Hello Diving Duck Supporters!
Since our last report, it has been decided in cooperation with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to release 14 individuals in the Ein Afek Nature Reserve near Haifa. This will happen in the coming weeks.
Strangely, this year we have not had any eggs hatch in our Marsh Aviary. Usually our breeding group are excellent producers so this is an anomaly. Our zoological team think it may be as a result of adding 9 new females to the breeding group over the last year (the new females came to us from a zoo in Germany in order to strengthen our gene pool). It may be that the group is still adjusting to the newcomers.
Wishing you a wonderful summer!
Nicole and the Avian Team at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Hello Diving Duck Supporters!
This Spring we are happy to report that we have 14 ducks (hatched last year) awaiting their release back into the wild. Our zoological team is still in consultations with the Israel Nature & Parks Authority as to the release timing and location. We will keep you posted!
Also, our team is starting to look out for chicks in the Marsh Aviary – with this species, their nests are well hidden in the vegetation so it is rare for the keepers to find eggs. If they do, they of-course bring them to the incubation center. However, it is much more common to simply see little chicks appear who have hatched naturally. We hope to be able to report another successful breeding season in our next report – given that our breeding group have been excellent producers, we have high hopes!
Warm Regards,
Nicole and the Avian Team at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Hello Diving Duck supporters!
Since we last reported to you, we continue to work towards the next release of a group of diving ducks in February/March 2018.
Currently, our zoological team – in consultation with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority – is considering whether to continue with the use of GPS tracking devices given the mixed results from the pilot release last year.
We are also considering two releases in February: one would be a soft release in a sheltered area with plenty of food (Afek, Israel); and the other a hard release in one of our previous release sites of either the Hula Valley or the Einot Gibbeton. The purpose of two types of releases would be to monitor how well the animals do in differing circumstances. Soft-release measures, including acclimatization, have been used for many species around the world, based on the reasoning that gradual and supported reintroductions should improve the success of animals released into an unfamiliar wild environment. However, experimental testing of soft-release methods is rare.
We will keep you posted in out next report. Thank you for your continued support of this important wildlife conservation program.
Warm Regards,
Nicole and the Avian Team at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Hello Diving Duck supporters!
We have some simply wonderful news to share with you!
Not only do we have 14 diving ducks awaiting release into the wild in February, but we have also received the Israel Nature and Parks Authority’s annual Aquatic Bird Survey. The results of that survey show an improvement of the numbers of diving ducks observed in the wild. Even nesting pairs have been observed which is very exciting indeed and a direct consequence of this wildlife conservation program. That means that you wonderful people have all played an important role – thank you!
In addition, we are awaiting the arrival of 8 new females from a German zoo. These females will supplement the genetic diversity of our breeding core here at the zoo.
Thank you for your continued support of this important wildlife conservation program.
Warm Regards,
Nicole and the Avian Team at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Hello Diving Duck supporters!
Since our Spring releases of diving ducks in Jerusalem and the north of Israel, we are still working on solving our tracking issues.
We know that 2 ducks released in Jerusalem have left the zoo’s lake which is quite remarkable given that prior individuals released into the same lake have always chosen to stay.
Regarding the testing of the new GPS tracking devices, one of the individuals released in the Hula Valley was found dead; and the other managed to discard the device.
It is important for us to set up a more accurate system of tracking released individuals in the wild. Our team is evaluating the effectiveness of the new device – it is almost certain that we will have to try again with tweaks to the way the device is attached.
Thank you for your continued support of this important wildlife conservation program.
Warm Regards,
Nicole and the Avian Team at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
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