Special bird species is newest resident of aviary ZooParc Overloon

ZooParc has started the new year with a new, special species. Since this week, four puna ibis have been residing in the Overloon zoo. It is one of the few places in Europe where these birds can be seen. In total, some 130 animals reside in fifteen European zoos.

The population of the puna ibis in the wild is declining rapidly. "This is partly because local people in Peru and Bolivia keep this species of bird as pets for their eggs and meat," explains head of animal care Steven van den Heuvel. "Good education about the conservation and protection of this species and its environment is therefore necessary. Zoos contribute to this."

"To ensure a healthy population of puna ibis in zoos, there is a breeding program for this species. Under that program, we now have four females. They are now very young and cannot have young yet. In time, we will also be able to welcome three more males and we hope to create a breeding situation for the puna ibis in ZooParc in the future," said Van den Heuvel.

Great heightThe puna ibis gets its name from the Puna area, a high altitude plain in northern Argentina. In the wild, this bird species occurs at an altitude of 3,100 to 4,800 meters in the Andes mountains in Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.

This ibis species has brownish-purple feathers and some purple and green hues can sometimes be detected in its wings. The puna ibis also has a red bill, distinguishing it from its fellow species the black ibis.

Ideal beakThe puna ibis mainly eats small animals, insects and worms that live in mud or shallow water. For this purpose, this species of bird has a long, curved beak, which is ideal for searching in the mud for snails, for example. To avoid sinking into the mud, puna ibis have long toes, which allow them to spread their weight.

Once the park reopens, the new residents can be seen in the aviary in the South American expedition section Madidi.