Instituto Chico Mendes of Conservação of The birds, recaptured on November 2, 2025 in the rural area of Curaçá, in the north of Bahia, showed symptoms such as whitening of the feathers and deformities in the beak. The outbreak occurs amid a reintroduction program that began in 2020 and represents a risk to the survival of the species, considered extinct in the wild since 2000.
The recapture complied with a court order determined by Ministério of Meio Ambiente and aims to contain the spread of the virus, which could affect other birds in the region. Especialistas from ICMBio highlight that the circovirus, originating from Austrália, had not been recorded in wild birds in Brasil until this year. The episode exposes vulnerabilities in the management of threatened species, with more than 90 Spix’s Macaws kept in a local breeding facility at risk of mass contamination.
Federal authorities imposed a fine of R$1.2 million on the company responsible for the breeding facility for failures in biosafety protocols. Fiscalizações carried out in June, August and September 2025 identified irregularities, such as dirty feeders and lack of adequate equipment for caregivers. ICMBio activated an incident command system to coordinate isolation and decontamination actions, prioritizing the protection of native parrot populations in Caatinga.
- Main symptoms observed: loss of feathers, changes in color and abnormal growth of the beak.
- Number of birds affected at the breeding facility: at least 21 individuals tested positive in recent tests.
- Estimated global population: approximately 328 Spix’s Macaws, with 75% under the control of an international organization.
Origin of the outbreak among repatriated birds
The infection emerged in May 2025, when seven Spix’s macaws at the breeding facility, including a chick born in the wild, tested positive for the virus. Testes in recaptured birds confirmed the presence in all survivors of a batch of 20 released in 2022. Investigadores from ICMBio collected blood, feces and feather samples from 92 individuals, in addition to monitoring neighboring species such as Maracanãs.
The pathogen, which causes immunosuppression and failures in feathering, is transmitted by direct contact or via a contaminated environment, with potential latency for months. Relatos indicate that a bird imported from Alemanha tested positive in January 2025, but the case was not immediately reported to Brazilian authorities. Essa failure contributed to the spread, according to the institute’s internal reports.
Symptoms and progression of the disease
The circovirus causes visible changes in the first weeks of infection, with the beak becoming deformed and the feathers losing their characteristic blue pigmentation. Affected Aves exhibit bald areas on the head and body, as well as broken feathers that prevent efficient flight. Em Curaçá, field observations recorded a decline in the fitness of released Spix’s Macaws, leading to preventative recapture.
Studies on parrots indicate that the virus attacks the immune system, facilitating fatal secondary infections. In the case of hyacinth macaws, the mortality rate reaches 90% in unmonitored populations, according to data from outbreaks in captivity in Europa. Equipes veterinarians isolate positive individuals in dedicated enclosures, applying palliative treatments to alleviate discomfort.
Continuous monitoring reveals that some birds respond with temporary improvement, reversing negative tests after immune strengthening. However, the absence of a vaccine or cure keeps the prognosis guarded. Autoridades recommend strict quarantine for any future transfer of specimens.
Field research, including trapping nearby wild birds, looks for evidence of spillover to native species. Até At the moment, samples from Maracanãs and Scarlet Macaws have not detected the virus, but surveillance persists.
ICMBio emergency actions
ICMBio declared an emergency in August 2025, after the first alert of mass contamination. Equipes federal authorities carried out screening in all aviaries at the breeding facility, isolating 13 positive birds in safe indoor areas. Descontaminação of nests and feeders followed international protocols, with the removal of accumulated organic waste.
Polícia Federal followed inspections in September, collecting evidence of non-compliance with health standards. Additional Multas may be applied if new irregularities are confirmed. The institute coordinates with Ministério of Agricultura to assess impacts on poultry production, although the risk is low.
Partnerships with international organizations were temporarily suspended, prioritizing national biosafety protocols. Treinamentos for caregivers includes the use of personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, to prevent indirect human transmission.
- Measures implemented: isolation of infected people, cleaning of enclosures and monthly serological tests.
- Investments allocated: R$500 thousand for environmental monitoring at Caatinga.
- Reporting deadline: quarterly assessment until March 2026.
Controversies in the conservation program
The initial reintroduction agreement, signed in 2020 between the Brazilian government and Associação for Conservação of Papagaios Ameaçados (ACTP), of Alemanha, imported 52 hyacinth macaws for Curaçá. The NGO controlled 90% of the global population at the time, but the contract was broken in 2024 due to unauthorized sales of 26 birds to a zoo in Índia. Essa decision exposed loopholes in trade in endangered species under CITES.
Critics point out that imports without strict quarantine facilitated the entry of the virus, which had been absent in Brazilian fauna until then. Relatórios from ICMBio highlight that 14 birds prepared for release in June 2025 tested positive, postponing planned releases. Blue Sky, ACTP’s local partner, argues that South American birds show greater resistance, but contradictory data supports the need for review.
Discussions in international forums question the sustainability of programs dependent on private captivity. Especialistas advocate greater transparency in transfers, with independent audits to avoid repetitions. The episode reinforces demands for stricter regulations on parrot trafficking.
The contractual breach transferred responsibilities to national entities, but limited resources challenge continuity. Propostas include creation of a fund dedicated to reintroduction, focusing on in vitro reproduction to diversify the gene pool.
Biosecurity in breeding grounds for endangered species
Biosafety protocols failed at the Curaçá breeding site, where inspectors found inadequate conditions, such as a lack of regular disinfection. Normas from ICMBio require 30-day quarantine for imports, with multiple serological tests, but evidence suggests omissions. Implementação of physical barriers, such as insect screens, are now mandatory in all poultry houses.
Annual training for teams aims to reduce human errors, with an emphasis on hygiene and monitoring early symptoms. Experiências of outbreaks in Austrália, where the virus is endemic, serve as a model for local adaptations. No Brasil, integration with rescued fauna screening centers strengthens the detection network.
Advances in molecular diagnostics, such as real-time PCR, accelerate the identification of asymptomatic cases. Colaborações with universities in Bahia develop studies on the susceptibility of native parrots, collecting data for preventive policies.
Global population and reproduction efforts
The Spix’s Macaw totals 328 registered individuals, with a focus on captivity for genetic preservation. Programas in Alemanha and Brasil prioritize controlled mating, producing viable offspring for future reintroductions. However, the outbreak reduces available stock by 3%, requiring adjustments to reproductive plans.
Strategies include frozen sperm banking, starting in 2023, to mitigate losses. Taxas success rate in artificial nests in Caatinga reached 70% in 2024, but infections interrupt cycles. Monitoramento via GPS on released birds, when reset, will track post-quarantine dispersal.
International efforts under CITES limit trade to scientific purposes, with annual inspections of private collections. No Brasil, federal laws prohibit exports, directing resources to protected habitats. Projeções indicate that, without the virus, the wild population could double in a decade.
Environmental monitoring in the region of Curaçá
Surveillance at Caatinga involves camera traps and drones to map parrot movements. Environmental Amostras, such as tree trunk swabs, detect viral traces in shared habitats. Dados of 2025 show low prevalence in unrelated species, but alerts persist for scarlet macaws.
Networks of local sentries, made up of trained residents, have been reporting unusual sightings since July. Integração with Sistema Nacional of Unidades of Conservação expands coverage, identifying ecological corridors. Relatórios monthly ICMBio updates status, with an emphasis on vegetation restoration for food support.
Collaborations with Instituto of Meio Ambiente of Bahia (Inema) reinforce state inspections, combining satellite data with ground surveys. Essa holistic approach aims not only to contain the outbreak, but to strengthen the resilience of regional biodiversity.
