N.L. Volpe, A.S. Di Giacomo & I. Berkunsky / Conservation Evidence (2017) 14, 20

First experimental release of the red-and- recaptured after the female disappeared on day two. This female’s transmitter was found underwater 18 days later. The green macaw Ara chloropterus in collar was still closed, indicating that the bird died, of unknown Corrientes, Argentina cause. The three remaining birds flew in different directions, on days one, five and six, beyond the detection range of our 1* 1 2 equipment (2-5 km). In both releases, group cohesion was poor. Noelia L. Volpe , Adrián S. Di Giacomo & Igor Berkunsky Despite the low survival of released individuals, this ‘hard’ 1Laboratorio de Biología de la Conservación, Centro de Ecología release generated information that could improve future releases Aplicada del Litoral (CECOAL), CONICET, Argentina of this and other species. We modified the release protocol for 2Instituto Multidisciplinario sobre Ecosistemas y Desarrollo our next release as follows: (1) Closely track social integration Sustentable, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos to ensure that the release group is cohesive (Estrada 2014), Aires, CONICET, Argentina which is expected to improve learning by imitation, vigilance, and reduce the risk of individuals dispersing in different SUMMARY: In 2015 seven captive-bred red-and-green directions. (2) Allow macaws to leave the aviary at their own macaws Ara chloropterus were experimentally released into pace, following closely any birds seen leaving in a state of the Iberá National Park, Corrientes, Argentina. After a month distress to ensure they do not land on the ground. Such in a pre-release cage, they were hard released. Two birds departures may cause disorientation and an overly-fast dispersal, were preyed upon, three flew beyond our detection range, preventing managers from supplementing food and protecting one transmitter was recovered underwater, and one bird was individuals (White et al. 2012). (3) Intensively train individuals recaptured. We identify ways in which future releases of for at least eight weeks to improve flight endurance and captive-bred macaws could be improved. manoeuvrability, which should reduce their risk of landing on flooded land or reed beds from which they cannot take off BACKGROUND: The red-and-green macaw became extinct from (Collazo et al. 2003). (4) Keep some individuals inside the Argentina in the nineteenth century. To restore its role as a aviary (Armstrong 2015) to increase the incentive for released consumer and disperser of large fruits and seeds in a subtropical birds to stay nearby and improve post-release monitoring. (5) savannah we developed a project to reintroduce this species to a Train the group to respond to a whistle, allowing them to be protected area in Corrientes province, northeast Argentina. called to the feeding platform for supplemental food and their overall state to be assessed (Estrada 2014). (6) Train birds to develop anti-predatory behaviours such as recognizing potential ACTION: On 30 September 2015, after a quarantine period of five months, four male and three female macaws were predators as threats and responding accordingly, with vigilance behavior and alarm calls (White et al. 2005). transported to a pre-release aviary (4 m height, 8 m length, 4 m width) near a small forest patch in the campsite of Monte Rey, Iberá National Park (27°44’S, 56°40’W). Macaws came from ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: We thank BioParque Municipal La three zoos; at least four were captive bred, while the others were Maxima, La Plata, Buenos Aires and América zoos for of unknown origin. During a one-month training period we providing macaws. N.V. was supported by a fellowship from promoted fruit search behaviour, consumption of native fruits Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de and flight abilities. Macaws were fitted with radio-collars Argentina (CONICET). A.S.DG and I.B. are Research Fellows (Telenax TXE-311CP; 30 g) and monitored with VHF receivers of CONICET. This work was supported by authorities of Corrientes Province, The Conservation Land Trust Argentina (RX-TLNX). On 31 October 2015, we flushed the group from S.A., LC Kvaal Foundation, The World Parrot Trust, CONICET the cage; a week later, following problems that led to the (PIP 112-20150100598CO), ANPCyT (PICT 2014 3397, PICT recapture of most individuals, we conducted a second release in 2015-2281), and Universidad Nacional de La Plata (1/n702). which we let the macaws exit at their own pace. Every day we provided supplemental food on a feeding platform installed on a tree near the cage. REFERENCES Armstrong D. (2015) Advances in Reintroduction Biology of

Australian and New Zealand Fauna. Csiro Publishing. CONSEQUENCES & DISCUSSION: During the first release, six of Victoria, Australia. the seven birds left the aviary. Most macaws landed on flooded Collazo J.A., White T.H., Vilella F.J. & Guerrero S.A. (2003) terrain and could not take off from deep marsh vegetation. We Survival of captive-reared Hispaniolan parrots released in recaptured four macaws within 24 h of release. A fifth flew at Parque Nacional del Este, Dominican Republic. Condor, least 5 km, but was captured when it returned to the aviary after 105, 198–207. its partner was recaptured. The sixth individual was not Estrada A. (2014) Reintroduction of the scarlet macaw (Ara recaptured, but stayed near the aviary. macao cyanoptera) in the tropical rainforests of Palenque, During the second release, all the birds left the aviary. One Mexico: project design and first year progress. Tropical male and one female stayed in a single tree in the forest patch Conservation Science, 7, 342–364. where the aviary was, without visiting the feeding platform. White T.H. Jr., Collar N.J., Moorhouse R.J., Sanz V., Stolen Both were found dead 4-5 days after the second release, E.D. & Brightsmith D.J. (2012) Psittacine reintroductions: following two consecutive nights of strong thunderstorms. Both Common denominators of success. Biological showed signs of predation, probably by a wildcat based on hair Conservation, 148, 106–115. and faeces found nearby. The male of a second pair was White T.H. Jr., Collazo J.A. & Vilella F.J. (2005) Survival of

* captive-reared Puerto Rican parrots released in the To whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected] Caribbean National Forest. Condor, 107, 424–432.

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