Wheeler (2024)
Author Information
Jennifer Wheeler: BirdsCaribbean
Throughout 2023, the International Black-capped Petrel Conservation Group continued to implement the nine strategies laid out in the 2021 Conserving the Diablotin: Black-capped Petrel Conservation Update and Action Plan. All of these strategies in combination are considered necessary to meet the goal of the long-term survival of a stable population of the species (Black-capped Petrel [Pterodroma hasitata]). “Strategy 1: Build local capacity” was pursued via international grant support, equipment donations and funding, and recognition of local partners in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe and Dominica. Activities associated with “Strategy 2: Locate and characterize nest sites” included ground searches in Hispaniola, songmeter placement in Guadeloupe, and deployment of a scent dog in Dominica. Implementing “Strategy 3: Explore restoration methods” involved the deployment of artificial burrows/wooden nest boxes in Dominican Republic colonies affected by dog depredations. Pursuing “Strategy 4: Reduce predator pressure” involved intensified trapping efforts especially for mongoose, as well as the deployment of cellular cameras for real-time remote monitoring.
In 2023, “Strategy 5: Reduce collisions and groundings” primarily took the form of outreach on Dominica and continued collection and release of reported downed petrels on Hispaniola. Ongoing engagement continued under “Strategy 6: Support community development in Boukan Chat, Haiti” despite reductions in funding; unfortunately “Strategy 7: Undertake study of socio-economic drivers of threats at La Visite, Haiti” is still unfunded. Despite this, the local team provided education outreach on sustainable farming and forest protection. In Dominican Republic, the local partner’s activities on “Strategy 8: Engage Dominican government to plan and strengthen oversight of parks” included outreach, repair of Park facilities, and fire training. The strategy with the geographic link to the United States is “Strategy 9: Address threats at sea through advocacy.” In 2023, the group submitted comments to U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on wind energy lease area placement and was gratified that none of the three final areas fall within the main part of Black-capped Petrel habitat. The group also provided input to a revised Species Status Assessment which underpinned the January 2024 listing of Black-capped Petrel on the U.S. Endangered Species List, and going forward, will pursue new avenues of support for which species is now eligible. Click here to subscribe to the discussion group for the people interested in Pterodroma hasitata conservation.
