Tailor made vacation in Brazil

Planet and people

Refúgio Ecológico Caiman is home base for the Blue Macaw Project, which was devised by Neiva Guedes of UNIDERP (The University for the Development of the State and Region of the Pantanal) and inaugurated in November 1998. They collect young birds rejected by their parents and raise them until they are strong enough to be released into the wild, collect data on this endangered species and monitor existing nests. Since the project began and the Refugio Ecologico Caiman began educating residents in the area about preserving the wildlife as opposed to hunting it, the numbers of hyacinth macaws in the area have dramatically increased.

Since its creation, biologists from several different countries as well as students from Brazil's most important universities, have take part in the Hyacinth Macaw Project. Along with the support provided by the project base, the Blue Macaw Project also receives assistance from many other foundations and enterprises. Some of these include the Hyacinth Macaw Fund, which provides funds through the California Community Foundation, the Smart Family Foundation, Toyota Motor Co., Parrot Society, Ibama and the Manoel de Barros Foundation.

Along with the normal planned activities, Caiman guests can also watch the work of the Blue Macaw Project up close by visiting the base during their stay.