US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1324

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 001324 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC 
ALSO FOR EB/IEC 
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR BETH LEIER 
USAID FOR AA/LAC ADOLFO FRANCO 
TREASURY FOR OSIA MAUREEN WAFER 
COMMERCE ITA SARAH COOK 
NSC FOR MIKE DEMPSEY 
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD 
US SOUTHERN COMMAND MIAMI, FLORIDA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV, ETRD, ECON, PA 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SHOWCASES ASUNCIONS BIODIVERSITY, 
PROMOTES ECO-TOURISM 
 
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Summary 
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1. On Oct. 6, Ambassador hosted members of local 
conservation organization Guyra Paraguay, along with 
environmentalists, businesspeople and media representatives 
to observe the wealth of flora and fauna contained within 
the 10-acre Embassy compound.  The event featured the debut 
of two fold-out guides entitled Birds of the U.S. Embassy 
Gardens and Birds of Asuncion, which each guest received 
upon arrival.  Guests participated in a bird-watching tour 
of the compound followed by a presentation on the types of 
birds and plants present in the Embassy gardens.  The 
event, which also highlighted the potential for bird- 
watching tourism, and the guides continue to generate 
significant interest in the local community. End Summary. 
 
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Embassy as Bird Sanctuary 
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2. The October 6 Biodiversity Event took place in two 
segments.  A selected number of guests were invited to a 
6:30 a.m. bird-watching tour within the Residence gardens. 
Aiding them were trained staff from local birdlife 
conservation group Guyra Paraguay, together with a recently 
published pamphlet entitled The Birds of the U.S. Embassy 
Gardens.  Guyra Paraguay published the fold-out guides 
with support from the Embassy, and they are designed to 
ed to 
educate Embassy staff and visitors about the more than 60 
species of birds that inhabit the compound.  The Embassy 
also assisted with the publication of a companion guide 
entitled Birds of Asuncion, which was also distributed to 
guests.  The format of the newly-published guides enabled 
guests to note which species of birds they spotted as they 
walked through the garden.  Among those invited for the 
bird-watching portion of the event were representatives of 
both the national and municipals governments, local 
environmental NGOs, journalists from local media outlets 
and private reserve and land owners interested in wildlife 
conservation. 
 
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Capitalizing on Asuncions Biodiversity 
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3. Ambassador welcomed the birdwatchers and additional 
guests to the 8:00 a.m. portion of the event by commenting 
on Asuncions rich variety of wildlife. Referring to the 
Embassys wealth of bird species, he remarked: These birds 
birds 
and hundreds of species more are seen in and around the 
city of Asuncion, which must make it one of the most 
diverse cities for avifauna in the world.  Ambassador said 
that he hopes that local journalists will help to spread 
the word about Asuncions botanical wealth in trees and 
other plants, which create habitats for the many types of 
birds that inhabit the city.  He noted that both the 
habitats and the avifauna can be enjoyed not only by 
Asuncions residents but by tourists, and that bird 
watching tourism is a major income earner for a number of 
countries, including Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica. 
 
4. Staff for Guyra Paraguay presented guests with 
presentations focused on the birds and plants of the 
Embassy gardens.  They noted Asuncions unique geographic 
position in the bend of the Paraguay River, and that the 
trees along most of the citys streets create unique 
corridors for bird movement and observation.  They pointed 
to the Bay of Asuncion as an important stopover point for 
 for 
birds migrating from the north and south of the Continent. 
The event concluded with a round of applause for Guyras 
guides, and for the Embassys chief groundskeeper, whose 
staff continues to refine the Missions gardens. 
 
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Sharing Paraguays Biodiversity 
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5. The Biodiversity Event received coverage in the local 
media, and Guyra hopes to maintain interest by distributing 
copies of the new bird guides to approximately 50 local 
NGOs, as well as copies to approximately 300 schools within 
the municipality of Asuncion.  Guyra plans to make staff 
available for school presentations about plants and 
birdlife within the city.  The organization is also in 
communication with tourism officials regarding 
opportunities to market Asuncion as an ecotourism 
destination. 
 
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Comment 
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6. Posts biodiversity event presented a unique opportunity 
to unite a diverse group of participants, all of whom 
whom 
believe in the benefits of preserving Asuncions natural 
heritage.  For conservationists, the Embassy gardens 
represent an example of the types of green spaces that can 
be preserved within a city setting.  Guyra Paraguays staff 
remain grateful for the added attention their organization 
received under posts auspices.  For local hoteliers and 
businesspeople, the citys rich plant and birdlife 
represent an untapped resource capable of attracting 
tourists, an added incentive to support Guyra and other 
local environmental conservation efforts. 
KEANE 
ANE