Jamnagar (Gujarat), Jan 30: Once declared extinct in the wild in 2000, Spix’s macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii) are now central to a groundbreaking project aimed at reestablishing them in their natural habitat. The Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC)—part of Vantara—has joined forces with the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP) to lead this vital initiative. A significant milestone was reached yesterday with the successful transfer of 41 Spix’s macaws from ACTP’s breeding facility in Berlin, Germany, to a release center in Bahia, Brazil. As part of a global Reintroduction Programme, Vantara is providing essential expertise and resources to ACTP, showcasing its strong commitment to reviving this once-extinct species in Brazil’s Caatinga biome. This achievement follows previous successes, such as the reintroduction of 20 Spix’s macaws in 2022, which resulted in the birth of the first wild chicks in over 20 years—a true indication of the program’s remarkable progress and potential.
The 41 selected Spix’s macaws were chosen based on their health and lineage, comprising 23 females, 15 males, and 3 unsexed juveniles. Some of the birds are part of the group being readied for release this year, while others will support the long-term breeding efforts. Before their transfer, the birds were quarantined for over 28 days in Berlin and underwent extensive health screenings to ensure they posed no risk to Brazil’s wild ecosystem. On January 28, the birds flew from Berlin on a chartered flight to Petrolina Airport, Brazil, arriving the same day and promptly moved to a quarantine facility. The process was meticulously supervised by two veterinarians and a caregiver from ACTP, along with a specialist team from Vantara’s GZRRC. To facilitate swift clearance, border police and federal customs had established a temporary office at the airport, and special vehicles were arranged for transportation of both the birds and the staff.
Martin Guth, the founder of ACTP, expressed his appreciation: “On behalf of ACTP, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Anant Ambani and Vantara for their extraordinary contribution to the Spix’s Macaws Reintroduction Project. Their generous financial support and invaluable expertise have been instrumental in the successful breeding of this extinct-in-the-wild species. Vantara’s steadfast commitment to biodiversity restoration and conservation of endangered species, coupled with their innovative approach and collaborative spirit, has been vital for the success of this initiative. This partnership exemplifies the tremendous impact of a shared vision and dedication, and we hope it serves as an inspiration for conservation efforts around the globe. We are excited to continue this work together to save as many endangered species as possible in collaboration with Vantara.”
The Spix’s macaw, famously featured in the animated film Rio, is a key focus of a worldwide conservation effort that includes private organizations like Vantara’s GZRRC and ACTP, working alongside the Brazilian government to restore the species’ population in captivity. In 2019, a dedicated Release Centre was established in Brazil, followed by the transportation of 52 birds from Germany and Belgium in 2020. A significant milestone was achieved in 2022 with the release of 20 Spix’s macaws into their natural habitat, which not only met the expected survival rates but also led to the birth of seven wild chicks, marking the first wild hatchlings of the species. For the establishment of a sustainable wild population, annual releases are critical, necessitating ongoing arrivals of new birds at the Release Centre to support the program.
Additionally, Vantara is advancing the restoration of India’s rich wildlife heritage through targeted conservation programs. These initiatives include reintroducing captive-bred rhinos into safe habitats, bolstering Asiatic lion populations through breeding and habitat restoration, and promoting the return of cheetahs to Indian forests following a successful breeding program. The notable reintroduction of the Spix’s Macaw underscores Vantara’s unwavering commitment to species recovery and ecological restoration, marking a significant achievement in global wildlife conservation.
