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Spix’s Macaws Arrive in Brazil in Another Historic Milestone for Species Conservation
February 3, 2025Petrolina, January 29, 2025 – At 6:40 PM on January 28, an aircraft carrying 41 Spix’s macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii) from Berlin, Germany, landed at Petrolina International Airport in Brazil. This operation was coordinated through an international partnership between the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP), the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (GZRRC) which is part of Vantara in India, and BlueSky, with support from IBAMA, ICMBio, the Federal Revenue Service, the Federal Police, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), the Agricultural Defense Agency of Pernambuco (ADAGRO), and CCR Airports.
The birds arrived in good health, accompanied by veterinarians from ACTP and Vantara’s GZRRC, ensuring that the entire logistics process was conducted safely and with minimal stress to the animals. Upon arrival in Brazil, they underwent a thorough inspection by the Federal Police, Federal Revenue Service, MAPA, ADAGRO, and IBAMA.
To ensure the macaws’ well-being, airport operations were adapted by CCR Airports, enabling swift disembarkation and inspection, minimizing exposure to external factors. Once cleared, a convoy escorted by IBAMA and ICMBio transported the birds to the Federal Institute of Sertão Pernambucano (IF Sertão), where they will undergo quarantine in a facility renovated by BlueSky. During this period, they will remain under veterinary monitoring before their transfer to the reintroduction center in Curaçá (BA).
A local veterinary team was already on standby at IF Sertão to oversee a careful reception process, adhering to all sanitary protocols and prioritizing the comfort and adaptation of the birds to their new environment.
For Ugo Vercillo, Director of BlueSky, this operation represents another crucial step in preserving the species. “The arrival of these new macaws reinforces our commitment to continuing the scheduled releases under the Species
Reintroduction Project, strengthening efforts to prevent another extinction of the Spix’s macaw and consolidating its population in the wild in the Caatinga biome,” he stated.
With this latest transfer, a total of 101 birds have been sent by ACTP to the Release Centre in Curaçá. In other words, ACTP sent to the Release Centre one third of the Spix’s Macaw Population. Dr. Cromwell Purchase, Director of ACTP in Brazil, emphasized the commitment of ACTP for the future. “Our commitment is to send birds to Brazil every year as long as we can continue to reintroduce Spix’s macaws.”
The Spix’s macaw was declared extinct in the wild in 2000 after decades of illegal poaching and habitat degradation. Thanks to international cooperation between breeding centers, zoos, and the Brazilian government, the species has been bred in captivity, allowing its gradual reintroduction into the Caatinga biome.
In 2020, a group of 52 macaws arrived in Brazil, marking the beginning of the reintroduction project. In 2022, 20 of these birds were released into the wild in Curaçá (BA). Since then, conservation efforts have shown promising results: seven chicks have been born in the wild, highlighting the success of the adaptation of the reintroduced individuals and paving the way for the species’ consolidation in nature. As is natural in the wild, some birds have been predated, and today, 11 individuals are living freely.
Since 2023, the Spix’s release project has the support of Vantara’s GZRRC and its expert assisted on the birds transfer to Brazil. Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta, Director of the Vantara’s GZRRC explained the role of his organization on the partnership: “Vantara’s GZRRC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, treatment, and lifelong care of wild animals saved from dire conditions, as well as the rehabilitation and reintroduction of endangered species into their native ecosystems. Through evidence-based conservation strategies and global collaborations, we actively contribute to the preservation of biodiversity. It is an honor to be in Brazil, applying our expertise and resources to support this groundbreaking initiative and aid in the restoration of the Spix’s macaw population in the wild”.
The cooperation with Vantara’s GZRRC in India has been crucial in expanding conservation efforts. The logistical support provided by the Indian center has facilitated new strategies for captive breeding and international bird transport, ensuring the continuity of the Spix’s macaw reintroduction project.
About the Spix’s Macaw Reintroduction Project
Initiated in collaboration with national and international institutions, the project serves as a successful example of global cooperation in saving a species from extinction. After being declared extinct in the wild, the Spix’s macaw is gradually returning to its natural habitat, a triumph that reflects the power of science and unified conservation efforts.
About BlueSky
BlueSky is a company committed to environmental restoration and biodiversity conservation in the Caatinga biome. Through technology and innovation, it has already restored more than 300 hectares of degraded land and aims to reforest 50,000 hectares in the coming years. The company also leads the management of the Scientific Breeding Center for Conservation Purposes in Curaçá-BA, directly contributing to the Spix’s Macaw Reintroduction Project.
Through reforestation, environmental education, and community engagement, BlueSky promotes actions that benefit fauna, flora, and local communities, standing as a key ally in Caatinga conservation and the fight against climate change.
About ACTP
The Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP), based in Berlin, is an international organization dedicated to protecting endangered birds. A specialist in captive breeding, ACTP plays a crucial role in planning and executing the reintroduction of Spix’s macaws into their natural habitat. Through its Psittacine Breeding Center in Berlin, ACTP employs cutting-edge science and global partnerships to secure the future of this species and other critically endangered birds, positioning itself as a global leader in conservation.
About Vantara & GZRRC
The GZRRC, situated in Gujarat, India, is an integral part of Vantara, a pioneering wildlife protection initiative focused on the rescue and long-term care of injured, abused, and threatened wildlife and their conservation both within India and internationally. Founded by visionary philanthropist Anant Ambani, Vantara spans 3,500 acres of carefully engineered, jungle-like terrain that replicates the biologically rich environments essential for rescued species to recover and thrive. Committed to advancing global conservation efforts through science-based practices, Vantara and GZRRC play a crucial role in species conservation, contributing to breeding, rehabilitation, and reintroduction programs. With state- of-the-art infrastructure and specialized technical expertise, Vantara is positioned to make significant, scientifically informed contributions to animal welfare and biodiversity preservation worldwide.
In support of the Spix’s Macaw Project, Vantara and GZRRC have established a state-of-the-art facility in India and sponsored the strategic transfer and reintroduction of these birds. Their efforts align with international protocols and promote collaboration among governments, NGOs, and global partners to ensure the success of conservation initiatives.
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