The project serves to strengthen the capacity of the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. Specifically, it will afford the organisation the ability to enhance the quality of its captive breeding programme by identifying suitable pairs of birds which will allow for the maintenance of variable gene pools hence increasing the chances of survival of the species. Considering that certain areas are of crucial importance to global conservation of biodiversity, namely the Nariva wetland ? a RAMSAR site ? the project will allow the organisation to breed and re-introduce bird species now extinct in the wetland, namely the blue and gold macaw (Ara araruana).

Grant funds would be used towards the purchase of an avian laproscope for use in sexing adult birds and determination of breeding pairs.