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Two Spix’s Macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii) arrived in Brazil this week (February 26) as part of a mission to return this species to the Brazilian Caatinga, which disappeared from the region over a decade ago. They came from Germany, where they had been kept in captivity by the Ararinhas na Natureza (Macaws in Nature) program resulting from a partnership between Vale, the Chico Mendes Institute for the Conservation of Biodiversity (ICMBio) and civil non-profit organizations SAVE Brasil and Funbio, via the Fauna Brasil fund.

Flight plan

Before boarding, the macaws underwent clinical examinations according to Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) requirements. They travelled to Brazil on a commercial flight in special cages and will be taken to the Cananéia Quarantine Station in the state of São Paulo, where they will remain in quarantine. After this period they will join other birds of their species that are kept in captivity in Brazil for reproduction. According to ICMBio, Brazil’s reproductive population is made up of only four macaws. In April of this year, another group of the birds will be repatriated from Spain.

Endangered species made famous in an animation

The species, which is considered to be rare, gained international fame after being portrayed in the animation "Rio" by the friendly character “Blue.” The bird is one of the most endangered species on the planet. Today there are only 80 Spix’s macaws in the world, the majority of which are kept by foreign bird keepers (in Spain, Germany and Qatar). Due to the destruction of their native habitat (the Brazilian Caatinga) and their capture for illegal trade, this species has become a world symbol for the importance of the preservation of biodiversity.

New nests

Since the possibility of individuals of this species existing in nature is very remote, an increase in the population in captivity for later reintroduction into the wild is the only hope for the recuperation of the Spix’s Macaw in its original habitat. In April of this year, another group of macaws from Spain will be repatriated. At the beginning of this month, the National Centre for the Research and Conservation of Wild Birds (Cemave), part of ICMBio, monitored the transfer of a pair of macaws in Europe.

Find out more about the Macaws in Nature project

Through short, medium and long-term actions, the Macaws in Nature project develops various activities such as the implementation of public policy aimed at the conservation of the Spix’s Macaw, support towards the adequate handling of captive populations seeking future reintroductions, increases in scientific knowledge, protection of habitats and dissemination and environmental education campaigns.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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