Hello Diving Duck supporters!
Since we last reported to you, we received permission from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority for the release of 10 ducks in the Einot Gibbeton Nature Reserve, and a further 5 ducks in the Zoo’s central lake (an open lake where they are free to fly away). The reason for the split is to monitor the preferred movement of the ducks after release and how location of release impacts upon distribution and migration. The nature reserve is considered in conservation terms to be a “hard” release where the ducks immediately have to fend for themselves; whereas a release in the Zoo’s lake is considered to be a “soft” release – although the ducks are free to fly away, a protected environment and regular food sources are available within the zoo.
Accordingly, in January 2016, members of the Friends of the Zoo Association participated in the release of 10 ducks at the Einot Gibbeton Nature Reserve as part of our efforts to educate and involve our local community in wildlife conservation efforts.
We were also privileged to host the Chairman of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, Mr. Simon Tonge from Paignton Zoo in the United Kingdom, who participated in the release of 5 ducks into the Zoo’s central lake.
The joy of releasing animals back into the wild is special indeed! Stay tuned for news about forthcoming releases of these beautiful aquatic birds.
Warm Regards,
Nicole and the Avian Team at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Hello Diving Duck supporters, we’re pleased to bring you our winter update.
Since we last reported to you, our ducklings have been thriving in the Marsh Aviary Exhibit and we have obtained permission from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority for another release. Accordingly, we are planning a December/January release of 10 ducklings at the Einot Gibbeton Nature Reserve, and 10 ducklings in the Zoo’s central lake (an open lake where they are free to fly away). The reason for the split is to monitor the preferred movement of the ducks after release and how location of release impacts upon distribution and migration.
Our remaining breeding core has been supplemented with new individuals obtained from a zoo in Jersey to increase genetic diversity.
Stay tuned for news about the forthcoming release into the wild of more of these beautiful aquatic birds.
Warm Regards,
Nicole and the Avian Team at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Links:
Hello Diving Duck supporters, we’re pleased to bring you our summer update.
Of the 15 eggs recently produced by our breeding core in the Marsh Aviary exhibit, 8 were viable and hatched so we now have 8 new ducklings!
We plan to release the hatched chicks into the Hula Valley wetlands habitat in the Fall of this year. So, stay tuned for more news on that in our next report. Aside from being adorable, these individuals will strengthen Israel’s critically endangered wild population of diving ducks. As this species is declining across most of its range (extending across Europe and Asia), a local success can produce a large impact given the migratory nature of these birds.
Our remaining breeding core – recently supplemented with two new ducks from a European zoo to increase genetic diversity - reside in our Marsh Aviary Exhibit and we are hopeful that they will continue to produce so that we can continue to bring these beautiful and important birds back to Israel’s aquatic habitats.
Thank you all so much for being a part of this project’s success.
Warm Regards,
Nicole and the Avian Team at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Links:
Hello Diving Duck supporters!
Since we last reported to you, our breeding core of Diving Ducks here at the Zoo has produced no less than 15 eggs! To ensure optimum chances for breeding success, all 15 eggs are being incubated in our breeding center.
In addition, to ensure appropriate genetic diversity within our breeding core, we recently welcomed a male-female pair of ducks from the United Kingdom.
If all goes well – as we hope it will – we plan to release the hatched chicks into the Hula Valley wetlands habitat in the Fall of this year. So, stay tuned for more news on that in our next report.
Thank you all so much for your continued support of our conservation efforts for this species. Because Diving Ducks are migratory, even a small local conservation program can result in a larger global impact!
Warm Regards,
Nicole and the Avian Team at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Links:
Hello Diving Duck supporters!
At the beginning of 2015, it’s fitting to look back at our achievements since the start of this important conservation program:
As we pointed out previously, breeding and reintroducing the species to the wild must be done in tandem with habitat conservation and community education. This is why we make a point of involving our community as much as possible when we release individuals into the wild. We know that nothing can beat the educational and emotional impact of seeing these beautiful birds fly to freedom in their natural habitat. We recently did this again when releasing some ducks at the Enot Gibbeton Nature Reserve and the response from the public was phenomenal.
Thank you all so much for helping us to inspire our community to protect species and habitats. The impact of these efforts cannot be overstated especially as these local efforts affect the status of a migratory species which is vulnerable across its entire range – a seemingly small local conservation program can end up having a large global impact.
Warm Regards,
Nicole and the Team at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Links:
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