Griffon vultures Eindhoven Zoo become parents again: chick hatched from egg

A griffon vulture has hatched in Eindhoven Zoo's vulture aviary. The young was born earlier this month after a 50-day incubation period.

"The cub, whose gender is not yet known, is doing very well. We are very happy with this male or female and we hope that visitors can come and see this cub and our other animals again starting May 11," said head of animal care Stephan Rijnen.

For the parents, who have lived in Eindhoven Zoo for years, this is the sixth young in the park near Eindhoven. The born griffon vulture is a sibling of Stanislav, the griffon vulture that left Eindhoven Zoo earlier this year to be released in a nature reserve in Bulgaria.

Reintroduction to natureEindhoven Zoo is working with Green Balkans for the reintroduction of the griffon vulture. The griffon vulture, bearded vulture and monk vulture are almost extinct in Bulgaria. This is partly because farmers laid down poisoned carcasses, intended to scare away wolves and bears, but which also victimized the vultures.

Green Balkans is committed to maintaining and increasing the population of several European vulture species, including the griffon vulture. They do this by providing education, addressing factors causing vultures to die and where possible by reintroducing vultures to their natural habitat. Stanislav arrived in Bulgaria in late February and will be released later this year.

Readhere more about reintroducing griffon vultures to their natural habitat.

Social animals
The griffon vulture can be recognized by its brown color, with white neck and head. This scavenger lays an egg once a year, which is then hatched by both parents. A pair of griffon vultures stay together throughout their lives.

This bird can move quickly: it can travel speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour. The griffon vulture is very social. It searches for food in groups and breeds in colonies.