A documentary film about conservation, hope, and the people protecting Honduras’s natural future.
For more than two decades, the release of scarlet macaws — the national bird of Honduras — has become a powerful symbol of resilience, restoration, and hope. Across Copán and other release regions, the sight of macaws flying freely once again has inspired children, families, educators, conservationists, and visitors to see environmental protection not as an abstract idea, but as something tangible, local, and possible.
Once severely threatened by habitat loss and illegal wildlife trafficking, scarlet macaws are now returning to the skies of Honduras thanks to the long-term conservation efforts led by PRO-ALAS and Macaw Mountain Bird Park & Nature Reserve. What began as a rescue and rehabilitation initiative started by "The Birdman of Honduras," has grown into one of the most meaningful wildlife recovery stories in the country.
After collaborating on a short film about Honduran artist Virginia Castillo, filmmaker Mia Anderson and Waves of Art Gallery are teaming up again to produce a new documentary in honor of two landmark conservation moments taking place in 2026: the inaugural scarlet macaw release in La Ceiba and the 13th macaw release in Copán.
Why this story matters
While Macaw Mountain Bird Park and PRO-ALAS have become internationally recognized for rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintroducing scarlet macaws into the wild, this film is not simply about the park itself or the technical process behind bird releases. That story has already been documented.
What has not yet been fully captured is the human impact these releases have had across Honduras.
For many, the macaw releases represent more than conservation success. They represent proof that environmental recovery is possible. Children grow up witnessing wildlife return to places where it had disappeared. Communities gather to celebrate releases as moments of pride and hope. Visitors experience Honduras through conservation and natural heritage rather than exploitation.
At its heart, this film aims to explore the relationship between conservation and community — and how the recovery of one species can potentially inspire broader environmental stewardship across an entire country.
How to Help
This documentary is being produced independently through community support and grassroots fundraising. If you would like to support the project, you can help by sharing this campaign with others and/or making a financial contribution. Every contribution helps us document and amplify this important story of conservation, community, and environmental hope in Honduras. Financial support will help cover:
- Documentary filming and production costs
- Travel to release and conservation sites
- Interviews and community storytelling
- Post-production and editing
Donate Through a Honduran Bank Transfer
If you would prefer to contribute through a Honduran bank account, donations can be made through the following BAC accounts:
Dollar Account
Cliente: ROATAN T S SA
Número de cuenta BAC: 726789111
RTN: 11019009237771
Lempira Account
Cliente: ROATAN T S SA
Número de cuenta BAC: 730069261
RTN: 11019009237771
Donate Online (International Support)
If you would like to donate using a US credit card or international payment method — or if you require a tax receipt — please contribute through the Zeffy donation form below. We are partnering with PIER, a registered US nonprofit organization, to help facilitate international fundraising for the project.
Note: Zeffy automatically suggests an additional contribution to support their platform. If you do not wish to add this, you can change the suggested amount to “0” before completing your payment (see screenshot below).
