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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Saving Species

Documentaries

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Saving Species: Series 1: Episode 37

Series 1

Episode 37

BBC Radio 4 - Saving Species, Series 1, Episode 37

Saving Species is in the Pantanal in Brazil looking for the hyacinth macaw.

There were four species of macaw in Brazil, two are now extinct in the wild and two species remain. Saving Species is in the Pantanal on the trail of the hyacinth macaw.

37/40 South America is famous for its parrots and the largest parrots in South America are the Macaws. There were four species and now there are only two species free-living in the wild. Parrots and Macaws have fallen foul of the pet trade, populations being decimated as chicks were abducted from their nests and sold in the exotic pet industry. Across South America there are various moves to protect the species from the illegal pet trade. Mark Brazil visits the Brazilian corner of the Pantanal, one of the world's most glorious wetlands across three countries. At a tourist lodge he discovers how the new burgeoning tourism industry is helping to restore the populations of Hyacinth Macaw to levels of decades ago. Again, it seems, wildlife tourism is an avenue of hope for endangered species and especially these iconic birds of Americana Latina.

Also in the programme, our long-legged friends from Eastern Germany on the Somerset Levels. We catch up on the success, or not, of the captive born and released European Cranes we've been following over the year.

And we have the third episode of our special Ladybird Book Britain series with Chris Sperring. It's Autumn - what has changed in the 50 years since the publication of the first editions?


Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Sheena Duncan
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species: Series 1

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Brett Westwood examines the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

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