Case report

proposal for adapting an enclosure for blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) aiming at accessibility and environmental enrichment

Abstract

The blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) is a very common wild bird in Brazil and is frequently rescued and kept in ecological parks and conservation institutions. The enclosures in these places are designed to maintain the birds under safe and appropriate welfare conditions; however, animals with individual conditions, such as physical or sensory impairments, require specific care and adaptations.This study aimed to present a proposal to adapt and improve the enclosure of two blue-and-yellow macaws with physical limitations, one with a visual impairment and the other with mobility impairment. Daily observations of the animals were conducted (during routine management), and the structural conditions of the original enclosure were evaluated, identifying limitations related to accessibility, perch arrangement, and access to feeders. Based on these observations, an adaptation proposal was developed focusing on accessibility and the application of environmental enrichment techniques. The proposal was created using the Canva® platform and included the installation of ramps, continuous perches, and improved spatial distribution of internal elements. Although the proposed improvements were not implemented, the results suggest that simple structural adaptations, combined with environmental enrichment, can contribute to improving the welfare of blue-and-yellow macaws in captivity, especially those with physical limitations.