Captive-rearing piping plovers: Developing techniques to augment wild populations
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1997 |
Authors: |
Abby N. Powell, Francesca J. Cuthbert, Lauren C. Wemmer, Alice W. Doolittle, Shane T. Feirer |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Publisher: |
A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services |
Keywords: |
charadrius melodus, charadrius vociferus, endangered species, killdeer, piping plovers, reintroduction, surrogate species |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1997)16:6<461::AID-ZOO1>3.3.CO;2-G Techniques for captive-rearing and releasing piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) were developed using a surrogate species, killdeer (Charadrius vociferus). We compared captive- and parent-reared killdeer, and parent-reared piping plovers and determined that growth and behavior were similar. After surrogate trials determined that captive-rearing was feasible, we used the same methods to raise piping plover chicks from salvaged eggs. For captive-reared chick of both species, survival to fledging was higher than and behaviors similar to parent-reared chicks in the wild. Rearing techniques were fine-tuned, and ten piping plover fledglings were released to the wild. Based on our results, we developed recommendations for captive-rearing piping plovers using salvaged eggs to enhance productivity of small populations. Zoo Biol 16:461–477, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.