I just want to let you know that this zoo has two more eggs from his breeding pair of shoebills. The first eggs, layed in 2006 , were destroyed, but fortunalely, the eggs had no chicks inside. They tried a natural breeding two years ago. In this year, they took the eggs away and have them now in the incubator. Lets the fingers cross, that the zoo will have the world first breeding of shoebills !
in 2006 there was only 1 egg. it was destroyed at the end of incubation and infertile. this time 2 eggs have been laid. one on june 7th and the second 4 days later. they've been placed in the incubator a few days after the second egg has been laid. the eggs have been candled but it's unclear whether they are fertile or not. IF they are fertile, they should hatch in a week to 10 days from now... the birds have also started to nest again. so there is a very slight chance of a second laying. if more eggs are produced, these will be incubated by the parents. in other news, the pair of red panda's have produced a litter of 2 this week. their previous young (of last year) has left the park only 2 weeks prior to that.
Forum-bully, How are the hornbills doing at the park (breeding wise)? What species are currently kept at the park?
4 species if I'm not mistaking. Bucorvus leadbeateri Buceros hydrocorax Aceros undulatus Aceros plicatus regarding breeding: I have no record of any breedings in the last 2 years. but for the common hornbill they only had a male until recently. and besides, it is possible I have missed one or 2 births over there. they don't have a consequent communication, I get most from talking to people.
I spoke my friend there last sunday, and at that time the eggs were still in the incubator. I haven't had any updates so far, but I'm probably seeing him this weekend, so I'll certainly ask. quite possible they do and that I just mixed up 2 names. I'm not really the "bird-man". also something I'll try to check next weekend.
unfortunately, both eggs turned out to be infertile. regarding the hornbills: didn't have the chance to check for breedings over the last years. the southern ground hornbill and the rufus hornbill, I'm sure they have. the pair in the tropicalia greenhouse might be cassidix, but I couldn't check. it's temporarely closed for public.
