Exploring the Adventure: Gerald Durrell, Pink Pigeons at Prague Zoo, and the Foolish Mishaps
Among the species he successfully rescued are the pink pigeons. You can follow in the footsteps of Gerald Durrell at the Prague Zoo and see these remarkable birds for yourself!
Golden bats and pink pigeons – humor and rescue
In his book, Zoo at the Castle (Menagerie Manor, 1964), Durrell tells the story of how he established his own zoo and even included a run-down castle. He shares his experiences and hilarious events with a variety of animals while demonstrating his vast professional knowledge on every page. However, the zoo’s creation and upkeep drained all the family funds, which pushed Durrell to start writing extensively. He not only produced new books but also participated in radio and television shows and traveled around the world looking for sponsors, all while managing the zoo primarily from a distance.
Among his most popular works from that era is Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons (Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons, 1977). This book narrates an expedition to Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Reunion – three islands in the Indian Ocean that are home to unique but endangered wildlife. Durrell shares his escapades with his trademark wit and charm, but there’s a sense of urgency woven into the humor. This makes the book an enjoyable read, especially for nature enthusiasts, and the illustrations by Adolf Born add to its appeal.
The Island of Mauritius is notably linked to the dodo, a flightless bird also known as the dronte or dumb-ass, which humans managed to wipe out in no time. Unfortunately, the dodo is not the only species that suffered due to human presence in Mauritius. The wood pigeon was also driven to extinction, and the pink pigeon—a close relative of the infamous dodo—nearly faced the same fate. At a critical time when only a few dozen pink pigeons remained in existence, Durrell and his team, in collaboration with local specialists, initiated a rescue program that later served as a global model.
Why did the pink pigeon almost vanish?
The rare animals on the island faced significant threats from introduced predators, such as cats, rats, monkeys, and pigs. Because the dodos could not fly, they laid their eggs in nests on the ground, making them vulnerable to these hungry animals. Interestingly, sailors found their meat quite unpalatable, which led them to stop hunting them fairly quickly.
Over time, the pink pigeon became increasingly rare. According to Miroslav Bobek, the director of the Prague Zoo, when Gerald Durrell first traveled to Mauritius, his goal was to bring pink pigeons back to his zoo in Jersey. He succeeded, and the importance of this move is now more apparent than ever. Moreover, Gerald Durrell, through the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, supported efforts to save the pink pigeon right on the island itself. Today, with aid from the Trust—now known as Durrell’s rather than Jersey’s—there exists the Gerald Durrell Endemic Wildlife Sanctuary.
Thanks to Durrell and his dedicated team, a remarkable achievement occurred: pink pigeons not only survived but their numbers have started to slowly rebound. Currently, their population is stable, although they still remain an endangered species. Unfortunately, the golden bats mentioned in the book were not as fortunate, but the survival of pink pigeons stands as a beacon of hope.
Czech trail: pink pigeons at Prague Zoo
Gerald Durrell never came to Prague, but his connection arrived here: to Europe through the ancestors of these wonderful birds. In 2000, the Prague Zoo became the first institution in the Czech Republic to acquire these rare birds for breeding purposes. This event, though small, was highly significant. Since then, pink pigeons have been included in a breeding program, reminding us that a modest zoo in the heart of Europe can play a vital role in global conservation efforts. Prague Zoo has long been recognized as one of the top zoos globally, actively participating in conservation projects. The pink pigeon is just one example—and its story is especially meaningful because it is tied to the renowned British naturalist, serving as a reminder of the importance of thoughtful, scientific, and compassionate care.
When Gerald Durrell penned his books, his intention was not just to entertain. He aimed for readers to perceive the world around them from a different perspective. He wanted them to understand that with every species that vanishes, a unique story is also lost and ultimately forgotten. The pink pigeon survived—not by mere chance, but due to relentless efforts from people who believed that even the most delicate species deserved its own space on this planet. Today, the gentle cooing of the pink pigeon conveys a powerful message.
Curiosities about pink pigeons, Mauritius, and the dodo
In 2024, the Prague Zoo successfully hatched six pink pigeon chicks. That year, it marked the sole breeding event in continental Europe. The zoo had initially bred its first chicks in 2001, just a year after acquiring the rare birds from Mauritius. Mating pink pigeons can be challenging due to aggressive males, and often they are unable to rear their young. In some cases, garden doves are used as foster parents.
The year 2019 also represented a crucial milestone, with Prague Zoo successfully breeding five chicks entirely naturally. Nowadays, only five European zoos are breeding pink pigeons outside the British Isles. “We have become somewhat of a superpower in the breeding of pink pigeons, alongside British zoos,” states Director Miroslav Bobek. “There’s even discussions about potentially sending bred pink pigeons from Europe to Mauritius via Prague. If this occurs, it would be a wonderful gesture of gratitude we hold for Gerald Durrell.”
An animal that, unlike today’s pink pigeons, never lived to see success is the Mauritius dronte (Raphus cucullatus), also known as the dodo or dumb-ass. This bird was unique to Mauritius and was flightless, roughly the size of a turkey, weighing about ten kilograms. The only trace of it exists in artistic representations and writings from the 17th century. Tragically, it went extinct in 1662, long before scientific research could be conducted. Since there were no natural predators on the island, its wings gradually became useless for flight. The dodo’s nesting habits on the ground made them easy targets for hunters, which led to the derogatory term for it in Czech, reflecting its unfortunate fate.
The Story of the Pink Pigeon at Prague Zoo
A tale of conservation triumph and international cooperation, centered on the rare pink pigeon of Mauritius and championed by Gerald Durrell’s pioneering efforts.
Gerald Durrell: Conservation Pioneer
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Who: British naturalist, fiction writer, and passionate conservationist
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Legacy:
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Founded the Jersey Zoo (now Durrell Wildlife Park), the world’s first zoo dedicated solely to species preservation
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Authored Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons, chronicling his adventures rescuing endangered wildlife
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The Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri)
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Status: Endemic to Mauritius; once teetered on the brink of extinction
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Symbolism: A global icon of successful species recovery
Major Threats in Mauritius
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Introduced Predators:
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Cats
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Rats
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Monkeys
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Pigs
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Impact: Predation on eggs and young, habitat loss
Prague Zoo’s Role
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First Czech Breeding Program: Prague Zoo was the inaugural institution in the Czech Republic to house and breed pink pigeons
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Conservation Impact: Contributed significantly to increasing wild and captive populations, helping stabilize the species
Understanding “Endemic”
An endemic species lives exclusively within a specific geographic area—like the pink pigeon on Mauritius or the now‑extinct dodo and Mauritius dronte that once shared the island.
Further Reading
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Book: Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons by Gerald Durrell
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Firsthand account of the fieldwork, challenges, and triumphs behind saving the pink pigeon
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Visit Prague Zoo to learn more about this vibrant bird’s comeback and see how international collaboration continues to safeguard Earth’s most vulnerable species.
