Originally lost in the wild around the start of this millenium, as a result of illegal pet trade, and habitat degradation in Brazil, in 2022, 20 of these birds were released back into the wild. Referred to as “the most successful reintroduction of any parrot I have ever seen” by a leading parrot conservationist.
Unfortunately, the cooperation agreement between the Brazilian government and the German breeding center that holds most of the currently living Spix maccaws, could cause serious problems.
Initially, the idea was for the German breeding centre to supply 20 of these birds each year, so that, within 20 years, 400 birds would have been released, and combined with offspring, we might have reached 700-800, which is the number thought to be required for a species to thrive long-term.
What will happen now? Will we be left with just the 20 already released? Will these two groups make up, and sort things out? Might the 20 breed so well, that they can recover on their own (unlikely)?
