Vantara partners with ACTP to reintroduce 41 extinct-in-the-wild Spix’s Macaws in Brazil

Spix's macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii)

In a major milestone for global wildlife conservation, 41 Spix’s macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii) have been successfully transferred from Germany to Brazil as part of a groundbreaking initiative to reintroduce the species to its native habitat. The mission, led by the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP) in collaboration with Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC), an affiliate of Vantara, marks a crucial step in the effort to revive a bird species declared extinct in the wild in 2000.

The transfer took place on January 28, when a chartered flight transported the macaws from ACTP’s breeding centre in Berlin to Petrolina Airport in Brazil. Upon arrival, the birds were immediately moved to a quarantine facility in Bahia, where they will undergo further observation before joining the reintroduction programme. The birds, selected based on their health and genetic pedigree, included 23 females, 15 males, and three unsexed juveniles. Some will be prepared for release this year, while others will contribute to long-term breeding efforts to strengthen the species' population.

The move is part of an ongoing global effort to restore Spix’s macaws to the wild. In 2022, 20 birds were successfully reintroduced into the Caatinga biome of Brazil, leading to the first wild-born chicks in over two decades. The latest transfer aims to build on this success, ensuring a sustainable wild population through annual releases.

The transfer process involved rigorous health screenings, including a mandatory 28-day quarantine in Berlin and comprehensive disease testing to prevent risks to Brazil’s wild ecosystem. The birds’ journey was carefully overseen by two veterinarians and a keeper from ACTP, along with a team from Vantara’s GZRRC. Special vehicles were arranged for ground transportation, while Brazilian border police and federal customs set up a temporary clearance office at the airport to ensure a smooth transition.

Expressing deep appreciation for Vantara’s role in the project, Martin Guth, founder of ACTP, said, “On behalf of ACTP, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Anant Ambani and Vantara for their remarkable contribution to the Spix’s Macaws Reintroduction Project. In addition to their generous financial support, the expertise that Vantara shared with us has been invaluable in successfully breeding this extinct-in-the-wild species. Vantara’s unwavering dedication to biodiversity restoration and endangered species protection, coupled with their passion, resources, and collaborative approach, has been pivotal to the success of this initiative. This partnership exemplifies the power of a shared vision and commitment, and we hope it will inspire conservation efforts worldwide. We look forward to continuing our work together to save as many endangered species as possible in partnership with Vantara.”

The Spix’s macaw, famously featured in the Hollywood film Rio, has become a global symbol of wildlife conservation. Private organizations such as ACTP and Vantara’s GZRRC, alongside the Brazilian government, have been working relentlessly to reestablish the species in its natural habitat. The reintroduction programme began in 2019 with the establishment of a dedicated release centre in Brazil. This was followed by the transport of 52 macaws from Germany and Belgium in 2020, and in 2022, the first successful wild release resulted in the birth of seven wild chicks—a historic achievement in avian conservation.

As the programme moves forward, annual releases remain crucial to sustaining a viable wild population. With each transfer, conservationists hope to strengthen the genetic diversity and resilience of the species in the wild.

Beyond its efforts for the Spix’s macaw, Vantara is spearheading major wildlife conservation projects in India. These include the reintroduction of captive-bred rhinos into protected habitats, strengthening Asiatic lion populations through strategic breeding and habitat restoration, and advancing the return of cheetahs to Indian forests following a successful breeding initiative.

The Spix’s macaw reintroduction stands as a testament to Vantara’s commitment to global biodiversity conservation. As the species makes its long-awaited return to the wild, conservationists remain hopeful that this ambitious programme will not only restore the macaw’s presence in the Caatinga biome but also serve as a model for other species recovery efforts worldwide.