DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST: THE MAURITIUS KESTREL

In 1974 only four of these beautiful kestrels were known to exist in the wild, which made it the world’s rarest bird. Today, thanks to Durrell, over 800 kestrels fly free in the forests of Mauritius, and the species has been taken off the critical list. Captive breeding and intensive management of wild birds over the last 25 years have undoubtedly saved the Mauritius kestrel from extinction, making it one of Durrell’s greatest success stories. But while the kestrel is out of immediate danger, the population is still monitored, to give advance warning of any new problems.

Photo credit: Carl Jones 

For more info. check out http://www.durrell.org/Animals/Birds/Mauritius-kestrel/