Waldrapp Chicks Hatch at Austrian Zoo

At Zoo Schmiding in Krenglbach, Austria, several rare Northern Bald Ibis chicks hatched and are being cared for in two nests. Zoologist Daniela Artmann notes cameras placed in the rock crevices offer a unique view of the birds’ family life. The species was extinct in Central Europe for centuries, but conservation efforts have reestablished wild populations.

Two chicks require temporary intensive care because their parents did not provide enough food. Keepers feed these chicks a special diet with a spoon, aiming to mimic natural feeding behaviors. The young birds are developing well and are expected to rejoin the main group.

Visitors can observe the chicks’ feeding and learn about ibis conservation during “Meet the Keeper” events at the zoo. Researchers continue to monitor the chicks’ development and ensure they integrate successfully into the larger population.