Operation Chough Update 2000

We started the year 2000 with high hopes of being in a position to release at least three young Choughs from Paradise Park. However there were some set backs which made us delay this. No chicks were successfully reared although, six pairs built nests, five pairs laid and four pairs succeeded in hatching chicks. However, problems arose when the chicks were about a week old. As we would really prefer to have chicks that were parent-reared we had decided that we must grit our teeth and not hand-rear this year.

One adult female Chough died this year and we had an unintentional escape which resulted in the “loss” of a second hen; however she may still be existing in the wild as recent reports of a Chough sighted at Pendeen could be her.Regarding the possibility of Chough releases, there was a three day meeting of interested parties in July. Two days were spent touring former Chough sites in Devon and Cornwall to study the habitat, the third day was at Paradise Park and included representatives from the RSPB, National Trust, English Nature and eminent Chough field workers. There was little doubt in many minds that the habitat in certain areas could support Choughs immediately. However, one element of the IUCN criteria for reintroductions still needed to be addressed, i.e. are the birds for release genetically the same as those birds originally in Cornwall? 

Specimen Testing at Truro Museum This involved DNA testing of museum specimens, and was completed before Christmas. If it was found, for instance, that all the western European birds (including Welsh, French and former Cornish birds) are genetically identical, then there would be no need to sample living birds as no regional differences would exist. If there are any differences then the captive birds will need to be sampled in order to determine their suitability or otherwise prior to any release. The results seem to support the notion that all the western European species are genetically identical.

Assistant Curator Dale Jackson taking DNA samples of stuffed birds at Truro Museum

Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary, Hayle Cornwall TR27 4HB, UK
www.paradisepark.org.uk