Previous Programs
Ensuring the Prey Base for the Endangered Eastern Imperial Eagle and Saker Falcon Populations in the Carpathian Basin — LIFE+ program
The project, implemented with the financial support of the European Union’s LIFE+ program, aimed to strengthen the European core populations of the globally endangered imperial eagle and saker falcon. The protection of these two species is a priority under the EU Birds Directive and the LIFE Nature projects. Thanks to the EU’s financial support, these populations have stabilized and are growing here, while unfortunately, in Europe and globally, their numbers continue to decline.
In contrast, the populations of small mammals – European ground squirrel, – common hamster, and – European hare that form the primary prey base for these birds are continuously decreasing. The experience from the previous project confirmed the importance of these species in the diet of the mentioned raptors. Small mammals continue to make up the majority of these predators’ prey, with the European ground squirrel being especially important, accounting for about a quarter of their diet.
Experts from the Zoo are assessing the health status of the Hungarian ground squirrel population (e.g., collecting bacteriological, parasitological, and virological samples). In addition, genetic sampling has been conducted to create a gene bank and an artificially bred ground squirrel population, which could serve as the foundation for a reintroduction program, allowing small mammals to be restored as a food source for birds of prey in certain areas.
Visitors to the Zoo can see ground squirrels at the enclosure next to the House of Wetlands.
For more information please visit: https://sakerlife.mme.hu/
HELICON LIFE+ (LIFE10NAT/HU/019) Program for the Protection of Imperial Eagles
One of Hungary’s greatest natural treasures is the strictly protected imperial eagle. Its symbolic value is HUF 1 million per individual.
A significant portion of the European population of this Eurasian species resides in Hungary. Over the last 30 years, the population has grown tenfold, and two-thirds of the European Union’s imperial eagles live in Hungary. Therefore, caring for these magnificent birds is a duty that extends internationally.
The nesting population is currently estimated at 285–300 pairs.
Imperial eagles are threatened by many factors: forestry and agriculture, shooting, illegal trade, tourism, egg collection, and poisoning. It is clear that we must fight against many different harmful influences in a unified manner across various areas.
The tasks involved in saving these animals include legal regulation, practical protection, testing and monitoring, awareness-raising, and education.
Unfortunately, Hungary did not have a proud history of eagle protection. International outrage was sparked by the fact that Hungary had an exceptionally high number of confirmed cases of intentionally killed eagles. While neighbouring countries also struggle with this problem – Austria recorded 40 cases, Slovakia 22, and Romania only 2 – since 2000, more than 180 (!) birds have been deliberately killed in Hungary. The program achieved a notable result by reducing the number of crimes against eagles to a minimum.
Experts from the Budapest Zoo play a significant role in the rescue project specifically aimed at protecting the imperial eagle. They actively participate in several elements of this program, including the emergency treatment of live birds found (poisoned individuals are usually in a weakened state, showing neurological symptoms, vomiting, unable to eat, etc.). Many eagles have been released back into the wild following successful treatment, equipped with satellite telemetry transmitters, which showed that many treated birds survived.
As part of the activity, we established a veterinary network, with at least one expert in each county who can be alerted and deployed if needed.
In cases where, unfortunately, the birds are brought in dead, X-rays are also taken to determine the cause of death and to aid in the legal process. The birds’ necropsy and toxicology tests are conducted at the NÉBIH Mammal and Wildlife Disease Laboratory (Emlős- és Vadbetegségek Laboratóriuma).
Later, during the second LIFE project aimed at protecting imperial eagles (PANNONEAGLE LIFE02/NAT/H/8627), our veterinarians took samples from chicks in the field during ringing (banding) to determine which diseases might threaten these magnificent birds in the wild.
For more information please visit:
http://www.mme.hu/parlagi-sas-aquila-heliaca
http://parlagisas.hu/
ZOO4NAT – Slovak and Hungarian Zoos for the Conservation of Wildlife in the Border Region
The ZOO4NAT project, funded by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund as part of the Interreg V-A Slovakia–Hungary Cooperation Program, aimed to enhance the conservation efforts of the Budapest Zoo and the Košice Zoo, particularly in relation to rescue activities involving native wildlife in need of assistance, and the associated educational work. The project was implemented from 1 January 2018 to 31 October 2019.
Among the outcomes of the joint program were the establishment of a new Wildlife Rescue Centre in Budapest, the construction of facilities and an educational trail in Košice, the acquisition of medical and diagnostic equipment, international conferences, workshops, webinars, and other events aimed at exchanging knowledge on animal rescue.
For more information please visit:
https://www.skhu.eu/funded-projects/slovakian-and-hungarian-zoos-for-the-conservation-of-native-fauna-along-the-border-regions
Griffon Vulture Conservation Program in Croatia
The Budapest Zoo joined the programs for the conservation of Eurasian griffon vultures in 2001. In cooperation with the Croatian “Caput Insulae” Ecological Centre, we work to save the vulture population living on the Croatian island of Cres.
The griffon vulture population in the Balkan Peninsula is dwindling, and without human intervention, it would have become extinct. The core population, about 70 pairs, lives on the island of Cres, with another 60 pairs on the surrounding islands. The greatest threats to them are food shortages, habitat loss, and human disturbance.
In 1993, as part of the vulture conservation program, a protection centre was established in Beli on the island of Cres (Eco-centar Caput Insulae). The goal is to save the population of griffon vultures on the island, increase the number of nesting pairs, preserve their habitats, and familiarize the local population and tourists with the birds’ habits and their ecological role. In the 1980s, there were only about 20 nesting pairs on the island, but today this has grown to 70 pairs, with about 60 more pairs on neighboring islands.
To ensure they get enough food, they need to be fed constantly at four locations on the island. The necessary sheep meat is provided by the Eco-centar.
The vulture colony is also threatened by construction and tourism. They nest on cliffs overhanging the sea, and curious tourists who venture too close sometimes cause the flightless chicks to throw themselves into the sea. Vulture conservationists have rescued more than 100 chicks from the sea.
Since 2001, our staff has helped once or twice a year with building feeding and watering stations, observation houses, rescue centres, and aviaries on Cres. Between 2004 and 2006, the Zoo also provided a financial donation of EUR 20,000, and the Zoo Foundation donated optical equipment (binoculars, telescopes) worth HUF 1,000,000 to our Croatian partners.
In 2009, we purchased a satellite tracking device, which we attached to a young bird about to leave the nest. Since our Croatian partners also managed to obtain one such device, two birds, Leticia and Castor, were equipped with transmitters. They flew from the vulture centre’s aviary on the island, and their route, flight altitude, and speed could be tracked, allowing us to help them if necessary.
