Rare dove bred at London Zoo
Socorro dove (Zenaida graysoni) has not been seen in the wild since 1972
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Monday, 30, Oct 2006 11:46
A dove that became extinct in the wild more than 30 years ago due to attacks from feral cats and humans has been successfully bred at London Zoo.
The Socorro dove (Zenaida graysoni) was last sighted in its natural habitat of Socorro in the Revillagigedo Islands, 600 miles off the western coast of Mexico, in 1972.
Since then they have died out in the wild as they were attacked by feral cats and overgrazing sheep destroyed much of their forest floor habitat. The birds were also hunted by humans for food.
There are thought to be less than 100 of the birds in captivity.
Keepers at the zoo believe the birth of the dove could signal a change of its fortune as successful breeding is vital to be able to reintroduce it into the wild.
As such the zookeepers have dubbed the dove 'Arnie', in reference to Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous catchphrase "I'll be back".
Before the dove can return to the forests of Socorro as part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) breeding programme, work must be undertaken to eradicate both sheep and feral cats from the area.
The Zoological Society of London's curator of birds, John Ellis, said: "This is an enormous success for London Zoo and a real tribute to the hard work and expertise of our keepers.
"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."