rds extinction has been saved thanks to conservation efforts.
The Florida grasshopper sparrow is a small, non-migratory bird that was once widespread in the state. But by 2020, it was estimated that fewer than 30 individuals remained in the wild.
However, a new study published in the journal Conservation Science and Practice reveals that population numbers have tripled since 2019 thanks to a range of initiatives. These include using prescribed burns to improve habitat for the birds, and releasing captive-bred birds into the wild.
“While the fate of the Florida grasshopper sparrow is still uncertain,” said Jeff Gore, director of conservation for the Florida region of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, “this population increase gives us critical hope.”
Image: Ken Schneider/USFWS
