The Spix macaw was declared extinct in the wild in 2000 but a reintroduction programme using captive-bred birds is attempting to restore a wild population in northeast Brazil.
Captive-bred birds lack survival skills of wild-hatched animals, requiring extensive pre-release conditioning. Reintroduced birds face predation, heat stress, and competition from unfamiliar species. Post-release monitoring is essential for welfare management of each individual during establishment.