Megan ByrneOn The Brink Of Extinction, Socorro Dove Breeds
October 31st 2006 01:28
Less than ten years after cats were introduced to Socorro Island, the native Socorro dove, a rare Mexican bird, was driven to extinction. The dove was recently bred successfully at London Zoo. Named Arnie, for Arnold Schwarzenegger, the bird is raising hopes of successful captive breeding to increase its numbers; to date, its thought there are fewer than 100 of the Socorro dove in captivity.
The last sighting of the dove was in 1972 in Socorro, in the Revillagigedo Islands, 600 miles off the west coast of Mexico. Socorro Island was the only home to the chestnut-colored bird. Now, this island is among the highest conservation priorities worldwide.
John Ellis, the Zoological Society of London's Curator of Birds, said: "I would like to think that this captive breeding success marks a change in the fortunes of the Socorro dove, and we are delighted to be playing our part in the reintroduction programme."
Arnie is part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria breeding program; it’s hoped his descendants can be re-introduced to their native forests on Socorro.
The last sighting of the dove was in 1972 in Socorro, in the Revillagigedo Islands, 600 miles off the west coast of Mexico. Socorro Island was the only home to the chestnut-colored bird. Now, this island is among the highest conservation priorities worldwide.
Socorro Dove
John Ellis, the Zoological Society of London's Curator of Birds, said: "I would like to think that this captive breeding success marks a change in the fortunes of the Socorro dove, and we are delighted to be playing our part in the reintroduction programme."
Arnie is part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria breeding program; it’s hoped his descendants can be re-introduced to their native forests on Socorro.
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