The confiscated vultures are now in show (6 Gyps rueppelli, and 5 Necrosyrtes monachus). Temporarily in the big asian aviary. They should move to a (still to build) aviary in the africa-zone where they will live together with marabu-stork.
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the rueppelli can be found in the inside-enclosure
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the monachus are outside between the ibisses etc.
More pictures; Flickr: Svarta änkan's Photostream
I am happy that Blijdorp is investing in vultures which are becoming more uncommon in their natural habitat in Africa. A huge illegal wildlife trade exists from Africa to Europe in vultures and even capturing some of the adult breeding population has huge repercussions for socially nesting vultures (+ they reach maturity at a somewhat advanced age making any offtake of adults a considerable inroad into the survivability of vultures at large).
It seems strange though that of to date none have been listed on ISIS. I know Avifauna keep a group - which strangely enough is highly skewed towards male vultures, e.g. G. rueppelli with 19.1. I wonder what the sex make up of the Blijdorp vultures is?