Plovers Return to California Coast After 40 Years

Western snowy plovers have returned to nest at California's Coal Oil Point Reserve after a 40-year absence. This significant resurgence follows extensive conservation initiatives, including habitat fencing and a volunteer docent program designed to reduce human interference with the vulnerable birds. These efforts, initiated by conservationists in 2000, have successfully encouraged the plovers to resume nesting at the site.

The Santa Barbara Zoo actively contributes to this conservation success. Since 2016, the zoo has rescued abandoned eggs and chicks, raising them for eventual release. Most recently, eleven plovers were released at Coal Oil Point, bringing the total number of zoo-rehabilitated birds returned to the wild to 212. These released birds are now equipped with radio and Bluetooth tracking devices, allowing researchers to monitor their movements and survival rates.

The western snowy plover population declined significantly due to habitat loss and human disturbance, leading to its 'threatened' status in 1993. The conservation program at Coal Oil Point serves as a model for other beaches, demonstrating how to balance human access with the birds' need for space. The zoo's intervention is particularly vital during high-mortality periods, such as those anticipated with the incoming El Niño weather patterns.