A conservation project led by an academic from the Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology (DICE) has given new hope for the survival of a critically endangered species.

The Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone corvina) is one of the world’s rarest birds, with, at one time, only 250 birds surviving. The birds were all confined to a single 160-hectare island of La Digue until a recovery initiative led by Dr Jim Groombridge and his team relocated 23 of the dwindling population to Denis Island, a rat-free nature reserve.

The birds, transported in helicopters, settled straight away and have begun to breed. This success has led to a renewed plan for conserving the species which will be introduced to several other suitable islands. This work will be supported by a DICE-led programme for training Seychellois in field conservation techniques.

The Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher initiative is the focal mission of a wider, multidisciplinary project involving Nature Seychelles, Wildlife Vets International, the RSPB, the Government of the Seychelles and resources economists from the University’s Kent Business School.

Find out more:

• Further information about Dr Jim Groombridge.
• More about research in the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent.
• Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher - on Wikipedia
• See our Flycatcher Google Map

Related courses at Kent:

Postgraduate courses (Master's and PhDs)

• Conservation postgraduate degree programmes

Undergraduate courses (Bachelor's)

• Conservation undergraduate degree programmes