Waldrapp
ibis chicks hatched in April 2015
Two waldrapp ibis
(Geronticus eremita)
chicks hatched at our facility in the Gardner Mediterranean Aviary.
The aviary houses three pairs of waldrapp ibises, an old female, two
juvenile males, and two chicks. They share the aviary with six other
species that include a pair of cape thick-knees, five speckled
pigeons, a male marbled teal, a male smew, four European rollers,
and a pair of buff-banded rails.
Colonies of this migratory species have been found in two distinct
populations – one in Morocco, and the other in Turkey and Syria. The
species is extinct in Europe. Due to the dramatic decline of their
free-ranging numbers, the species is considered critically
endangered [CR] by the International Union for the Conservation of
Nature. The population decline has been influenced by
industrialization and the use of pesticides and insecticides by
humans.
Waldrapp ibises are large birds with glossy, black feathers that
have shades of iridescent green and violet colors. They live on
cliff edges in barren, arid rocky habitats where they feed on
reptiles and invertebrates. They are communal nesters, and are known
to build their nests on rock outcrops on cliffs. They are monogamous
and they reach sexual maturity at three years of age. Females lay
two to four eggs that are incubated by both parents.
[Above] The Gardner Mediterranean Aviary houses 11 waldrapp ibises. These big black birds with glossy feathers are communal nesters
At Micke Grove Zoo, the waldrapp ibises are taken care of by animal
care specialist, Colleen Mullikin. Shared by Mullikin, “We are
excited to be a part of the waldrapp ibis SSP and proud to have
hatched seven eggs in the last few years to help with population
growth”
The Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) has a species survival
plan for waldrapp ibis that Micke Grove Zoo is a part of. Through
this program, we are keen on conservation the species through
breeding them successfully in captivity, and by sharing vital
information about conservation efforts being conducted, with the
visiting public.
