This bird is in need of some friends
8 October 2008
It’s enough to make your heart bleed but it would seem that this bird is in need of some friends.
The Mindanao bleeding-heart doves – so called because of the flash of brilliant red on their chests – are amongst some of the prettiest birds at Chester Zoo.
But when it comes to adopting them, the birds, which can be found in the Tropical Realm, are bottom of the list. Just two people have taken the doves on board through the zoo’s animal adoption scheme.
And the doves aren’t the only ones that are finding themselves out of favour with potential adopters.
Just one adopter has shown an interest in the Mallorcan Midwife toads.
It’s not just the amphibians and birds that are getting over looked, but the Azara’s Agouti, a mammal originating from South America, is also proving unpopular.
Natalie Stokes, of Chester Zoo’s Marketing department, said the adoption scheme helped the zoo, a registered conservation charity, meet its annual animal food bill.
She said: “Whilst we have no trouble finding happy adopters for some of our larger, charismatic animals, it appears that some of our smaller species don’t quite have the same appeal.
“Nearly 700 people adopt our Asian elephants and a further 500 adopt the penguins but when it comes to fish, birds and reptiles they are often forgotten.
“We are making a plea on behalf of some of our smaller species of animals in the hope that they can find potential adopters out there who are prepared to back them.
“Some animals might not be as big as an elephant or as graceful as a giraffe but from a conservation point of view they are just as important.”
The zoo’s adoption scheme, which marks its 60th anniversary next year, costs £50 for a share and runs for 12 months. Adopters receive a certificate, four issues of the zoo magazine, an invitation to attend one of the adopters day and two complimentary tickets. Adopters’ names also appear on 'thank you' boards at the enclosures.