The birth of an endangered Socorro dove at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire has brought hope to the global mission of saving this species from extinction. The chick, which hatched in late August, is the first of its kind to be bred at the conservation zoo. This milestone marks a significant step towards preserving the Socorro dove, which is currently classified as Extinct-in-the-Wild.
The chick’s parents, who were brought to Whipsnade Zoo from London Zoo in June, are part of an international conservation breeding program. This program aims to increase the number of Socorro doves in captivity so that they can eventually be reintroduced to their native habitat on Socorro Island, off the coast of Mexico.
The arrival of the chick is a much-needed boost for the species, as there are only approximately 209 individuals left in the world. These birds are currently being cared for by less than 50 conservation institutions. The nine other Socorro dove chicks hatched at Whipsnade’s sister-site, London Zoo, also contribute to the conservation efforts. In fact, the chicks being cared for at the two ZSL zoos make up almost 5% of the entire species population.
Gary Ward, ZSL’s curator of birds, expressed his excitement about the birth of the chick, saying, “To welcome the very first Socorro dove chick at Whipsnade Zoo is an incredible moment for us, but more importantly, it’s a step forward for the survival of a species that would have otherwise been lost forever.”
The Socorro dove was declared Extinct-in-the-Wild in 1972 due to severe habitat loss caused by deforestation and the introduction of non-native predators. The tiny chick at Whipsnade Zoo represents a significant milestone for the Socorro Dove Project, an international initiative that aims to reintroduce this species to its native habitat on Socorro Island. The project is a collaboration between ZSL, key partners in Mexico, Frankfurt Zoo, African Safari, and other zoos within the EAZA and AZA networks, all dedicated to saving the Socorro dove from extinction.
Gary added, “As a world leader in caring for and reintroducing Extinct-in-the-Wild species, and as a driving force in the IUCN SSC Extinct-in-the-Wild Action Partnership, ZSL is leading the recovery of the world’s most threatened species – each Socorro dove hatchling is a genuine boost for this work and the Socorro Dove Project.”
This is not the first time that ZSL has successfully helped to recover an Extinct-in-the-Wild bird species. In 2007, the organization played a crucial role in the recovery of the Sihek kingfisher, which had not been seen living in the wild for 40 years. The hatchlings were hand-reared and released onto Palmyra Atoll, marking a significant milestone in the species’ recovery.
Tim Savage, manager of the bird team at Whipsnade Zoo, shared an update on the Socorro dove chick’s progress, saying, “Our Socorro dove chick is doing well and growing quickly. It’s already taken the first step towards independence by fledging the nest – but will still be reliant on mum and dad for food. Dad has been doing the majority of parenting, keeping the chick company, feeding it, and encouraging it to forage for its own food too.”
Visitors to Whipsnade Zoo can take pride in knowing that their visit supports ZSL’s vital work in protecting species and restoring habitats across the globe. To learn more about Whipsnade Zoo and its conservation efforts, visit their website at https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo.
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