Ecobreves – PANAMA: Saving the Harpy Eagle

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PANAMA CITY, Aug 4 2002 (IPS) - The Audubon Society has launched an educational campaign aimed at protecting Panama's national bird, the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja). The program involves 11 indigenous and peasant farming communities in the Ngobe-Buglé district of Veragua province, in western Panama, and in the eastern provinces of Kuna Yala and Panama, say Audubon sources.

The harpy eagle, whose wingspan can reach two meters, is in danger of extinction in Central America, as is the plumbeous kite (Ictinia plumbea), “pavo grande” and “poruela”.

The campaign has the support of the governmental National Environmental Authority, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Golden Gate Audubon Society, the Meso-American Biological Corridor project, and Sony-Panama, among others.