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The Jewel of our Jungles: In Danger of Extinction!

by Biol. Oscar S. Aranda Mena |

Macaw parrots are the emblems of jungles worldwide. Regardless of their color or species, they are the ambassadors of the rainforests, representing its lush beauty. Can you imagine the forests surrounding Puerto Vallarta without macaws? We must realize that to do nothing is to allow these magnificent birds to disappear forever!

Mexican Macaws: Born to Fly Freely
There are two species of macaws that inhabit Mexican jungles; both are endangered. The scarlet macaw (Ara macao), with its bright red color, inhabits southeastern Mexico, while, the green macaw (Ara militaris) inhabits in the forests and jungles of Mexico's Pacific coast and some other states. Their presence around Puerto Vallarta is noted for their boisterous shouts that can be heard hundreds of meters away. The macaw is a widely distributed species not only in Mexico but also in Central and South America, although the largest populations are found in Mexico.
Despite the great pressure that this species has endured from people, it has still somehow managed to survive in diverse climates and natural environments, however indigenous populations have increasingly been falling to the extent that, some say, there are now more macaws in captivity than in the wild. In Mexico, macaws and parrots are traditionally used as pets, despite laws prohibiting their capture and sale. With the indifference of authorities, these cute green birds are captured from our forests every day, using traumatic, inhumane techniques, that are, in most cases, fatal for the unfortunate birds.
What the new owners of a macaw may not know is that this animal is not intended to live in captivity. While the parrot grows, and its antics celebrated, people should be mindful that, as bird continues to grow, it will begin to damage or ruin any non-metallic decorations or possession in their house, until this indomitable family member invariably ends up locked behind the bars of a cage for the rest of its life, condemned to a tedious and lonely existence, unable to find mate and perpetuate its species.

Efforts at Protection: Authorities vs. Non-Profit Organizations
In Puerto Vallarta, for more than 15 years, there have been efforts to identify, register and limit the number of parrots that live in captivity, with limited success, including the owners looking to donate or integrate their macaws into a breeding program. Moreover, any existing legal protection has been minimal, even though the laws are very clear, inspections or surveillance is rarely carried out, much less fines imposed.
In addition to the problems faced by the pillage of parrot nests, wild parrots, generally have very limited reproductive success: with not more than 30% spawning successfully and managing to raise a chick to adolescence, because the entire process may take longer than five months, from courtship until the chick is able to leave the nest.
This is why people concerned about the future of macaws in our region decided to organize and have gradually developed serious projects that may represent new hope as they undertake environmental education, censuses and monitoring of wild populations, reproduction and breeding efforts in captivity; even working toward the ambitious project of creating sanctuaries and private reserves where wild populations can reproduce without the danger of looters by keeping domestic parrots in semi-captivity.
Sure; sounds good, right? However, the biggest problem that these organizations still face is indifference and lack of resources, for the task of communicating the importance of these birds for the region and the ecosystem and organizing public events where the public can get involved in these important efforts.
If you do not have time to get involved, don't worry. Place your trust in these people and your financial contribution will allow them to continue their noble cause, trying to restore what our society has all but destroyed. Join the efforts to ensure that these emblematic and majestic macaws might continue to fly freely in the region's forests.

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