Re-introduction of the vinaceous-breasted Amazon at the Araucárias National Park, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Summary

The vinaceous-breasted Amazon (Amazona vinacea), the most endangered parrot of Brazil's Atlantic Forest with a global population of only 1,000-2,500, had been locally extirpated from Araucárias National Park (ANP), Santa Catarina, largely through illegal nest poaching. Instituto Espaço Silvestre launched Brazil's first parrot reintroduction in a national conservation unit in 2010, rehabilitating birds confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, plus a few zoo-bred and rescued individuals, for release into ANP's 12,000-hectare habitat of araucaria and other food and nesting trees, approved by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation. Of 102 birds brought through a roughly four-month rehabilitation process, 76 were ultimately released in three cohorts (2011, 2013, 2015) after training to forage naturally and avoid humans; all were leg-banded and 48 fitted with radio-collars, monitored by researchers and local citizen scientists. Post-release monitoring found groups of two to fifteen birds established well, despite 19.73% cumulative mortality since 2011, with at least six pairs identified and nine wild offspring observed. The project paired this with an extensive community program, reaching over 526,000 residents through education, adopting the parrot as the park's symbol, and creating an income-generating handicraft cooperative for local women. Difficulties included skepticism about using trade-confiscated birds for conservation, coordinating anti-poaching patrols, and securing long-term funding and tracking equipment. The project rates itself successful, crediting survival and reproduction of released birds, reduced local threats through education and economic incentives, and a formal multi-stakeholder protection network built around the species.