Loro
Parque Foundation Press Release: 23 December 2002
Almost
Extinct Parrot Gets New Recruit
Editors
Note: It is interesting to note that
this press release came out almost immediately after the one from the World
Parrot Trust, but there is no mention of the large role that the WPT played in
discovering and returning the Spix's macaw to Brazil, only that of the US Fish
and Wildlife Service. This press release informs of the Loro Parque's role
in the newly reformulated Spix's macaw recovery program (which does not include
any private owners). There should no longer be any doubt as to who is
controlling the Brazilian position on the matter of the Spix's macaw
program.
World
Parrot Trust Press Release: 22 December 2002
Going
Home: World's Rarest Parrot Discovered in Colorado Living Room:
Repatriated to Breeding Program in Brazil after 25 Years Underground
Editors
Note: The World Parrot Trust was the
organization that was contacted about sending this bird to Brazil. They were
able to arrange the transfer and the necessary permits to get this accomplished.
That is commendable and we congratulate them for this effort. We also wish
to congratulate the US Fish and Wildlife Service for their willingness to
expedite the permitting process to achieve this result. This is wonderful!
This
discovery is extremely important as it is the first Spix's macaw to be
"found" that is outside of the original birds that became part of the
Spix's macaw program initiated by the now disbanded Committee for the Recovery
of the Spix's Macaw, formed by IBAMA in 1990. It is tragic that this bird could
not have been incorporated into the original breeding program. Demographic data
on the Spix's macaw shows that many of the birds that have died, did so in the
23 and older year range. As this is a very tame bird that has been kept with a
companion amazon parrot for many years, it is critical that this bird is paired up as
soon as possible in the possible event that he breeds. However, despite notices
to the contrary, there is no appropriate female to breed him with at this time
in the Brazilian program.
IBAMA Press Release:
18 December 2002
"Spix's
Macaw found in the United States arrives in São Paulo"
Editors
Note: This is the second time that IBAMA
has distributed this notice that a Spix's macaw from the US was to be returned
to Brazil. It is hoped that this time it will be the case. This is important as
this is actually the first Spix's macaw to be "found" that is outside
of the original legal birds (and their descendants) that became part of the
original Spix's macaw program initiated by the former Committee for the Recovery
of the Spix's Macaw, formed by IBAMA in 1990. The amnesty designed by that
committee was supposed to address exactly this type of situation where a bird is
maintained "underground". Unfortunately no one took advantage of
it. It is a pity that this bird could not have been incorporated into the
original breeding program at that time as it could have been part of a
potentially reproductive group for over ten years, when he was younger. Apparently he is feather picked and quite tame as it was a
pet. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
Loro
Parque Fundación Press Release: 24 September 2002
"Rarest
Bird in World Goes Home"
Editor's Note:
This press release celebrates the
"donation" of a female Spix's Macaw to Brazil for breeding by Loro
Parque. However, the background information explains the true situation. This
female was sent to Loro Parque as part of the Spix's Macaw breeding program in
1995, but to no success. After the male she was paired with died in December of
2000, a recommendation to pair her with another male in Brazil was made by the
studbook keeper, N. Schischakin in February 2001 and initially rejected by Loro
Parque in the Committee meeting in Brasilia. It is great that she has made it
back to Brazil and will finally be paired.
IBAMA Press Release: 22 September 2002
"Spix's
Macaw arrives in Brazil next Wednesday to try at pairing"
Editor's Note:
This press release from IBAMA that
notified of the arrival of the female Spix's macaw from Loro Parque in Tenerife,
Spain. This was actually her return to Brazil after having spent seven years at
Loro Parque in an unsuccessful attempt to breed her. There are a number of area
of concern that this press release highlights. In particular what appears to be
a total disregard of security through the distribution of the location address
and what appears to be an exaggerated emphasis public relations and media
access. However, it is great that she will finally be paired up with a male that
is a proven breeder.
IBAMA Press Release:
17 July 2002
"IBAMA
Dissolves Spix's Macaw Committee"
Editor's Note:
The disbandment of the
Committee came after IBAMA demanded the return of the "property" of
Spix's macaws to the Brazilian government. This is despite the fact that all of
the birds are legally owned and all those now living, except for 1 old male, have been
captive-bred. It is important to note that almost all of the successful breeding
has occurred in the privately owned collections that now hold nearly 90% of the
world's population. A campaign to force the owners to return the ownership has been
initiated by IBAMA and the Loro Parque Fundación.