Scoop: pair of vultures Beekse Bergen adopts young from other zoo

A pair of Griffon vultures in Safaripark Beekse Bergen successfully adopted and raised a young of another species. Remarkably, the egg was laid at Avifauna Bird Park and then hatched at Blijdorp Zoo.

The Rüppellsgier is critically endangered in the wild. It is important for zoos to work together, that way together we ensure a healthy reserve population. Blijdorp Zoo is the coordinator of this critically endangered species.

More youngsters through switch tricks and cooperation
To arrive at these beautiful results, a natural phenomenon was used. Vultures usually lay one egg per season, but when it is lost, the pair often lays a second egg. Therefore, caretakers remove the first egg to hatch in the incubator at Blijdorp Zoo, allowing the parents to lay a second egg and increasing the chances of this endangered species having multiple young.

Once the chick hatches, it is hand-fed for several days so that it is fit and strong. The chick returns to its parents and is exchanged with the second egg which is again taken to the incubator. When the second egg hatches, suitable foster parents are searched for this young. The foster cub is usually raised as their own. Because of the cooperation between the zoos, more eggs can be hatched and more foster parents are available*. Diergaarde Blijdorp and Vogelpark Avifauna already found each other in this last year and now this cooperation has been extended to Beekse Bergen and Dierenpark Amersfoort.

The egg of the little Rüppell vulture at Beekse Bergen was laid at Avifauna Bird Park and hatched in the incubator at Blijdorp Zoo. It is now being raised by a pair of Griffon vultures, another vulture species. Also in Dierenpark Amersfoort, a young Rüppell vulture that went the same route is being raised by a pair of Griffon vultures.

Beekse Bergen zookeeper Kris Jansen: "It is heartwarming that a pair of Griffon vultures is raising another vulture species. It is important to see if the behavior of the species, including the way they raise, is largely similar, otherwise a successful outcome is not feasible. Griffon vultures and Rüppell vultures are a good match in this regard! The newborn is doing well. It is growing like a cabbage and is already acquiring tusks."

Management Program
Blijdorp Zoo coordinates the management program of the Rüppells vultures. The coordinator of this management program determines, together with a committee of experts, which animals are allowed to have offspring and should be exchanged. It also determines which zoo the vultures, once fully grown, will go to. For this purpose, computer software has been developed that analyzes the genetics of the population. In addition, the experts also determine long-term policies.

Jansen: "We are very happy that through this intensive cooperation with Diergaarde Blijdorp, Vogelpark Avifauna and Dierenpark Amersfoort we can contribute to the conservation of this critically endangered species."

Threat
Vultures are critically endangered in the wild and reproduction in zoos is also difficult for many species. In Africa, poaching of rhinos and elephants in particular is leading to an increase in mortality among these birds of prey. Poachers poison carcasses to kill the vultures that might otherwise betray their illegal activities. In fact, they circle above the carrion making it easy for rangers to find the poachers.

Want to read more? And always stay up to date with the latest animal news and updates from now on? Then subscribe here in for the Beekse Bergen newsletter.