Critically endangered turtle doves have declined by 51% over the last few years. This massive decline in turtle doves has occurred in the last five years. This is concerning, as the turtle dove is the UK’s most endangered bird species. Turtle doves are also one of the UK’s more endangered wild animals in the country today. Turtle doves are critically endangered within the UK, and they are endangered across Europe - turtle doves can be found across the European continent. These animals are also found in the middle-east and in some parts of Africa. What Is The Population Of Turtle Doves?
The current population of turtle doves is thought to be around 1,000 breeding pairs. The population of these animals has declined by 51% in just five years and since the 1970s, the turtle dove population has declined a massive 98%. Therefore, the vast majority of turtle doves have disappeared in just a few short decades. What Is Causing These Animals To Decline?
There are several reasons why these animals are declining.
What Is The Future For Turtle Doves?
The future of turtle doves will depend on our willingness to save them, and how successful our conservation efforts can be to save them. Conserving and restoring their natural habitat could be crucial to saving these birds for future generations within the United Kingdom. But like other endangered wild animals across the UK, the clock is ticking for them, time is not on our side to save species in the UK like turtle doves, what we do in the next few years could determine whether or not these birds become extinct. Sources: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22690419/119457869https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/07/turtle-dove-flies-towards-extinction-numbers-halve-ukhttps://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/pigeons-and-doves/turtle-dove