4/17/2009 12:31:00 PM First cahow chick on Nonsuch since 1620
‘Extraordinary achievement’: Nelson Bascome, Minister of Health, seen here paying a visit to the baby Cahow, praised the efforts of the Cahow Recovery Team. *Photos supplied
‘Breakthrough’: Conservationists say the discovery of this fledgling Cahow marks a breakthrough in efforts to save the critically endangered seabird from extinction.
The first fledgling Cahow to be found on Nonsuch Island in almost 390 years marks a major triumph in the efforts to save the critically endangered seabird from extinction.
The discovery of the fledgling is a major triumph for the team involved in the Cahow Recovery Programme that aims to protect the species.
The last bird of its kind to be discovered there was in 1620. Although the Cahow was believed to be extinct until it was "rediscovered" in the 1950s, only 17 nesting pairs were found on several rocky islands in the east end of Bermuda.
As there is not enough soil on most of the nesting islands for the Cahow to burrow in, 100 artificial concrete burrows were built and almost three quarters of all Cahows now nest in this 'Government housing.'
Hurricanes and sea-level rise are the most urgent threats to the Cahow as recent hurricanes have severely eroded these islands and destroyed nest burrows. The rising sea level is causing more flooding of nests on these low-lying islands.
Translocation
One aspect of the Cahow Recovery Programme involved establishing breeding pairs of the birds on Nonsuch Island, which is less vulnerable to storms and rising sea levels.
Between 2004 and 2008 a total of 105 Cahow chicks were moved, or translocated from the tiny nesting islets to Nonsuch Island when they were two-thirds grown. Here they were fed squid and fish, fitted with tags and monitored until they flew to sea. Some 102 chicks successfully fledged to sea.
Jeremy Madeiros, the conservation officer (Terrestrial) for the Department of Conservation Services within the Ministry of Environment and Sports who has been overseeing the Cahow Recovery Programme for nine years said: "I never expected that we would see a nesting pair produce a chick so soon. While the translocation plan seemed simple in theory, it was difficult to carry out and we were never quite sure it would be successful - until now. I'm hopeful that next year we will see more chicks born on Nonsuch and we will then truly have secured a major victory in ensuring the future survival of this most extraordinary bird.
World renowned conservationist and former government conservation officer Dr. David Wingate was involved in the Cahow Recovery Programme beginning in the 1950s and has dedicated much of his life to saving the Cahow.
He added: "I can not think of a more perfect success story appropriate to the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Bermuda as the Cahow practically saved the early settlers but then they almost became extinct because of them!"
Glenn Blakeney, Minister of the Environment and Sports, said: "The birth of this Cahow chick is an extraordinary achievement for those who have dedicated their lives to saving this rare bird from the brink of extinction.
