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Posted: 21st September 2012

"Extinct" bird hatches in UK
A Socorro dove has been bred in captivity

One of the world's rarest birds, the Socorro dove, has been successfully bred at Bristol Zoo Gardens for the first time in five years.

The species is considered extinct in the wild, and with only about 100 still living in captivity - 25 of which in the UK - this is an extremely rare birth.

Though two chicks originally hatched, one died at an early age. The survivor is being raised by foster birds at the zoo, a pair of of European turtle doves, as they have a better record of raising healthy young than Socorro dove parents. The chick is said to be thriving.

Bristol Zoo hope to breed the bird, which originates from the island of Socorro near Mexico, with those held in captivity at six other UK zoos, in order to prevent the species from total extinction.

Nigel Simpson, curator of birds at Bristol Zoo, said: "Sadly these birds now only exist in captivity, so to have this chick hatch and survive 40 years after they were last seen in the wild is a great achievement."

He added: "We are thrilled to say that another pair of foster birds is now incubating another Socorro dove egg which we hope will hatch soon".



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