'Tok stori' with Joe Wood (Conservation Biologist) from Toledo Zoo, USA

In this 'Tok stori' we talk to Joe Wood from Toledo Zoo, USA. Joe is a conservation biologist. In 2017, he led a rescue of one of the rarest ground doves on earth, and certainly in the Solomon Islands and the South Pacific from the illegal pet trade. The Santa Cruz ground dove was once abundant throughout the eastern Solomon Islands and northern Vanuatu. Today this species is restricted to only one island, Tinakula. As a result of conservation efforts and important partnerships with locals, conservation practitioners, the Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment and Conservation departments, and industry - Guadalcanal Plain Palm Oil Plantations Ltd (West New Britain Palm Oil), there are now thriving populations of this species in captivity, both in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and at Jurong Bird Park in Singapore.

The illegal trade in wildlife out of Solomon Islands, and Melanesia continues to be a concern. Each year incredibly large numbers of wildlife, from birds, reptiles, frogs, and mammals are exported overseas. There is no captive breeding facility in the Solomon Islands and all wildlife exported, are sourced from captured wild populations.

Read more about the work Toledo zoo does to conserve Santa Cruz ground dove here
https://www.toledoblade.com/local/ani...

Read about Jurong bird parks work on breeding the Santa Cruz ground dove here
https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/about-us/pr...