Eleven rare blue macaws, known as ararinhas-azuis, face a dangerous situation at a breeding center in Brazil. These birds, scientifically identified as Cyanopsitta spixii, are battling an infection caused by circovirus, a viral agent that leads to Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD). This disease is known for its severe symptoms, including feather loss and deformities, and it often proves fatal for infected parrots.
The breeding center in Curaçá, Bahia, operates under a partnership between the Brazilian company BlueSky and the German Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP). This facility plays a crucial role in efforts to restore the blue macaw population, which has been classified as extinct in the wild since 2000 due to habitat destruction and illegal wildlife trafficking. Recent estimates suggest only around 200 of these birds exist globally, all in captivity.
Significant moves have been made in recent years to facilitate recovery. In 2020, 52 blue macaws were repatriated from Europe to Brazil, with a portion being released into a protected zone in 2022. However, the recent outbreak of circovirus, first observed in May 2024, raises serious concerns about the stability of these conservation efforts.
Early November saw the authorities taking action by recapturing the 11 infected birds. Circovirus originated in Australia, and its effects are particularly damaging to parrot species, though it poses no health risks to humans or domestic poultry. Investigations led by Brazil’s Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), in conjunction with the Bahia State Environmental Institute (INEMA) and federal authorities, uncovered alarming lapses in biosecurity protocols at the facility. Findings revealed inadequate cleaning practices, including dirty feeders still caked with dried feces and staff who failed to adhere to proper hygiene standards.
ICMBio issued a fine to BlueSky amounting to R$1.8 million, roughly $320,000 USD, underlining the serious nature of these infractions. The center has since segregated the 103 birds on-site into groups based on infection status to mitigate further spread. Claudia Sacramento, coordinator for climate emergencies and epizootics at ICMBio, indicated that stricter adherence to existing protocols might have prevented the infection from reaching the eleven birds in the first place.
Ongoing investigations are focused on identifying the source of the circovirus to understand its potential implications for other psittacine species in the region. As efforts to protect and recover the blue macaws continue, hope remains that these measures will help stabilize this vulnerable population.
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