Black robin population recovers from near extinction in New Zealand

Conservationists in New Zealand saved the black robin from extinction through a breeding program after the bird’s population dwindled to just five individuals in the 1970s.

Habitat loss and introduced pests nearly eliminated the species, leaving only one breeding pair, Old Blue and Old Yellow, remaining. Scientists successfully used other bird species to foster robin eggs, which allowed the population to grow steadily.

As of recently, there are 350 adult black robins, and the species received the title of New Zealand’s bird of the year.