'Extinct' Dove Successfully Bred at London Zoo
Bird keepers at London Zoo are celebrating the successful breeding of a Socorro Dove, extinct in the wild since 1972.
The chick has been named Arnie in reference to Arnold Schwarzenegger's line "I'll be back" as it's hoped that the extensive conservation efforts currently underway will mean that the Socorro Dove will soon be back in the wild.
The Socorro dove was last spotted in its natural home of Socorro in the Revillagigedo Islands more than 30 years ago after being pushed to extinction by the introduction of cats to the island and the overgrazing of it's forest floor habitat by sheep. Work is taking place to rid the island of cats and sheep before the dove can be re-introduced.
Staff at London Zoo are delighted with the result as it's a step on the road back to recovery for a species that still numbers under 100 in captivity.
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