Loro Parque Fundacion about the environment. ly applied under anaesthesia. Thus, the captive-bred Illiger's A key aspect of this reintroduction Returns Macaws will be released in the native is the different history of each region ofthe Spix's Macaw, where also which has been bred in captivity. exists a wild population of Illiger's, While some were reared by their own to Brazil in artificially reduced by the previous parents, others were hand-reared, and effect of removal of young birds from also there are age and sex differences Conservation Action their nests for illegal trade. within the group to be released. The by David Waugh, Scientific Director, The entire process for the eventual intention is to correlate any differences Loro Parque Fundaci6n release of these birds is being carried in ability to survive in the wild state out with reference to the guidelines of with the differences of history in cap­ n a "Project for the Reintroduction the Reintroduction Specialist group of tivity. In this way the Fundaci6n and of the Illiger's Macaw Ara mara­ the IUCN-The World Conservation collaborators will be able to detennine cana," the Loro Parque Fundaci6n Union. Thus, every individual has for the future the ideal history ofa cap­ is sending 20 individuals ofthis species undergone the most advanced testing tive bred macaw, or other species of to Brazil, to be released to the wild possible for communicable diseases, , for optimum post-release sur­ later this year in the State of Bahia. and has shown negative for all tests. vival in the wild. These macaws were bred in captiv­ Even so, the birds will have a four Although there have been success­ ity in the world's largest parrot collec­ month quarantine when they arrive in ful and well documented reintroduc­ tion, which is owned by the Fundaci6n Brazil, followed by a further six tion of other kind of animal to the and located at Loro Parque in , months of acclimatization at the wild state, the Loro Parque Fundaci6n . This important conser­ release site, in a huge aviary pecially will be re pon ible for the first proper­ vation action has several objectives, built and funded by the Loro Parque ly documented case of this happening the most immediate being to deter­ Fundaci6n. with a parrot pecies. mine the effectiveness of this tech­ The release protocol also includes As a founder member of the nique to restore viable populat~ons of genetic and disea e testing of the cap­ Permanent Committee for the endangered parrot species in the wild tive-bred birds as well as individuals of Recovery of the Spix's Macaw state. The results of such a carefully the same species in the recipient wild (CPRAA), the Fundaci6n collaborates controlled project will help to deter­ population. To enable the project biol­ with IBAMA, the wildlife agency ofthe mine the best ways to supplement ogists in Brazil to follow the released Brazilian Government, and indeed i reduced wild populations ofparrots, as macaws, identify them and observe the principal financial supporter of a well as to reestablish populations of their behavior, each one will carry a recovery program which involves pro­ parrot species which have have disap­ miniature transmitter which will allow tection of the wild male bird, protec­ peared locally or have become extinct them to be found by remote means. tion and restoration of its natural habi­ in the wild. In regard to the latter, this Each macaw also has a leg-band with tat, as well as working closely with the experimental release of Illiger's a unique number, and a distinct tattoo local community for awareness and Macaws will provide valuable informa­ on the bare skin of the face, harmless- education about the environment. • tion about how to restore the wild population of the world's rarest parrot species, the Spix's Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii. The Spix's Macaw has only one known individual, a male, remaining in the wild state, although there are 39 registered in the globally managed captive population, two pairs ofwhich are in the Loro Parque Fundaci6n col­ lection. As a founder member of the International Committee for the Recovery of the Spix's Macaw, the Fundaci6n collaborates with IBAMA, the wildlife agency of the Brazilian Government, and indeed is the princi­ pal financial supporter of a recovery program which involves protection of the wild male bird, protection and restoration ofits natural habitat, as well as working closely with the local com­ munity for awareness and education Back to the wilds ofBrazil· an Oliger's Macaw with distinctive tattoo.

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