# @thetorontozoo on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DFvMB5dv4sZ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/29017206-thetorontozoo-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/0022f0e9d9.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-02-06T16:01:07.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Toronto Zoo (@thetorontozoo) — https://gondola.cc/thetorontozoo

## Caption

With just under a day to go until we mark #ReversetheRedDay, we’re shifting our focus to include yet another important conservation science program here at your Zoo 🪶

The eastern loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus migrans) is one of the most imperiled songbirds in Canada. This migratory population breeds in grassland habitat in central and eastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec, more than 500 kilometers north of other breeding populations. 

Loggerhead shrikes across North America have been in decline, threatened by habitat loss, road-related mortality, nest predators, and threats on overwintering grounds (habitat availability, competition for food resources). The isolated nature of the Canadian population means that their unique genetics are particularly at risk.

The Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Team was formed in 1992, and recovery plans were produced by 1994. In 1997, only 100 eastern loggerhead shrikes were estimated to remain in all of Canada and a mere 18 pairs could be found in Ontario. In 1997 and 1998, the founding population of the breeding program was established at the Toronto Zoo. Breeding success was achieved for the first time in 1998, with a single fledging. Since the program’s inception, over 347 shrikes have been hatched and raised at the Zoo, and more than 250 of those have been released to the wild 🪶 

This is all part of the cooperative breeding program, led by Wildlife Preservation Canada since 2003, which coordinates the captive breeding program in facilities throughout eastern North America, and monitors the shrikes after they are released. There have been 1431 fledglings released across all facilities involved in this amazing conservation program! 

Explore wildlife_preservation_canada and learn more information on how we are working towards saving this important species from extinction - one shrike chick at a time. #ScienceMatters #SavingSpecies

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## Tags

savingspecies, sciencematters, reversetheredday

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