We spent two more days in the area and followed every rumour seeing more macaws but not a single more aceite tree let alone nest holes. It seems there for that in this area at least, the aceite tree is almost extinct, perhaps soon to be followed by the scarlet macaws it is host to. The only tree we found was pretty decrepite and ready for final collapse. Even this was regularly raided by local children, who knew the exact time that chicks could be obtained. As everywhere in the South American savanna, fires are set to improve the grassland to the detriment of trees.
Cattle also destroy the woodlands by eating seedling trees.
I have no information as to the position on the land of the nearby eco-tourist Hatos. Hopefully they take more care of the local fauna as they depend on it for their living. 24 No8-39 VT.1556, Merida, Venezuela. Part 2, Amazonas and greenwing macaws.