Red and green macaws are breeding in the wild in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest region for the first time in 200 years.
The Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, confirmed the development with Discover Wildlife, following an intensive four-year-long reintroduction programme for the endangered bird.
The red and green macaw used to be abundant throughout Brazil’s forests, but deforestation and illegal capture for pet trade exacerbated the bird’s extinction along the country’s coastline.
The reintroduction project coordinator, Ligia Ilg, told the publication that, in April they had seen two chicks emerge from one of the programme’s nest boxes in a designated rehabilitation area in the south of the Bahia coastal forests.
“It was a very special moment,” said Ilg.
Soon after they were spotted, the chicks left the nest to explore the surroundings.
“Seeing the chicks flying well, being fed by their parents and beginning to forage independently was incredibly emotional,” said Ilg.
