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Two of the world's most endangered parrots, red-fronted macaws, have been brought together at Twycross Zoo in Leicester, England, as part of a crucial breeding initiative aimed at preventing the species' extinction.
The macaws, native to Bolivia, are among the most endangered parrot species, with fewer than 300 individuals remaining in the wild. They have been classified as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The birds were donated by the Welsh Mountain Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo, with the transfer organized through a European conservation program, marking a significant milestone in the global effort to save the species.
Assistant bird curator Rhys McKie, who previously worked at Edinburgh Zoo, was present when one of the macaws hatched there last year.
“It’s always an exciting day when a new animal arrives at the zoo, but being reunited was a really special moment," McKie said. "When he hatched, it was the first time in over 15 years that the species had been successfully bred at the zoo. Now, to give him a home at Twycross Zoo where he will continue the conservation journey and hopefully breed more of this rare species, is very momentous for me.”
Red-fronted macaws are distinguished by their vibrant red foreheads and long blue-green tails. In the wild, they inhabit a small semi-desert mountainous region in Bolivia and are unique among macaws. These parrots feed on desert plants like cactus and play a key role in seed dispersal for these plants.
Dr. Rebecca Biddle, director of conservation at Twycross Zoo, expressed her enthusiasm for the new arrivals.
“I’m looking forward to our visitors getting the chance to see them together—and our other stunning parrot species—in our parrot habitat. Bringing this pair to Twycross to hopefully facilitate breeding further down the line, is a necessary and important step to save this species.”
The initiative at Twycross Zoo underscores the importance of conservation efforts to protect these critically endangered parrots and ensure their survival for future generations.
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