Blijdorp is at the moment the coordinator for the EEP for the Rüppell's vulture and to increase the European population the first egg laid by one of the pairs in the African vulture aviary was taken away and placed in the incubator. What was hoped for happened indeed and the pair laid a second egg and is incubating this themself. Hopefully both eggs will proof to be fertile and produce 2 healthy chicks .
Female polar Olinka recently passed away the old age of 28. Due to a decline in health and abdominal swelling she was anaesthetized, and during the examination a large mass was found in her belly, and blood tests indicated severe liver and kind failure. Therefore the decision was made to not let her wake up again and euthanize her. The tumor mass will be investigated at the veterinary faculty in Utrecht. After necropsy parts of Olinka's body might be preserved for educational purposes. Olinka birthed and raised three cubs at Blijdorp. Diergaarde Blijdorp Facebook Post
Should Rotterdam receive a new female soon? I suppose yes...as they have a very nice enclosure for this species and they have invested a lot of money on it.
According to the post linked above Blijdorp will discuss the future of polar bear husbandry at Blijdorp with the polar bear breeding program coordinator (Moscow Zoo).
I think that they will discuss it with Tierpark Berlin, which coordinates the species for European countries (Moscow is the other coordinator, but it is focused on EARAZA collections).
The Rüppels vulture egg in the incubator has hatched and the young is now placed in the nest of a pair of White-backed vultures which had lost their egg .
Recently two male blue-winged geese (Cyanochen cyanoptera) were added to the male gelada enclosure. According to zootierliste this would make Blijdorp the only holder of this species in the Netherlands. Source: blauwvleugelganzen bij de gelada's in Diergaarde Blijdorp Rotterdam
In the begining of February 4 meerkats were born, but sadly their mother unexpectedly passed away recently. Does Blijdorp now only have 1 adult male and 4 young meerkats? Source: Website of Diergaarde Blijdorp (11/03/2021) Stokstaartjes in Diergaarde Blijdorp Rotterdam
Again blacknose sharks were born at Rotterdam Zoo recently. These were directly seperated to increase survival chances. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=898488260984230
Gorilla female Annet has been euthanised at the age of 48. She has been receiving intense medical support and special care for multiple years now, but recently it's become increasingly difficult for her to behave in a normal, healthy way. Bokito, the females and their young have been allowed to say goodbye to her body. Annet, who had five young together with Ernst, has offspring spread through the entirety of Europe, as well as in Tel Aviv and China. Laatste der Mohikanen: gorilla Annet (48) overleden
The flamingo exhibit is currently under construction as it will be netted and turned into a vast aviary. Here is a panoramic view of the flamingo habitat:
So would this mean that there will be new species displayed with the flamingoes or will the zoo be able to breed the flamingoes without pinioning the offspring?
I don't know much more about the project, other than the fact that the flamingos will be able to fly. I would assume that there will be no more pinioning of any birds ever again inside the aviary, but I have no idea if a variety of other species will be added.
There are currently no plans to add other species to the aviary. It is being build because permanent pinioning (hope Im saying that right) has been made illegal in the Netherlands. That, and local sea gulls are probably stopping and all attempts at egg laying within the group.
A first for Rotterdam: a healthy young white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus). The egg hatched in the incubator. The original parents have rejected it, so now its being raised by a Rüppells couple.
5th of may, 00.20: birth of Asian elephant Bangka's third calf Olifantje geboren in Diergaarde Blijdorp
