Scarlet Macaw Reintroduction

The scarlet macaw (Ara macao) is one of the most emblematic species of Costa Rica. Unfortunately, their populations are decreasing worldwide and they have been extirpated from the majority of Costa Rica. Formerly present in the entire Pacific coast of the country, macaw populations have dwindled due to habitat destruction and intense poaching for the pet trade.

Scarlet macaws are important in several biological processes, including regeneration of the environment, dispersal and germination of seeds, and population control of various species of trees and shrubs. To help restore balance in the ecosystem, Wild Sun Rescue Center has partnered with AsoProLapa to reintroduce the scarlet macaw in the Nicoya Peninsula.

AsoProLapa started breeding scarlet macaws in 1996. The birds were all confiscated from the pet trade and could not be released. The third generation was ready to be reintroduced back into the wild, and the first releases took place in 2007. In total, 159 birds were released between 2007 and 2017.

Important limiting factors of the success of macaw conservation are the number of suitable nesting trees available and poaching of nestlings for the pet trade. Therefore, artificial nests were developed that are harder for poachers and predators to access and in areas that are secure and monitored. The first 30 artificial nests were placed in the Pochote area in 2008. As of October 2022, there are 77 artificial nests, and 40 natural nests have been identified. The project in the Pochote region is very successful; over 130 chicks have hatched in the wild, and the wild population of scarlet macaws is currently estimated at over 250 individual birds.

In 2019, the next phase of the macaw reintroduction project started with a second release site in Cabuya at Wild Sun Rescue Center. So far we have released a total of 35 scarlet macaws from this site, and we aim to do continuous releases of juvenile scarlet macaws from our breeding program; the aim is to release 100 birds in Cabuya within the first 10 years. The ultimate goal of the program is to reach a viable population of over 400 free-living scarlet macaws by the year 2030.

The first group of macaws in Cabuya will be reaching maturity within the next years, and so we are providing nest boxes for them in the area. So far, we have placed 7 artificial nest boxes and we aim to place 5 more in 2023. These boxes are closely monitored, and hopefully we will soon be able to report the first wild born scarlet macaw in the Cabuya area!

Help us reintroduce the scarlet macaw