Vulture Migration...
12/04/2019
At Hamerton Zoo Park we have kept two species of African Vultures for many years. This group of birds is under considerable threat in the wild due to accidental poisoning in India and deliberate persecution in Africa. Our founding stock of Ruppell's and Hooded Vultures were wild caught and rescued from an area where the birds were being poisoned as they were considered pests. Both species have bred successfully since they arrived at Hamerton.
The Ruppell's Griffon Vulture is one of the largest African species, and we are pleased to be able to continue to breed it. A chick has hatched this spring and is being reared off-show to ensure it does not become too tame and humanised. Once old enough it will be introduced into one of our holding aviaries.
Two older Ruppell's Griffon Vultures born here earlier have just flown (though not quite under their own power!) to the USA. Destined for the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia, they made their way from London Heathrow to JFK New York on Thursday, and are now settled into their quarantine accommodation, before moving on to Virginia in a months time.