Update on the white-eye recovery programme The first inter-island transfers of the critically endangered Seychelles white-eye took place in October and November 2001. 31 birds were transferred by helicopter (Helicopter Seychelles) in six separate transfers from Conception to Frégate Island. A month after their arrival on Frégate the white-eyes started breeding and to date there is a tiny population of 49 to 53 white-eyes on Frégate; a tiny but rapidly expanding population. The white-eye recovery programme has been funded by the Dutch Trust Fund and the Ministry of Environment (Seychelles). Additional financial support for the transfers was received from the Chicago Zoological Society (USA) and local sponsor Harry Savy and Co. through the Environment Trust Fund. Helicopter Seychelles has also been a very good asset to the white-eye recovery programme, mainly through its kind contribution in terms of flight reduction from Mahé to Conception and also to Frégate for the 2001 island transfers (Conception to Frégate). Through Helicopter Seychelles the Ministry of Environment (Seychelles) has managed to transport staff, food and equipment to Conception island which host the main white-eye population. Helicopter Seychelles has also contributed in the vegetation management on Conception through the transportation of staff and their equipments and plants to be planted on the island. The partnership between the Ministry of Environment and Helicopter Seychelles is one that should always be encouraged. Guide to Photos (All photos by Elvina Henriette) Photo 1: Conception Island (the isle of the white-eye bird - host the greatest number of the endemic Seychelles white-eye in the world) Photo 2: The famous Seychelles white-eye (Zosterops modestus - Zwazo linet) Photo 3: For the inter-island transfer the birds were placed in a specially designed box; the "helibird" box. Photo 4: Helicopter on top of Conception preparing to take off. Photo 5: Arrival on Frégate island on one of the transfer trips from Conception by Helicopter Seychelles. From left to right: Elvina Henriette (Project Co-ordinator), Dr Gerard Rocamora (Ornithologist Consultant 1998-2001), Guy Savy (Local sponsor H. Savy and Co.) and in the background Helicopter Seychelles. Photo 6: The first two Frégatoire white-eyes i.e. born on Frégate. Came out of nest around the 25th December 2001. Return to: News Section