Spix's Macaws at Pairi Daiza zoo in Belgium
An on-line article has explained that there were four Spix's Macaw s at Pairi Daiza zoo in Belgium and that an agreement (MOU Memorandum of Understanding) was signed there on Sunday (24th June) between the Brazilian authorities and ACTP. It appears that the privately owned zoo there is now a partner in the re-introduction programme for the Spix's Macaw. The following statement has since appeared on the Parrot sInternational facebook page.
" A Bright Blue Day for the Spix’s Macaw
Today, the 24th of June 2018 marks a gigantic step forward for the smallest of the blue macaws.
Excitement filled the air as we gathered at Park Pairi Daiza, in Belgium for not only the signing of the MOU with the Minister of Environment of Brazil, the Hon. Edson Duarte, between Brazil, ACTP and the Pairi Daiza Foundation to formalize the agreement and plan for the move of the Spix’s Macaw to the Caatinga next year, 2019. But also to celebrate the official joining of forces between ACTP and the Pairi Daiza Foundation, the newest partner in the Spix’s Macaw Program.
The Brazilian Government welcomes this as a huge step forward for the future of the Spix’s Macaw, throwing their full support behind this new partnership between ACTP and the Pairi Daiza Foundation. The Hon. Edson Duarte remarked that he was lucky enough to see the last wild Spix’s Macaw prior to its disappearance in the year 2000, saying that he cannot wait to see these beautiful birds flying free in the Caatinga once again.
Not only is Park Pairi Daiza now the only zoo in Europe to display the Spix’s and Lear’s Macaw, and only the second worldwide after Jurong, but the Pairi Daiza Foundation is joining the conservation and breeding efforts with ACTP to both provide the necessary bio security to safeguard the species, and to participate in the breeding of this incredible bird to further increase the Spix’s population and also play a very vital role in bringing this small blue macaw back from extinction.
Just like ACTP, The Pairi Daiza Foundation is committed to conserving threatened species, not through words but through direct action. It is never easy to find the right partner in such efforts, however ACTP has great pleasure in welcoming the Pairi Daiza Foundation aboard, having no doubt that this dedicated organisation stands for the same ideals and goals that ACTP stands for, and is the perfect fit to assist in making the long held dream of returning this extinct parrot back to the wild in its native habitat in Brazil.
Make no mistake, this is something that has never been done before - to bring a parrot species back from extinction in the wild is an enormous task and one that requires incredible dedication and the coming together of not only world governments, but very importantly, the best possible partner organisations in order to be successful. The Pairi Daiza Foundation is totally committed to seeing this program succeed and ACTP is very pleased to have such a dedicated and serious conservation partner join them to make this dream come true.
Watch this space... more great news next week!
We would like to thank all our partners, Singapore Wildlife Parks, Parrots International, Al Wabra, Fasenda Cachoeira and Pairi Daiza!"
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