Home / Environment / Robins' Rare Comeback: From Brink to Islands
Robins' Rare Comeback: From Brink to Islands
21 Oct
Summary
- Species near extinction in 1960 with only 12 birds remaining.
- Conservation efforts included predator control and habitat restoration.
- Population grew to approximately 280 birds across five islands by 2015.
In 1960, the Seychelles magpie-robin teetered on the edge of extinction, with a mere 12 individuals surviving on Frégate Island. Decades of dedicated conservation have since reversed this dire trend.
Through a multifaceted approach involving invasive predator control, habitat restoration, supplementary feeding, and the strategic relocation of birds, the species' numbers began to climb. By September 2015, approximately 280 magpie-robins inhabited five islands across the Seychelles.
Initial efforts focused on Frégate Island, where numbers fluctuated precariously through the late 20th century. A formal recovery program initiated in 1990 by conservation organizations targeted predator management and habitat improvement.
Relocating birds to islands like Cousin, Cousine, Aride, and Denis between 1994 and 2008 expanded the species' range. While some new populations stabilized or grew, others, like the one on Aride, faced challenges, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring.
A 2025 census on Frégate Island reported over 200 birds, indicating continued success on its original home. The varying outcomes across islands underscore the complex nature of species recovery and the necessity of continued, adaptive management.
