Four of the world’s most critically endangered bird species have recently hatched

The waldrapp ibis (also known as the northern bald ibis) has been declared the ‘rarest and most threatened animal of the Middle East’ and as such, these latest chicks are vital additions to helping save this rare species from extinction.

The waldrapp ibis is a large, migratory bird that was once wide-spread across the Middle East and northern Africa. Once revered by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, in recent times the bird has suffered from mass pesticide-induced poisoning and habitat loss. There were an estimated 3000 waldrapps in 1930 in Turkey alone, and they have suffered so much that in 1992 they were declared extinct in Turkey. In 2002 there were only four colonies left worldwide and recent estimates believe that less than 300 pairs are now remaining in the wild.

A captive international breeding programme has been set up and there are now efforts to reintroduce the species back to the wild.

You can see the birds in Marabou Mansions (located opposite the giraffes).

The youngster (top right) is yet to grow a crest of dark feathers
at the back of the head (adult, bottom right).

 

29th September 2008

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