Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) is proud to announce the successful breeding of three

critically endangered Lear’s Macaws (Anodorhynchus leari).

Ryan Watson, Blue Macaw Coordinator, AWWP, Qatar

The three chicks are being hand-reared by experienced staff after being artificially incubated. Unfortunately the breeding pair which

produced the eggs has not yet developed sound incubation skills and several eggs laid were damaged beyond repair before being able

to be removed to the relative safety of an incubator. The Lear’s Macaw is rarely bred in captivity and up until last year when AWWP

bred their first ever offspring, the species has not officially been bred in 22 years.

The Lear’s Macaws held at AWWP are on breeding loan from the Brazilian Government and are part of an international captive breeding

program managed by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute for Natural Resources and Heritage). The birds are managed within a studbook along

with other Lear’s Macaws held in Brazil at the Sao Paulo Zoo, Rio Zoo, Crax Foundation and the Lymington Foundation. Outside of

Brazil, other Lear’s Macaws in the studbook managed program are held at Harewood Bird Gardens - UK and Loro Parque – Canary Islands.

After receiving two pairs of Lear’s Macaws late last year, Loro Parque have also experienced recent breeding success with one chick

so far and two more fertile eggs pending.

A successful captive breeding program is important to the species future as they still face serious threats in the wild, which make them

vulnerable to extinction. 

END