From: Kevin Blaylock
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2016 6:01 PM
To: Dave Worley
Subject: Meeting tomorrow
Program Title:
Saving the Hyacinth Macaw, One Woman’s Mission
Program Description:
Founded in the early 1990’s by Dr. Neiva Guedes, Projeto Arara Azul (Hyacinth
Macaw Project) is a foundation that studies the biology and ecology of the
Hyacinth macaw through field study, nest monitoring, providing artificial nest
boxes, local education and preservation of habitat. Here is a small excerpt
from one of Neiva’s books about how she started:
“It all began in November 1989, when I stumbled upon a flock of hyacinth macaws
in the Caiman Ecological Refuge. I was taking a natural conservation course
(during college) and we ran into a group of about thirty hyacinth macaws
perched on a tree. The sight was unforgettable, and our professor mentioned
that the bird was threatened and might disappear in fifty years. I was deeply
moved. I felt passionate and willing to make any and all efforts to prevent
the species from ceasing to exist in the wild. All that I wanted was to keep
it from disappearing. I wanted other people to have the opportunity to see
them as I did – free, gracing the Pantanal skies.”
Since there was no scientific research yet completed for the Hyacinth macaw,
Neiva had to start from scratch. Through arduous journeys through the wild
(and wet) Pantanal, she researched their diet, nesting preferences, range and
reproduction. She had to learn methods to climb trees via ropes to access nest
cavities where she removed the chicks briefly for measurements, crop study and
health status. Since Hyacinths prefer to nest almost exclusively in the rare,
mature Manduvi trees she quickly realized that without more opportunities for
nesting there was no way the existing population could ever increase. She set
about creating nest boxes of different sizes, shapes and construction materials
until she found the ideal type. She then partnered with Pantanal ranch owners
to place hundreds of nest boxes on their property. Coupled with educating the
ranchers on the importance of the macaw to the ecosystem she convinced them to
refrain from clear cutting their land for pasture and to protect the palm nut
and Manduvi trees crucial to the survival of the parrot. Tonight we will tell
the story about a young college graduate in the early 1990’s who took on such a
gargantuan task and succeeded. In 25 short years the population of Hyacinth
Macaws have grown from less than 1500 individuals to more than 7000 today due
mainly to the efforts of Neiva Guedes and her research team. She truly is a
remarkable person and an example of what one person can accomplish with enough
work and dedication.
