Threatened snowy plover chicks raised and released by Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Two abandoned snowy plover eggs were brought to the AZA-accredited Oregon Coast Aquarium (www.aquarium.org) earlier this year and hatched at the aquarium's new Western Snowy Plover Exhibit. This fall the chicks, which had reached adulthood, were released near the site of the original nests. Two more rescued chicks will be released later this fall. The aquarium's new exhibit was created in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and aims to educate the public about threats facing these rare birds. Aquarium curators have expressed hope that this exhibit and the rehabilitation and release programs conducted by aquarium staff will spur the public to act to restore Western snowy plover populations.

The Western snowy plover is a small shorebird native to Oregon that lives and nests on beaches, between dunes and high tide lines. Due to an influx of invasive European beach grass, the plover's habitat is now confined to several small areas at river mouths. In addition, human activities and increased predation by other birds over the past few decades have reduced the population to fewer than 100 individuals. Oregon Coast Aquarium and its partners' efforts toward rescue and rehabilitation are essential for the continued survival of this species.