CBBC Saving Planet Earth - Macaws

CBBC launched a nationwide competition to find a group of children who care passionately about wildlife, giving them the chance to become part of the Saving Planet Earth Challenge Team. The seven lucky winners travel to far-flung corners of the world, spending two weeks in the wild with their favourite animals and reporting on the plights of some of our most endangered species. Jack Common from Nottingham and Lewi Jinks from Blackburn, both aged 12, go to Brazil to look at what is being done to save the largest parrot in the world - the hyacinth macaw - from extinction. They join up with world parrot expert Charlie Munn and a group of scientists who spend their time monitoring the birds’ nests to see how they are growing. Chicks are often taken by predators, but the boys discover that one of their biggest threats is the wild bird trade, with poachers taking the chicks and selling them on to dealers around the world. They met an ex-nest robber called Jaimundo who explains that his family used to make a living from taking chicks or eggs. The boys learn that Jaimundo regrets what he has done and now works in conservation, protecting the birds instead of taking them. His climbing and bird handling skills are invaluable in the conservation work.