Depletion, however, has put the Queen conch in danger. Collecting the snails is no longer allowed in Florida, for instance, and they have virtually disappeared from many parts of the Bahamas and Cuba, though they still are commercially collected in other areas. In an effort to replenish the wild population and provide an alternative source of the popular dish, biologists have begun raising conchs in captivity. This 20-pound giant is a champion flyer, swerving between branches in the rainforest to snatch monkeys and sloths from their treetop lairs. While a few eagles may have longer wingspans, none have more powerful or massive talons, capable of literally squeezing the life from large prey.
Harpies can also be gentle, however.
Mother birds must nurture their young for up to two years. The mother's ingenious solution is to pad the nest with fresh leaves that carry a natural insecticide, creating a green barrier to the pests. To many rainforest residents, including the ancient Mayans, the mighty Harpy was a sacred animal celebrated in story, art, and song. Even today, the brave young men of some tribes are given the task of finding and capturing a Harpy, then taming it to become a fierce winged watchdog guarding the spiritual life of the community. Unfortunately, like the conch, Harpy populations are dwindling as the rainforest retreats in the face of expanding farms and settlements.