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Socorro Doves are extinct in the wild, but EIGHT chicks have hatched at Chester Zoo
Socorro doves are one of only five bird species listed as extinct in the wild but still surviving in human care
The arrival of eight chicks has boosted survival hopes for this incredibly rare bird
Pairing the birds can be tricky, but Socorro dove dads are dedicated to their broods
The birds at Chester Zoo are part of a multi-national effort to ensure the future of the species
Eight chicks belonging to a dove species that has been extinct in the wild for decades have successfully hatched at Chester Zoo – boosting survival hopes for the incredibly rare birds.
Today, all remaining Socorro doves are cared for in zoo conservation-breeding programmes across Europe and North America, which are working to pull the species back from the brink.
Approximately 200 birds represent the entire surviving population, but bird experts have revealed that eight chicks (known as squabs) have hatched at Chester this summer.
Some are now fully fledged, and there is a chance another clutch of eggs might be on the way.
Chester Zoo, a conservation charity, cares for two breeding pairs of Socorro doves and supports the wider conservation-breeding effort.
Socorro doves originally lived on Socorro Island off the coast of Mexico, but a mixture of factors led to their extinction in the wild.
Andrew Owen, head of the bird department at Chester Zoo, said:
“Historically, the Socorro dove had few natural predators, and the island remained uninhabited by people. Sheep introduced in the 1800s caused extensive damage to the wild vegetation and in 1957 a naval base was established on the island. Naval staff and their families brought domestic cats which became feral and caused tremendous damage to the native wildlife, including the Socorro dove population, which was last seen in the wild in 1972.
“Sadly, the Socorro dove was overlooked by conservationists for many years and if it wasn’t for the efforts of a group of German aviculturists, who created a breeding programme for the species, it would have been lost forever. In 1995, the Socorro dove conservation breeding programme was formally established when the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) approved it as a European Endangered Species Programme (EEP).”
The Chester Zoo chicks will bolster the insurance population of Socorro doves looked after by avian specialists.
Clare Rafe, the assistant team manager for birds, said:
“It (the hatching) is a big deal. We have several chicks which have successfully reached independence, and the others are on the verge of being fledged.”
Despite their modest appearance, every individual is precious, and the species has unique behaviours.
Unlike other species of doves, Socorro doves do not live in flocks, preferring to pair off or live individually. They also share chick-rearing duties.
Clare added: “It’s a 50-50 arrangement most of the time, but we have found the females will raise their chicks up to a point and then become ready to mate again, so they’ll start raising a new clutch of eggs before the first have fledged.
“It’s very intense for them, but it’s a way of increasing their numbers rapidly – which they need to do to survive. In the wild, they would only have perhaps a two or three-month nesting window between storms and heat waves.
“When that happens, the fathers take over with the older chicks, feeding them and caring for them. The males can be quite territorial and aggressive, which makes pairing them tricky, but we’ve found one of them has transferred that into protectiveness for his chicks.”
Andrew Owen added that the two breeding pairs at Chester Zoo, and their youngsters, are part of a broader effort to boost the species.
He said: “For many years, the Zenaida graysoni population has been managed by Steffan Stadler, Bird Curator from Frankfurt Zoo, who championed the species and led on developing a holistic plan to return the species to the wild. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have extinct species plans that incorporates the Socorro dove and they work closely with Africam Safari, a park in Mexico, to move towards wild reintroductions.
“Without the valuable work zoos do, these species would be lost forever. Our role at Chester Zoo is helping to maintain the insurance population and hopefully, at some point our birds will support the work done by ZSL and Frankfurt, and their descendants will see Socorro Island.”
In the meantime, the chicks will continue to be cared for by bird experts - and their dedicated dads.
Clare added: “We’ll keep looking after these amazing birds. They might look quite plain and brown from a distance, but they have what looks like shimmery blusher on their heads. They have big personalities, too, with the males being a bit aggro – they certainly aren’t peace doves!”
Internationally renowned artist unveils sculpture at Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo reveals new 20ft-tall
‘Celebration Tree’ sculpture
Zoo’s work to protect UK wildlife will be boosted by new art project
Striking stainless steel and bronze tree created by Artist Emma Rodgers, known for major public art sculptures including the ‘Cilla’ statue in Liverpool
Tree will ‘grow over time’ with leaves, bees, butterflies and birds to be added in celebration of life’s most meaningful moments while supporting UK conservation
Chester Zoo has unveiled a striking new sculpture - the Celebration Tree - created by internationally renowned artist Emma Rodgers.
Standing at 20-ft-tall (six metres), conservationists say the tree will celebrate life’s most meaningful moments while also raising vital funds for the zoo’s vital efforts to protect UK wildlife.
The sculpture is positioned outside the historic grade II listed pub, The Oakfield, located in the heart of the zoo - once home to some of its first animals.
The towering stainless steel and bronze structure is designed to grow over time as people add their own special individually engraved items. Bees, butterflies, leaves and peacock feathers can be added by supporters in honour of loved ones or special milestones, with each donation helping fund the zoo’s expanding UK conservation work.
Artist Emma Rodgers, known for several major public art sculptures including the Cilla Black statue in Liverpool, and her work with Marvel Studios to design and produce sculptures for the sets of Guardians of The Galaxy and Avengers Age of Ultron, said:
“I’ve been visiting Chester Zoo since childhood and have a deep connection with this special place. Indeed, it was right here that my lifelong love of animals first began. To have the opportunity to create the Celebration Tree has therefore been a real honour; it’s both a work of art and a symbol of hope wildlife in the UK.
“Each element added to the tree, whether it’s a butterfly, leaf, bee or feather, will represent a story, a memory or a legacy of someone special. As the tree grows and evolves over time, it mirrors the zoo’s growing conservation efforts.”
Jamie Christon, Chester Zoo’s CEO, added:
“Emma has been a good friend to the zoo over a number of years and her creation of the Celebration Tree is a stunning addition - the first of what we hope will many projects we embark on together in the years ahead
“The tree is more than a sculpture and its true power lies in the meaning behind it. It’s a way for people to connect personally with our conservation zoo’s mission to help wildlife to thrive.
“By donating, supporters are not only leaving a meaningful mark on the tree itself, but also on the future of British wildlife. The funds raised will help us to plant thousands of trees, revive habitats across the North West and create new sanctuaries for species that need our help more than ever.”
The Celebration Tree initiative invites supporters to donate from £250 to more than £10,000, with their personalised engraved piece becoming a lasting part of the sculpture.
To learn more or to donate, visit: www.chesterzoo.org/celebrationtree
