Captive-rearing piping plovers: Developing techniques to augment wild populations

Zoo Biology
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Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

Powell, A., Cuthbert, F., Wemmer, L., Doolittle, A., and Feirer, S., 1997, Captive-rearing piping plovers: Developing techniques to augment wild populations: Zoo Biology, v. 16, no. 6, p. 461-477, https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1997)16:6<461::AID-ZOO1>3.0.CO;2-8.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Captive-rearing piping plovers: Developing techniques to augment wild populations
Series title Zoo Biology
DOI 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1997)16:6<461::AID-ZOO1>3.0.CO;2-8
Volume 16
Issue 6
Year Published 1997
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Description 17 p.
First page 461
Last page 477
Country United States
State Michigan
County Charlevoix County, Cheboygan County, Chippewa County, Emmet County
Other Geospatial northern Michigan
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