In 1974, just four Mauritius kestrels remained in the wild; then Carl Jones brought the bird back from the brink of extinction, with numbers reaching around 600 | World News

The Mauritius kestrel was once so close to extinction that only four known individuals remained in the wild, including a single breeding pair. Its survival seemed increasingly uncertain until Welsh conservationist Carl Jones and a team of researchers began an intensive effort to save the species. Through captive breeding, careful monitoring, supplementary feeding and the protection of nesting sites, conservationists gradually rebuilt its population. Their efforts helped the bird recover to around 600 individuals at its historical peak, making it one of the most remarkable examples of wildlife conservation. However, the comeback did not mark the end of the story. The Mauritius kestrel remains endangered, and continuing threats to its habitat show how difficult it can be to sustain a conservation success over the long term.

How the Mauritius kestrel reached the brink of extinction

The Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus) is a bird of prey found naturally only on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Its population collapsed over several decades as human activity transformed the island’s natural environment.Extensive forest destruction deprived the birds of their habitat, while the widespread use of pesticides further contributed to their decline. By the 1950s, the kestrel had become restricted to the Black River Gorges region. In 1974, only four individuals were known to survive in the wild, including a single breeding pair, making the species one of the most endangered birds in the world.

The conservationist who refused to give up

Carl Jones, a Welsh conservation biologist, became a central figure in the effort to save the Mauritius kestrel. His work in Mauritius formed part of a wider conservation career focused on rescuing endangered species.According to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Jones arrived on the island when many people believed the kestrel’s recovery was unlikely. Some feared that the tiny population would not survive, while others questioned whether conservation resources should be spent on a species with such uncertain prospects.Jones continued working on the recovery effort, helping develop methods to increase breeding success and improve the birds’ chances of survival. He later became chief scientist at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and scientific director of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. His conservation work also contributed to recovery efforts involving other endangered Mauritian birds.

How conservationists brought the kestrel back

Saving the Mauritius kestrel required more than protecting the few birds that remained. Conservationists needed to increase breeding success, raise young birds and establish populations in suitable habitats.The recovery programme combined several techniques, including captive breeding, the release of birds into the wild, supplementary feeding and the provision of artificial nesting sites. Researchers also monitored breeding pairs and worked to reduce threats around nests.One important technique involved manipulating the birds’ breeding cycles. Conservationists could remove eggs for incubation, encouraging females to lay another clutch. This approach helped increase the number of young birds produced, while artificial nest sites and predator management improved the chances of successful breeding.The programme was a long-term effort involving Jones and other researchers, local conservationists, government agencies and international organisations. Its success depended on combining scientific research with intensive, practical management of the birds and their habitats.

From four wild birds to hundreds

The recovery was gradual rather than immediate. By the end of the intensive restoration programme in 1994, the post-breeding population was estimated at between 222 and 286 birds. By 2000, estimates had risen to between 500 and 800 individuals.The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation describes the population’s rise from four known wild birds in 1974 to a peak of around 600 as one of the most successful species recovery programmes. The differing figures reflect estimates made at different points in the recovery, rather than a single fixed population count.The comeback also helped establish the Mauritius kestrel as an important example of what sustained conservation intervention can achieve. A bird once considered close to extinction had returned to several parts of the island through captive breeding, reintroductions and continued monitoring.

Why the Mauritius kestrel is struggling again

The historic recovery did not eliminate the threats facing the species. Habitat degradation, introduced predators and competition continue to affect Mauritius kestrels, while the island has lost much of its original forest.The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has documented contrasting trends across different parts of the island. The population in the Bambous Mountains in the east grew from about 40 pairs to approximately 50 breeding pairs and remained relatively stable for a period. In contrast, the population in and around the Black River Gorges declined from an estimated 40 to 50 pairs in the mid-1990s to about 20 pairs in 2021.The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s 2023 assessment lists the Mauritius kestrel as Endangered, with a decreasing population trend. It identifies continuing habitat decline and the effects of introduced species among the pressures facing the bird. The assessment also estimated 140 to 170 mature individuals, a measure that should not be confused with the total number of birds of all ages.

Conservation work continues

Efforts to protect the Mauritius kestrel continue through monitoring, breeding management and research. In March 2025, the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation reported that its fauna team had been ringing and measuring kestrel chicks and collecting blood samples. The work helps researchers identify individual birds, gather biological information and determine which conservation measures may be needed to support the population.