Santa Barbara Zoo releases 11 snowy plovers, surpasses 200 total
The Santa Barbara Zoo released 11 Western snowy plovers at UC Santa Barbara's Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve from September 22-25, 2026. This release marks over 200 plovers released since the program began in 2016. The birds, reared from rescued eggs and chicks, were fitted with tracking devices to monitor their movements and support ongoing conservation efforts.
The Santa Barbara Zoo recently celebrated a significant milestone in its conservation efforts by releasing 11 Western snowy plovers at UC Santa Barbara's Coal Oil Point Natural Reserve from September 22 to 25, 2026. This release brings the total number of plovers returned to the wild to over 200 since the program began in 2016. The event drew zoo staff, volunteers, and local Girl Scouts, all of whom watched with pride as the tiny shorebirds, adorned with colorful tracking bands, took their first steps onto the sandy beach. These birds were carefully reared from rescued eggs and chicks, underscoring the zoo's dedication to rehabilitating and conserving this threatened species.
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