Ecological restoration of Santa Luzia (Cabo Verde): time to move for the Critically Endangered Raso Lark

Birds and biodiversity do not recognize political boundaries

Loggerhead Turtle hatchlings heading to the sea in Santa Luzia. (PHOTO: ©Tommy Melo)

Sherman traps in Santa Luzia to prevent rats coming ashore following a shipwreck. (PHOTO: ©Pedro Geraldes)

Ecological restoration of Santa Luzia (Cabo Verde): time to move for the Critically Endangered Raso Lark

Santa Luzia, Branco and Raso islets are part of the largest marine protected area in Cabo Verde, a KBA of exceptional importance for several endemic species. It holds the entire world population of the Critically Endangered Raso Lark Alauda razae and is a stronghold for the endemic Cape Verde Shearwater Calonectris edwardsii. It supports important communities of endangered marine reptiles such as loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta. The lark is currently confined to the small Raso islet, with its population in the past 35 years fluctuating between 18 and 125 pairs, but it has recently risen to 1,558 birds in response to several consecutive rainy years. This makes the timing perfect for a translocation attempt in order to establish a second population on the nearby Santa Luzia Island, where it historically occurred.

A project is underway to support the restoration of Santa Luzia’s terrestrial ecosystems through the eradication of invasive alien species, providing a model for integrated marine and coastal management in the region. Biosfera, a local environmental NGO, the Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves (SPEA, BirdLife in Portugal) and RSPB (BirdLife in the UK), with support from CEPF and MAVA Foundation, developed a project to kick-start a surveillance programme for the reserve and to implement some priority actions of the management plan.

Removing cats and reintroducing the Raso Lark to Santa Luzia will spread the species’ global population across two islands, thereby help to reduce its extinction risk. It will also contribute to the restoration of the island’s terrestrial ecosystems to their condition prior to human settlement. With appropriate protection, the surrounding waters will gradually assume their former role as a nursery for fish populations.

The project also aims to improve knowledge about the status of seabird colonies in Raso and promote recolonization of Santa Luzia by seabirds. After this project, the reserve will be better managed with logistical facilities to accommodate wardens and technical staff.