Construction of the new Pantanal Wetlands habitat is progressing at Zurich Zoo in Switzerland, but its first residents have already arrived.
A total of 48 South American parrots, comprising 24 hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) and 24 sun conures (Aratinga solstitialis), have moved into the Refugio, the first completed section of the new development.
All 48 birds were bred at Zurich Zoo.
Their early transfer will allow them to become familiar with their new surroundings before the large aviary opens.
The project is dedicated to the biodiversity of the Pantanal, one of the world’s largest tropical wetland systems, and will accommodate several South American bird and mammal species, with particular attention to threatened wildlife.
The Refugio: the first completed section of the Pantanal habitat
The Refugio has been designed to accommodate different bird species and includes two separate areas for waterbirds and parrots.
The waterbird section features water areas and a specialised floor substrate, allowing the birds to engage in natural behaviours such as probing for food.
The parrot section includes a spacious communal room filled with natural daylight.
Once the new habitat opens, visitors will be able to observe this room through a glass viewing panel, while the other areas of the Refugio will remain inaccessible to the public.
The building also contains several separate compartments, allowing it to accommodate up to six different parrot species.
According to the zoo, introducing the first birds before the main aviary is completed will help facilitate the transition. Animals arriving later may benefit from observing individuals that have already become familiar with the new environment.
For now, however, the 48 parrots remain out of public view while construction work continues.
Hyacinth macaws: the world’s longest parrot species
Among the first residents are 24 hyacinth macaws, recognisable by their deep blue plumage and distinctive yellow skin around the eyes and at the base of the beak.
Reaching approximately one metre in length, the hyacinth macaw is considered the world’s longest parrot species.
It occurs in South America, particularly in Brazil, including the Pantanal region.
The species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, one of the three categories used for species threatened with extinction.
Its populations face pressures including habitat loss, habitat alteration and illegal capture.
Zurich Zoo has supported the conservation of hyacinth macaws and their natural habitats in Brazil for many years.
At its Ornis Species Conservation Centre, the zoo maintains one of the largest breeding groups of hyacinth macaws under human care, housed in behind-the-scenes facilities.
The institution also coordinates the European conservation breeding programme (EEP) for the species, which aims to maintain a stable and sustainably managed reserve population over the long term.
The 24 hyacinth macaws now living in the Refugio were bred at the Ornis centre in previous years.
Sun conures: an Endangered South American parrot
The Refugio has also welcomed 24 sun conures (Aratinga solstitialis), South American parrots known for their predominantly yellow and orange plumage, with green markings on their wings.
The species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List, indicating a higher extinction risk than that of the hyacinth macaw.
Wild populations have declined primarily because of habitat loss and illegal capture for the wildlife trade.
In their natural habitat, sun conures generally live in small groups and form strong social bonds with their partners.
These behaviours are already evident among the 24 birds that have moved into the Refugio, all of which were also bred at Zurich Zoo.
According to the zoo, pairs frequently sit close together, engage in mutual preening and maintain contact through their characteristic calls.
The early transfer will allow the group to settle into its new environment before the entire Pantanal habitat is completed.
Connecting ex situ conservation with habitat protection in the Pantanal
Zurich Zoo’s new habitat is dedicated to the Pantanal, an extensive wetland system located primarily in Brazil, but also extending into Bolivia and Paraguay.
The region supports remarkable biodiversity and provides important habitats for numerous bird, mammal, reptile and other animal species.
The zoo’s project aims to connect the presentation of South American wildlife with scientific research, environmental education and conservation.
Particular attention is being given to the hyacinth macaw, for which Zurich Zoo is involved in two complementary areas of conservation: coordinating the European ex situ conservation breeding programme and supporting initiatives to protect the species and its natural habitat in Brazil.
Coordinated breeding programmes help maintain stable populations under human care over the long term, while habitat protection remains essential for the conservation of wild populations.
With the arrival of the first 48 parrots in the Refugio, Zurich Zoo has reached an initial operational milestone in the development of its new Pantanal habitat.
Once the large aviary opens, visitors will have the opportunity to observe some of South America’s distinctive bird species and learn about the conservation activities supported by the zoo in their natural habitats.
