Barcelona Zoo sees the birth of four Edward's Pheasant chicks, a species in critical danger of extinction

The Zoo is involved in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which works towards the conservation of animals such as the Edward’s Pheasant

The species has not been recorded in its natural habitat since the year 2000

April saw the birth of four Edward’s Pheasant chicks (Lophura Edwardsi) at the Zoo, a species endemic to Vietnam and in critical danger of extinction according to the Red List from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Barcelona Zoo, which is currently home to six individuals from this species, is an active participant in the European EAZA Ex-situ Programme (EEP) for endangered species, coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums, to facilitate the reproduction of the Edward’s Pheasant. The Zoo’s link with these conservation programmes reaffirms its goal of actively pursuing the preservation of biodiversity, animal welfare, research and scientific dissemination.

The situation faced by the Edward’s Pheasant in the wild is the consequence of phenomena such as the loss of its habitat, hunting and defoliation caused by the war in Vietnam. The species has not been recorded in the wild since the year 2000. Because of this, and following field work, the species is regarded as possibly now extinct in its natural habitat.

Given this situation, the NGO VietNature is working closely with EAZA and the World Pheasant Association to reintroduce the species into the wild. A joint action plan has allowed over 700 hectares of land to be earmarked in the Khe Nuoc Trong Reserve in Vietnam, for the preservation of space where individuals of this species can be reintroduced in the future. The goal of the project is to be able to reintroduce them in 2029.

The global population of the Edward’s Pheasant consists of 124 males, 108 females and 47 individuals which have not yet been sexed.