Cover photo: Red-fronted Macaw (Ara rubrogenys). Tomas Calahuma Arispe, Chief of protection of El Palmar National Park.
In recognition of its importance in species conservation, the Red-fronted Macaw (Ara rubrogenys) has been selected as the “Zoo Animal of the Year” in Europe. This prestigious title is awarded annually as part of the species protection campaign “Zoo Animal of the Year”, promoted by the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (Zoologische Gesellschaft für Arten- und Populationsschutz – ZGAP) with the support of the German Society for Animal Parks (Deutsche Tierparkgesellschaft) and the Association of Zoological Gardens (Verband der Zoologischen Gärten).
The “Zoo Animal of the Year” campaign aims to raise funds for local species conservation projects. In this edition, the funds obtained will be allocated to the conservation of the Red-fronted Macaw in Bolivia and the Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) in Ecuador. Actions will include habitat protection, the provision of suitable nest boxes, and the reduction of poaching through increased ranger deployment and public awareness campaigns.
The Red-fronted Macaw is Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and the scarcity of nesting sites. This Bolivian endemic species is only found in four river basins within the inter-Andean dry valleys: Caine, Mizque, Río Grande, and Pilcomayo. It is estimated that the population consists of approximately 1,200 individuals.
“The lack of protective measures could lead to a continued decline in their population. Aware of this situation, Asociación Armonía, a key project partner, is implementing various conservation actions to ensure the survival of this species,” reads the campaign’s website.
This initiative aims to raise awareness about endangered species and raise funds for successful long-term projects. Thanks to the donations received, it is expected that special investments can be made to contribute to the protection and preservation of the Red-fronted Macaw.
For more information on this campaign, please visit the official website: https://www.zootierdesjahres.de/. We also share some images of the great reception of the launch of the campaign that took place earlier this year in the German media.
For more information about this campaign, you can visit the official website: https://www.zootierdesjahres.de/. We also share some images of the great reception that the campaign launch had earlier this year in the German media.