Tierpark - RaritätenZoo
Zoo Guide and Statistics
by Stefano Capomagi
Article for Polska Federacja Ornitologiczna
The four European Vultures and their formidable aviaries
Vultures are one of most impressive animals of European Fauna and World of Birds. If the predators like big cats are ambassadors for Asia, Africa and Americas, so the large raptors like vultures and eagles will be the same for Europe. They increase the interest of visitors for European fauna in zoos then become much important for learning.
All the four European Vultures species are kept in zoos of Europe with consistent populations. All of them are targetted by a captive breeding program for the conservation, there are three European Endangered species Programmes (EEPs) respectively for Lammergeier, Egyptian Vulture and Cinereous Vulture and one studybook (ESB) for monitoring of Eurasian Griffon Vulture.
The most common is surely the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) with about 230 collections in European Zoos. This species is mostly represented by nominate sub-species (Gyps fulvus fulvus), only two collections have (Gyps fulvus fulvescens). Even it is the less endangered in nature and listed as “Least Concern” , a plan of reintroduction in nature is being in Europe. It is the most gregarious of the four species and like all members of genus "Gyps“ lays an only egg.
 Western Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus fulvus) at Tierpark Berlin |
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 Cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) after a raptors demonstration al Zoo Planckendael |
 Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) at Oasi di Sant’Alessio |
 Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) at Zoo Frankfurt |
About 100 public collections in Europe have Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus). This species is targetted by a European Endangered species Programme (EEP) coordinated by Marleen Huyghe of Antwerp and Planckendael zoo, no sub-species are recognized for it and is listed as “Near Threatened” in nature. With a 2.5–3.1 m wingspan it is the largest of Old World Vultures but, although dimensions and fairly aggressive nature, Cinereous vulture is often easy kept with other vultures species in mixed aviaries.
The Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is listed as “Endangered” in nature but is quite common in zoos. Two different sub-species are in European collections and they are targetted by a captive conservation species program. This is the smallest of four European vultures species but is usually kept with others. Egyptian vulture has solitary or pair habits and is a very intelligent bird. It is scavenger like other vultures but its diet must be increased by carotenoid that in nature obtains feeding on ungulate faeces. Carotenoid pigments are responsible for their bright yellow and orange facial skin.
The Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), so majestic in aspect, is one of most representative ambassadors of European Alpine Fauna in zoos. It is the least common of European vultures with actually 53 collections in EAZA, all specimens of nominate sub-species. Lammergeier has solitary habits and is usually kept in breeding-pair (1.1) and almost never with other vultures species to avoid conflicts in group, even is targetted by a restrictive captive conservation program.
Diet is more complex than in other scavenger vultures, in nature consists of bone marrow for 80-90% so it is an high-specialized feeder. In Zoos Lammegeier feeds meat of lamb and rabbit, and mice and rats possibly with fur and skin. To reproduce natural diet bones, mostly of bovines, are prepared sharped into pieces as big as an great egg.
An important program of reintroduction has been successful in Alps using the technique of “hacking”.
Although European vultures are common, they are very rare in Polish zoos that prefer other species of vultures in the plan. Egyptian vulture is even absent from Polish public collections at the moment.
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Another majestic mixed aviary for European vultures is at Zoo Praha. Cinereous vulture, Egyptian vulture, Red kite (Milvus milvus) and Bateleur eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) are kept together in a giant exhibit in an impressive montane landscape. A very nice observation point allows visitors to see the animals without barriers.
Aviaries for Lammergeier are quite different, in fact it is almost never kept with other vultures species and it is mostly related to Alpine theme. The aviary of Lammergeier at Zoo Nürnberg is simply fabulous. You can entry from a walk-through passage for visitors with a complete view of exhibit. Alpine biome is perfectly reproduced in a very large exhibit. Lammergeier is at free-contact with public and kept with other species endemic like Alpine marmottes (Marmota marmota), Alpine rock partridges (Alectoris graeca saxatilis), Spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) and Red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).
The last exhibit that I’ve chosen is Lammergeier aviary at Zoo Frankfurt. It is small in size but very careful for Alpine habitat. The reconstruction of Lammergeier Biome is a perfect example and very nice to see. A pair of them are kept in.
Regards to Polska Federacja Ornitologiczna and Ptaki hobby’s readers. I hope you appreciate this article about Vultures, I love this extraordinary birds so much. I’m already working to the new article for the next edition…
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Another important aspect is the presentation of a species in captivity with a good exhibit, habitat reconstructions and learning parts. I’ve chosen to describe four fabulous aviaries for European vultures that I’ve seen around zoos
If you see the European vultures aviary of Zoo Planckendael (Belgium), it will be clear at you why I’ve decided to write this article… It is a very majestic aviary at the entrance of zoo. An impressive group of Cinereous vulture dominates the aviary, then Eurasian griffon vultures, Egyptian vulture and the fabulous alpine bird Red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) complete the European theme. The aviary is even immense and dense with vegetation. Zoo Planckendael keeps also Cinereous vulture for raptors demonstrations.
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Article for Polska Federacja Ornitologiczna
by Stefano Capomagi
You can find it in polish on the number 8
of the magazine "Ptaki hobby"
