forests in northern Costa Rica
Spider monkeys are now also considered highly endangered in Costa Rica
Collared Arassaris belong to the toucan family and usually travel in small groups
Game warden Ulises Alemán (center) has been provided with a quad bike by Tropica Verde for the difficult access to the Reserva Lapa Verde
Our gamekeeper Ulises Aleman has a lot of heart for the forest and its inhabitants

WHAT DOES TROPICA VERDE DO?

  • In close cooperation with competent local partners, Tropica Verde was able to acquire a significant 100-hectare forest area in the Maquenque conservation area, a core zone of the Lapa Verde breeding area, in 1999 and thus save it from the threat of deforestation.
  • The Maquenque protected area forms a central part of the San Juan – La Selva Biological Corridor, which, together with other smaller protected areas and the surrounding buffer zones, covers a total area of 250,000 hectares. Since even the soldier’s macaw knows no borders, cooperation with other initiatives and organizations is an important move
  • To prevent illegal logging of the rainforest and poaching, our local game warden Ulíses Aleman carries out regular patrols in the area. His presence in the area sends out important signals against illegal logging in the breeding area of the Lapa Verde and poaching, and his current reports give us important information on the situation of the Reserva and the area.
  • In order to link the Costa Rica-wide environmental education activities of our local partner organizations, Tropica Verde 2024 launched across-project education network .

News about this project