Four rare black-billed storks have been born at Planckendael Zoo, near Mechelen (Antwerp Province). Black-billed storks are an endangered species. There are only 17 black-billed storks in European zoos. This means that the birds at Planckendael are highly valuable for the international breeding programme of which the zoo is a part.
Just 2,500 black-billed storks still live in the wild in a small area near the Amur River in Siberia and China. Their habitat is shrinking and is threatened due to land reclamation, logging and forest fires.
They are also being hunted by poachers. Planckendael Zoo is part of an international breeding programme designed to save the species from extinction.
A pair of black-billed storks have been living at Planckendael Zoo for the past 5 years. However, it was several years before the pair to grew closer. Zookeeper Frédéric Verstappen told VRT News that the birds displayed their interest in each other by rubbing their black beaks together. “They curled up against each other and organised the nest. In short, they clearly spoke the stork language of love”
It wasn’t until now though that the storks successfully bred. 4 chicks have hatched. 3 of them will be cared for by their parents from the outset, a fourth will be looked after by zookeepers for the time being. They will help the chick that is still weak build up its strength so that it can be put in the nest with its parents and siblings.