Book Review: The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw

The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw: One Woman’s Fight to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Bird is touted as the story of Sharon Matola and how she started The Belize Zoo, but it’s actually much more than that.

It is a very well-researched look into a variety of subjects all relevant to the work of Sharon and others as they worked to prevent a dam from being built in Belize. The dam was expected to provide much needed energy to the country, but, in doing so, it would destroy the habit of the scarlet macaw, a beautiful South American bird that was already close to extinction in Belize.

Barcott really digs into all facets of the dam, including a history of dams around the world, explanations of how Guatemala and Belize have worked together in the past, how the Belizean judicial and political system works, and much more. It’s detailed, so it can sometimes be a lot, but it is fascinating…especially if you have been or are planning to go to Belize.

I actually read this book while in Belize myself and it added so much to my trip–while driving I saw a sign about the dam and I knew what that meant, I was able to understand some of the political parties and names advertised around town, it added to my discussions with both local Belizeans and Guatemalans, and, of course, it made our visit to The Belize Zoo so much more special. (I have to give a special shout-out to my travel companions for putting up with me reading passages all the time when we were supposed to be relaxing by the pool.)

It’s a complex story, but written in an interesting easy-to-understand manner, especially for those interested in Belize and/or environmental justice. (If you’re interested in that, then I highly recommend the other books and movies on my list of Wildlife Books and Movies from Around the World.)