Lears Macaw Conservation News!

[MotherlodeParrot]

For those of you keepers that consider yourself wildlife conservation minded. There is great news about Lears Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari) conservation in the wild. Earlier this year a census of the wild population was done and was found to have over a thousand individuals. This was well over them mark of four to five hundred that were considered to exist the last time a survey was done. This was enough of an increase that allowed the IUCN Red List to move this species from critically endangered to endangered. If your a fan of this species or wildlife conservation in general this is great news.

May the species recovery continue....

 

[MotherlodeParrot]

For those of you who want to read more about this here's the IUCN Red page for Lears Macaw's. I apologize upon review the change was not made in 2012 it was made in 2009.

Anodorhynchus leari (Indigo Macaw, Lear's Macaw)

 

[MikeyTN]

About 7 years ago I went to Busch garden in search of the Lear's Macaw as the last news I've heard is one of the pair had died. But I guess they weren't placed for public viewing so I did not witness to see one in person. I was quite disappointed! It is great news they're coming back some what.

 

[MotherlodeParrot]

Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation is another site however they are captive breeding Lears Macaws for conservation efforts. Here's a great new video of some babies.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=521061864634322&set=vb.328625947211249&type=2&theater

 

[Abigal7]

They are beautiful macaws and am glad to hear they are making a come back.

 

[MikeyTN]

I would love to be a conservationist one day and raise such wonderful babies to repopulate the wild population

 

[MotherlodeParrot]

I would love to be a conservationist one day and raise such wonderful babies to repopulate the wild population

There are actually some groups, societies etc.. you can join that you can participate actively with conservation efforts of whatever species your obsessed with. Search around and you may sooner than latter start participating actively with a program with a species your fond of.

Actually a Forums such as the Parrot Forums is a world platform and a great place to start up public relations about conservation of many species of parrots world wide. A lot of what is said on public forums is accessible on the internet and you would be surprised who reads the conservation minded threads. They are capable of starting change of public opinion, new conservation efforts, and occasionally policy.

Cheers
Jeremy A. Rich

 

[MotherlodeParrot]

I would love to be a conservationist one day and raise such wonderful babies to repopulate the wild population

I'm actually of the opinion that the pet trade should for the most part be sustained by captive breeding programs. That only conservative or even quota numbers of wild caught animals should be allowed for the pet trade and even those should preferably go to breeders as wild caught animals in most cases do not make good pets. I have found this true with birds, most herps and some what aquarium fish.

 

[MikeyTN]

I work too much right now to be active in that sort of program...One day perhaps, but I do have breeding experience but I do minimal breeding now days for just one specific breed which is Cockatiels.

 

[MotherlodeParrot]

Here's a great new video posted by Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=522714214469087&set=vb.328625947211249&type=2&theater

 

[MikeyTN]

WoW!!!!! Thanks for the link!!!! 3 beautiful little chicks looking good!!!

 

[MotherlodeParrot]

Here's a great new updated picture from Al Wabra today on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...57160478.73894.328625947211249&type=1&theater

 

[MotherlodeParrot]

I have got to say I think it is ironic that even thought these programs are doing great now, they were started from Parrots that were collected from less than ideal situations especially Lears Macaws. There, to the best of my knowledge, has not been a legal collection of Lears Macaw from the wild and Al Wabra is the equivalent of a wealthy collector with resources paralleling zoological societies. I just hope in retrospect we never have to look back at this as a regret. It looks as though we are on that path toward accomplished conservation goals though.

 

[MikeyTN]

I just hope they have the love for parrots and is trying to do the right thing!

 

[MotherlodeParrot]

I just hope they have the love for parrots and is trying to do the right thing!

I think they are passionate about what they are doing and they are making progress towards restoring Endangered Parrots in the wild. Al Wabra and a couple other groups.

 

[MonicaMc]

I have got to say I think it is ironic that even thought these programs are doing great now, they were started from Parrots that were collected from less than ideal situations especially Lears Macaws. There, to the best of my knowledge, has not been a legal collection of Lears Macaw from the wild and Al Wabra is the equivalent of a wealthy collector with resources paralleling zoological societies. I just hope in retrospect we never have to look back at this as a regret. It looks as though we are on that path toward accomplished conservation goals though.

Care to elaborate?

 

[MotherlodeParrot]

I have got to say I think it is ironic that even thought these programs are doing great now, they were started from Parrots that were collected from less than ideal situations especially Lears Macaws. There, to the best of my knowledge, has not been a legal collection of Lears Macaw from the wild and Al Wabra is the equivalent of a wealthy collector with resources paralleling zoological societies. I just hope in retrospect we never have to look back at this as a regret. It looks as though we are on that path toward accomplished conservation goals though.

Care to elaborate?

I just think it is extremely ironic that what was one of the main causes of the demise or endangerment of Lears Macaws in the wild. Which was illegal collecting for the pet trade. Is now being seen or a good possibility of being seen as being a big part of conservation efforts to restore populations back to native habitats and de-list them from threatened or endangered statuses. This ironic situation I have seen before in the pet trade outside of the bird hobby and it has worked OK. When I say I accomplished goals here I'm wishing the same results with Parrots.

 

[MikeyTN]

I do hope they watch them close, the ones that they will be releasing back into the wild. Cause you know how some would end up being captured by illegal pet trade such as the most recent post of someone buying one from a market that was most likely seized from their nest.

 

[MotherlodeParrot]

From the IUCN page the only two areas where they Lears Macaw are found in the wild are both preserves now. The Lears Macaw nesting cliffs now have got guards watching to protect against smugglers collecting chicks from the nests. This was the main way of collections for the pet trade that initially caused the species demise to begin with. Along with in these preserves planting Licurí Palm the main food for the Lears Macaw in their native habitat where locals had planted corn. This has resulted recently in the Lears Macaw from being de-listed as Critically Endangered to Endangered and if things progress especially with the cooperation with other conservation groups could de-listed the species even further.

A mistake made and nothing learned is a mistake to be made again. In this case it looks as though we have learned from the mistakes of the Lears Macaw. Which brings up the possibility, if these programs are accomplished to the point that the species are listed by IUCN or orther organizations as Vulnerable, Near Threatened or Least Concerned should we be able to legally seen Lears Macaw in the hobby again? Have we earned the privileged? Until then first things first lets save the species.

 

[MikeyTN]

Perhaps one day, but it would take many many years before that would even happen as low as their populations are.