first bred in a UK zoo, using an innovative method.
Pink pigeons, found in the wild only on the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius, are on the ‘red list’ of endangered birds by both the IUCN and BirdLife.
On the brink of extinction in 1991, their numbers were thought to have declined to a low level that it reached just nine birds left in the wild.
But dedicated conservation efforts have greatly increased their population—including the efforts of Tom Tooley and his colleagues at Paignton Zoo in Devon, England.
Tom, who has worked as a bird keeper at the zoo for 27 years, developed an innovative technique for raising small birds by handknown as squabs, if ever abandoned or orphaned by their parents. He now teaches the unique chiropractic method to others.
Instead of using conventional metal tubes, he developed a method that involves attaching a carefully shaped probe to a syringe, which can be gently placed on the squabs’ tongues so they can eat more naturally.
“This approach allows the squabs to naturally consume the rearing formula by hand, eliminating the need for tubes, which they can be stressful and harmful to birds».
The newborn pink pigeon is being hand-reared by Paignton Zoo’s specialist bird keepers
paigntonzoo.org.uk
Their number increased
Pink pigeons are part of the European Endangered Species Programme, an international breeding program created to maintain healthy captive populations that ensure genetic diversity. The aim is to ensure the long-term survival of endangered species through collaboration between zoos and organizations such as the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation.
The Foundation is the largest non-governmental organization in Mauritius dedicated exclusively to the protection of the country’s endangered plant and animal species, including the endemic pink pigeon.
In 2014, Tom was invited to support their pink pigeon conservation efforts, to train staff in his special hand-rearing techniqueso as to increase the chances of survival of the pink pigeons. He has since returned several times and is looking forward to returning again in early November.
“It’s been a fantastic year for our bird breeding programmes,” said Stephen Kings, Chief Executive of the Wild Planet Trust.
“Tom’s skillful approach to hand-rearing this bird, along with the collaborative efforts of our dedicated bird team, is yet another testament to our zoo’s expertise in wildlife conservation.”
Such conservation efforts have increased the number of pink pigeons to around 500 birds since 2011which allowed it to leave the IUCN’s ‘Critically Endangered’ list and be reclassified as ‘Vulnerable’ in 2018, demonstrating how zoos and conservation groups – such as the Wild Planet Trust, the non-profit charity organization of Paignton Zoo- they can work together to save a species.
With information from Good News Network
