The Wildlife Animal Rehabilitation Center (Cetas) of Ibama in Goiás released 140 parrots in three areas registered in the Wings Project (Wild Animal Release Areas), initiated in the state in 2008. Received from seizures, rescues, or voluntary surrenders, the animals were rehabilitated at the Cetas in Alagoas, Ceará, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, and Sergipe. The return to nature took place in the Cerrado, an area of 
natural occurrence of the species.
According to environmental analyst Leo Caetano, the birds are encouraged to fly in the aviaries to strengthen their muscles and form groups until they are ready to return to their habitat. “The true parrot (cattle parrot) and the curica (mangrove parrot) are among the species most sought after by traffickers,” says Caetano. Some of the animals received by the Cetas in Goiânia had been in captivity for over a decade.
Owners who join the Wings Project can develop tourism and educational activities of an environmental nature. In 2017, Cetas/GO had already recovered and released 2,495 animals.
“In addition to combating trafficking, rehabilitating animals illegally kept in captivity, and returning them to nature, Ibama restores biodiversity in the states,” says environmental analyst Luiz Alfredo Baptista, responsible for Cetas/GO.
Environmental Education
In November 2017, during the completion of a training project for teachers and students from municipal schools in Jaraguá (GO), carried out by the Environmental Education Nucleus of Goiás, Cetas/GO released 36 rehabilitated birds.
The awareness project in schools is developed in stages. “First, questionnaires are prepared to identify the level of understanding of students about wildlife. Then, the intervention phase is marked by practical work, which provides contact with the reality of the animals,” says environmental analyst Ana Carolina Dias from the Environmental Education Nucleus of Goiás.
Source: Communication Advisory of Ibama/ imprensa@ibama.gov.br