The feeding deconditioning process was the first step. Because they were not native of this area, the birds were unaware of the foods that would be available in the ecosystem. The biologists’ task was to bring them to the birds’ attention, which is what happened with the licuri palm, the species’ main food source. The macaw may travel up to 50 kilometres to reach a licuri palm grove, so it is important they can identify the fruits to get to the feeding zones.
The blue colouring of its feathers is in stark contrast to the brown of the caatinga region, which can help predators. Thus, they needed to learn to protect themselves and hide. And the region’s rocky walls are the perfect hiding place. Having to recognise threatening animals never seen before may seem a bit scary, but the training undertaken by biologists helped a lot! Furthermore, they were able to improve their flight skills, since they had never flown more than two or three metres before. This included building muscle tone and improving their physical conditioning. The work was intense! Birds and biologists had no rest in the past three years.
Now, with the release, one of the most important stages of the whole programme begins: the monitoring. And the target is for the region known as Boqueirão da Onça, which covers 900 hectares of caatinga forest and serrado, to become once again a habitat for the Lear’s macaw.
Those who witnessed the project over the last few years did not hide their joy in seeing the macaws taking flight in the caatinga skies. Employees and local residents followed the event in awe!