After 14 years again flamingo offspring in the nature zoo
Rosy times at the NaturZoo Rheine: After an interruption of 14 years, three flamingos have hatched these days – and maybe there will be a few more.
Since the early 1980s, flamingos have been a reliable breeding colony at the NatureZoo. The consistency and good breeding results were considered remarkable by experts. In the same way, the keeping conditions and care are recognized as exemplary. In 2008, the last successful breeding took place.
Since then, the flamingos had practically stopped breeding. There was still courtship, but no nest building or even egg laying and breeding.
Reasons for this cessation of breeding were looked for in all directions, but were not found. Feeding was checked and also changed – but without success. Nesting sites were prepared, but the birds were not interested. The sex of all 89 birds was determined genetically via feather samples – with the actually ideal result that there were the same number of females as males in the colony.
This year, no chance of resuming breeding was seen from the outset: Confining them indoors and catching them several times to take samples for population control after the one-time detection of avian influenza in a crane in the spring were considered significant disturbances to the animals.
But then the colony showed itself in good courtship mood in summer and in August several pairs spontaneously nested and laid eggs. They had chosen an area between bushes that was well protected from view. In a short time more pairs joined them, and as far as can be seen at least 10 pairs were breeding.
After 28 days of incubation, the first chicks hatched about a week ago. Two have now left the nest cone of soil and are being led around the enclosure by their parents. Many pairs are still breeding, and despite the advanced time of year, there is a good chance that more young will hatch and be raised.
So what prompted the reintroduction of breeding this year? It is known that flamingos are “weather sensitive.” A rather rainy summer can be more stimulating than too long a drought. Or was it “Barbie” after all, who triggered a pink wave on which the flamingos also swam?
It will remain a mystery – but at the NaturZoo they are pleased that breeding of these special birds has resumed.