The further I progressed through veterinary school, the stronger my desire to do “something more” became. Thanks to discussions with faculty mentors Dr. Ricardo de Matos and Dr. Keila Dhondt, I discovered the perfect opportunity to do so: macaw conservation at the Macaw Recovery Network (MRN) in Costa Rica. With the help of funding from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Expanding Horizons Program, I would be able to  understand the wild counterparts to birds that I have only met in a domestic setting. 

The MRN focuses primarily on the conservation and restoration of critically endangered Great Green Macaws and Scarlet Macaws. The once vast populations of these birds have been decimated due to the illegal pet trade, habitat loss, and  their relatively slow reproductive cycle. 

MRN’s mission is built on three pillars: “Thriving birds, intact habitats, and unified communities.” MRN works hard to achieve these goals through its many subsidiaries including field teams that 

monitor wild macaw nests, rangers who work to restore macaw habitats, outreach teams who educate local communities, and a captive breeding team that raises macaw chicks and prepares them for release. I spent my time in Costa Rica with the captive breeding team in the quaint town of Punta Islita. 

The MRN’s Macaw Refuge and Breeding Center serves as home to captive breeding, juvenile, individually housed, and pre-release populations of Great Green and Scarlet Macaws, totaling over 100 individuals. Many previously released wild macaws also frequented the center and would come daily for feedings. Starting at 5:30 each morning and ending at approximately 4:00 each evening (with multiple breaks throughout the day), two staff caretakers, five interns, and I would check, clean up after, feed, and provide enrichment for these birds to ensure their continued physical and mental health. 

Anti-parasite protocols

Despite the excellent care the MRN staff provided to these birds, after discussion with Dhondt and MRN’s bird manager, Amy Clark, we found that improvements could be made to one aspect of the care of these birds: gastrointestinal parasite monitoring and control. Before my arrival, any birds that were not part of the juvenile or pre-release populations received anti-parasitic medication twice per year without evaluation of which parasites were present at the breeding center and which populations of birds were affected, leading to resistance to antiparasite medication.

My project’s goals were to determine which parasites were present, which populations were infected, and if any patterns in effected groups were present. I would then use the newly gathered information and work with the team to modify the deworming protocol to target the specific parasites identified. This would help slow the development of acquired resistance to antiparasitic medications at the breeding center. This would hopefully help increase breeding success for breeding populations and ensure peak health for pre-release populations at the time of release.

 I spent most of my time between the morning and afternoon cleaning shifts collecting fecal samples, preparing them, and evaluating them under the microscope, carefully scrutinizing each one in search of parasites.

After the first two weeks of my project, I started to lose hope that I would see any parasites. Great news for the birds, but I was excited to hone my parasite identification skills. Then, as I was mundanely examining a sample from a group of pre-release birds, I saw something that stood out from the food and waste material that littered the slide. I spotted a parasite! I quickly went to take a look at the birds in the group and evaluated them for signs of parasite-induced disease, such as weight loss, diarrhea, or poor appetite. Luckily, none of the birds were showing signs, meaning that despite parasites being present in the bird’s gastrointestinal tracts, they were not affecting the birds’ health. 

Over my six weeks in Costa Rica, I identified two types of parasites: Ascaridia (commonly known as roundworms) and Eimeria (commonly known as coccidia). These parasites infected pre-release birds, birds that often had wild macaws visit the outside of their enclosures, and some of the juvenile birds. As expected, none of the birds that had received deworming medication six months prior to my project (breeding pairs and individually housed birds) had any evidence of parasites. With this information and oversight from MRN’s veterinarian and Dhondt, the MRN team and I began to discuss improvements that could be made to their deworming protocol. 

A Pura Vida perspective

After completing my project, I reflected on the many lessons I had learned — on parasites and how to identify and manage them — and also what caring for such a large population of macaws entails. The dedication of the staff and interns caring for these magnificent birds was truly astonishing, and I was struck by how a few committed individuals can have such a profound impact on conservation. In fact, thanks to the MRN,  over 50 scarlet macaws had repopulated  Punta Islita, where they had previously been regionally extinct.  

Previously, I had known that veterinarians played an important role in the conservation of species around the world, but it was not until I was in Costa Rica that I realized how critical veterinarians (and veterinary students such as myself) are to ensuring the success of these birds, especially at times of illness or during emergencies. My view of wild macaws also changed significantly. I had met several pet macaws during my veterinary school career, but I thought wild macaws would be completely different in their mannerisms. Within my first few days at the breeding center, I found that these wild birds were just as charming and full of personality as their domestic counterparts. I gained a deeper appreciation for these birds and a stronger determination to ensure their success in the wild. 

In addition to successfully contributing to conservation efforts, one of the insights I did not expect to gain had nothing to do with veterinary medicine or animals at all. My most surprising lesson was to incorporate “Pura Vida,” an iconic phrase in Costa Rica, into my own life. Pura Vida, meaning “simple life” or “pure life,” is a reminder that connectedness and experiencing all life has to offer is much more important than any material possession. During my time in Punta Islita, I made friendships I know will last a lifetime. I immersed myself in a new culture. I found comfort in my humble accommodations. I let go of all the stresses I had been carrying for years. I did not know such a simple phrase could have such a profound effect on me. 

Reflecting on my trip, I feel a sense of fulfillment in my contribution to the longevity of some of my favorite bird species and a newfound confidence in my new skills and knowledge. As I continue to my final year of veterinary school, I go embracing Pura Vida, which is more than I could have ever asked for from my unforgettable trip to Costa Rica. 

Marta Bakaj, Class of 2025, is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Candidate at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. She holds a degree in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences with Honors and a minor in Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University. Her future goal is to become board-certified in companion exotic animal medicine and work to maintain the human-animal bond between owners and their exotic pets.