February 4, 2008

Flocking to the Island

Wild pheasants are being reintroduced to Prince Edward Island with the help of the province and a local conservation group

Wild Chinese ringneck pheasants are hitching a ride to Prince Edward Island.
The province is assisting the P.E.I. chapter of Pheasants Forever, which formed last year, to reintroduce this bird to the Island.

Pheasants have been raised for years in pens on P.E.I., often released for hunting on private reserves.

But it’s the wild pheasants that have the best chance to flourish once again here, said John Clements, the province’s chief conservation officer.
He said if 500 pen-raised birds were released in P.E.I., likely none would be left in five years.

Much greater optimism exists towards the future of wild ringnecks being brought in from Nova Scotia.

“This is the first time we’ve ever tried it out of a wild genetic stock — stock that has had success in other Maritime provinces,’’ he said.

The birds being introduced to P.E.I. have a proven track record of surviving harsh winters, steering clear of natural predators, and also successfully breeding.

The rest of the article is available here:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=104846&sc=98