Xingu Rivershed & Cares

[slimbolen99]

I'm relatively new to the ACA, so I have some questions concerning the ACA CARES program.

How are species or situations selected to be a part of the ACA CARES program?

How does one go about proposing such action by the ACA?

As I understand it, the mission of the CARES program is to educate members about impending threats faced by cichlids, promote a captive breeding program, and promote conservation and financial support for those situations.

With the impending Xingu River Dam project in Brasil, it would appear to me that the cichlid species, would certainly qualify for ACA CARES designation.

Thanks,
Brian

[buntbarsch]

Brian, first of all "Thank You" for your interest in the CARES Preservation Program in which the ACA participates by concentrating on the cichlids in need.

I will try to answer your questions. CARES is a captive breeding program deigned for the hobbyist. The goal is to have hobbyists make tank space available to maintain and hopefully breed a species at risk longterm, share the fry, data and other information to other interested hobbyists.

By going to the CARES Priority List on the CARES website (http://www.carespreservation.com) you will see that a very distinct group of scientists and hobbyists review this list regularly and keep it on the latest possible level.

[Mike Wise]

Are there any 'At Risk' South American cichlids? If not, I find it rather strange.

[Claudia]

Hi Brian and Mike,

Thank you for your questions and interest in CARES.

To add to what Klaus has stated, up until recently the majority of fishes of South America belonged to a lower risk category than those of other regions, thereby having the good fortune of not appearing on the CARES Priority List. Due to the current situation, CARES Regional and Group Coordinators are in the process of being added to the Team. We can expect to see a number of conservation priority species from South America on the CARES Priority List in the near future.

Working together, we look forward to one day seeing the List become shorter rather than longer.

Thank you again, so much.
Claudia

[slimbolen99]

That was kind of my question too Mike...with all the media coverage about the damning up of the rivers in and around Brazil, I found it confusing/concerning there were no SA cichlids listed... Claudia, how does one go about volunteering to help with the CARES program?

[Claudia]

Hi Brian,

Thank you for stepping up to volunteer to help in the CARES effort.

I will be e-mailing you to discuss this and to get you started.

All my Best,
Claudia