Start of construction of the Pantanal enclosure at Zurich Zoo: why a transfer for flamingos was needed

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Construction work has begun on our next major project, the Pantanal Aviary. This marks the end of a stressful phase for handlers. They had to remove all the animals from the construction site. Hundreds of animals have been affected, from birds to various species of monkeys, capybaras, deer and tapirs. Definitely not an easy job.

The main distinction to be made is whether a particular animal species is included in the so-called European Endangered Species Program (EEP) or not. The purpose of this is to ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of the species and thus contribute to the conservation of the species.

Therefore, for each SES, one person in one of the scientific zoos in Europe takes responsibility and coordination of breeding. This person determines which zoo keeps which animals of a given species, which zoos breed them, and where they are sent.

Therefore, we did not look for landing sites for our EEP animals ourselves, but delegated this responsibility to responsible coordinators.

For animals that do not have a conservation breeding program, this is the task of our curators. Once a suitable zoo is found, the complex process of organizing the transport of animals begins. Animals are examined and the necessary tests are carried out.

Only a few companies in Europe specialize in the transport of live wild animals. For international shipping and the transport of endangered species, numerous forms and certificates must be obtained. After the paperwork is completed, the animals can travel.

Over the past few weeks, animals have been leaving us almost daily for other zoos across the continent. In the case of several animals, we decided, after consultation with the EEP, to euthanize the animal.

For example, with our male tapir. Its genes are so common in the EEP population that it has been neutered in the past. Moreover, at 22 years old, this is already an old animal.

It can no longer be used to maintain populations in zoos and thus protect endangered species. In another zoo he would have taken the place of more genetically significant animals. Hence the difficult but correct decision to euthanize the animal.

Much more pleasant were the movements of the animals that stayed with us at the zoo. The yellow-breasted capuchins moved into their new enclosure in the large monkey house, the lyre deer socialized with our Asian elephants, numerous waterfowl and our Chilean flamingos moved into the bird meadow.

To keep stress on the flamingos to a minimum during the move, our animal caretakers picked them up individually and moved them from the old enclosure to the new one. The fastest and therefore least stressful transport option and a great opportunity to observe the 19 flamingo delivery staff.

The flamingos have settled well within a few days and have already inspected the nesting mounds. From here you can observe the construction site in the Pantanal from a safe distance. Excavators are heading there now.

Source: Blick