The weeks leading up to the release of thirteen Scarlet Macaws from the Punta Islita site of the Ara Project were some of the busiest the project has recently experienced. Countless hours were spent readying the birds (and ourselves) for this milestone and I was thrilled to be a part of it, especially considering the release has been a long-term plan for the project and I was able to see the results after being here for only two months.
As the birds tip-toed to the edge of the freshly-opened aviary and paused with the forest before them, I glanced around at the staff, volunteers and supporters who quietly looked on in anticipation. Each of our backgrounds, origins and personal reasons for why we came to the project varied, but on the morning of January 30th we showed up together for the birds and the stories they will write as they fly free.
The suspense of waiting for the birds to take flight lasted nearly an hour. During that time, cameras were adjusted, reports whispered, glances exchanged, legs stretched and mosquitoes swatted. Meanwhile, the parrots grew braver. After 58 minutes of bated breaths and multiple flight “fake-outs,” one bird decided to take the leap and leave the aviary in favor of a nearby tree. This was the confidence the rest seemed to have needed and soon six more joined in.
Despite the frantic and deafening calls from the macaws flying free for the first time, the gasps from those around me were audible. This moment was a first for many of us and incomparable to any other event. Not only that, but we were able to come together and share in this experience and exhale deeply…