SWINNERTON, K., JONES, C., LAM, R., PAUL, S., CHAPMAN, R., MURRAY, K.A. & FREEMAN, K. (2000)
Conservation of the pink pigeon in Mauritius.
Re-introduction News 19 (November 2000): 10-12. ISSN 1560-3709.
Introduction
The Pink Pigeon Columba mayeri is endemic to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Its has been rare for nearly a century and by the early 1980’s only 10-20 individuals survived in the wild. A conservation program for the Pink Pigeon was started in the mid-1970’s
but it was not until 1987 that releases into native forest began. A re-introduction program was carried out between 1987-1997 alongside management of the remaining wild population. The following article has focused on reintroduction and management techniques which were particularly relevant to the population recovery.
Discussion (partim)
Survival of released birds up to 30 days post-release was 89%. Survival to breeding age (year one) was 75% and ean adult survival (years 1-6) was 81% per year (±0.06%). Some released birds survived for many years, the oldest surviving captive-bred bird released as a juvenile was a male released in 1987 who died at 8.4 years old. The oldest surviving captive-bred female released as a juvenile was 7.2 years old in 1998 when she was still alive.
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