Declared extinct in the wild in 2000, Spix's macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii) are now at the forefront of a conservation initiative aiming to reintroduce them to their native habitat in Brazil. Vantara's affiliate, the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre has partnered with the Association for Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP) in a mission to bring them back to the wild.A major milestone was reached on January 30 with the successful transfer of 41 Spix’s macaws from ACTP's breeding facility in Berlin, Germany, to a release centre in Bahia, Brazil.
As part of this global reintroduction programme, Vantara is offering vital expertise and resources to ACTP that reinforces its Anant Ambani's dedication to restoring the species in Brazil. This achievement follows the success of previous reintroduction efforts, including the release of 20 Spix's macaws in 2022, which led to the first wild-born chicks in over two decades, a testament to the programme's progress.
The 41 macaws were selected based on their health and pedigree. The group included 23 females, 15 males, and three juveniles. Some of the birds have been prepared for immediate release, while others will contribute to the breeding programme to support long-term conservation.
Prior to their transfer, the macaws spent 28 days in quarantine at the Berlin facility, undergoing testing to ensure they were free of diseases that could threaten Brazil's ecosystem in the wild.