According to the Friends for Conservation and Development the number of individual parrots in the wild is in sharp decline. A release from that conservation group says the species has declined in numbers over the years due to poaching, wildlife trafficking and habitat loss. The Friends for Conservation and Development has taken numerous measures to intervene and protect the endangered birds, primarily the scarlet Macaw.
On August 12th The FCD released five macaws from their enclosure in the Chiquibul back into the wild after they were brought in at a high risk of being stolen from their natural nests. The birds were kept in captivity under observations and taken care of by the Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic. FCD continues to document and conduct biological studies on the Scarlet macaw species for more than ten years in the Chiquibul forest which serves as a breeding habitat for the species. They have faced difficulties in trying to maintain a robust presence in the area to deter Guatemalan poachers from targeting the birds. FCD has since instituted an Anti Poaching Unit to intercept and ward off poachers in an effort to protect the species. The organization is confident that with the help of its partners and volunteers they will be able to assist in improving the bird population in the Chiquibul-Maya Mountains.
