Hand-reared trio boosts chances

THE arrival of three chicks at Chester Zoo has boosted the survival odds of one of the most endangered birds in the world.

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Conservationists have announced the successful hand-rearing of a trio of blue-eyed ground doves (Columbina cyanopis), a unique and critically endangered species found only in Brazil.

The blue-eyed ground dove was a species shrouded in mystery, with no confirmed records for more than 70 years, until its rediscovery in 2015.

Just 11 adult birds are known to survive in the wild, where they face many threats, including human-caused fires and climate change.

So, earlier this year, a team of Brazilian and international bird conservationists, including experts from Chester Zoo, were tasked with carefully selecting and incubating a small number of wild-laid eggs, with the resulting hatchlings helping to create an insurance population in human care.

Andrew Owen, Chester Zoo's Head of Birds, has been involved in this project since 2019 when he participated in an IUCN Conservation Planning Specialist Group workshop to help conserve the species.

He has travelled to Brazil to provide technical support as part of a collaborative team of international experts.

Victoria Kaldis, lead keeper for Birds at Chester Zoo, also travelled over to assist with the hand-rearing of the chicks.

Andrew said: “It’s a real privilege for Chester Zoo to be involved in the work to help conserve the blue-eyed ground dove.