It was really exciting when a team of FCP climbers discovered another small breeding colony. “The number of breeding pairs almost doubled over night!” said Frank. FCP then obtained funding to buy the breeding area from the private owners. And the government set aside a large area in the central mountains and laurel forests for a national park. Most important for the petrels, sheep and goats are no longer allowed to graze the high mountains. Fences were erected and shepherds whose flocks were excluded were compensated.  This resulted in massive restoration of vegetation, much of which is endemic. It is believed that Zino’s petrels used to nest in many other areas, and it is hoped that they will soon try new nesting sites. To encourage them, some artificial burrows have been constructed.

“Things are now running smoothly,” said Frank, whose grown son Alexander and daughter Francesca are now involved in carrying on the family’s protection of the Zinos’ Petrel. In his last email Frank told us there were about 60 to 80 nesting pairs during the last breeding season. The Parque Natural de Madeira has taken on the conservation programs initiated by the FCP. “And we even have ecotourists coming to hear the birds at night.”  How I should love to experience that myself!

Frank ended by recalling “the huge honor that my father and I felt when the name Zino’s Petrel, suggested by W.R.P (Bill) Bourne, stuck. It is very humbling and makes me all the more determined that all should go well for the future of this now less-rare species.” One thing is certain – but for Alec and Frank, the Zino’s Petrel would be extinct, its eerie nocturnal calls silent forever.