Serra Bonita continues to reveal new biological secrets. Discoveries made last year in the Atlantic Rainforest reserve have further confirmed its importance both as a research center and a wildlife sanctuary.

Working with Serra Bonita’s Director of Scientific Research, famed lepidopterist, Dr. Vitor Becker, visiting scientists discovered 17 new species in the reserve in 2014. Thirteen of these have already been described in published reports. These include one plant, one amphibian (the Flea Toad, one of the world’s smallest), one snake, and 10 insects.

“Promoting a greater understanding of Atlantic Rainforest biota continues to be a major focus of the work at the reserve,” said Becker.

“This work is greatly facilitated by the presence of scientific facilities inside Serra Bonita. For researchers, lab space and protected forest habitat are within steps of one another.”

Serra Bonita Reserve  © Robin Moore

Harpy Eagle   © Thomas Muller

The Serra Bonita Reserve was established, and is managed, by Rainforest Trust’s Brazilian partner Instituto Uiraçu.

In 2014, Rainforest Trust helped Instituto Uiraçu expand the Serra Bonita Reserve by 986 acres through the acquisition of six properties.

These properties include low-elevation forests that provide habitat for many bird species not protected in the upper reaches of the reserve. The endangered Banded Cotinga was observed in the area by Rainforest Trust’s Board during a field visit in 2013.

Purchases in 2014 bring the reserve’s total size to 5,258 acres.

Sanctuary for Atlantic Rainforest Wildlife

In February, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity captured a critically endangered Northern Brown Howler Monkey wandering the streets of Teixeira de Freitas, a city located 130 miles south of the Serra Bonita Reserve.

Under the supervision of a Brazilian primatologist, the primate was transferred to the Serra Bonita Reserve where it was paired with a male already on site.

The howlers, both of which are believed to be captive-raised, were initially kept together in a nursery. Since then they have been released into the reserve’s forest. While the female now lives in the wild, the male remains close the reserve’s facilities and the humans that live there.

With a total population numbering less than 250 individuals, the Northern Brown Howler Monkey is one the 25 most endangered primates in the world. It is hoped that the Serra Bonita Reserve can serve as reintroduction site in the future for more Northern Brown Howlers and help the population begin to rebound.

Harpy Eagles, known as “Uiraçu” in the local Tupi language, are the world’s largest and most powerful raptors. The majestic bird provided Instituto Uiraçu with inspiration for both its name and logo.

For the first time ever, the Harpy Eagle – which was once considered locally extinct – joined the list of species found in the reserve in 2014. A Harpy Eagle has been spotted on several occasions in the highest parts of the reserve last year. This sightings makes Serra Bonita one of the only reserves in the Atlantic Forest to harbor the Harpy Eagle without human reintroduction.