Conservation of birds in the Indian Ocean

SeychellesThere are reports of disease in the Endangered Seychelles magpie robin population.This species was reduced to a handful of breeding adults on the islands of Frigate and Alphonse with the later dying out by the 1960s.Conservation efforts since the 1990s has resulted in a slow and steady increase to 200 individuals spread over 5 islands in 2009.It is early days but should the disease be highly infectious, it potentially mean the unravelling of decades of conservation success.

WVI avian vets and pathologists are in communication with conservation partners on the ground and are arranging for whole chicks and swabs to be sent to the UK for analysis.

This emphasises the need for training the goverment vets in wildlife and conservation medicine. Funds raised during the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2013 will be spent unravelling the current disease and we are due to apply to the 2014 Challenge for further funds.

Mauritius

Conservation of bird species that have been reduced to a handful of species is a well established protocol throughout the Indian Ocean.

In Mauritius, plans are underway to reintroduce birds to an area of restored habitat on the main island. Once down to four adults in 1974 but now a healthy and expanding population, the Mauritian kestrel has reintroduced itself to Ferney.

Mauritius Wildlife Foundation and partners (including WVI) are beginning to instigate plans to reintroduce a suite of bird species, starting with the echo parakeet followed by pink pigeons.

In the mid to late 2000′s, there was an outbreak of Psitticine Beak and Feather Disease in the recovering echo parakeet population.

In consulation with WVI’s avian expert, Andrew Greenwood, supplementary feeding and nesting practices where changed and the species has learnt to live with a low level of disease.

In 2014, workshops took into consideration the disease and captive breeding and release aviaries are designed accordingly.

Two PhD studies and several MSc studies have looked intothe genetic diversity of such and endangered species and the ability of a presumably genetically impoverished population on their ability to resist disease.

“There are some complex disease situations associated with these species,” says Andrew. “Thankfully, we are working with problems that are well presented in captivity. It does not mean necessarily they are easier to manage in the wild, but we know about them.”

Simon Tollington, one of the PhD students, has just been awarded a Rufford Grant to look into the role supplementary feeding in the individual and we (DICE, Durrell and WVI) are currently applying to NERC to fund a PHd to look at whether supplementary feeding leads to improved breeding success and population growth and viability.

In October the team plans to start reintroducing a host of endangered bird species, including the echo parakeet, to a patch of forest where they have been extinct.

Click here for detailed information on this project.

The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2014

WVI is taking part in The Big Give Christmas Challenge. Our aim to raise £4,000 in online donations on the 4th, 5th and 6th December and get it all matched thereby doubling our total to £8,000.

A limited amount of matched funding is released each day and many charities are competing for the small pot.

Please donate as soon after 10am as possible to #doubleyourdonation.

Please help WVI vets save endangered birds in the Seychelles and Mauritius islands by donating.

Remember remember 4th December

Please donate HERE to #doubleyourdonation.

Hopefully we will raise the full £8,000 to start training field staff in the Seychelles and Mauritius to recognise and survey for disease.

Undetected disease could quickly wipe out the small populations these unique birds have been reduced to.

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