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Western crowned pigeon
(Goura cristata)
EEP Coordinator: Borbála Kocsis, Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden
EEP page - Western crowned pigeon
What are the EEP roles?
| Insurance |
| Fundraising |
| This role contemplates the possibility to maintain a long-term ex situ population to preserve options for the future. Therefore, the ex situ population has potential to create a potential source population for demographic and/or genetic supplementation in the wild. It requires a long term sustainable population that is genetically and demographically viable. |
| The aim of this funding is to support conservation projects in the field that work with Goura sp. |
| Research (welfare) |
| Research (genetic & morphology) |
| Networking |
| Education |
| The EAZA population provides the opportunity to gain basic knowledge on the welfare needs of this species as well to share this Knowledge through best practice guidelines. |
| The focus of this role is to support genetic and morphology research of the ex situ population to see any variation, realising that the population could have been mixed. Also, this research will be done in collaboration with the biobank. |
| This role aims to find partners in Indonesia working with Gouras and collaborate in the fight against illegal trade. As a starting point, Australasian zoo associations will be approach through the EAZA members that are in the region. |
| Provide messages about crowned pigeon conservation needs in New Guinea (Indonesia). This species can serve as flagship species for species from New Guinea. |
| Exhibit / Education |
| Highly visible and colourful species and attractive to visitors. Furthermore, this species can contribute on educating visitors on related species. |
EEP in numbers
In October 2025, the Western crowned pigeon EEP included:
- 63 animals
- in 15 institutions.
Programme highlights
The Western crowned-pigeon EEP works closely with the other two crowned-pigeon EEPs (Victoria and Sclater’s crowned-pigeons). It is a new style of EEP, and the next few years will be decisive in consolidating the crown-pigeon programmes.
Given the small size and higher conservation priority of the Western crowned-pigeon population, new institutions interested in housing Sclater’s or Victoria crowned-pigeons will likely be encouraged to prioritise keeping Western if individuals are available.
The highlight of the program are the publication of the Long-Term Management Plan and the Feathers, Fame, and Fabulousness: EAZA Crowned-Pigeon Education and Awareness Guidelines which are available on the EAZA member area.
