Portuguese 
Spanish 
Moacir Barbosa de Deus moved social media by hugging blue macaws that freely visit his property in Mato Grosso do Sul
A scene of affection between an elderly man and three blue macaws turned Moacir Barbosa de Deus into a celebrity on social media. At 72 years old, the resident of a farm located in Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, went viral after appearing hugging the birds, which live freely in nature.
The footage caught attention due to the animals’ calmness around Moacir. While the macaws remained close to his body, he talked to them and showed affection. The intimacy led many people to call him the “macaw whisperer”.
The explanation, however, does not involve training or domestication. According to Moacir, the trust arose from a relationship built over many years, always marked by respect for the animals that spontaneously appear on the property.
-
After 18 years of development, Bridgestone launches the AirFree airless tire, which requires no inflation and is puncture-proof, into daily service in Japan, starting with autonomous vehicles up to 20 km/h, used for transporting elderly people.
-
Couple buys 1905 colonial house, plans to tear down walls to unite three rooms, but finds hidden service staircase and rethinks the entire renovation to preserve details that have survived for over a century.
-
Couple receives a quote of $50,000 to install a built-in refrigerator, decides to do the work themselves, spends $6,000, and claims to have saved over $100,000 by renovating the house.
-
At 77 years old, an elderly woman lives alone in an almost ghost village in the French Alps, at an altitude of 1,000 meters, where there is a town hall, a mayor, and an entrance sign, but only she lives there every day in a place destroyed by a landslide and almost erased from the map.
Grandpa Moacir’s hug with blue macaws won over social media
The video was recorded at the request of Moacir’s granddaughter, who convinced him to participate in a post for the farm’s page. The result quickly spread across social media and was shared by thousands of people.
Curiously, the protagonist himself did not follow the repercussion. Moacir stated that he doesn’t like cell phones and doesn’t understand how social media works.
Even away from the internet, he ended up becoming nationally known. The hug with the blue macaws was shared even by artists, models, presenters, and digital influencers.
Among the names mentioned in the report were presenter Eliana, influencer Juju Salimeni, model Jesus Luz, and actress Paloma Bernardi.
Trust of the macaws was earned with patience and coexistence
The closeness observed in the video does not occur the same way with any visitor. According to the professionals working on the farm, the macaws show confidence mainly when Moacir is nearby.
During the recording of the report, for example, the birds were wary of the presence of cameras and equipment. One of them even approached the microphone used by the team.
Given the commotion, the first contact did not happen as expected. The macaws kept their distance and showed apprehension, even with Moacir trying to reassure them.
Later, the elderly man asked the reporter to step back and pretend to be just a tourist. Without the pressure of the equipment, the birds finally returned to approach Moacir.
Drone scared macaws and kept the birds away for three days
The reaction in front of the cameras was not an isolated case. Moacir recounted that the macaws had already disappeared after someone flew a drone near the group.
Frightened by the equipment, the birds flew away and stayed away from the property for three days. The episode worried Moacir, who awaited the group’s return.
When they returned, he resumed caring for them and sought to regain the macaws’ trust. Gradually, the routine was reestablished.
The account shows how noises, unfamiliar objects, and unexpected movements can interfere with animals’ approach, even in an environment they frequently visit.
Farm gathers macaws, little pig, goose, and even a tapir
Moacir’s affection is not limited to the blue macaws. Other animals also appear by his side in the daily life of the farm.
The little pig Teresa and a goose are among his closest companions. The two usually walk together around the property and are treated as true darlings.
Another record showed Moacir kissing a tapir while in the river. According to him, the animal only allowed his presence in the water and prevented others from approaching.
To explain this connection, Moacir states that he bears no malice towards any animal. He considers this ease of approach a possible gift from God.
Red macaws arrive earlier and avoid sharing space with the blue ones
The farm also receives red macaws, which usually arrive early to feed. Normally, they appear before the blue macaws.
According to the report, birds of different species generally do not stay together in the same spot. Therefore, each group tends to visit the area at different times.
The blue macaws, considered the main stars of the property, appear more timidly. Despite being accustomed to human presence, they still show caution in front of unusual equipment.
Purchase of waterfall led Moacir to open farm for ecotourism
Moacir’s property was among the first in the Bonito region to open its gates for ecotourism activities.
The decision to buy the place began after he repeatedly dreamed of a waterfall. Upon visiting the area, he recognized the landscape from his dreams and decided to acquire the farm.
At the time, people close to him said he had bought one of the worst properties in Bonito. Over the years, however, the space began to attract visitors interested in nature and animals.
Moacir’s relationship with the macaws shows the value of respecting free animals
The experience captured by the cameras ended with the macaws approaching and recreating the hug that had gone viral on the internet.
The reporter also managed to get close to the birds, always with Moacir by his side. The scene reinforced that the animals’ tranquility was directly linked to the elderly man’s presence.
The macaws are not kept captive and remain free to come and go. Precisely because of this, the relationship built by Moacir draws so much attention.
More than an emotional video, the story reveals a coexistence based on patience, care, and respect. For Moacir, all this affection stems from a natural connection with the animals and a heart without malice.
