Looking for zoos that keep Black-breasted Buzzards

AmyC

AmyC

New Member
Hi everyone, I've just joined up but have been a lurker of these forums for a while. I hope this post is okay, i'm getting desperate and not really sure where else to look.
I've been a volunteer keeper for a few years now, but i'm also studying Ornithology at uni, and am currently working on a husbandry manual on the Black-breasted Buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon). I am in need of a list of zoos/parks/sanctuaries that keep or have kept this species, bonus points if they are currently have a way to be contacted regarding such matters. I'm not having much luck getting in contact with the Australian ones I already know, it's a lot harder now since volunteers are not allowed on site due to Covid. It seems zoos currently don't want anything to do with students at the moment.
So if anyone knows what zoos have this species or if anyone works with them, I would be super appreciative if you could let me know.
So far I have:
Taronga- have contact
Featherdale- no response
Healesville Sanctuary- don't help students according to classmate

Thanks!
 
Hey Amy, sadly I don't closely follow the Australian zoological institutions, so I'm afraid I can't be much help. Based on my knowledge of Australian aviculture and export laws I find it highly unlikely you'll find any facilities outside of Australia with them. I did ask around my friends and I'm still waiting on most to reply, I found one source that suggested Territory Wildlife Park might have houses a group at one point though nothing concrete. With the current state of the world it's hard to get in contact with most anyone, especially people in the zoological industry. If you haven't already I'd make sure you've called and emailed Featherdale, even sending them a physical letter is always worth a shot. As for Healesville just remember that everyone can have a different experience and you might get a different reaction than your friend did, from their online persona at least they seem like a very educational minded institution and they're also controlled by an entity that manages multiple zoological institutions so you could even try reaching out to one of their sister facilities if you really had to, but I would definitely try to work with them even if it's a longshot, call, email, etc. Best of Luck
 
I've seen Black-breasted Buzzards in Alice Springs Desert Park and Territory Wildlife Park in 2007.
 
Gorge Wildlife Park also currently keeps (and have bred) Black-breasted Buzzards.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary used to have one in their bird show. I am not sure if they still have it but it could be worth a shot contacting them.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Gorge Wildlife Park also currently keeps (and have bred) Black-breasted Buzzards.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary used to have one in their bird show. I am not sure if they still have it but it could be worth a shot contacting them.
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Can not hurt to ask :D
 
Thank you everyone! Sending out some emails first, I'll just ask really really nicely ;)
 
In both TWP and ASDP the hawks were on display in the bird show, performing the same trick at both locations: breaking an emu (?) egg with a stone. In several European bird shows this trick is done by Egyptian vultures.
 
AWP said:
In both TWP and ASDP the hawks were on display in the bird show, performing the same trick at both locations: breaking an emu (?) egg with a stone. In several European bird shows this trick is done by Egyptian vultures.
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That's interesting about the Vultures, could open up some behavioural stuff that may be useful.

An update: I've had some people from TWP and ASDP offer help, Featherdale (sort of) also said they'd help so we're getting somewhere!
 
AmyC said:
That's interesting about the Vultures, could open up some behavioural stuff that may be useful.

An update: I've had some people from TWP and ASDP offer help, Featherdale (sort of) also said they'd help so we're getting somewhere!
Click to expand...

Awesome that you're starting to get somewhere, generally persistence pays off one way or another.
 
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