'Blu' macaw that inspired Rio one of eight bird species newly listed as extinct

[TheSyntaX]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-06/the-blue-macaw-that-inspired-the-movie-rio-added-to-extinct-list/10204286

The species of blue macaw parrot portrayed in the animated movie Rio has been officially classified as 'extinct in the wild'.
The Spix's macaw Brazilian parrot, characterised by the loveable lead, Blu, is now one of eight species that have been added to a list of confirmed or highly likely extinctions under new statistical classifications compiled by researchers.
Also on the list are the glaucous macaw and Pernambuco pygmy-owl — their declines primarily driven by deforestation on the South American continent.
"The last known individual [Spix's macaw] in the wild disappeared in 2001, but searches have been ongoing since then and it is only now that we feel confident enough to classify it as extinct in the wild," report co-author Stuart Butchart said.
Determining whether a species is extinct, is a lengthy, complex process, involving "exhaustive" surveys.

[ignhelper]

'Extinct' in the wild, not in captivity.

[AxeI]

The Spix's macaw Brazilian parrot, characterised by the loveable lead, Blu, is now one of eight species that have been added to a list of confirmed or highly likely extinctions under new statistical classifications compiled by researchers.
Also on the list are the glaucous macaw and Pernambuco pygmy-owl — their declines primarily driven by deforestation on the South American continent.

If we don't drastically curb global demand for superfluous and resource-intensive food, deforestation will keep on happening and kill off plenty of other species, on top of contributing to climate change.

[angrytoadnoises]

Oh my god that is so horribly depressing. What I saw as a thoroughly average and uninteresting animated kids movie all those years ago now seems some morbid, ignored warning.

[Bendacriss]

I saw a couple last week. I went to a zoo that partakes in preserving these animals. It's not too late yet for these animals, but it's gonna take a bit of effort.

[AxeI]

We'd have to give them a suitable habitat back first. If the reasons they went extinct in the wild in the first place are still around, I don't see why the outcome would be any different.