Scarlet Macaw Program
Whether you’re playing a round of golf, strolling the grounds or even just relaxing in your backyard, it’s hard to miss the distinctive squawk and bright flash of color from the Scarlet Macaw, your feathered neighbor in the Los Delfines community.
During a recent trip to the Peninsula, our team received an incredible opportunity to tour the conservation program set up for this magnificent bird. Our guide, Vernon, has been working in the sanctuary for 11 years and his passion for this program was evident as he showed us around.
Founded 18 years ago, and situated on 2.5 acres just outside of Los Delfines, this program was created to ensure the preservation and survival of the Scarlet Macaw – endangered, largely due to poaching – through the coordination of controlled reproduction.
As you can see from the photos we took during our visit, this is an amazing facility with designated staff to ensure the success of these birds from conception to release. With a quintessential Costa Rican backdrop, the public is encouraged to visit certain areas of the sanctuary that include not only Scarlet Macaws, but other exotic bird varieties; while the areas focused on reproduction, quarantine and in some cases, rehabilitation, are restricted to staff only.
In 2007, the first 10 Macaws were released into the Los Delfines community and to-date, 132 Scarlet Macaws have been released and are living freely, in and around Los Delfines. In fact, because there are now so many of these beautiful birds living and nesting throughout the Tambor area, developers and local hotels are getting involved through donations, ensuring the continued success of this program for many years to come!