Pints for Parrots – Naples Zoo Partners with Parrot Bar and Grill

by Kelsey Burr, Naples Zoo Digital Marketing Manage

Naples Zoo is excited to partner with The Parrot Bar & Grill for the third Pints for Parrots event on Saturday, September 11, 2021 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Parrots are some of the world’s most popular and recognizable birds, known for their bright plumage and intelligence. There are more than 400 species of parrots, but unfortunately, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists almost 45 percent of the species as Near Threatened or higher.

Like many other species, parrots are threatened by habitat loss, as well as poaching for the pet trade or their colorful feathers.

Pints for Parrots will focus on raising funds and awareness for the vulnerable hyacinth macaw through The Hyacinth Macaw Project. The Parrot Bar & Grill will be donating $1 of every pint of beer sold and $5 of every special frozen drink to the organization. There will also be raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and T-shirts and koozies for  purchase.

With their bright blue feathers and yellow-ringed eyes, the hyacinth macaw is visually stunning – but their beauty contributed to a massive illegal pet trade.

In the 1980s alone, at least 10,000 birds were taken from the wild for pets. The Hyacinth Macaw Project involves research, management, and conservation of the species. Biologists, veterinarians, fieldworkers, ranchers, and university students share in activities ranging from technical studies on reproduction, behavior, and habitat to environmental education.

Tim Tetzlaff, Naples Zoo’s Director of Conservation, with biologist Neiva Guedes, who started The Hyacinth Macaw Project

Today, the project covers nearly one million acres and the hyacinth macaw population has more than doubled to 6,500. All of the proceeds from Pints for Parrots will go directly to the Hyacinth Macaw Project to help them continue their efforts.

By just having a drink, guests can do their part to save these bright blue macaws so future generations can see them flying freely above the forests of South America.

The Parrot Bar & Grill is located at 1100 6th Avenue South, Naples, FL. For more information, visit napleszoo.org/pintsforparrots.