Ural owls;
Credit: Zoo Amnéville
On Wednesday 28 August 2024, the Amnéville Zoological Park (Zoo Amnéville), one of the major zoos closest to Luxembourg, highlighted several key events and initiatives related to bird conservation, particularly concerning the Ural owl.
Zoo Amnéville added it is participating in the conservation of vulnerable species and species in danger of extinction according to the Red List of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and according to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), it has recorded more than 200 births of rare species over the past three years.
This year, a small female Ural owl was born in the sky predator zone, a positive development for the species. Despite not being in immediate danger according to its IUCN status, the species faces challenges due to habitat fragmentation caused by human activities, leading to inbreeding and potential population decline which may even lead to extinction of the isolated populations.
Therefore, the Ural owl from Amnéville Zoo, along with other owls from French zoos, was entrusted to the VLAB (Verein für Landschaftspflege, Artenschutz & Biodiversität e.V.) in Germany's Bavarian Forest. This association is focused on restoring a stable population of Ural owls. On 23 August, 23 young Ural owls, including the one from Amnéville Zoo, were successfully released in North-Eastern Bavaria as part of this conservation effort. After a passage in an acclimatisation aviary on the reintroduction site, these little owls will join those that have returned to nature in previous years, and will hopefully be the basis of a stable and sustainable population for years to come, Amnéville Zoo added.
Furthermore, from Monday 2 to Sunday 8 September, Amnéville Zoo is organising a Bird Week to showcase its conservation work, educate visitors on bird diversity and highlight the contributions of various partners and organisations. Activities include birds of prey strolling, conservation stands, backstage tours, vulture hunts during performances, themed games and a photo exhibition titled “Sacred Birds of France,” with funds raised going to the Vulture Conservation Foundation.
