Conserving the Ridgway's Hawk in Punta Cana, DR

March is upon us and the Ridgway’s Hawk nesting season is in full swing. We are excited to tell you everything that has been happening since our last report.

The population in Punta Cana is growing rapidly, and it is notable how our efforts are bearing fruit. Each season, the number of observed territories is greater than the previous year. We have been visiting Suero Juanillo, a community with which we have been working for years doing environmental education. Some time ago, we had a pair of hawks in this territory, and unfortunately, they were shot. This territory has always been visited by our field biologists, but it wasn't until last season that we saw two new individuals in the area, and they are still there this year. This means that people in the area are starting to change their mindset and see the Ridgway’s Hawk as an ally rather than a threat.

This season, we are monitoring about 35 territories, some of which have only one individual waiting to find a partner. The first chicks of the season have already hatched, and every week we find pairs incubating. Our goal is to surpass the number of chicks born and banded last season. I am certain that we will achieve this.

At the same time our Ambassador Hawk Program now has a new member, a juvenile female hawk that had hatched and was banded last season. She was rescued thanks to a security guard who found her injured and immediately contacted us. It took us a few days to recover her, but, with a lot of persistence, we were able to do it. The hawk had injuries in both eyes and unfortunately, she lost sight in her right eye, but we were able to save her left eye. Currently, this young bird is in our facilities being rehabilitated and trained.

On the other part of the island, in Los Haitises National Park, the hawks are starting their nesting activities, and we already have pairs with chicks, 25 of which will be taken this year to Aniana Vargas National Park to continue with our release program in the area.

This year, we have hired 5 women from different parts of Los Haitises National Park to work as educators, visiting schools and doing door-to-door visits. In the short time they have been hired, they have managed to reach more than 700 adults and children around important areas for conservation of the Ridgway’s Hawk. This not only has a positive impact on the project, but also on women from vulnerable communities where job opportunities are very scarce. We remain focused on restoring the population of this highly threatened species, as well as reaching every Dominican through our environmental education program.