AssetID: 55126427
Headline: 'Rio' parrot makes a comeback as Belgian zoo welcomes first Spix’s macaw chick in 25 years
Caption: A Belgian zoo is celebrating the birth of its very first Spix’s Macaw – a rare miracle of life years in the making. Pairi Daiza, known for its commitment to conservation, has been trying for years to breed the critically endangered Spix's Macaws. Despite 100 eggs being laid, none were fertilised – until now. The 101st egg has hatched, marking a remarkable breakthrough after years of effort and dedication. Experts believe a recent change in the birds' diet may have been key to this extraordinary success. Just before the chick hatched on the morning of September 21st, the egg was carefully removed from the parents. Inexperienced macaw couples often struggle with raising their first chick, so a team of rare bird specialists stepped in. The newborn has been hand-fed every two hours, day and night, in a desperate attempt to ensure its survival. The team is on constant watch, as the chick is still in a critical and fragile state. Thomas Biagi, rare bird keeper at Pairi Daiza, shared: “Feeding the chick every two hours is exhausting, but it’s also incredibly motivating because we know we’re literally holding the future of one of the world’s most endangered species in our hands.” The Spix’s Macaw, made famous by the film *Rio*, is a parrot native to north-eastern Brazil. Officially declared extinct in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for over 25 years, only a small number of individuals remain today. This success is a result of extensive global conservation and breeding efforts. Since 2018, Pairi Daiza has been heavily involved in saving this rare species through its Foundation, working with ICMBio (Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, Brazil) and the São Paulo Zoo. The goal is to create a genetically diverse population and support the long-term survival of the Spix's Macaw. The zoo is home to 12 of these rare birds, but except for three that live in the Farmhouse aviary, most are kept behind the scenes to avoid disrupting the delicate breeding process. Any unnecessary human contact could hinder their chances of successful reproduction. The newly hatched chick won’t be released into the wild, but will play a vital role as a future breeder in the program.
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