Unlucky in luck and a record for the storks
52 young storks grew up in the spring of 2022 at Zurich Zoo. After an average year in 2021, this year’s balance sheet is pleasing.
The mild temperatures and dry weather in spring ensured that an exceptional number of young storks were raised. At 52, the previous record of 44 animals from 2018 was broken.
A total of 25 animals grew up last year. The survival chances of the young storks depend strongly on the weather. Above all, cold and wet weather affects the young birds.
rings for identification
Every year the young birds are ringed so that they can be identified during later observations and more can be learned about the behavior of the storks. This year, too, Protection and Rescue Zurich actively supported the zoo in ringing the young birds. With their turntable ladder it is possible to reach all 22 nests.
During her morning rounds, an animal keeper found a small, around 2-week-old chick on the ground below an eyrie. It had fallen from the nest from a height of about 15 meters. Fortunately, the young stork was not injured, and such falls are usually fatal.
During the past few days, the animal keepers have been feeding and observing the young stork in the Zurich Zoo’s bird breeding station. During today’s ringing campaign, an animal keeper was able to put the chick back in the eyrie with its siblings.
Once extinct
The white storks at Zurich Zoo are a wild colony. The storks in Switzerland were thought to be extinct. Today, thanks to successful reintroduction projects, they are back at home. The population of storks in Switzerland is developing well and is growing steadily.
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