A SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION STATUS AND RESEARCH FOR THE MAURITIUS KESTREL FALCO-PUNCTATUS, PINK PIGEON COLUMBA-MAYERI AND ECHO PARAKEET PSITTACULA-EQUES

Work on the endangered birds of Mauritius has been undertaken by the W ildlife Preservation Trusts since 1976, The Mauritius kestrel Falco pu nctatus has been successfully reintroduced and a population of 420-530 birds was estimated at the end of the 1996-1997 breeding season. The pink pigeon Columba mayeri has also been reintroduced to three sites. In August 1997 there were 330 known free living birds, more than half of which had been born in the wild. The echo parakeet Psittacula eques is the focus of intensive conservation management and research work. During the 1996/1997 breeding season there were 13 known wild pairs. A t the end of the breeding season there were 50-61 birds. The conservat ion management of all three endemic bird species is briefly described.