Scarlet macaws (Ara macao) continue to nest in the trees of the La Corona–El Morgan Community Forest Concession, located within Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve. Despite the severe wildfires in the region, the forest has shown remarkable resilience, allowing this iconic species to continue breeding. Thanks to nest protection and constant monitoring, successful reproduction of macaws in the area has been ensured.
Tree species such as Acacia glomerosa (locally known as cantemó), known for their height and strong wood, provide natural cavities that offer safe environments for egg incubation and chick development—ensuring optimal conditions for reproduction.
Nest monitoring is key to this process. Each season, a team of biologists and trained community field technicians records the number of eggs, assesses their health, and ensures the nests remain in safe conditions. This constant monitoring helps detect threats like malnutrition, parasites, predators, poaching, or unstable trees—enabling informed decision-making for the management of each nest.
"At our field laboratory in Laguna del Tigre National Park, we witnessed the hatching of the first scarlet macaw chick of the 2025 season on March 17, marking the beginning of a new generation in this strategic area," says Rony García-Anleu, Director of Biological Research at WCS Guatemala.
Forest landscape restoration is a strategy that benefits areas degraded by wildfires, helping recover habitat for many bird and mammal species that depend on these ecosystems. Reforestation with native trees like mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), ramón (Brosimum alicastrum), and aceituno (Simarouba glauca) provides food, shelter, and nesting sites—strengthening ecological connectivity and ensuring ecosystem resilience.
Although the progress is encouraging, forest protection and restoration efforts face ongoing challenges. Threats like wildfires and illegal land invasions continue to endanger the Maya Forest. That’s why conservation actions must continue through coordinated work between government, civil society, communities, and community forest concessions—an effective strategy for long-term protection.
The artificial incubation lab: A key to reproductive success
Operated by WCS Guatemala in partnership with CONAP and its allies, the chick management lab includes an artificial incubation component that carefully simulates optimal conditions for scarlet macaw egg development. Equipped with advanced technology, the lab controls temperature, humidity, and other key factors to maximize chick survival and healthy growth.
When a nest is found to be at risk—due to unstable trees, predators, or signs of abandonment—rigorous technical criteria guide the next steps. Eggs are carefully extracted and transported under controlled conditions to the lab. There, incubation lasts approximately 24 to 28 days and includes constant monitoring of embryo development, manual egg rotation, and detection of issues such as infection or non-viable embryos. Once hatched, the chicks receive specialized care until they are ready to be released into their natural habitat—completing the process of boosting the population of this emblematic species.
Progress and collaboration in ecological recovery
Nearly one year after the signing of the Concession Contract for the Sustainable Use and Management of Renewable Natural Resources in La Corona–El Morgan—covering more than 376 km²—progress in scarlet macaw reproduction brings hope and highlights the resilience of the ecosystem. It also shows that strategic partnerships are essential when facing severe threats. Close collaboration with concessionaires and CONAP is allowing conservation efforts to continue in this vulnerable area of the Maya Biosphere Reserve.
Community forest concessions continue to prove themselves as an effective model, promoting coexistence between local communities and biodiversity—ensuring the long-term conservation of protected areas like the Maya Biosphere Reserve.
This progress is the result of collaboration between the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF), and several strategic allies, including Grupo AJE, AgroAmerica, NaturAceites, Grupo HAME, Merlina Barnes, Oregon State University, Tulsa Zoo, and the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation.
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