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The Indonesian Parrot Project

The Indonesian Parrot Project (IPP) has been conducting important conservation work to save parrots and cockatoos from extinction in Indonesia. The film shows the history and current work of IPP, the challenges of parrot conservation in Indonesia, and the importance of protecting parrots as flagship species. We zig-zag around the Indonesian archipelago following local researchers to show their work in action. We travel to the remote island of Masakambing to see the collaboration with local people looking after the last remaining population of the Abbotti cockatoo, to the Moluccas to observe the parrot rehabilitation and release center of IPP, and to the Komodo island to reveal how the famous dragons contribute to the conservation of a critically endangered cockatoo species. In the documentary we examine all aspects of parrot conservation including the roles and responsibilities of conservationists, decision makers, local communities and eco-tourists, demonstrating that success can be achieved only by well-organized cooperation among them.

  • Cintia Garai
    Director
    The Macaw Project, The Macaw Kingdom
  • Cintia Garai
    Writer
    The Macaw Project, Rhinos in the Freezer
  • Robert Carrubba
    Writer
  • George Olah
    Producer
    The Macaw Project, The Macaw Kingdom
  • Cintia Garai
    Producer
    Rhinos in the Freezer
  • Balázs Tisza
    Filmed by
    The Macaw Kingdom, This Tree is Big, Budapest Inferno
  • Cintia Garai
    Filmed by
    The Macaw Project, Wildcrime: Illegal Parrot Trade, Lapalala: An Example to Follow
  • Zsolt E. Tamás
    Music Editing
    The Macaw Kingdom
  • Cintia Garai
    Music Editing
  • George Olah
    Scientific Editor
    The Macaw Project, The Macaw Kingdom, Wildcrime: Illegal Parrot Trade
  • Miller Marshall
    Animation by
  • Cintia Garai
    Edited by
    The Macaw Project, Rhinos in the Freezer
  • Wildlife Messengers
    Production Company
    The Macaw Project, Rhinos in the Freezer
  • Bonnie Zimmermann
    Key Cast
    "Director, Indonesian Parrot Project"
  • Dwi Agustina
    Key Cast
    "Program Coordinator, Konservasi Kakatua Indonesia"
  • Dudi Nandika
    Key Cast
    "Researcher, Konservasi Kakatua Indonesia"
  • Caroline Boulton
    Narrated by
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    26 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 15, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Indonesia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Wildlife Messengers
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Cintia Garai

Cintia is a scientist, mainly focusing on great apes in Africa, and wildlife filmmaker. She completed her Masters of Science in Zoology in 2006 at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hungary. She then worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo with bonobos, where she began her research on that species. Later she worked for a Hungarian wildlife filmmaking group, Filmjungle.eu Productions for 5 years, during which time decided that she wanted to make films for conservation purposes, especially in remote areas. After filming at different tropical regions, she realized that she wanted additional scientific background in order to combine three elements, filmmaking – research – conservation, and so in 2015, she gained a PhD degree in Primatology, at the Kyoto University in Japan, writing her fieldwork focused dissertation on the personality traits of wild-living bonobos. Since graduation she has worked in DR Congo as a conservationist, and she continues filming and exploring the possibilities of using films in different ways to promote nature conservation. She co-founded Wildlife Messengers non-profit organization in 2017.

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Director Statement

It was a great experience working with the Indonesian Parrot Project (IPP) in the field, in order to make a conservation documentary about their important contribution to the protection of parrot species and their habitat in Indonesia. IPP was founded in 2001 by Dr. Stewart Metz with the mission to help conserve endangered Indonesian cockatoos through actions both in-situ and ex-situ. We were encouraged and inspired to realize what one person can do, if one is motivated and meets the right people. In this case, Stewart did meet many wonderful people, who now continue the work he started with them. Some were already dedicated researchers, while others were once poachers. We wanted this story to be known to a global audience, because no matter how far the viewer lives from these birds, there is a high chance that their choices will have an impact on the parrots' fate.