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Extinct Parrot Hatches in Belgian Zoo, Sparking Conservation Hope
9 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Spix's macaw, declared extinct in the wild, hatches at Belgian zoo
- First chick of this species to hatch at the park after 100 failed attempts
- Caretakers describe the birth as "a miracle" and "more precious than gold"
A rare blue parrot, the Spix's macaw, has hatched for the first time at a conservation center in Belgium, sparking new hope for the species. The chick was born on September 21, 2025, at the Centre for the Conservation of Endangered Bird Species in Pairi Daiza, a zoo in Cambron-Casteau.
This is a significant milestone, as the Spix's macaw was declared extinct in the wild more than 25 years ago by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Only a small number of these birds survive today in breeding programs around the world. The zoo's caretakers describe the chick's birth as "a true miracle of life" and "more precious than gold."
To increase the chick's chances of survival, specialists decided to remove the egg from its inexperienced parents before it hatched. The caretaker, Thomas Biagi, says that having to feed the chick every two hours is exhausting but motivating, as they are "literally holding the future of one of the world's most endangered species in our hands."
Pairi Daiza joined the conservation effort for the Spix's macaw in 2018, partnering with Brazil's Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation and the Sao Paulo Zoo. Currently, 12 Spix's macaws are being cared for at the Pairi Daiza Conservation Centre, which operates behind the scenes and is closed to the public to protect the birds from stress.
