In January 2012 I volunteered at the ARA Project in Costa Rica - they are a non-for-profit organisation run by a dedicated team of volunteers that breed endangered Scarlet and Great Green Macaws to be released into the wild.  They are also a refuge for parrots that have been abused, neglected or injured - many of these birds were originally confiscated by the Government. These birds are now living fulfilled lives  and the majority are able to be part of the breeding program.  (one of the best parent birds is a female who had to have a wing amputated after poachers severed the tendon so that she would not be able to escape)

A few months after I worked there, the last living founder of the project died and his relatives sold the land on which the breeding centre and a small farm which provided much of the food for the birds was located.  A new site has been given to the ARA Project, but funds are urgently needed for rebuilding aviaries and relocating the birds.  

Please help me to support this project and remember that a conservation effort for one species also helps all the other species within that habitat.  

Parrots are among most endangered of all birds as they have faced a sharp decline due to illegal trapping and smuggling and because of deforestation and habitat loss.  

All donations, however small will be much appreciated.

*** As the ARA Project are a very small not-for-profit organisation the donations will be made via the World Parrot Trust, who will transfer all funds raised directly to the ARA Project. ***

You can find out more about the ARA Project here:

www.thearaproject.org