FWS Lists Scarlet Macaw as Endangered and Threatened Species

The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule listing the northern subspecies of scarlet macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, the southern subspecies of scarlet macaw (A. m. macao) as threatened, and subspecies crosses (A. m. cyanoptera and A. m. macao) also as threatened. The final rule includes a special “4(d)” rule for the subspecies listed as threatened (the southern subspecies and subspecies crosses) that allows for importation and exportation without a permit if the specimen was either held in captivity prior the date the hyacinth macaw was listed, or is a captive-bred specimen, as long as the exportation of the specimen is authorized under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA). Otherwise, import and export restrictions set by the final rule take effect March 28.