Prague zookeepers have adopted an innovative approach to nurture a newly hatched lesser yellow-headed vulture chick, utilizing a puppet designed to resemble a parent bird. Bird keeper Antonín Vaidl explained on Thursday that when a dummy egg disappeared from the nest, it indicated that the adult vultures were not prepared to care for their two chicks, despite successfully raising offspring in 2022 and 2023.
The three-week-old chick is currently being kept in a controlled environment and is fed using the puppet. This method is essential to prevent the young bird from imprinting on humans, which could hinder its survival in the wild. Vaidl noted that the puppet does not need to be an exact replica of an adult vulture; rather, the chick responds to specific visual cues, such as the pale orange coloration on its featherless head and neck.
Unique Breeding Efforts at Prague Zoo
The lesser yellow-headed vulture, native to areas in Latin America and Mexico, is a critically endangered species. The Prague Zoo stands out as one of only three zoos in Europe engaged in breeding these vultures. The facility has previously employed similar techniques to successfully rear other endangered species, including the critically endangered Javan green magpie and two rhinoceros hornbill chicks.
Vaidl emphasized the effectiveness of this puppet-feeding technique, stating, “The method has been working well. We’ll see what happens with the vultures.” The zoo staff remains hopeful as they await the hatching of another chick in the coming days. This nurturing approach not only demonstrates the commitment of zookeepers to wildlife conservation but also highlights the creative strategies required to support vulnerable species in captivity.
The use of puppets in avian care reflects a broader understanding of animal behavior and the importance of providing a natural environment for young birds. As zookeepers continue to adapt their methods, the successful breeding of the lesser yellow-headed vulture could play a vital role in the preservation of this species and contribute to global conservation efforts.
