ACTP, the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots is a non-profit based in Germany, founded in 2006 by Martin Guth. ACTP’s goal is to preserve threatened parrot species and their habitats, using the parrots as ambassadors to raise funds for conservation, with to the motto:
“Can wildlife pay for itself?” (M. Holdgate)
ACTPs protection of species is always based on two main pillars: The work in the parrots natural (in-situ), on one hand, and the breeding of the species outside their original habitat (ex-situ) on the other. This always in close cooperation with the governments of the countries of origin.
Examples: For two species of Caribbean Amazons, the St. Lucia and the St. Vincent parrot, ACTP has exclusive contracts with the Governments of both Islands for the conservation of their parrots. In-situ work consists mainly if the support of local people with habitat protection, bird monitoring, public education and eco-tourism. ACTP has financed studies in Forestry Management and Nature Conservation for several workers, which now use their knowledge for parrot conservation.
ACTPs breeding facility in Germany is the base for ACTP ex-situ work. It is a state of the art facility, and home of over 100 parrots from different species, including St. Lucia and St. Vincent parrots, as well as three species of the blue macaw group: the Spix’s, Lear’s and Hyacinth Macaws. Serval highly experienced keeper, vets and biologists manage and sustain the facility.
Besides natural breeding, ACTP is also successful with artificial insemination (AI) in parrot reproduction. AI is an important tool for Spix’s Macaws which are not able to copulate naturally, either due to physical problems or the lack of a partner bird. In those cases AI provides the opportunity to save the genes of the birds for further generations.
ACTPs goal is to breed self-sustaining populations with a high genetic value. These ex situ populations are meant to become a safety net for the species. Whenever necessary, individuals can be used for release into the wild to support recovery of the species in its natural habitat.
The Spix’s macaw is in focus of conservationist worldwide. As the species is extinct in the wild, focus is on breeding and a reintroduction for the near future. A breeding stock is based at ACTPs facility and a team with more than ten years of experience in keeping, breeding and hand rearing this rare species, is charged with the care and breeding of the Spix’s macaws in Germany.
In 2013 ACTP sent Spix’s bred in their facility in Germany to Brazil. These young Spix’s Macaws were able to become part of the Brazilian captive breeding population, which will be the basis for the future reintroduction. In 2015 two more Spix’s macaws from ACTP were transferred to Brazil on the World Wildlife Day (3rd of March). The official ceremony included the transfer of ownership of the birds, a sign of the close relationship and trust between the program partners.