Deadly virus has infected the last rare blue macaws in Brazil

The last wild specimens of the rare blue macaw, known as Spix's macaw, have been infected with a possibly incurable deadly virus. This virus is a major blow to the program to return the species to a semi-arid natural environment in northeastern Brazil, 25 years after they were declared extinct in the wild. This was reported on November 27 by Science X magazine.

Since 2020, when the first macaw Speakers from Germany were brought to the country, about 20 parrots have been released into the wild. Only 11 survived, who were infected with circovirus, which causes beak and feather disease in parrots. At the same time, it is claimed that he does not pose a threat to humans.

According to the Brazilian Conservation Agency ICMBio, circovirus is not treatable and kills birds in most cases. A positive result was also observed in another 21 parrots out of 90 held in captivity at a breeding center in the state of Bahia.

An idea of the efforts to save this species was given by the animated film "Rio", which tells the story of Makou Spix, raised in captivity in the USA. In real life, these efforts are much more difficult, as they involve conflicts between institutions and threats from unscrupulous breeders and private collectors.

It is claimed that the German Association for the Conservation of Endangered Parrot Species (ASTER), which collaborated with the BlueSky breeding center, owns 75% of the registered blue macaws in the world. Last year, Brazil broke off its partnership with them after the company sold 26 Makou Spix to a private Indian zoo without consent. Brazil has also repeatedly raised questions about loopholes that allow the sale of Speak's parrots bred in captivity.

ICMBio fined the BlueSky center 1.8 million reais ($336,000) for non-compliance with biosafety protocols aimed at limiting the spread of the virus. Inspectors found "extremely dirty" feeders covered in feces, and employees worked "in flip-flops, shorts and T-shirts."

According to recent data, parrots in South America are "more resistant" to circovirus compared to other parts of the world. BlueSky stressed that it has strengthened sanitary measures, isolated healthy birds and built barriers to prevent contact between wild and captive birds. It is specified that not a single bird died.

Earlier, on November 3, the Associated Press (AP) reported that Mississippi resident Jessica Bond Ferguson shot and killed a monkey infected with hepatitis and coronavirus. The incident occurred near Ferguson's house when her 16-year-old son noticed the animal in the yard. It was clarified that she feared for the lives of her children and knew that monkeys who escaped from laboratory trucks could carry dangerous viruses.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.