Welcome to the Red Siskin Initiative (RSI) Summer Newsletter August 2017 Greetings RSI partners and friends! Please enjoy the many exciting updates and pictures below and THANK YOU for your continued support! |
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Congratulations! Celebrating Provita’s 30th anniversary with a taste of chocolate. Founded in 1987, Provita has grown into the leading Venezuelan conservation NGO. At Provita’s recent 30th anniversary celebration, we debuted a special edition RSI Chocolate Bar, made with the finest organic cacao and Smithsonian Bird Friendly certified organic coffee. Bars will be sold internationally at zoos and other vendors to raise funds for RSI conservation efforts. We thank Titina Penzini for designing the label, Mantuano Chocolate for producing the chocolate, and Café Arábica for providing the Bird Friendly coffee and Tim Bucciarelli of Formaggio Kitchen (Cambridge, MA), for marketing advice. Check our website in coming months for vendors. |
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To become a vendor or place an order, contact: Brian Coyle, coyleb@si.edu; or Miguel Arvelo, marvelo@provitaonline.org. In Venezuela, you can also purchase RSI chocolate at Librería El Buscón. Trasnocho Cultural – C.C. Paseo Las Mercedes, Caracas -Venezuela (CCS-VE). |
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The SCBI Red Siskin colony is growing! The Red Siskin colony at Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) has hatched multiple clutches this year! Keeper Erica Royer is in close touch with RSI-VE field coordinator Jhonathan Miranda and others in Venezuela to ensure that the latest observations in the field support her captive management, and vice versa. An additional five adult birds, recently donated by Jim Sillers, will be integrated into the exisiting flock as part of American University graduate student Stacy Hill’s MS research thesis project, “Dominance and hierarchy in an ex situ Red Siskin (Spinus cucullata) flock: Introducing new flock members”. |
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Integrated Conservation and Education Center at Bararida – VE Having completed the conceptual design in 2016, Ruhl Walker (US) is now working together with Ciga Architects (Barquisimeto, VE) on the final design and construction blueprints for the Integrated Conservation Breeding and Education Center at Parque Zoológico y Botánico Bararida (PZBB-VE), where Red Siskins will be rescued from the illegal trade and rehabilitated and bred for eventual reintroduction. |
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At long last: Active wild Red Siskin nests discovered in Venezuela! After more than five years and hundreds of hours in the field, Jhonathan Miranda’s patience finally paid off this season, with his discovery of five active Red Siskin nests! Field teams had previously observed nests under construction, which yielded key discoveries about nesting materials, courtship, and competition – but nests with actual chicks had never been seen. Among Jhonathan’s fascinating discoveries include the fact that male Red Siskins feed chicks, just as females do. Photography by: Jhonathan Miranda |
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Expanding the Smithsonian Bird Friendly Coffee certification program across northern Venezuela The US Fish and Wildlife Agency Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund (NMBCA) awarded a grant to the RSI and American Bird Conservancy (ABC) to pilot a "Bird Friendly Coffee" certification program on 20 family farms across 200 hectares in northern Venezuela. Luis Arrieta, Dr. Laurie Fajardo and Miguel Arvelo will be leading this exciting project, which will not only save habitats for migratory and resident bird and other species; it will also strengthen and preserve communities and their cultural heritage. Most importantly, it will dramatically increase farmer incomes and incentives to protect critically endangered tropical dry forests - as well as generate more locally grown high-quality coffee for RSI chocolate! |
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Beyond Red Siskins: Rediscovery of the long lost Táchira Antpitta An RSI-led field team recently rediscovered the Tachira antpitta (Grallaria chthonia) in the Venezuelan Andes. It was last seen when first described in 1956 by William Phelps Jr. and Smithsonian Secretary Wetmore. The expedition team, which included leader Jhonathan Miranda (RSI and Provita), Alejandro Nagy (RSI and Provita), Peter Bichier (University of California Santa Cruz), and Miguel Lentino and Miguel Matta (Colección Ornitólogica Phelps, COP) was supported by the William Belton Conservation Fund as part of the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) Search for Lost Birds program. This discovery presents an opportunity for conservation of this species and the habitat it uses, and represents the expanding scope of RSI conservation in the region. Read more about this exciting news at the following links: ABC, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. |
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The RSI Down Under Many thanks to our friends and partners in Australia for continuing to raise awareness of the RSI and broader conservation efforts. In April, the RSI was featured in an exhibit on “Aviculture Working with Threatened Species” at the Sydney Royal Easter Show organized by the Finch Society of Australia. This is a major celebration since 1823 that attracts nearly 1 million visitors! On May 10th the Finch Society of Australia (Sydney, AU) hosted an illuminating Red Siskin Round Table with Albert Vellar, Jon Brooks, Joe Cavill and Michael Xiberras. |
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In July, Jon Fink and Sam Davis gave presentations on the RSI at the 6th International Finch Conference, hosted by the QFS. Jon also announced a new initiative that aims to build on the RSI and Gouldian Finch examples of international partnership between aviculturalists and conservation scientists to recover wild populations of other threatened species that are popular in aviculture. Finally, the RSI mourns the recent passing and celebrates the remarkable legacy and important contributions to international aviculture and conservation of Russell Kingston. |
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Spanish language RSI website launched Our Spanish-speaking audience now has full access to RSI science, action and news along with a variety of educational resources. Also, you will find information about the team members and project partners whose work helps to sustain the RSI. You can access our website at: cardenalito.org.ve. |
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The Red Siskin Initiative at the Salón 100% Chic by Titina Penzini Titina Penzini (A Venezuelan fashionista) hosted the Salón 100% Chic at the Hotel Renaissance (CCS-VE) in support of the RSI. This event promotes the Venezuelan entrepreneurs' work and also, supports the work of non-profit organizations. In this occasion, Provita exhibited its conservation efforts and raised funds through sale of RSI themed chocolate, T-shirts, accessories and art co-produced with Venezuelan brands like Mantuano Chocolate, Masterpiece, and Bijoutix. Attendance was high and people were thrilled to learn about the RSI’s important work in their country and beyond. |
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Conservation works! Smithsonian Earth Optimism features the RSI The Smithsonian Earth Optimism Summit was held in Washington DC on April 21-23 to celebrate conservation solutions and success stories. Over 240 speakers from around the globe contributed to this inspiring event, joined by 24 sister events worldwide. You can view videos of all talks here. EO is planning more future events and a web portal to compile examples of success and provide resources for conservation practitioners and change makers. RSI participants included Brian Coyle, Mike Braun, Kate Rodriguez-Clark, Ruth Anna Stolk, and Jon Paul Rodriguez. |
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'On this Earth Day, “Earth Optimism” should be more than a slogan; it should be a rallying cry for people of conscience to work together year-round in order to safeguard this beautiful planet we call home' David J. Skorton Smithsonian Institution Secretary |
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Welcome Zoo Miami to the RSI RSI extends a warm welcome to Zoo Miami, which will soon be adding Red Siskins to their collection! This is an exciting expansion of the RSI ex situ breeding program as well as a wonderful opportunity for outreach to the largest Venezuelan community in the United States, located in Miami. Special thanks to Jim Dunster, Bird Curator. Dr. Caroline Efstathion and Robert Horsburgh of the conservation NGO APAC have been breeding siskins to donate to this new colony, as well as facilitating this new partnership. Thank you! |
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Manuscripts and publications |
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- Rodriguez-Clark et al. 2017. “The Red Siskin Initiative: Saving an endangered finch in partnership with aviculturists”. Proceedings of the Sixth International Finch Conference.
- Rodriguez-Clark et al. AFLP MS under revision. “Evaluating a Potential Source of Founders for Ex Situ Conservation Efforts: Red Siskins (Spinus cucullatus) from Guyana”. Endangered Species Research.
- Sanchez et al. In review. "Identifying high-quality habitats for the critically-endangered Red Siskin". Ecology and Evolution.
↓Photography by: Jhonathan Miranda |
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Puerto Rico Field Work Intensive outreach to locals residents in Puerto Rico (PR) has yielded several reports of recent Red Siskins observations, in multiple locations. An RSI field crew is following up with monthly surveys and an intensive 10-day search is planned for this fall. |
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Capacity building and research training by RSI and Smithsonian Conservation Commons In 2017 – 2018, six RSI members from Venezuela will visit the Smithsonian for weeks to months for training and collaborative research at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), National Zoological Park (NZP) and National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). Jhonathan Miranda, RSI’s field research leader, will be conducting work in bioacoustics, monitoring and behavior; Leonel Ovalle, PZBB Veterinarian, will be working on a Spanish manual of ex situ management; Elida Emperatriz Gamero Garcia, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), will be conducting molecular genetic labwork on the Red Siskin and the Critically Endangered Margarita Capuchin; Ada Sanchez-Mercado, an IVIC-Provita researcher, will be working on wildlife trafficking; José Rafael Ferrer-Paris, an IVIC-Provita researcher, will be focused on the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems and dry forest functional decline; and Ariel Espinosa-Blanco, an IVIC PhD student, will be working on endangered Orinoco Crocodile conservation genetics (under the RSI umbrella). |
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Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) meeting Kate Rodriguez-Clark was invited by C2S2's executive director Katy Palfrey to attend their annual meeting in Fossil Rim, TX from April 12-13. Kate spoke with C2S2 members about the RSI and learned about the Source Population Alliance (SPA) as a model for involving aviculturists effectively in RSI. |
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This year, we submitted several applications for international funding. They include: The Explorers Club, US Fish & Wildilife Service (USFWS) NMBAC 2017 (awarded), USFWS Antitrafficking 2016, Scholarly Studies Smithsonian Institution (SI), Smithsonian Women Committee, National Geographic, Colchester Zoo’s Action for the Wild Fund, Fondation Ensemble, Threatened Animal Species Fund, Friends of the National Zoo Round up for Conservation (awarded), Ellen Trout Zoo (awarded), Wildlife Bioacoustic, NMNH Small Grant, Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Conservation Fund, American Bird Conservancy, Dallas Zoo, Crocodile Encounter (Angleton-Texas), Systematics Research Fund, Society of Systematic Biologists, American Society of Primatologists, SI short stay funding (awarded), Breibart Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, San Diego Zoo, The Rufford Foundation, and Gladys Porter Zoo (awarded). - Global Environmental Facility (GEF): Provita and IVIC together with SI and other partners have been invited to submit a $2 million proposal for to the GEF in coordination with the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) for biodiversity research and conservation in northern Venezuela, with a focus on the RSI.
- Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC): Proposal pending for a 3-day workshop to develop a plan for creating a new global conservation partnership between aviculturalists and scientists under the RSI umbrella.
↓Photography by: Jhonathan Miranda |
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RSI stars in Rio Verde TV programming The nature magazine and documentary production company Rio Verde is producing a multi-part series on endangered species in Venezuela. A film crew joined members of the RSI team in the field this summer and the program, which will be released on TV and on-line in 2017, will also feature interviews with team members from Provita and the Smithsonian Institution. |
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Over the past six months Miguel Arvelo has been interviewed by several radio stations in Caracas, Venezuela about the RSI. We thank radio personalities, Rocco Pirillo (Unión Radio) and Laura Castellanos (88.1 FM, CCS-Ve) for supporting conservation projects like the RSI. |
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Contacting breeders around the world Jesus Morales, Project Analyst, and Ornitho-Genetics VZW published an article inviting bird breeders around the world to join the RSI. |
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The Red Siskin featured on the cover of SSC Report On its cover, the Species Survival Commission’s (SSC) quarterly report (March 2017) features a beautiful photograph of the Red Siskin. The new SSC quarterly report series builds on existing reporting efforts, by streamlining their content and delivering it in a format that is more attractive for a broader audience. Click here to read the full report. Photography by: Jhonathan Miranda |
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Red Siskin appears in Mongabay Mongabay Latam, a conservation and environmental science news website, published an article written by Jeanfreddy Gutiérrez Torres. The paper describes the Red Siskin’s status and the threats that it is exposed to in Venezuela. Investigators like Drai Cabello, biologist and president of the Asociación Civil para la Conservación de la Biodiversidad Venezolana and the environmentalist Rafael Gianni, member of the Unión Venezolana de Ornitólogo, highlighted the importance of the Red Siskin as a national icon on the brink of extinction. You can read the full article here. ↓Photography by: Jhonathan Miranda |
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Red Siskin Initiative new positions and team members - Bibiana Sucre is now serving as Executive Director of The Species Survival Commission (SSC-IUCN) office. She continues leading Provita’s Executive Direction as well (CCS-VE).
- Our Project Coordinator in Venezuela, Miguel Arvelo, will also lead Provita's Project Management Office (PMO) in Caracas, VE.
- Kate Rodriguez Clark, Red Siskin Initiative (RSI) co-founder, joined Provita (VE) as Associate Researcher.
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- In February, Valentina Cedeño joined the RSI team to support coordination as a Communications Analyst. She holds a degree in biology and an MSc in Coastal Management. Her professional experience is focused on conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
- Yvonne Fraser, a recent MS graduate of Simmons College, will help with grant writing and project organization.
- Stacy Hill, a graduate student at the American University, is studying the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) Red Siskin colony for her MS thesis “Dominance and Hierarchy in an Ex Situ Red Siskin Flock (Spinus cuculatta): Introducing New Flock Members”. Thank you Stacy for your valuable academic contribution.
Welcome Valentina, Yvonne, and Stacy! We feel confident that these new collaborations will enhance the work at RSI. |
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On behalf of the Red Siskin Initiative we would like to express our deepest thanks: - For generous donations from Martha & Jake Jacoby, Karen and Randy Brown, Caroline and Howard Wellman, and Jack Eitniear.
- To Mr. Jim Sillers for donating Red Siskins to SCBI.
- To the Office of the Provost for Museums and Research (US) for continued support of Miguel Arvelo, as Project Coordinator in Venezuela.
- To Titina Penzini and her staff for their ongoing commitment to support the RSI.
- To Unión Radio and the "Adulto Jóven" radio station (88.1FM, Caracas) for providing us an opportunity to publicize the RSI in Venezuela.
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