Embedded Files
When the Spix was discovered in 1819, it was already rare. Then over the next century their main habitat of Brazil’s Caatinga, and all its biodiversity, faced burning, logging, and grazing.
Today, more than 2 centuries later, the impacts from human encroachment, deforestation, and agricultural developments have played a huge part the extinction rate and decline of these macaws. Natural forces such as predators have made a difference in the survival of the species, and grazing animals such as goats and cattle wiped out the regenerative growth of woodland tree seedlings.
The only specimens in existence are located at special facilities geared toward the survival, reproduction, and eventual reintroduction of these birds back to their natural habitat when their efforts have made significant enough advancing.
A Look at The Life of The Remaining Spix's; 2021
Preparing for The Flight Home; 2015
There are various laws both nationally and globally that stand for the wellbeing of animals like the Spix’s macaw. The illegal wildlife trade has been outlawed for many reasons, Just a few for example are:
The endangerment of the species existence in the wild, such as threatened extinction,
Most of the stolen wild animals die during transport from being subject to harsh conditions,
Illegally introduced wildlife are can destroy and alter ecosystems. The impact of exotic species especially if released into non-native lands can be detrimental.. This can threaten the local endemic species as well.
Some wildlife can carry dangerous diseases, etc..
Status:
Because most of the Spix’s woodland habitat had been cleared before the birds and their nesting sites could be observed, there Is uncertainty about the species original range. As of 2019 the IUCN classifies the Spix Macaw as Extinct in the Wild.
Over the years many organizations tried to get conservation and reestablishment of the species in the wild, but several factors led to them being unviable.
Today, the existing captive population is descended from the founding 7 wild caught birds, believed to originate from 2 wild nests that existed before 1982.
A crate of Amazon parrots(above); confiscated from a poacher to be sold in the illegal exotic pet trade. In many cases this situation is much worse, and many do not make it.
The Spix's Need for Conservation; 2016
Missing Little Blue Gems:
There are 5 conservation organizations currently handling Spixs, and 3 of which have captive breeding programs to build the species up in numbers and work toward the reestablishment of these macaws back to their natural and now protected habitat.
A Dr Hammerli of Switzerland personally owned 5 of the species and eventually sold them to new private owners. The status and location of these 5 are unknown but presumed to still be alive because of their rather lengthy lifespans.
Because 4 of the 5 were sold in pairs, it is believed that they are the source of possibly up to 13 Spix's now secretly in the hands of private owners in Switzerland today. Worldwide there are an unverifiable number of the species in existence in private hands.
As of the year 2015, the captive reproduction of the species had grown to 110 successful hatchings:
The Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) in Switzerland produced 86.
Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP) in Berlin, Germany produced 12.
NEST, a government established private aviary (and managed by the AWWP) in Brazil, produced 12.
In 2013 scientists and veterinarians from the German veterinary practice “Parrot Reproduction Consulting” worked with AWWP to develop new strategies for semen colletcion and artificial insemination of the Spix. This resulted in the world’s first egg fertilization and viable offspring of the spix macaw. In honor of veterinarian Daniel Neumann, who performed these procedures, the first chick to hatch was named “Neumann.”
Reproduction via Artificial Insemination, 2013
Habitat Mediation; 2019
“On the 5th of June 2018, during World Environment Day, the then President of Brazil, Michel Temer, signed a decree that is extremely important for the Spix’s Macaw and other species that share its previous habitat. He signed off on a wildlife refuge and environmental protected area that spans 120,000 hectares in the municipality of Curaçá in the state of Bahia, Brazil. This area includes some of the historic range of the Spix’s Macaw and the protection of it will greatly improve the chances of their reintroduction back into the wild. (ACTP, 2018)”
As of 2020, the Spix population number reached 180 individuals. With the ACTP’s rewarding efforts to reproduce and breed these macaws back to a substantial enough number to reintroduce a percent back into the wild, the next part of the challenge would be reviving its natural habitat.
To prepare for their return, Brazilian Authorities have spent the last decade working in protected nature reserves to restore degraded habitat. Most importantly, the restoration of a vital part of the Spix habitat, Caraibeira trees, has been a large goal thanks to the management of invasive species, fences in place to deter the grazing of cows, goats and sheep, and the installation of water-slowing devices.
Spix Macaw: A High Priority; 2011
This critically endangered species should be a priority because of the extremely low population count. As of 2022, conservation and reproduction centers have managed to grow their population to about 168 birds over the last 3-4 decades.
Although this is a great start to begin the reintroduction into the wild, the species is still so highly at risk at losing those numbers over time. Even with the recent success of artificial insemination, it is extremely difficult and lengthy process for these parrots to reproduce.
Between the years 2006-2012, the combined efforts of these breeding centers enabled these parrots to lay 280 eggs- only 10% of which hatched to viable chicks that are alive today. While these programs are making great strides, there is still a long way to go.
Parrots are some of the world’s most intelligent creatures. They feel happiness and love for their flocks and are protective of their babies.
The Spix's Macaw, along with the countless other species of this world, deserve the chance to feel that love and happiness. They have just as much a right to this planet as we do.
It is our duty to protect these beautiful creatures because it’s important for our world’s ecosystems, because it’s the right thing to do, and because thanks to our advancement in technology, we finally CAN do something about it.
The Spix Macaw thanks you for your support.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse