Rare parrot pursuit causes feathers to ruffle at Ambani zoo, sparking disagreement
In a recent development, concerns have been raised about the transfer of 26 Spix's macaws to a private zoo in India. The macaws, sourced from the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP) in Germany in 2023, are currently housed at the Vantara zoo.
The transfer, deemed "entirely lawful, non-commercial, and undertaken as a conservation breeding arrangement with ACTP," has sparked controversy due to Brazil's assertions that it did not consent to the passage of the Spix's macaws to India. Brazil has expressed these concerns at CITES meetings, as the Spix's macaw is a species declared extinct in the wild in 2019 and has been reintroduced to its native habitat in Brazil through a captive-breeding program.
The costs for flying the macaws from Berlin to Ahmedabad, India, amounted to $25,194, with customs taxes and local duties of $19,000 waived. The German organization responsible for the transfer was the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP).
However, it is noteworthy that the Vantara zoo has not yet joined the Spix's Macaw Population Management Program, a fundamental condition for official involvement in the species conservation effort. This fact has added fuel to Brazil's concerns, as the programme plays a crucial role in the conservation and management of the critically endangered species.
In light of these concerns, European officials are keeping a close watch on any exports to Vantara and have indicated they will assess any export requests with "increased scrutiny." India's Central Zoo Authority, however, has not responded to queries regarding the controversy.
The Spix's macaws are one of the world's rarest parrot species, and their conservation is of paramount importance. The ongoing controversy serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in international wildlife conservation efforts and the need for transparency and consensus among all parties involved.
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