PODCAST ENGLISH

The podcast "Colombian Extinction" focuses on the potential extinction of species in Colombia due to industrialization. They discuss the critically endangered bluebeak curacao, highlighting its unique characteristics and the importance of its habitat. The Conservation Park in Medellín plays a crucial role in protecting the species and raising awareness. The podcast emphasizes the need for action to protect Colombian biodiversity, including breeding programs and habitat preservation. They urge listeners to support these efforts and educate others about conservation. Without action, many species, including the bluebeak curacao, face permanent extinction. Hello everyone, are you ready for a new adventure? We are Nicolás, Alejandro and Emanuel, hosts of this episode of the podcast Colombian Extinction. Colombia is rich in cultural and natural heritage, internationally recognized for its abundant biodiversity. However, just as memories fade and cultures vanish, species face extinction and biodiversity is being lost. As always, this podcast explores matters originating in Colombia and their potential extinction due to industrialization. It is just a podcast for anyone interested in raising awareness about the conservation in Colombia. What better subject to question the potential existence of Colombia's great biodiversity than an endemic and significant animal on the verge of extinction? The eternal end of a species is powerful enough to implement doubts about how Colombian nature is really defined. In this case, we will talk about the bluebeak curacao. That bird so far enchants us with the contrast of its eyes and the dark color of its plumage, accompanied by its blue beak that awakens a curiosity about its biological uniqueness and its incredibly particular aspects. This animal is listed as critically endangered. The survival of this bird depends on the particular conditions that are rapidly disappearing in today's world. The extinction of a species signifies the loss of various environmental factors it relies on, which, like the species itself, are integral to Colombian biodiversity. Now, speaking more in specific terms, Emmanuel Mendoza will explain the locations where the animal is found. Of course, partners, evaluating this animal's density and population structure, the curacao is found in lowlands from 900 to 1,200 meters above the sea level. These areas with the highest density of this species are animal conservation zones, far from the human interaction, and at lower altitudes indicate a preference for this type of habitat. The knowledge that a species is only found in very special and unknown places makes the world believe that a unique animal is presented as a hidden wonder of Colombia, thus moving away from the conservation and context of its extinction. Yeah, and actually, this is where organizations like the Conservation Park in Medellín play a crucial role. They recognize this species as critically endangered and work to protect it. By preserving its existence and raising awareness, they convey what we in this podcast call a tool of awareness, emphasizing that these Colombian wonders won't last forever unless we take action to protect them. And me, with the opportunity of visiting them, they mentioned that they use different experimental strategies to avoid unnecessary risk. For example, breeding methods are first tested with the yellow-billed curacao, a sibling species to the blue-billed one, but not endangered, which surprised me a lot for being honest. I suppose that these two species sharing genetic similarities facilitate the extraction of data to be applied to the blue-billed curacao with a greater chance of success. It seems to me that this reflects a very serious commitment to species conservation on the part of these institutions, as they understand very well the risks and the immoral decisions that have to be made in this world. Yes, I agree. Without entities that protect the species, we will face catastrophic situations, losing not only the blue-billed curacao, but many other species that are part of our biodiversity, such as the jaguar or global species like the gorilla, tiger, or even the rhinoceros. The park and other entities not only protect animals with innovative strategies, but also develop actions to protect and restore animals' ecosystems, addressing environmental problems as they root. Listeners, we are running out of time, so I need to conclude. We need to raise awareness about the conservation of the blue-billed curacao and its habitat. Efforts are being made to protect the species at the conservation park and other entities. We need to support such as active breeding programs and habitat protection. We can't just rely on entities. We also need to educate people, and that's why we developed this podcast. You, the listeners, can be the first to make this change. Get your act together, because we are facing a huge environmental crisis. Fortunately, there are several actions we can take to support organizations working to protect biodiversity, such as educating others about the importance of conservation and reducing our consumption of non-renewable natural resources. If we don't act now, many species, including the blue-billed curacao, would disappear permanently. That's all, listeners. I hope you will also join in the protection of this beautiful bird.