The Passenger Pigeon is being brought back from extinction thanks to new Government of Canada investments in advanced scientific techniques

From: Environment and Climate Change Canada

News release

April 1, 2019 – Gatineau, Québec

The Government of Canada is applying new experimental science methods to bring the passenger pigeon back from extinction.

The passenger pigeon was once the most common bird in North America. Brought to extinction in 1914 due to extreme hunting practices, the passenger pigeon has become a symbol of human caused mass extinction.

Recently, paleontologists found remains of passenger pigeons in Edéhzhíe Protected Area, Canada’s newest Indigenous protected area, located in the Northwest Territories. Through new scientific methods and extensive consultations with our Indigenous partners, scientists believe they have made a break through in bringing back the passenger pigeon from extinction.

Scientist have blended passenger pigeon DNA with Archaeopteryx dinosaur DNA remains to develop the first collection of eggs. These eggs are now being delivered to specially engineered nesting areas located in the shade grown organic coffee fields of Edéhzhíe.

To preserve the integrity of the Edéhzhíe Protected Area, the Government of Canada will also create an area inside the park surrounded by metal gates and laboratories filled with incubated long lost dangerous extinct species.

“We are confident that in a matter of weeks we will be witnessing the come back of the passenger pigeon from extinction”, says Wee Gotcha.

Take a look in the sky, you might see the North American passenger pigeon sooner than you think!

Quick Facts

• Scientist have found some striking differences between Archeopteryx and modern birds
• Passenger pigeons were sexually dimorphic in size and colouration
• The last recorded passenger pigeon nest and egg in the wild were collected in 1895 near Minneapolis
• The passenger pigeons bred primarily around the Great Lakes

Contacts

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
ec.media.ec@canada.ca

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Twitter page

Environment and Natural Resources in Canada’s Facebook page

Search for related information by keyword: NE Nature and Environment | Climate change | Environment | Environment and Climate Change Canada | Canada | Environment and natural resources | general public | news releases | Hon. Catherine McKenna