On July 15th, a baby king vulture was born at the Vale Zoo and Botanical Park (PZV) in Carajás. This was possible thanks to an exchange between the PZV and Foz do Iguaçu Bird Park, which enabled a male-female couple to live together. The couple has been together in Carajás for eight months and the successful outcome of the captive breeding initiative indicates that the birds’ nutrition, welfare and environment at the PZV is suitable for the species.
It has become increasingly rare to observe king vultures in the wild, due to human pressure on their habitat and their low reproductive rate. Besides being cared for by its parents, the baby king vulture will be continuously observed by the PZV’s technical team for one month. Once the baby’s gender has been identified, a poll will be held among visitors to the park to choose its name.
The PZV is applying the same captive breeding techniques used for the king vulture to two other species of endangered birds: the golden parakeet and the hyacinth macaw. The park’s captive breeding initiative reflects Vale’s concern for and commitment to biodiversity.
On our Biodiversity page you can find out more about this and other parks maintained by Vale.