The WWT along with Birds Russia, Moscow Zoo and the RSPB working with colleagues from the BTO, BirdLife International, ArcCona and the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force have initiated a rescue programme for the severly endangered spoon-billed sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus). The plan is to collect eggs, hatch and rear them on site in Russia, then transport the young birds to Moscow zoo and quarantine the birds before shipping them to a purpose built breeding centre at Slimbridge. Recent research suggests that the breeding population of spoon-billed sandpiper was between 120-200 pairs in 2009, with the species believed to be declining at approximately 26% per year, due to extremely low survival of juvenile birds. If this trend continues, the spoon-billed sandpiper could be extinct within a decade. Recent research suggests that the breeding population of spoon-billed sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus) was between 120-200 pairs in 2009, with the species believed to be declining at approximately 26% per year, due to extremely low survival of juvenile birds. If this trend continues, the spoon-billed sandpiper could be extinct within a decade. Recent research suggests that the breeding population of spoon-billed sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus) was between 120-200 pairs in 2009, with the species believed to be declining at approximately 26% per year, due to extremely low survival of juvenile birds. If this trend continues, the spoon-billed sandpiper could be extinct within a decade. Emergency mission to save remarkable bird from extinction - Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)
I hope they do well in captivity and if anyone can succeed WWT can. Unfortunately it sometimes can be too late (a certain cetacean springs to mind)!
That very nearily went wrong before it started as all the original birds were females!!I hvae to wonder if Peter Scott is one of the few people to have eaten an omlette made from Ne-ne eggs!
going rather off-track of the thread topic, but this studbook pdf gives a good account of the history of nene in captivity: http://library.sandiegozoo.org/studbooks/birds/hawaiiannenegoose2003.pdf
good news on the captive spoon-billed sandpiper front: First Spoon-billed Sandpiper chicks hatch in captivity - WorldWaders News Blog photos on the link (and the whole article because I cut some out)
The birds arrived safe and well in the UK on 11th November BBC Nature - Endangered spoon-billed sandpipers arrive in UK
A further 20 eggs arrived last week. The website states that they are all doing well. Saving the Spoon Billed Sandpiper
First chicks hatched this week. First spoon-billed sandpiper chicks hatch in UK | Environment | guardian.co.uk
17 of the 20 eggs imported have hatched successfully. There is a video at Saving the Spoon Billed Sandpiper For anyone who wants more video… the early part needs editing - but watch those little guys start to feed Alan
I've come across a lot of differing information today regarding the recent release of some of the birds. Here's a link to the main site's press release: Saving the Spoon Billed Sandpiper Russian conservation trials pave way for spoon-billed sandpiper recovery
20 Spoon-billed sandpipers hatched in the Far East ! : Wildlife Extra News - 20 Critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper chicks hatched by scientists
