Blue-and-yellow macaw species becomes extinct in Odisha zoo

Bhubaneswar: The blue-and-yellow macaw parrot species is now extinct with death of two birds in two consecutive days at Nandankanan Zoological Park here on the outskirts of the city.

A day after death of 22-year-old male blue-and-yellow macaw, his female partner died at the zoo. The bird was aged about 15 years old.

As per postmortem report of the female blue-and-yellow macaw, the bird died due to damage in intestine caused by the old age.

It was suspected that the bird had infection in intestine due to the diet provided to other birds along with it. While the condition of other birds was stated to be good, the macaw in female breed died, said senior vet Balaram Sahoo.

However, the bird had laid five eggs at the enclosure before her death.

On Thursday, the male breed of the bird had natural death due to old age.

The death of the blue-and-yellow macaw couple has saddened the zoo authorities and bird lovers.

According to reports, the female blue-and-yellow macaw was brought to Nandankanan zoo after rescuing her from Phulnakhara area on Feb 3, 2017. She was kept with the lone male blue-and-yellow macaw at enclosure number 11 (E).

Notably, the blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna), also known as blue-and-gold macaw, is a large and beautiful bird of parrot species in appearance with blue-green wings and tail, dark-blue chin, golden under parts, and a green forehead. Their beaks are black. A blue-and-yellow macaw lives upto 30 or 35 years. The birds are mostly found in South America.