Statement by Mark Stafford about the new agreement with the Brazilian Government

A new agreement has just been signed between the Brazilian Government and ACTP for the Re-introduction Project of the Spix's Macaw. There were concerns after President Bolsinaro made his speech at the agricultural show reported here on 29th May and the militarisation of the senior posts at ICMBio reported here on 2nd June. Let's hope there are not any further obstacles to this very worhwhile project. Mark Stafford of Parrots International published a statement about the new agreement on his Facebook page and I have reproduced it here.   

Spix’s Macaw Reintroduction Becomes Reality

Today, the 7th of June 2019, the strongest message yet, that the Spix’s Macaw will be returned to wild, was delivered to the world.

Representatives from ACTP, Pairi Daiza Foundation and Parrots International met with the Government of Brazil to sign the most significant of contracts; the contract that guarantees the return of this small blue macaw to its home, in the Brazilian Caatinga.

There have been many reports in world media making various claims about the newly elected Brazilian Government’s apparent lack of interest in the protection of the environment and the endangered species that call Brazil home. Today the Government has shown that they are fully committed to the Spix’s Macaw De-extinction Project, making this conservation program a main priority.

In attendance were Sra Tereza Cristina – Minister of Agriculture and Vice-Minister of Environment, Mr. Homero de Giorge Cerqueira – President of ICMBio, Sra Ana Maria Pellini – Executive Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment of Brazil, Sr Eduardo Serra Negra Camerini – Secretariat of Biodiversity of the Ministry of Brazil, Sr Roberto Castelo Branco Coelho de Souza –  Secretariat of International Affairs of the Ministry of Environment of Brazil, Martin Guth (President ACTP - Germany), Tim Bouts (Pairi Daiza Foundation - Belgium), Mark Stafford (Parrots International – USA) and Edson Gontijo (Facenda Cachoeira – Brazil), all sharing the same dream, to put everything into place to see the Spix’s Macaw flying free in the wilds of the Brazilian Caatinga once again.  

The 7^th of June 2019 will be remembered as the day that the agreement to bring the Spix’s Macaw back to the wild, was confirmed.  

The first 50 Spix’s Macaws will arrive in Brazil at the completed Release Facility by the end of 2019. With a planned first release to take place soon after.

END

You can watch a video of globo news with a report and film of Spix's Macaws here.