In a tale of hope and resilience, a heartwarming conservation effort has led to the hatching of three incredibly rare blue-eyed ground doves in Brazil. This inspiring collaboration across countries showcases how dedicated individuals can unite for a common cause, shining a light on the importance of preserving our planet’s unique species.

At a small zoo nestled in the UK, an extraordinary event unfolded: three delicate blue-eyed ground dove chicks took their first breaths, marking a pivotal moment for a species on the verge of extinction. With only 11 of these beautiful birds believed to exist in the wild, their arrival felt like a miracle.

The conservation journey kicked off in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, the sole home of these doves. A heartfelt team of international experts, including dedicated personnel from Chester Zoo, embarked on this mission to nurture the survival of one of the world’s most vulnerable species. Alongside their Brazilian and American counterparts, these focused individuals worked tirelessly to hand-rear the chicks, creating a lifeline for the blue-eyed ground dove.

Incredibly, the blue-eyed ground dove was a mystery for decades, with no confirmed sightings for over 70 years until its rediscovery in 2015. The urgency to help this elusive bird was palpable among conservationists. Andrew Owen, head of birds at Chester Zoo, expressed the gravity of their work, stating that without their collective efforts, this striking bird might disappear forever.

The successful hatching of these three chicks not only increased the breeding population but also reaffirmed the potential for future generations of blue-eyed ground doves. Earlier in the year, a meticulous selection process was initiated to identify wild-laid eggs for incubation, paving the way for the hatchlings to bolster the species’ survival chances.

To bring these efforts to fruition, Andrew traveled to Brazil, providing crucial support, while his colleague Victoria Kaldis was on the ground, lovingly assisting in rearing the chicks. Their work was further enriched by collaboration with Parque das Aves and SAVE Brasil, as well as support from zoos in the United States.

Paloma Bosso, the technical director at Parque das Aves, shared her excitement upon seeing the chicks. “Each hatchling represents a real chance to reverse the fate of this species,” she noted, balancing the joy of their arrival with the weight of responsibility that accompanies such an endeavor.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE:

The emergence of these three chicks brings the total number of blue-eyed ground doves at Parque das Aves to six, with ongoing efforts to closely monitor their health and development under a coordinated breeding management plan.

This incredible species is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, their numbers dwindling due to habitat loss from agriculture and forestry. Today, they are only found in Botumirim, emphasizing the urgency of ongoing conservation actions.

“The blue-eyed ground dove relies on the dedication of many people and organizations so that its beautiful song can resonate through the Cerrado for generations to come,” Ben Phalan, head of conservation at Parque das Aves, reminded everyone, reinforcing the significance of their mission.

LET’S CELEBRATE THIS BEAUTIFUL TURN IN THE STORY OF OUR PLANET’S WILDLIFE!