The poverty of the region, the harshness of the climate, and the difficulty of life, are all-important factors in the daily management of the field project. The support from the locals for the program provides a safety-net for the last Spix's Macaw and to those that are to be reintroduced in the future. The capture of a Spix's Macaw has become unthinkable  in the region - a cultural taboo. No barbed-wire fence or armed guard could have achieved this outcome. The community projects resulted from very real needs of the people of the area and included a campaign against hunger, the building of rural schoolhouses, and even the restoration of a century old theater. Certainly not your usual community-based education and outreach programs.

Famine - and Relief

When the field project was initiated, the intent was to work with the local community and get their support for the project. But then the effects of a prolonged drought created a major famine in the region, hitting the locality of the Spix's Macaw range especially hard. It became particularly difficult to maintain the project on the same level. How could we continue protecting a single bird when people were dying? There was only one thing to do, and that was to use the program and the Spix's Macaw to bring relief to those who were suffering the most.

In a campaign coordinated by the workers of the Brasilia offices of IBAMA, the National Park of Brasilia was opened to the public on a weekend, asking for the donation of a kilogram of non-perishable food for the entrance fee, This volunteer effort by government employees raised seven tons of basic food items in the name of the Spix's Macaw. It was transported to Curaça, by the trucking company of one of the Brazilian Spix's Macaw holders, Mauricio dos Santos. The food was distributed through the rural school teachers network, as well as the city public schools.

Now many people of the region not only fully support the conservation program, but also credit the Spix's Macaw with helping them and their families survive the famine. Seeing the effects and devastation of this drought brought a very realistic and somber attitude to the program, providing a different perspective on the intricacies of conservation.

Education - a 50-50 Program

Another issue that affected almost Family in the rural area was the )f education opportunities for children. This was identified as a problem by biologist Marcos Da Re after beginning the field project. Education was valued and children made a great effort to study, walking long distances to designated houses of a "rural schoolteacher" (local women who had been trained by education extension agents in providing education up to fourth grade to children). Classes were held in rooms in the small shacks or out in the yards. Although they tried, these schoolteachers had nothing to help the students. Books were almost non-existent, notebooks, pencils and supplies were shared.

Da Re came up with a solution through a 50-50 partnership between the project and the community. The Spix's project provided the materials and the locals provided the labor in the construction of local one-room schoolhouses that could serve the local children and as community centers. That is how a cooperative program called the "Rural Schoolhouse Program" was started and the first Ararinha Azul (Spix's Macaw) Schoolhouse was built.

The Houston Zoo and the Santa Ana Zoo are contributing to this pioneering project. It is hoped that by investing in basic education, the children of the community grow up to be literate adults who can understand how to manage and conserve the scarce resources of the region, including the species of the area. This investment shows that the program is a member and partner of the community, not an adversary.

Theaters

The restoration of the theater was quite extraordinary, but even this project became controversial in some circles. How does the restoration of an almost century old theater in a nearly forgotten small town in Northeastern Brazil affect conservation?

Considerably. It started through a series of coincidences and luck. After a Spix's Macaw Committee meeting in Brazil, many of the participants traveled to Curaça where the local community put on a play in a dilapidated old theater in the center of the small town. This play was told from the viewpoint of the last Spix's. it traced with music and action the events of his life, including the loss of the "family" to poachers, his loneliness, the need for a mate (therefore the pairing with the Illiger's female), as well as the future which would include the return of his mate. This fairy tale ended with the small fuzzy chick peering happily from the nest cavity and the proud parents watching over it. It was a story of hope and of success in adversity a powerful and emotional message to all attending.

The effort and community spirit so impressed everyone, that Wolfgang Kiessling of Loro Parque, Spain, arranged a grant from the Loro Parque Foundation for the restoration of this theater that was matched by the community in both funds and labor. Finally, in 1996, the renovation was completed in time for the re-inauguration of the "Teatro Raul Coelho" and the celebration of its 100th anniversary. The theater has become the heart of this small town and is central to many events and celebrations, reminding them of the value of preserving and ensuring the security of the Spix's Macaw and the project.

How to Establish a Wild Population?

The establishment of a wild population has always been one of the goals of the recovery program for the Spix's Macaw. However, before initiating a reintroduction for such a critically endangered species, four important goals had to be completed.

1. The captive population had to reach a stable, self-sustaining reproductive level from a genetic and demographic standpoint to absorb the removal of potential breeders.

2. There had to be a safe and viable environment to return this species to the wild.

3. There had to be a local infrastructure capable of supporting the reintroduction and monitoring of the released birds.

4. The reintroduction techniques had to be developed which were appropriate to this and region.

Throughout the program, there have been many calls (and even demands) from various groups for the immediate reintroduction of captive birds to the wild, not understanding that such a simplistic approach could in fact threaten the species in the rush to save it. These demands were often made without much comprehension of the difficulties involved in reintroduction programs for psittacines or even any idea of the status of the captive population and the availability of birds for release.

Let the Last One Fly Free

In late 1992, after almost two years of field research, the Committee sponsored a Population and Habitat Viability Analysis (PHVA) Workshop, facilitated by the IUCN-SSC Captive Breeding Specialist Group Chairman Dr. Ulysses Seal. It was at this meeting that it was decided that this last surviving bird would not be captured for the breeding program as it was more important to the conservation effort in the wild. The field data had clearly shown that its survival skills and knowledge of the wild made this last bird an important potential "teacher" for future reintroduced Spix's Macaws.

And Find a Mate

After the decision to leave the wild bird in nature was made, the reintroduction of another bird to join the last one was be considered, so the captive population was closely examined for potential reintroduction candidates. Of all the captive birds, only one fit a very specific profile, which made her the best (and only) candidate for reintroduction at that time. This was a bird that was known to have been the last one taken into captivity, as an adult, from the wild. According to information collected from local poachers, she was taken while in the nest on eggs (which were broken during capture). She was held at the Chaparral facility in Recife, Brazil, and paired with a male transferred from the Sao Paulo Zoo. Although compatible, this pair had shown little breeding activity. A decision was made to reintroduce this individual bird to the region as she likely had the most experience and survival skills. (After the release, a captive bred female from Birds International, Inc. in the Philippines was later transferred to Brazil and paired with this remaining male.)

But .. is it REALLY a Male?

Although we had identified the female which would be released to the wild, we still had t deal with another serious question - the sex of the last bird. Because of its behavior, the field biologists believed that it was a male. on the other hand, as anyone who works with psittacines well knows, same sex pairings are not uncommon and behavior is not always a good indicator. To sex the last bird with available techniques meant that we had to capture a very wary bird that had outwitted the best poachers. Out of concern that we could endanger its life through the stress of capture, it was decided that a method would have to he found that did not include capture. A potential technique still in the investigative stages was the use of DNA, in this case, from molted feathers.

Dr. Griffiths, of Oxford University, in the United Kingdom took on this problem, and finally perfected this sexing technique. Feathers were collected from known roosting sites of the wild Spix's Macaw and sent to the UK for testing. In 1995, after nearly two years of research, and right before the scheduled transfer of the female to the region, we were given an answer the wild bird was definitely a male! (Note: Dr. Griffiths later published his findings in the distinguished scientific journal Nature. This DNA sexing technology, originally developed to sex the last Spix's Macaw in the wild is now routinely used in aviculture.)

Hope and Disappointment

The wild caught adult female was transferred to the newly built reintroduction facility with the knowledge that she would have the opportunity to pair with a male. She then spent over seven months in the reintroduction facility adapting to the new environment, diet, and long flights. The field researchers were amazed at her adeptness in changing to the local food items (adeptly opening nuts on the first try), as well as her apparent innate ability to recognize predators. It was felt that the right choice had been made and that she had adapted better than anyone had hoped or anticipated.

After her release, the field team was able to monitor her for two months. She had adapted extremely well, spending the last month flying and easily keeping up with the male. They appeared very compatible with much interaction and allopreening behavior. It seemed that she had beaten the odds and survived in the wild. By now, the story of the last wild bird and the reintroduced female had taken on fairy tale dimensions and seemed to be following the plot of the play presented years before in the theater. But this real story did not have the expected happy ending with a fuzzy blue chick peering from the nest.

Overnight, the field team lost track of her. Her sudden disappearance came as a shock not only to the field team, but to the local, national, and international communities. Only in the last few months, has the field staff been able to uncover credible evidence that she died through a collision with one of the high power lines that crosses the reintroduction area.

The Reintroduction Strategy

Although the release of this Spix's Macaw female did not have the hoped for results, it is considered an important step in the reintroduction program. Much was learned from the experience, which has benefited future reintroduction efforts. A complex reintroduction infrastructure and holding facility has been built and a field base established because of this effort. The restoration strategy for this species to the wild has never been based on the idea of a  single pair of reproducing birds. It was just a first step in a long-term strategy of periodic supplementation of the wild population by reintroduced captive bred birds. (A strategy defined in 1992 at the CBSG Population and Habitat Viability Analysis Workshop.)

Since that initial reintroduction attempt, two major experiments in psittacine reintroduction have been conducted by the field staff. The first critically important project was designed to develop the necessary protocols for eventual reintroduction of captive-reared Spix's Macaws. To do this, captive-hatched Illiger's Macaws (both hand- and parent-reared) were chosen from Loro Parque in Spain. These were quarantined and eventually transferred to the reintroduction facility where they were fitted with radio-collars and allowed to adapt to the region. Numerous problems had to be faced, including the unexpected destruction of the radio-collars by the birds and the failure of the radios to work.

This experience resulted in changes to the reintroduction protocols and the successful utilization of tail- mounted transmitters. Finally, in December of 1998 and early January 1999, a total of nine birds were released to the wild. Of these, one died within a week and another disappeared, but seven of the reintroduced birds have adapted well to the wild. This is considered an excellent survival rate for reintroduced captive-bred birds, which we believe is the result of the long adaptation period and acclimatization period. A pair formed by the reintroduced Illiger's Macaws has now occupied a nest hole and maybe will breed this season.

The second project conducted by the field team involved the application of the commonly used avicultural technique of fostering chicks. As it was apparent that the Spix's Macaw male and Illiger's Macaw female were a bonded pair which attempted to nest each season, this behavior could be used in the recovery program. If Spix's eggs were available, could they not be raised by the mixed-species pair? Of course, this meant that a breeding pair had to be perfectly synchronized with the wild pair.. but that's another problem we are working on. Before even risking such a procedure, the team had to determine whether the pair could be successful as parents. To test this, Field Program Coordinator Yara Barros closely monitored the Spix's nest to determine egg laying and brooding, replacing their eggs with wooden ones. As the "hatching" dates approached, she changed out the eggs for newly hatched Illiger's Macaw chicks from a nearby Illiger's nest, imitating a "natural" hatching sequence. The Spix's and Illiger's Macaw pair successfully fledged the chicks, showing us that the pair could be used for the actual fostering of Spix's Macaws to the wild. Of course, a concern has been that they would then look to Illiger's as mates, but it appears that the Illiger's chicks have taken on many of the Spix's characteristics, including behavior and vocalizations. Behavior data on these Illiger's should give us additional information of the effects of fostering on the chicks.

Captive Breeding a Key

The field research, community outreach and reintroduction program development has been successful, but everyone is keenly aware that the eventual reestablishment of Spix's Macaws to the wild depends on the success of the captive breeding program. Without available birds for reintroduction, it will be impossible to consider the establishment of a wild population. The Spix's Macaw captive breeding program is one of the few species which is managed as a single global population. In the last decade, the captive breeding and management program has made tremendous progress in increasing the population and ensuring the best possible genetic and demographic profile. in 1993, to better manage the growing population, the Committee established the Working Group on Captive Breeding, which I coordinate.

International Collaboration and Trust

In the beginning of the program, there weren't many options for setting up pairs. As the population increased and a few older birds died, it became important to move the birds between facilities for genetic and demographic purposes. In the last 10 years, we have transferred birds between the facilities of Birds International, Inc. in the Philippines to Brazil and Switzerland, Swiss birds have been transferred to the Philippines, a bird from Vogelpark Walsrode in Germany was transferred to Brazil and later the Philippines, a total of three birds have been transferred from the Philippines to Brazil and two birds have been transferred from the Sao Paulo Zoo in Brazil to the Loro Parque facilities in Spain. This last transfer was an important step in the program in which the Brazilian government recognized the global nature of this conservation effort and agreed to send two Brazilian held birds to an international facility for breeding purposes. To achieve this level of exchanges for breeding purposes takes a great degree of collaboration and trust, and could not have been accomplished without the support of the breeders who hold the future of the Spix's Macaw in their collections.

In developing the population management strategies for this species, the Working Group on Captive Breeding has held two technical workshops which bring together everyone involved in the captive-breeding program, as well as advisors, to periodically evaluate the program strategies, breeding status and management plan. Although the population is managed closely, this type of in-depth population masterplan evaluation is necessary as the population increases and young birds approach breeding age. The 1st Workshop on Captive Breeding of the Spix's Macaw was held in 1994, in conjunction with the CITES Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and hosted by the CITES Secretariat. It was successful in defining the genetic and demographic management strategy for this species and included major transfers and new pairings of birds.

What Next?

The 2nd Workshop on Captive Breeding and Population Management of the Spix's Macaw, recently held in Houston, focused on the development of a collaboration and trust through a comprehensive evaluation of each individual bird in the population. The captive population now stands at 60 captive birds, of which 54 are captive bred. This is a significant figure and is expected to increase significantly as the new young pairs come into reproduction. The need to transfer birds to new facilities was also addressed as an important step in the growth of the program to ensure against catastrophes at any single facility that could affect the population. This is an ongoing effort, with the in-country transfer of birds between holders in Switzerland already implemented. As the population steadily increases, the utilization of captive-bred birds for the reintroduction program has become an option for the first time in the recovery program. Recommendations for new pairings, transfers, and research were made (including the identification of captive-bred birds destined for the reintroduction program).

The Houston Zoo workshop exemplified the level of cooperation among the participants, which included all Committee members, collaborators and invited observers. Participants included myself as the Committee's Coordinator of the Spix's Macaw Working Group on Captive Breeding, Antonio de Dios (Birds International, Inc., Philippines); Wolfgang Kiessling (Loro Parque, Spain); Luis Sanfilippo (Sao Paulo Zoo, Brazil); Mauricio dos Santos (Criadouro Chaparral, Brazil); Roland Messer (Swiss Breeders, Switzerland); Dr. Iolita Bampi IBAMA, Brazil); Carlos Yamashita (IBAMA, Brazil); Pedro Scherer Neto (Brazilian Ornithological Society, Brazil); Monica Koch (CEMAVE, Brazil); Yara Barros (Spix's Macaw Field Program Coordinator); Steffen Patzwhal (Parc Paradisio, Belgium); Yves de Soye (Loro Parque Foundation, Spain); Dr. Friedrich Janeczek (Birds International, Inc., European Representative); Dr. Susan Clubb (Loro, Parque and AZA Macaw Group Veterinary Advisor); Robert J. Berry (AFA, USA); Dr. Richard Porter (IAS, USA); Lee Schoen (Houston Zoo, USA); Dr. Branson Ritchie (University of Georgia, USA); Dr. Darrel Styles (AFA Conservation Committee and AAV Aviculture Committee) and Laurue Bingaman-Lackey ( AZA Small Population Management Advisory Group.)

The meeting of the Permanent Committee for the Recovery of the Spix's Macaw was successful in determining the next steps in the long-term management plan for this species, both in captivity and the wild. Some of the decisions made included approval of land acquisition for the establishment of a permanent research base in the region, increasing the rural schoolhouse and community programs, identification of captive-bred birds to the reintroduction project, approval of new holders and captive-breeding facilities, fund-raising, and many other projects.

Although this species is still a long way from eventual recovery, it is the first time that the captive population is stable enough for an active reintroduction program of Spix's Macaws.

Conclusion

As I finish this "non-extinction" report of the Spix's Macaw, I hope that it will have provided the readers with not only an overview of this conservation effort, but also of the issues, problems and even conflicts involved in its conservation. Many people and organizations have played an important role in the conservation program for this species. However, we could have never come this far without the full support of the Brazilian wildlife authorities of IBAMA, and in particular the work and leadership of Dr. Iolita Bampi (Chief of the Wildlife Department DEVIS). Certainly no one can claim that this species is yet safe from extinction, but when one considers its status only a short 10 years ago, one cannot help but feel a deep sense of optimism for its future.

On my desk lies a small blue puppet with fuzzy down that was once the star of a play telling the fairy tale story of the Spix's Macaw. It is a reminder of an event in a dilapidated old theater, in a small rural town, and of a group of children that had been in the play. They had run up to me afterwards and given me the puppet  as a reminder to help them get a real Spix's chick.. Maybe we are not too far off from fulfilling that wish.

Program Supporters

Support for the Spix's Macaw recovery program has been provided by the following organizations:

Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Natural Renewable Resources (IBAMA); Fundacion Loro Parque; Ó Boticario Foundation; ASHOKA Foundation; Herbert Levy Institute; Birds International, Inc.; WWF-Brazil; BirdLife International; Houston Zoo; Grupo Relampago; AZA Brazil Conservation Action Partnership; The Moulton School; Fundação Parque Zoologico de Sao Paulo; Santa Ana Zoo; Central Hydroelectric Company of Sao Francisco; and many individuals involved in the program.

In the United States, the Committee for the Recovery of the Spix's Macaw is working with the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA); International Aviculturists Society (IAS); American Zoo and Aquarium (AZA) Brazil Conservation Action Partnership; and Houston Zoological Society to explore fundraising avenues to directly support projects, including field research, land acquisition, the rural schoolhouse program, reintroduction, and other priority programs.

Internationally, the Loro Parque Foundation of Spain has been the primary funding group of the field program and has played an essential role in raising funds for the conservation of this species. If you are in interested in supporting the Spix's Macaw program, please contact one of these groups for information.

References

Barros, Y. M. (1999) "Conservation and Management of Spix's Macaw: Successful Experience of Parental Care in a Hybrid Couple." Book of Abstracts, VI Neotropical Ornithological Congress, October 4-10, 1999, Monterrey and Saltillo, Mexico.

Collar, NJ., Gonzaga, L.P., Krabbe, N., Madrono-Nieto, L.G., Naranjo, T.A., Parker & Wege, D.C. (1992) Threatened birds of the Americas. The ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book, Cambridge: ICBP.

Juniper, A.T. and Yamashita, C. (1991) The habitat and status of Spix's Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii. Bird Conservation International 1: 1-9.

Schischakin, N. (1999) "The Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) Studbook and Population Management Plan of the IBAMA Permanent Committee for the Recovery of the Spix's Macaw" Houston Zoological Gardens, Houston.

Sick, H. (1984) Ornitologia Brasileira, Uma Introdução. 3rd ed. Editora Universidade de Brasilia.