The Israeli Center for Raptor Egg Incubation
The Israeli Center for Raptor Egg Incubation
 
The Israeli Center for Raptor Egg Incubation has been in operation at the Biblical Zoo since 1998 – mostly behind the scenes, but it has now been opened to the public. 
The Center serves a large number of raptor conservation projects, and focuses mainly on the Griffon vulture.
 
During the nesting season the Griffon vulture’s eggs are collected from the zoos and breeding centers, and also, if necessary, from natural breeding sites. The project coordinator, an employee of Israel's Nature and Parks Authority, brings them to the Biblical Zoo for incubation.

The Incubation Center’s purpose is to significantly increase the number of youngsters that hatch and eventually reach the stage of being released into the wild as part of the raptor release program.

Controlled incubation is a valuable tool that produces optimal results, and, when combined with the efficient use of second clutches, it helps nature conservationists to try and save the vulture and other raptor species from becoming extinct in Israel.

Among the species incubated at the Center since its inception are the Griffon vulture, the Lanner falcon, the Lesser kestrel, Bonelli’s eagle, the Egyptian vulture, the White-tailed eagle and the Llappet-faced vulture.

The Center’s importance lies not only in its impressive results, which are unequalled by other zoos worldwide, but also in the ability of representatives of various raptor conservation groups to join forces and work together toward their shared objective: saving Israel’s raptors from extinction.

Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority is the Zoo’s partner in the Center.


 

 
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