Protected areas are a relatively new development in Guyana, which makes conservation efforts both more difficult and more critical. Conservation International has focused its energy on the Kanuku Mountain region of southwestern Guyana, home to the largest known population of the endangered harpy eagle. Projects in Guyana are meeting with growing success, as conservationists work in league with indigenous people to create protected areas and "conservation concessions", land leased form governments for the purpose of conservation. The data collected here is critical to continuing these efforts.