Staff at the Zoo will continue to raise awareness and funds for the ‘Silent Forest, Asian Songbird Crisis’ conservation campaign, with the help of a critically endangered Bali Mynah – one of the most iconic songbird species on the planet.

Bird’s Section Leader Nicola Wright, who is heading up the attractions support for the campaign, said: “We’re thrilled to have a flagship songbird species here at the zoo, especially as we enter the second year supporting the conservation campaign.

“The male Bali Mynah has settled in well to his aviary and we’re hoping he’ll soon be joined by a female so we can start breeding this critically endangered species.”

The global campaign, for which staff and visitors have raised more than €3,000 in 12 months, aims to save Asian songbirds from extinction. Millions each year are traded as pets or stolen to take part in singing contests, with others used as status symbols or for export, traditional medicine and food. Nicola added:

“We are passionate about playing an active part in global conservation and some of these songbirds face extinction if we don’t act now.

“We are so thankful to everyone who has contributed to this global effort over the last year and are delighted to have surpassed our initial target of €2,000. Our aim for 2019 is to see if we can get to €5,000 and really make a difference.”