Skip to content
  • Happy Health
  • Happy Mindset
  • Animal Wonders
  • About Us
    • Team
  • Subscribe
Menu
  • Happy Health
  • Happy Mindset
  • Animal Wonders
  • About Us
    • Team
  • Subscribe
Happy News

Meet the Eight Chicks That Represent Hope for an Entire Species

Chester Zoo conservationists are celebrating the successful hatching of eight Socorro dove chicks, bringing fresh hope to a species that has been completely extinct in the wild for over half a century. These remarkable birds, known as squabs, represent precious additions to a total global population of only 200 Socorro doves that survive today exclusively in zoo conservation programs across Europe and North America. The species vanished from their native Socorro Island off the coast of Mexico in 1972 due to a devastating combination of introduced sheep that destroyed vegetation, feral cats brought by naval personnel, and the establishment of a naval base that disrupted their natural habitat. Without the foresight of German aviculturists who created an emergency breeding program, these doves would have been lost forever to extinction.

Clare Rafe, assistant team manager for birds at Chester Zoo, explains that despite looking “quite plain and brown from a distance,” these doves have shimmery blusher-like markings on their heads and surprisingly big personalities, with males being notably aggressive rather than peaceful. The zoo cares for two breeding pairs, and the unique 50-50 parenting arrangement means fathers often take over chick-rearing duties when mothers become ready to start new clutches. Unlike other dove species, Socorro doves prefer to live in pairs or individually rather than flocks, adapting their breeding cycles to brief nesting windows between storms and heat waves in their original island habitat. These eight new chicks not only bolster the crucial insurance population but also demonstrate that dedicated conservation efforts can quite literally bring species back from the brink of extinction.

PrevPreviousThe Motorsport Official Who’s Proving Disability Never Means Inability
NextAI Just Made the Stethoscope 3.5 Times More PowerfulNext

Recent Articles

Happy News

Bill Nye Will Receive His Well Deserved Lifetime Achievement Award

February 8, 2026

Bill Nye the Science Guy is about to receive one of the highest honors in children’s television when the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presents him with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th Annual Children’s and Family Emmy Awards on March 1 at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Read More
Happy News

Taylor Swift’s Kitchen Skills Were Unexpected

February 8, 2026

Taylor Swift has become a beloved member of the Kelce family not just through her relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce but also through her impressive skills in the kitchen, particularly her baking abilities that have won over the entire clan including Chiefs teammates. On her podcast Not Gonna Lie,

Read More
Happy News

Will and Jada Smith Support Their Son During Fashion Week Debut

February 8, 2026

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith proudly supported their son Jaden at his debut appearance as Christian Louboutin’s first men’s creative director during Paris Fashion Week, and they reportedly looked to be in great spirits despite living separately since 2016. The couple’s outing marked the first time they had been

Read More
« Previous Next »
  • Privacy Notice
  • Accessibility Notice
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Unsubscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Notice
  • Accessibility Notice
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Unsubscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2026 HappyNews.