São Paulo Zoo welcomes nine parrots rescued from wildlife trafficking

Nine parrots rescued from an international wildlife trafficking attempt have been introduced to the São Paulo Zoo. The group consists of six purple-faced parrots (Amazona brasiliensis) and three thick-billed parrots (Amazona pretrei), both of which are species threatened or vulnerable to extinction.

The birds were originally part of a seizure by Ibama at Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro in October 2025. During a customs inspection, a foreign traveler was found attempting to smuggle 24 bird eggs hidden under her clothing. Following the seizure, some eggs hatched, and of the original 24, nine survived through intensive care and technical monitoring.

After being transferred to the care of Ibama and undergoing a period of quarantine and clinical evaluation, the parrots were moved to the zoo's Bosque da Conservação in March. This specialized area is dedicated to housing endangered species and providing educational opportunities for visitors regarding conservation efforts.