With help, the pink pigeon may survive extinction

Using birds living in European and American zoos, a ‘genetic rescue’ might be attempted

Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri). Picture: Mauritian-wildlife.org/projects

Visiting the Black River Gorge in Mauritius during the 1980s, I was shown a bird on the verge of extinction. Thankfully, it has survived: a last-ditch captive-breeding programme saved the critically-endangered pink pigeon.

With the tender loving care of the Durrell Wildlife Trust and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, this elegant pink-breasted bird was coaxed back from the brink. There are about 480 of these living wild in Mauritius today.