Page 105 - It Can't Be True! Animals! - Unbelievable Facts About Amazing Animals (DK)
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From only four birds, there are now an estimated
400 kestrels flying free in Mauritius.
However, the Mauritius kestrel was 1991, captive breeding by the
once the world’s rarest bird. In 1974, Peregrine Fund led to 46 kestrels
there were only four of them left in being released into the wild.
the wild, as the combined forces of During this time additional
deforestation and pesticides used in measures were introduced, including
farming pushed this beautiful bird the use of nest boxes, assistance
of prey to the brink of extinction. with feeding, and controls set on
Conservation groups took exotic predators. This has resulted
immediate action, breeding the in kestrel numbers rising into the
surviving kestrels in captivity for hundreds, with around 100 breeding
later release. Between 1988 and pairs in the wild today.
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