“Sightings of a young harpy eagle in southern Mexico’s Lacandon Jungle in 2023 have now been verified, marking the first time in more than a decade that South America’s largest bird of prey has been spotted in the country…

The presence of the juvenile bird, estimated to be between 28 and 38 months old, suggests it had recently left its nest and was still within close range of its birthplace…

The IUCN, the global wildlife conservation authority, lists the harpy eagle as vulnerable to extinction. In many parts of its historical range, particularly in Central and North America, the eagle survives in fragmented islands of habitat. Its remaining stronghold is largely confined to the Amazon Rainforest.

Local conservationists say they’re hopeful the resurgence of the harpy eagle in Chiapas will help fuel local conservation efforts.”

From Mongabay.