Genetics of the hyacinth macaw
This project investigates the genetic relationship within the hyacinth macaws that Zoo Zurich keeps and breeds at the «Ornis» species conservation center. The group at Ornis currently forms the world's largest captive hyacinth macaw population (known as ex-situ population).
The research project is a collaboration between Zoo Zurich, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and Nottingham-Trent University.
Declining numbers
The Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is endangered in its area of origin in South America (VU status on the IUCN Red List). Poachers removed at least 10,000 hyacinth macaws from the wild in the 1980s. Today, the wild population (known as the in-situ population) still comprises around 6,500 birds.
The population of wild hyacinth macaws has declined sharply over the last three generations. Most of the remaining birds live in the Brazilian Pantanal. Recurrent large-scale forest fires are putting additional pressure on the species there.
All for one
The study of the genetic relationship of the hyacinth macaws at the zoo is being carried out as part of an overarching conservation strategy for this species based on the «One Plan Approach». The One Plan Approach is an integral approach that unites all stakeholders involved in the conservation of a species – «all for one», so to speak.
In this case, the «one» is the hyacinth macaw. And its conservation as a species can only succeed if all measures are combined: the protection of the birds' natural habitat, the protection of the wild living parrots and the targeted breeding and keeping of the species in captivity.
Breeding in the zoo, protection in the wild
Part of this integral approach is the keeping and breeding of hyacinth macaws outside their natural habitat, as practiced by the zoo in Ornis. However, the protection and support of wild living hyacinth macaws in South America is also part of this approach. The zoo promotes this with its Pantanal nature conservation project:
