MUMBAI - A conservation and rehabilitation center set up by Reliance has partnered with Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots to reintroduce Spix's macaws into Brazil. The bird was declared extinct in the wild in the year 2000.
An affiliate of Vantara, GZRRC in collaboration with ACTP will take the 41 Spix's macaws from ACTP's breeding centre in Berlin, Germany, and transfer them to a specially created release centre in Bahia, Brazil, as part of the global Reintroduction Programme, Vantara contributes critical expertise and resources in guaranteeing success to this project of a lifetime.
This is not the first step of the comeback story for the Spix's macaw. In 2022, an exceptional milestone was marked when 20 Spix's macaws were released in the wild; among them, the first wild-born chicks were produced after more than 20 years.
There were 41 macaws transferred to this purpose. These were carefully chosen, based on health and genetic lineage. The group comprised 23 females, 15 males, and three juveniles. Some will join the next wave of birds scheduled for release this year, while others will support the breeding program to sustain the species' long-term recovery.
The birds before embarking had to undergo strict health screenings. This included quarantine for over 28 days in the Berlin facility and comprehensive disease testing to prevent any risk the birds may bring to the Brazilian wild ecosystem.
On January 28, macaws flew from Berlin on a charter flight to Petrolina Airport, Brazil. There they were transferred in a safe quarantined setting. Every action of the process was handled with utmost care: two veterinarians, an attendant from ACTP, and all members of the GZRRC from Vantara, kept watch at all times. It was so meticulous that even border police from Brazil and federal customs set up an office at the airport to efficiently clear them all.
A testament to global collaboration
This achievement is a reflection of international collaboration. As noted by Martin Guth, founder of ACTP: "Besides this generous financial donation, Vantara's efforts have played an important role in the successful rearing and re-release of the species, now extinct once before. Their dedication to biodiversity restoration, resources, and collaborative spirit have been key to the project's success. We hope this partnership inspires conservation efforts worldwide."
Spix's macaws, the birds of the animated film Rio, have been at the center of international conservation efforts for years. The past achievements include:
2019: Opening of a specific Release Centre in Brazil
2020: Translocation of 52 birds from Germany and Belgium
2022: Release of 20 Spix's macaws, which produced seven wild-born chicks
For the survival of the wild population, annual releases are critical and sending fresh birds to the Release Centre should remain an imperative on an annual basis.
Vantara's Larger Mission
In addition to this spectacular initiative, Vantara is working toward reviving India's rich heritage of wildlife by conducting concentrated conservation activities. They have undertaken the following activities:
Strengthening Asiatic lion populations through breeding and habitat restoration
Captive-bred rhinos reintroduced into safe enclosures - Cheetah conservation advanced, with a promise of their return to Indian forests after a successful breeding program
The reintroduction of Spix's macaws is a proof of Vantara's unrelenting commitment to species recovery and ecosystem restoration, and it marks an important milestone in global wildlife conservation.
Hope Takes Flight
It's not just a conservation effort but rather a hope-giving phenomenon. Continued cooperation, dedication, and scientific input can make this dream of having Spix's macaws come to life a reality.