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HYACINTH MACAW PROJECT

HOW DID THE ADOPT A NEST CAMPAIGN COME ABOUT?

In 2014 there was a financial emergency so that the Hyacinth Macaw project could be carried out as planned for that year. Immediately, the Instituto Arara Azul teams got together to plan some actions, and among them was the Adopt a Nest Campaign. At first, in a pilot format.

That year, the campaign was drawn up and a search was made for partners who would support the initiative and, promptly, several people and companies came forward to support it, even with their image and services, such as: Paulo Jorge Maksoud Rahe, Ziraldo, Carlos Saldanha, Gabriel Sater, Almir Sater, Luan Santana, Munhoz e Mariano, Chitãozinho e Xororó, Michel Teló, Cláudia Gaigher, Ellen Genaro, ZN Marketing, Gráfica Alvorada, Camiseteria Maiorca, in addition to the sponsors who promptly joined the campaign for the important cause.

Source: Instituto Arara Azul archive

DID THE ADOPT A NEST CAMPAIGN CONTINUE ON THE FOLLOWING YEARS?

Yes, since then the Campaign has been launched every year with great repercussions, and the sponsors who joined in the following years can be seen at: https://www.institutoararaazul.org.br/apoie/adote-um-ninho/. Many of these godfathers and godmothers have become faithful over the years and have already allowed many hyacinth macaws to fly the skies of the Pantanal. This year, 2024, the Campaign is already in its 11th edition.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING A GODFATHER OR GODMOTHER?

Initially, the adopter receives a “Preparatory Course” (digital workbook) in order to become a godfather or godmother, with important information about the Hyacinth Macaw Project.

Every two months, the adopter receives a report on the activities and discoveries made by the project’s field team, where the “godfather” will be able to keep up with news about his “godson” and other information relating to the project, with exclusive images that he can post on his social networks.

The sponsor receives a Certificate of Adoption and a Baptismal Certificate with the name they choose for the chick or chicks that are born in their nest.

The adopter can request a talk for their target audience (employees, partners and guests), on a date to be scheduled and with the company responsible for logistics costs.

The adopter receives a welcome kit containing exclusive products from the Hyacinth Macaw Institute.

The adopter may disclose (with the exception of for commercial or profit purposes) that he or she is the PARENT OF A NEST and is responsible for carrying out part of the Hyacinth Macaw Project’s nest(s) monitoring activities for the duration of his or her Adoption Certificate. If the adopted nest is occupied by a species other than the hyacinth macaw, you will also have the opportunity to get to know a new species and contribute even more to the biodiversity of the Pantanal.

At the end of the adoption period, the adopter will receive a Final Report containing all the information on the monitoring carried out, the successes achieved and any other information that may be necessary.

Adopters who are interested can (as long as they take responsibility for their travel expenses) visit the Pantanal and get to know the Hyacinth Macaw Project team’s field work up close, as well as “their sponsored nest”. Please note that this will require prior booking with the project team.

WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS GODFATHER OR GODMOTHER?

Be responsible, not only financially for a nest (as there is an annual donation/contribution to be a godparent), but try to keep up to date with everything that is happening with your “godchild”, through the periodic reports sent to you by the project team. Be aware that there are risks of your “godchild” not producing the expected result, at the end of the reproductive period, a hyacinth macaw chick.

It’s important to know that it’s possible that eggs and/or chicks will be predated, or that chicks of another species may be found in this nest, or even that there won’t be any. After all, this is nature and we can’t guarantee that the adopted nest will be occupied by one species. However, the nests made available for adoption are generally occupied by hyacinth macaws. To understand this better, read our articles and publications on the website (www.institutoararaazul.org.br).

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ADOPT A NEST IN EACH EDITION?

In this 11th Edition, which corresponds to July 2024 to June 2025, the amount is R$12,000.00 (twelve thousand reais for the year) and the donation can be made in installments, as the donor chooses. This agreement will be endorsed by a donation contract.

HOW DOES MY ADOPTION CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROJECT’S RESULTS?

We would like to emphasize that the Hyacinth Macaw Project team has been working seriously and responsibly for 35 years, with a wealth of knowledge and information. However, we feel the need to remind the partners of this Campaign that, when dealing with nature, unforeseen events can happen, such as fires, falling trees, flooding of nests, occupation of cavities by other species, laying of infertile eggs, predation of eggs and chicks, mortality due to malformation, infertility, among others. All these cases have been observed over the years by our researchers.

To find active nests (with eggs and chicks), many nests need to be monitored. In the reproductive period of 2022/23, for example, in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso do Sul, a total of 2,506 surveys were carried out (climbing on and off each nest). On average, 10 nests were monitored per day. A nest could be monitored more than once a month, depending on the need. A total of 326 nests were monitored, 222 nests were managed, 59 nest boxes were installed, 112 nests were occupied by hyacinth macaws and 104 nests were occupied by other species.

BE THE GODFATHER OR GODMOTHER OF A NEST, ADOPT A NEST 2024!

 

Translated by: Nuna Arakaki.

Text by: Eliza Mense

Biologist, post-graduate in environmental education and business management, with 36 years’ experience in managing social and environmental projects. Since 2014, she has been a member of the Executive Board of the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, developing management and financial sustainability actions for the execution of research and conservation projects.