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Once prevalent throughout the entire Costa Rican Caribbean, Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) populations have declined alarmingly in recent decades, due mostly to poaching and deforestation, in particular the logging of the Mountain Almond trees (Dipterix panamensis). BirdLife International states that over the past 50 years global populations have been reduced by more than half. Conservation efforts in Costa Rica have estimated 300 individual birds with an estimated 25-35 breeding pairs remaining (PsittaScene Aug. 2011). Per IUCN in 2020 The Great Green Macaws are now even more critically endangered with only about 1000 left in the world and about 200 left in Costa Rica. Through the release and reproduction programs, Ara Mazanillo has added over 80 more of these emblematic birds to the wild group increasing the world population by 8% and the Costa Rican population by 40%. A significant impact on saving a critically endangered species.