Hyacinth Macaw Project

Projeto Arara Azul

The Pantanal, Brazil

Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

The Hyacinth Macaw Project involves research, management, and conservation of the species. In carrying out these objectives, biologists, veterinarians, field workers, ranchers, and university students share in activities ranging from technical studies on reproduction, behavior, and habitat to environmental education.

Begun in 1990 by the biologist Neiva Guedes, PhD, the project monitors about 3,000 individual Hyacinth Macaws distributed over an area of 450,000 hectares (over 1 million acres) in the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul, where there are 346 natural nests and 198 artificial nests.

The project has resulted in a Macaw population that has more than tripled the number of Hyacinth Macaws in the monitored area! In the 80s it is estimated that traffickers, catering to international demand, had captured over 10,000 Hyacinth Macaws. The situation of the species became more critical as its natural habitat was destroyed by deforestation and burning. The environmental education and community involvement of the Hyacinth Macaw Project has dramatically reduced these pressures on this endangered macaw.

Parrots International provides continuing donations and support for Projecto Arara Azul.

Additionally, Parrots International has donated field equipment including laptop computer, binoculars, cameras and climbing equipment for use in the field for Projeto Arara Azul/The Hyacinth Macaw Project.