Birds of Prey 

Many of the raptor species in Israel are endangered and several species have already became extinct. The major threats to raptor species in Israel are poisoning, habitat destruction, nesting disturbance, hunting, electrocution and also egg and chick stealing for hand-rearing. Almost all raptor species have been hurt and in order to protect them a joint project was started by INNPPA (Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority), SPNI (Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel) and IEC (Israel Electric Corp). Today, more institutions, such as zoos, veterinary institutions and various civil and military aviation organizations, have joined the project. The Jerusalem Zoo, as a major contributor to the project, operates the National Centre for Artificial Incubation of Raptor Eggs. In this Centre, eggs of white-tailed sea-eagle and lappet-faced vulture, which became extinct in Israel, and of griffon vulture, Egyptian vulture, Bonelli's eagle, lanner falcon and lesser kestrel, whose populations have severely declined, are incubated. All the eggs come from captive-breeding pairs in Israel.

After the hatching of the chicks, most are put back in zoo exhibits for foster rearing. Access chicks are left at the Jerusalem Zoo for hand-rearing until they fledge. At this stage both hand and foster reared chicks are given to INNPPA for their reintroduction to the wild. Except for incubating eggs and rearing chicks, the Jerusalem Zoo have been contributing to raptor conservation and reintroduction by financing construction of nesting boxes for lesser kestrel and research of various species, through its Prof. Shulov Fund for the Study of Animals in Captivity.