In 1819, the German naturalist Johann Baptist von Spix encountered an exotic bird on the banks of the Sao Francisco River in Brazil. A macaw with a completely different plumage than other similar birds, as it had a light blue head that faded towards the brightest blues. Since then the Spix macaw, best known for starring in the narrative of the film ‘Rio’, became highly coveted by collectors, causing its extinction in the wild. However, hopes are lit because thanks to conservation, the blue macaw will fly free again in its natural habitat after decades of not doing so.
Since its discovery in the 19th century, the population health of the blue macaw has deteriorated very rapidly. Just between the 70s and 80s, two traffickers were found responsible for extracting 23 birds from the wild. By 1986 there were only three specimens left in the wild and in 1990 there was only a single male blue macaw that survived illegal trafficking and its habitat. Ten years later, in 2000, the species was declared extinct in the wild.
*Credits: ACTP.
Extinction in the wild
The case of the macaw became a story of sadness for nature lovers, but thanks to the fact that it was made visible in different cinematographic narratives, it was seen as a symbol of the fight against the destruction of nature. Suddenly hope resurfaced and now, after decades of not inhabiting its ecosystem, the blue macaw will fly free again.
Since the 2000s when it was learned that the last male in the wild had disappeared, conservation programs were initiated to one day reintroduce it back to its natural habitat.
Breeders in , Germany and the Middle East began with the captive reproduction of the exotic bird with specimens rescued from illegal trafficking. In 2018, two areas were specified to achieve the reintroduction of the species, it was decided that the new home of the macaws would be the Spix Macaw Environmental Protection Area and the Spix Macaw Wildlife Refuge, which in total number 120 thousand. hectares in Curaçá, Brazil.
The blue macaw will fly free again
Through an agreement with the German hatchery ACTP, the Brazilian government agreed to transport 52 macaw specimens that were placed in a nursery to achieve their readaptation to wildlife. This implied that contact with humans was reduced to a minimum, as well as promoting coexistence with the Maracaná macaws (Primolius maracana), so that they would relearn habits of life in freedom.
*Credits: @amorecologista.
After arduous efforts by conservationists, the notice that has been awaited for many decades has finally been given; Eight blue macaws will soon be released into their natural habitat. This is just the beginning of an arduous work that involves the reintroduction of specimens bred in captivity, but which is expected to be the basis for a free population in the coming years. The Brazilian government reported that in December another 12 specimens will be released to the sanctuaries that have been designated for their well-being.