wanted alive Chicks and Babies: Conservation Breeding in Budapest Zoo

5 Protagoras century, city dwellers long morethan for ever st Introduction IIn the21 held responsible, are we do we that what for It only not is do we do. not what also for but the company Our mere biological of . existence usimpels to interact with creatures other than and humans hence thezoos number of is constantly today, growing: they ten thousand number over worldwide. Visited more by these parks peoplethan seven hundred million annually, are the most significantcultural and touristicattractions everywhere. Contemporary zoos a complex mission. Through have ambassadors theiranimal townfolk theytell aboutthe disappearing harmony between they while man and nature, also serve as ecological–environmental recreational, and learning centers, aid the survival of species need, in and heritage. nurturing our spaces cultural represent The approximately 1000 zoological leading institutions in the world place great emphasison conservation, education and science. They constitute a tight network, form bonds andandalliances, theircarefully holdings.By exchange coordinating global efforts they seek to moresave than 300 endangeredspecies from extinctionand preserve their genes. Conservation-oriented zoos tend to keep representatives of rare species rather than common ones. The largest collection live , in Budapest Zoo, has a very wide international by range – even of animals standards 10,354 – maintaining specimens of 1072 not individually registered breeding species, as as 117 well groups. These some include seldom seen exotics such as

ure at N r o f ks ISSN 2062-1485 ISSN All rights reserved. Printed by: HTS-ART ISBN 978-615-5392-03-0 ISBN Translation: Balázs Farkas Translation: Zoo Boo Zoo Published by Budapest Zoo Budapest by Published Editors: Zsolt Kovács and Márta Szabon Layout, preprint: Restyánszki Stúdió Design preprint: Layout, Scientific advisors: Miklós Prof. Dr. Persányi and Márta Szabon Publication supported by the National Cultural Fund of Hungary of Fund Cultural National the by supported Publication Responsible publisher: Prof. Dr. Miklós Persányi, Director-General Persányi, Miklós Dr. Prof. publisher: Responsible mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. the of permission written the without otherwise, or recording photocopying, mechanical No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievalsystem ortransmitted, in any form or any by means, electronic, 6 to help us to achieve helpto to us goals… our even want perhaps – and rescued be can species endangered such how about more to know want unusual in and creatures, rare interest keen a from animal all to who,apart and nature lovers book this Irecommend Therefore, best. their do and it want people enough if saved be can they because species of survival continued the for fighting isworth It preserved. be indeed wildlife can disappearing that shows It is asymbol. organisations conservation and scientists professionals, ofzoo cooperation international and national by the from saved species Any oflife Earth. on quality the and ofhumanity future the affects adversely and biosphere entire of the vulnerability the increases loss its as biodiversity, of preserving importance the underline Weto want also ranges. their of parts large from have that disappeared ofspecies conservation Zoo for hands-on Nature ofthe awareness aims Books that raise to isaseries them. ismainly about book this of70 species; isinvolvedconservation in the Zoo breeding. Budapest captive long decades- and effort concerted acontinuous, involvement byofprofessionals, the extinction from saved be only can species pan:the threatened in aflash be not must cooperation Such hopeless. appear often that processes reverse and species endangered ofan fate the change to needed is conservationists and professionals zoo scientists, between cooperation international Strong project. asolo not are projects Conservation groups. conservation and authorities park national with cooperation in close intooriginal their released were subsequently Zoo of the Station Rescue the or Center Rescue the at either animals rehabilitated The requiredassistance. our , reptiles and small 2013 programme. In breeding 2000 than more conservation ofaEuropean framework the within produced young the to in addition treated, and rescued species native ago. ofprotected However, individuals years numerous ofthe 20 proud zoo be also a European we can in reproduced last wombats because special event was of2012. end at the latter wombats ofcommon The breeding the and produced), thus were calves (two first rhino, world a square-lipped ofa insemination artificial successful by the evoked was response international largest The regularity. with breed gundis also common and mole naked sloths, two-toed Our langurs. Javan and monkeys squirrel and night lemurs, ring-tailed and ofblack infants and tiger,lion cubs, animals. Indian calf,and We Siberian elephant had an several leopard Persian of248 baby in resulting atotal reproduced, successfully species different of 50 Members hatches. and year”, high numberofbirths avery with boomer “baby areal Taking was . and It well 2013 families year as as the ofantelopes results. impressive see giraffes, can alone, one tigers, dholes, orangutans, gorillas, of groups breeding snakes, venomous pelicans, and flamingos of flocks huge mangabeys, golden-bellied Director-General of the Budapest Zoo Budapest Director-General of the Prof. Dr. Miklós Persányi Dr.Prof. Miklós Organisations involved in Conservation breeding Red Data Book of The next chapters deal with declining (sub)species monitored by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and maintained in Budapest Zoo as part of conservation breeding programmes. Most of them reproduce regularly and currently Budapest Zoo Animals have young ones.Furthermore, several successful rescue operations are described to give an overview of the species that have reserved a place in our contemporary Noah’s ark.

Explanation of abbreviations

ESB European Studbook

IUCN WAZA EAZA EEP ISB ISIS WWF International Union for World Association European Association European Endangered International International Species World Wide Fund Conservation of Nature of Zoos and Aquariums of Zoos and Aquaria Species Programme Studbook Information System for Nature

The IUCN classifies the of species according to their extinction risk. The following terms are used in this book:

Near Threatened/ Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct Least Concern 10 counterparts, the savannah buffalo are considered highly dangerous to humans. to highly dangerous considered are buffalo savannah the counterparts, forest Unliketheir them. keep that 2011, since dozen zoos in two have bred Budapest ofthe regularly in most case the buffalos isnot this though Forest populations. heavilyreduces epidemics, rinderpest and anthrax with combined drought, prolonged addition, In parks. national within even poaching—unfortunately, and development agricultural loss, animals game big other in as : threats same very the face They (approximately 830,000). subspecies savannah three ofthe that to numbercompared low isavery which 60,000, at about stands population their that estimate Experts areas. protected to (nominally) confined isgenerally it but available are form this for estimates population Few (13,000ft). of4000m altitude an to up Africa ofCentral areas in forested but savannah the liveson not buffalo African ofthe subspecies smallest The Near Threa African Forest Buffalo t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e En (Syncerus caffer nanus) da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 12 are monomorphic, they can only be identified by biochemical technology. biochemical by identified be only can they monomorphic, are sexes the As males. be to out 2013. turned young in December Both apart days four pair hatched breeding experienced ofour chicks two The alternately. eggs the on sit birds Parent into burrows. eggs laying islands, its offshore and coast continental the on colonies in breeds It exclusively feeds fish. on ofpenguin in Africa species sole the relatives cold-loving its to Similarly fishing. commercial and waters oil spillages from in coastal come threats Current collection. decline beingegg this for cause another percent, ten just to dropped have numbers century, 20th early the to breeding. Compared by captive aided be must survival their so mainly pollution, to due decreasing is population Pole. Their South at the than rather ofAfrica coast western the along live breed and suggests name their penguins, as African Near Threa African Penguin t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e (Spheniscus demersus) (Spheniscus En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 14 females were born in Budapest. females were born in 2013, little produced cubs 49 two in the 172 maintained are individuals Of 497 present worldwide. At form. ofthis zoos survival continued the for importance isofhuge breeding remaincaptive wild so in the tigers Siberian Today humans 400 livestock. few and as as “protect” to killed often are they where settlements to move to closer tigers force habitats Shrinking organs), continues. poaching internal hairs, hence (bones, parts values tiger Traditional common. increasingly are medicine greatly Chinese defects genetic relatives, close mate to with tend subpopulations separated of widely members water. As well swim survival. their even threatens and hunt in They water. fragmentation enemy isman: only habitat and poaching Their of liking their for unique among also are They stripes. their than rather auricles oftheir back the on patch ofawhite shape by the other each alike. However, recognise perfectly are they specimens two no all are striped, tigers Although offelid Earth. living (sub)species on largest isthe This Near Threa Amur Tiger Amur t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab (Panthera tigris altaica) e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, is x ti nct b 16 for a couple of days. The zoo stock of Asian elephants is rapidly increasing: between 2008 and 2012 alone. and in were born 75 calves 2008 increasing: between is rapidly elephants ofAsian stock zoo The ofdays. acouple for hand-feeding needed and mother’sher find not teats could she because in starving life: was she start a difficult had to overcome Asha Budapest. Today, 2013) in seen 14 complications. be (b. can any serious Asha named February without acalf reared (1961)—were Quinba and (1956) on world the September came into of age 16 half years a and two 1941. subsequently—Jubile to reach born calf Calves first the zoo our In higher.times were ten numbers ago these over 13acentury Just scattered countries. adisjointed range inhabits individuals of40,000–50,000 population total poaching.Its and deforestation to due loss by habitat isthreatened subspecies) ofthe one being form Indian (the elephant Asian The Near Threa Asian Elephant Elephant Asian t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab (Elephas maximus) (Elephas e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 18 endangered, the subspecies discussed here is considered critically endangered by the IUCN. IUCN. by the endangered critically isconsidered here discussed subspecies the endangered, as is classified awhole as species the young. inWhile raisingthe part take also males the cats, unique among have alone. ago Furthermore, they if in prey capture results endeavour sixth every only whereas attempts in kill three one lions make cooperatively, when hunts: successful the of number by reflected are clearly this method of benefits The offelid hunting living in and packs. species only lion isthe The in 2013, in zoos in Budapest. world born cubs into the eight came 26 the Of subspecies. ofthis survival the for isessential breeding captive Concerted Africa. and in India survived only they hunting to pressure due but Asia and Europe southern East, Middle in the agolions were common years 2000 India. in western Forest isGir roam may they still freely where area protected sole dozen animals. The a ofabout descendants remain wild—all in the adults 350 than more Scarcely extinct. becoming to closest isthe this lion subspecies extant Of Near Threa Asiatic Lion Asiatic t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab (Panthera persica) leo e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 20 four offspring so far. so offspring four have produced pair in Budapest The ofgreatimportance. are efforts breeding captive hunted, so and trapped are they and burnt often are habitats However, ofblacklemurs. their decreasing, are status numbers their conservation ofthe assessment aproper for information enough isnot There purpose. this for hands their than rather canines long their use like but other each monkeys groom creatures highly social female. These by experienced an led and individuals ten to offive consisting live in by humans. troops They disturbed if only perhaps at night, but active diurnal, maybe lemurs black also mostly Although far-reaching, away. its it only giving voice frightening with sometimes forests, ofclosed-canopy treetops invisibly in the almost along moves It Madagascar. in northwestern forests fur. brown inhabits species femaleshave This acoffee black—the actually are species ofthis males the Only Near Threa Black Lemur Lemur Black t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab (Eulemur macaco) (Eulemur e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, is x ti nct b 22 have in zoo. our hatched 12 decade past the young snails. and During well arthropods as as buds, and fruits seeds, on feeds more. or It years of 50 lifespan a potential with species is a long-lived This months. two another for parents is fed by both but days old at 28–30 bird young nest leaves the The to crack. days 30 usually about lay asingle at atime, ground.Females egg takes the which off ofmeters acouple in trees constructed are and diameter cm (15.7 40 measure nests in) Their ofaship blowing . in reminiscent ofthe emit avoice and at dawn loud extremely are 15,000. They about numbers wild population plumes. Their nice and meat tasty their for hunted also are pigeons crowned trade; pet the for collection and loss ofhabitat because size isdecreasing population Its islands. smaller offshore some and Guinea New in northeastern rainforests inhabits alike. sexes species look This (29.5in). Both of 75cm (4.9lb) a weight of 2.2kg reaches a length and of pigeon living species largest The Near Threa Blue CrownedBlue Pigeon t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e

En (Goura cristata) (Goura da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, is x ti nct b 24 In the past decade six young were born in Budapest, despite the fact that identifying species and finding matching pairs is quite problematic. quite is matchingpairs finding and species identifying that fact the despite in Budapest, were young born six decade past the In in captivity. years 25 may as livelong monkeys as of126–133 agestation Night days. after infants two occasionally or one to give birth Females immature four to up mating pair and offspring. of a familyeach consists and group monogamous, are socially They competitors. and by predators unusual lifestyles to adopt animals forced were diurnal ancestors their even though well dark, in the very to all. see threat monkeys Night is likely a serious to be loss habitat but is unknown forms individual of the status population the in changes recent similar-looking, rather to these elevenalbeit Due as separate, species. classified now are they asingle taxon, considered Formerly monkeys. nocturnal truly only the are called, also are they as monkeys, owl or Night Near Threa Bolivian Night Monkey Night Bolivian t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e En

(Aotus azarai boliviensis) da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 26 nocturnal section of the Australia House. Australia ofthe section nocturnal the in bettongs our haveBeingwe a night-activelodged species, pouch. theirmothers’ from have young emerged five years ten past inand the display are on individuals three Currently decades. several for in Budapest Woylies have reproduced regularly reserve. a food as limb” serves hair, brush-like with covered tail “fifth inthis fat its so stores It insects. resin and consumes also it but ismushrooms, main food Its cats. invasive foxes as such and predators and ofhabitat by aloss isthreatened species The islands. offshore undisturbed on were released bettongs a few purposes conservation For specimens. thousand five ofabout isbelieved consist to wild population Its ofQueensland. northeast the and Australia ofWestern today, of wallabies species southwest in ofland small the inhabiting patches rarest ofthe isone rabbit-sized marsupial This Near Threa Brush-tailed Bettong t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e (Bettongia penicillata) (Bettongia En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 28 European zoo.European in any ofpelicans colonies largest ofthe isone by ours year year reproduce successfully they because and pelicans, greatwhite with together are birds kept these Budapest, and illegal In hunting. pollution, human disturbance water by aridification, isthreatened existence species’ The flying birds. of heaviest the one of this is 9–15kg a weight of With (20–33lb), flap. thisskin from directly fish half-digested regurgitated, with theirfeed chicks and pouch gular expandable their fishinto fit numerous can theirwings. Pelicans by flapping shallow waters fish into corral and shore the to paddle usuallyrow in a close and birds hunt several in groups: fish on feed Pelicans Delta. Danube the inhabits population breeding largest the continent our On Asia. southeastern and southern and Africa in is found northern species this to Europe, addition In draining ofwetlands. large-scale the to due nowadays seen rarely are but 19th in the century in Hungary were nesting pelicans Dalmatian Near Threa Dalmatian Pelican t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e (Pelecanus crispus)(Pelecanus En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 30 discussed here is considered critically endangered by the IUCN. IUCN. by the endangered critically isconsidered here discussed the subspecies endangered, as 2014, and is classified awhole 18 as producing in species 2009 the respectively.While pups, in Budapest 12 to give bred birth female dominant can in the young asingle as litter. welcome were successfully help ismost Dholes Their pups. the raise atiger. to from join forces food members even steal or to Clan buffalo water and large kill to able are and hunt in packs wild dogs Asiatic 12 programme, ofwhich breeding in are Budapest. 131 are conservation in the registered There zoos decreasing. in 23 maintained specimens is and individuals 2000 than ofless consists wild population The them. toll among aheavy take infections and parasites) and parvovirus (rabies, diseases canine to susceptible extremely are They fragmented. and transformed longer no are habitats their if guaranteed be only can survival animalstheir but cooperative and highly are social Dholes China. southern to native one rarest display isthe on in zoo our subspecies dhole The Near Threa Dhole or Asiatic Wild Dog Wild Asiatic or Dhole t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e En da n gered

(Cuon alpinus lepturus) En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 32 and specimens can be released into the wild to boost natural populations. natural wild boost to into the released be can specimens and start can breeding purposeful higher numbers, reaches stock the Once data. studbook manage and collect isto task present on, our programme abreeding base to few individuals oftoo consists population zoo value. the Since conservation and high genetic single isofextremely specimen every Thus, in captivity. observations from only known are habits species’ wild,even in and the the numbers isavailable about information little 12 here. However, raised male): decade one ofeight femalesand last in the consisting were young successfully very (presently inone Budapest in isthe any zoo colony breeding i.e., of42 individuals, best atotal eightThe maintain only giant pandas. even fewer than worldwide insitutions thousand several ofthe it: keep few zoos Very monkeys. rarest ofthe isone Basin Congo central the to native species beautiful exceptionally This Golden-bellied Mangabey Golden-bellied T DUE O I T S EX T RE M E RARI T Y , T N IS HERE

O DE (Cercocebus chrysogaster) T AI L I ED NF OR M A T IO N ABOU T S HIS P E C IES ’ ABU N DA NC E . E s b , is, b 34 young so far. so young two produced pair has maintained in Zoo presently The Budapest 1912by thisspecies. of received callitrichids were representatives first The of471 individuals. consists now grow, to population continue zoo numbers the their and programmes reintroduction and breeding captive to wild. in Thanks found are the specimens athousand at least today and monkeys’ rescue the to However, gardens. in came manyzoological were maintained as and zoos of Brazil, coast eastern the on were left a hundred individuals about 1970s the In only destroyed. been already has habitat species’ ofthe percent 98 deforestation: from comes threat serious most ground. The the above 5–10m bromeliads grow in where numbers large (16–32ft) patches especially forests, primary favour dense lion tamarins Golden Near Threa Golden Lion Tamarin Lion Golden t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e

(Leontopithecus rosalia)(Leontopithecus En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, is x ti nct b 36 in Budapest Zoo. Two gundis were born in December 2013 and three in February 2014. Two Zoo. 2013 in in December in February three Budapest gundisand were born 14 Today specimens action. of84 15 total live the conservation gundis. requires Of no and keep zoos habitats native in its numbers substantial in to occur is thought species the but abundance its on information detailed isno in gundis. There a parasite ago as over a century discovered in Toxoplasma humans, unicellular toxoplasmosis was cause parasite to The toes. back their on known gondii, isnow which bristles with insulating their in keep fur condition They cliffs. steep on agility and greatspeed with mammals run little These food. their from water metabolize to able are they because drink to need not do they that conditions well harsh so have the to sun. adapted in the They evenand enjoy basking day the during gundis active are dwellers, desert Unlikemany nocturnal Africa. in northern semi-deserts ofstony gundi inhabitant isan The Near Threa Gundi t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

(Ctenodactylus gundi)

l lnVu erab e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 38 raised in our zoo. The wild population is believed to number approximately 6500 specimens, while another 390 are maintained in zoological gardens. in zoological are maintained 390 while another specimens, 6500 is believed to number approximately wild population in zoo.our The raised were chicks three decade last the In in captivity. breed to easy not are macaws Hyacinth in species. indistinguishable this femalesare and Males now. banned iscompletely trade international Fortunately, survived. environment natural their from taken macaws of percent ten than Less Asia. and America North Europe, to thousand by the intelligentexported and were birds caught these trade: pet the for by collecting extent greatest the to were reduced numbers their However, loss, feathers. their for habitat to especially in addition peoples, indigenous wereby heavilyhunted always Macaws America. South eastern and in central aweight of1.5kg and rainforests inhabits (3.3lb). It (35–39in) of90–100cm tail) pointed long ofits tip the to head ofits top the (from reaching alength of parrot, species largest ofthe hyacinth isone macaw The Hyacinth Macaw Near Threa t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab

(Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 40 two colour morphs—copper red and black—are about as equally common in nature as in captivity. in as nature common equally as about black—are and red morphs—copper colour two mainly by femaleTheir live formed relatives. in small They family troops undergrowth. in move around the rarely and are highly arboreal Lutungs of132 population zoo in kept are Budapest. eight lutungs individuals, today. a total parks Of to national reduced essentially are langur habitats so expansion, agricultural and extraction wood to due alarming rate an at hunting. and Tropical are disappearing loss irreversibly. it by rainforests habitat are threatened langurs Javan affect not do environment in its changes that hope only can one and isunknown species ofthe abundance wild. in The the them have ever studied few researchers accessible, easily is not habitat volcanic their As Lombok). and (Djawa islands Indonesian two on only occur called, also are they as lutungs, Ebony Near Threa Javan Langur Javan t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab

(Trachypithecus auratus) e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 42 oldest female, Banya (Witch). This is her fourth young. In all, seven unaus live in Budapest now. all, young. In sevenunaus live in Budapest fourth isher This (Witch). female, Banya oldest 2014 the from in February born was in zoo our baby latest The years. of30–40 lifespan apotential with long-lived, comparatively are sloths survive, to species their for offspring enough year, produce to awhole infrequently. order In nearly give females birth and takes while gestation of age, years five to at four either. at atime, maturity sexual matter reaches which Asingleton isborn ahasty isnot reproduction Sloth hairs. its of colour the actual brown, greyish than rather green appears the sloth as excellent provide camouflage fur algae growingin its Symbiotic laziness. its than rather slowmetabolism ofits result isthe this sluggish being for but isfamous animals. It and—occasionally—small fruits mainly of leaves, consists food Its America. South and of Central rainforests tropical in is found the unau, name species this local by the Known Near Threa Linnaeus’ Two-toed Sloth t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e En da n gered

(Choloepus didactylus)(Choloepus En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 44 endangered, the subspecies discussed here is considered by the IUCN. IUCN. wild by in the the extinct isconsidered here discussed subspecies the endangered, as critically is classified a whole as species the While disappearance. its to all contributed of habitats animals conversion and by domestic grazing conflicts, military wild ungulates. Overhunting, African all the almost as reason same the for extinction with isthreatened mhorr The here. late 2013 In were young born two 2009. since animals our and have reproduced 2008 since programme breeding in the part taken has Zoo Budapest subspecies. this saving towards step important isan fawn new ofevery 150,than birth the so more is little number of captives the 18 but wild.in present At the gazelles, mhorr are breeding a single not left animalszoos individual with Today, hoofed endangered Africa. critically most ofthe isone this northwestern to native gazelle ofthe isasubspecies gazelle mhorr The Near Threa Mhorr Gazelle Mhorr t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab

( dama mhorr) dama (Nanger e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, is x ti nct b 46 individuals are maintained in captivity, whereas remaining habitats in and Turkey harbour just 440 and 100 and respectively. ibises, bald Turkey and 440 just in harbour Morocco remaining habitats whereas in captivity, maintained are individuals in nature: 1400 than live approximately in specimens zoos more Currently species. ofthe range former the within subpopulations breeding aim establish that to programmes reintroduction several are There food. for chicks by collecting hunting and 16th in the century Europe Central from exterminated was but continent ofour parts central and southern in the common once ibis was bald live naturally. can they northern The where , in area Jerez, aprotected to in 2013, transferred are here maintained hatched young individuals ofthe juveniles. sevenare Some year, every breed 38 ibises ofthe 1998. Our and since programme breeding conservation-oriented in the part taken has Zoo Budapest Near Threa Northern Bald or Waldrapp or Bald Ibis Northern t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e En da n gered

(Geronticus eremita)(Geronticus En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 48 increasingly at risk due to rapid agricultural encroachment, overgrazing of remaining grasslands and overhunting in overhunting Africa. and ofremaining grasslands overgrazing encroachment, agricultural rapid to due at risk increasingly all that savanna-dwelling ungulates are reason the for have astudbook up set zoos wild, in European the endangered isnot species this Although 2013. in December calf one to gave birth Amira) and in 2012, arrived cows) females(Nina both and (one bull two and adults longer, in colour,brown with bellies cm and covered (31.5 are 80 backs hair. their mane-like be and can ofmales in) three horns Our long. The kg (121–154 may 55–70 to 125 reach latter the lb), kg whereas (276 background, chestnut alight on brown dark are lb), stripes have and dark grow former The different. i.e., issexually dimorphic, completely look males Africa femalesand the southern to native ofantelope species This Near Threa Nyala t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

( angasii)

l lnVu erab e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 50 them—a little male—in Budapest. male—in little them—a in 2013, were born eight cubs programme breeding of one captive international ofthe fur. their for stillkilled are being part cats As beautiful these Furthermore, zones. conflict Turkmenistan) in are military Georgia, Afghanistan, Iran, (e.g., by leopards inhabited Azerbaijan, areas that in Armenia, fact isthe as problem, a serious prey isalso ofnatural scarcity the loss, habitat to addition In relatives. close encounter only or meet animals cannot sexually mature and other each from separated widely get patches remaining habitat if wild. use in Tolerance1200 the leopards Persian isoflittle than less dwindling,are with populations species, as a success its of spite In fish. and insects to from everything and anything taking either, feeder apicky isnot It forests. alpine to coniferous grasslands and rainforests through all deserts climatic rangingfrom regions, virtually in isfound It . domestic the after too, felid Earth, on widespread most the was it Once cats. oflarge adaptable most ofthe isone leopard The Near Threa Persian Leopard Persian t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e

(Panthera pardus saxicolor) En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 52 worldwide. We keep two specimens in Budapest and had a single birth in the past decade. past in the had asingle and birth in Budapest specimens We two keep worldwide. maintained are of78individuals atotal in zoos, rarity Areal period. over athree-generation in species this percent 30 than ofmore reduction by revealed a2012 as population study, isasuspected there by human activity: isthreatened existence continued Its by scent. communicates and of3–12 consisting small lives and in animals. individuals troops It sap leaves, tree shoots, fruits, as such ofitems, agreat variety on feeds and nocturnal, and diurnal isboth It forests. lowland in dry Madagascar, occurs it where western biology. inhabits its It about isknown little Consequently, taxon. aseparate believed constitute to isnow lemur itself brown red-fronted “former” the species, ofanother avariety awhile considered For Near Threa Red-fronted Brown Lemur Red-fronted t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e En da n gered

(Eulemur rufus)(Eulemur En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 54 threatens their survival. In the past decade 12 decade in Budapest. past were the young born In survival. their threatens that alteration, However, by hunted are snakes. mammals, habitat and they birds have especially predators: numerous ishumantamarins it activity, Red-handed members. group all requires young other help from raisingthe isthat this for reason Apossible matriarch. dominant by the released by pheromones ayear. femalesisblocked once ofother cycle ovulation twins to The givesbirth she and reproduce to right the female has one only of3–12 consist a group nectar. and Within troops Family individuals. fruits soft invertebrates, other and insects plants—of percent animals 50 and percent of50 up ismade diet Its habitats. well in as edge as forests, secondary and primary in both occurs species this America, South to Native Near Threa Red-handed TamarinRed-handed t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e

(Saguinus midas) En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 56 consisting of a total of 10 specimens, three of which are infants. Overall, 19 young have been born in the past ten years. ten of10 19 Overall, ofatotal past areinfants. in ofwhich the three consisting specimens, born have young been in Budapest, groups several are There by 376 zoos. maintained are individuals registered primate: 3275 the captive common most isthe species This maturation. yellow with avivid to turns eye colour the blue eyes but with Interestingly, born are lemurs members. ring-tailed ofgroup rank the and mood the whereabouts, the about signalling for are used tellingtails and Their forelegs. conspecifics the on and region anal in the located glands scent with territory oftheir boundaries the byfemale. mark adominant led lemurs individuals Ring-tailed 20 ofabout consisting lives in and troops inup trees high flowers leaves and fruits, on Madagascar.feeds It southwestern and in southern areas animal in isfound dry day-active, semi-terrestrial This Near Threa Ring-tailed Lemur Ring-tailed t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Lemur catta) En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 58 of which are in are of which Budapest. seven worldwide, in zoos are maintained this subspecies of specimens far.549 so young five havetotal In ofRothschild’s produced group giraffes present The in Budapest. haveborn been subspecies various representing calves 26 then in 1868. Since world into the came of Hungary, Elisabeth Queen by was presented which of zoo, mother the our calf in first The of age.year reaching first their before predators to fall victim ofcalves percent 75 around. to run isable newborn the of birth a few hours Within days. 450 of approximately 150–180cm a gestation (59–71in) after high calf a to Females givebirth woodlands. particular in forests, plains gallery and flood grasslands, savannahs, frequent Giraffes a problem. also is while poaching pasture, and cropland needs growing human population explosively the and savannah over the taking is increasingly the decline: its to climate and change, contribute deforestation as such activity, remain wild. in Human the 2500 just Rothschild’s Of extinction. are nearing However, subspecies live individuals of inits Africa. some a hundred thousand at least and yetis not endangered giraffe the a species, As Near Threa Rothschild’s Giraffe t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 60 will soon delight us with acalf. delight with us will soon pair breeding our that hopes we inand have zoo our strong reproduced successfully species ago this decades Several worldwide. in captivity maintained are tapirs 414 Overall, years. 30 American isapproximately South longevity maximum The againstthorns. protection offers hide thick ofsmell sense excellent, are and while hearing its its eyesight but poor has It predators. from escape to water swimswell readily enters and It crops. various and leaves, fruits grasses, on creature, feeds it Asolitary of1700m (5,577ft). altitude an to up isfound it mountains the In areas. rarely, more and, open floodplains jungles, marshes, frequents species This isheavily fragmented. range ofthe rest while the rainforest, Amazon the inhabits population ofthe have fewMost enemies,except jaguars. for region. Adults in the (331lb) terrestrial largest isthe this aweight 150kg to ofup With Argentina. northern to Colombia northern from Andes, ofthe east occurs tapir lowland or American South The Near Threa South American Tapir t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e En (Tapirus terrestris) (Tapirus da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 62 this “unproductive” species. A breeding pair is presently maintained in Budapest with offspring that hatched in 2012. hatched that offspring with in Budapest maintained pair ispresently Abreeding species. “unproductive” this of populations stabilising for method effective an be to appears This themselves. fend for to able are they once young the release and incubation for eggs the other collect often nestling, researchers first the only females may raise at a time lay but eggs three As survival. all its threaten collecting commercial and hunting fires, bush devastating expansion, region. Agricultural in the ofhabitats loss in ageneral to decline due probably are populations but isunknown species ofthis abundance The pairs. or groups other to presence its drumming-like announce to voice deep, aresonator. a strange, as emits acts It pouch throat red Its grass. in the around moving reptiles and rodents small-bodied and arthropods hunter stalks cautious and skillful This food. while for ground searching the on seen istypically it savannas, bird ofAfrican large A characteristic, Near Threa Southern Ground-hornbill Southern t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Bucorvus leadbeateri) En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 64 well be considered the emblem of our zoo. At present 21 specimens are maintained here, and 38 young have been born in the past ten years. years. ten past in the born have young been here, 38 and maintained are specimens 21 present zoo. emblem ofour At the well considered be (1.6–2.6 miles) very aday. could monkey squirrel common The 2.5–4.2km for move on and run the on Troops constantly almost are vertebrates. and small birdeggs invertebrates, flowers, shoots, fruits, on feeds It Andes. ofthe slopes eastern level the on sea above 4900ft) (about 1500m to up is found and rainforests prefers It Amazonia. and Bolivia eastern to Colombia from America, South animal small inhabits bodied This pets. as or industry cosmetic and medical animals the for laboratory as used be to thousands by the collected also was species ago the long not but deforestation, from comes threat serious most The decreasing. are populations in nature, although is still abundant monkey this Fortunately, Near Threa Squirrel Monkey Squirrel t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Saimiri sciureus)(Saimiri En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 66 Budapest. Besides Moira, four other young have been born in the past 20 years in Budapest. years 20 past in the have born young been other four Moira, Besides Budapest. in four-year them maintained among live individuals in other four zoos, and Moira orangutans old 245 Sumatran Worldwide, wild population. the to haveadded been 70 orangutans although process, this reverse to unable have yet been as programmes island. Reintroduction the on groups separated to ninewidely is confined remaining the and stock generations in three just percent by 80 decreased population Sumatran contiguous once the aresult, (of As oil palms,example) for roads. and beingdisjointed by plantations parts the fragmented, get habitats shrinking Their mothers. order, to killing babies today, Even the illegal trade. catch the pet and after poachers persecution by deforestation, isthreatened wild population ofthe (e.g., survival tools wild. in use The the also branches) they but sticks, in captivity, clearly reveals “fetishism” itself Their oftrees. canopy day in the whole the almost spend and live they solitarily gorillas chimpanzees to and animals.contrast In arboreal heaviest the are Orangutans Near Threa Sumatran Orangutan t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Pongo abelii) (Pongo En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E x P, IS ti nct B 68 were born in Budapest. were born joeys 45 years ten past the In months. 8–9 for pouch in the around iscarried young embryo-like The days. of25–38 apregnancy after joey asingle to naked ahierarchy. give birth establish males and Females bonds in animals which form subpopulations are range, there oftheir most lives throughout solitary lead they While offreshwater, sea. the sources no from are drink to there where forced are wallabies islands, some On grasses. on at nightdawn, primarily or animal, mostly feeds Asecretive it graze. to open into the out ventures only and edges, forest and areas heavily vegetated prefers vain. It is intensively culled—in and pest a serious considered is now It established. became soon it where 1860s in the Zealand to New introduced was species this islands, of offshore a couple and Australia Western and to South A native decades. for Zoo Budapest However, zoos. in bred in regularly European seen has it wild,isseldom in it the wallaby common isstill relatively tammar the though Even Near Threa Tammar Wallaby t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Macropus eugenii)(Macropus En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 70 Golo has three young from his earlier mate, and another infant, four-year infant, one, mate, his N’Yaounda. his earlier another present from and young from three has Bongo, old Golo male named silverback Our extinction. from value species in the saving is of enormous (of live six specimens which in Budapest) of 772 population the zoo So their and cumbersome. is slow in lifetime, recruitment offspring 5–6 of have and a maximum years five or four to a singleton every birth femalesgive number125,000. gorillas As lowland remaining the western estimates some to According by infection. out wiped was gorilla population 1995 since ofthe isbelievedone-third that It apes. oflarge killer greatest isthe ebola persecution, Besides poachers. to accessible more them make mining and periphery their removal oftrees on still are pristine, by gorillas inhabited offorests percent 60–80 though Even trade. bushmeat from comes threat Amajor decades. two past in the speed frightening However, with have numbers decreased their human settlements. from separated widely are habitats preferred their enemies and have natural no They ofAfrica. rainforests tropical in the live undisturbed could gorillas theory, In Near Threa Western Lowland Gorilla t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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gered (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)(Gorilla En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 72 have been born in Budapest. born have been far, So young in have captivity. three readily breed they improved so conditions keeping and diet aspecialised with them provide to easier isnow it However,to keep. difficult were notoriously ago, long marmosets so siblings. younger their Not raise to helpparents their offspring mature and twins, usuallyproduce ofFemales gum. amounts on large and small animalsfeed they also flowers fruits, to in varied: addition isextremely marmosets other. each with menu of in role communication their The play glands important an at Scent night. hollows in tree refuge diurnal,take they Being individuals. 20 to ofup lives consisting in each family groups, species wild. in This the habits its about isknown size little physical and population small ofits aresult As Brazil. in southeastern remnants forest inhabits marmoset white-fronted the ofmonkeys, species smallest ofthe One Near Threa White-fronted Marmoset t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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gered (Callithrix geoffroy) (Callithrix En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P 74 was sent to the Athens Zoo as part of the breeding programme. breeding ofthe part as Zoo Athens the to sent was but by mother his bull reared own was little The in 2009. born was method, same by the produced calf second the Lisimba, intervention. special any without will she have offspring ofyears own her in acouple that femalewe hope and ton “savannah” into a2–2.5 the grown in zoo. our She calf inhabits the (Nati), Layla named 2007and in Born Budapest. in performed was species this of insemination artificial successful first The world. in ofrhino the built again. up was species Today population populous most isthe 524 this making live in specimens zoos, 20,000-strong a individuals slowly. 30–40 the remained. to regainHowever, Of strength minuteit helped a handful only last in initiated the project a breeding 1890s ofthe end by the meat: and horns its for extinction to hunted almost was agoit acentury Over horns. two ofits because poachers to attractive especially is thisone but risk, are at rhinos great of species five All mammal Earth. land on largest second isthe rhinoceros White Near Threa White or Square-lipped Rhinoceros t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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c gered a (Ceratotherium simum) y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, is x ti nct b 76 birth of a joey in 2012, the first in 20 years Europe. inin 2012, ofajoey 20 years in first birth the the was even 51 greater sensation An specimens. surpass not does population captive total the in and Europe, zoos is by three kept only marsupial bear-like this since display on in institution, our rarity greatest isthe this wombat, bare-nosed or coarse-haired the as 1970s. and known 1960s Also againthe in species ago, a related and about years kept 100 first was it Budapest In in captivity. scarce alwaysbeen has wombat common The growingteeth. permanently isits species ofthis characteristic special rather Another is wombat the excavating. when earth with filled get not does it that so backwards opens pouch its marsupials other most to contrast In shrubs. and removal oftrees by the created pastures gladly uses also but hilly in country pristine clearings and forests favours creature nocturnal This individuals. 40,000 at approximately isestimated wild population range.Its its throughout isstill abundant wombat the However, persecution ofheavy in spite injuries. cause and cattle grazing under collapse often systems tunnel extensive their Tasmania and because like not do Australia wombats In farmers Near Threa Wombat t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

(Vombatus ursinus) l lnVu erab e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE P Hopes for the future

The species discussed on the following pages have not yet reproduced (or only a very long time ago) in our zoo but we hope to welcome their babies in the near future. 80 been on display 2013. on since been in Budapest in has 1991.group arrived quoll present The eastern first The plants. consume also they small and vertebrates, invertebrates eating carnivorous, Essentially months. 5½ after are weaned and weeks 8–9 for pouch in the stay They teats. to the themselves attach can young six However,days. of 30 of period a maximum a gestation after young to up 30 give and birth June mate of early year age.in or one May They at reproduce first in zoo. our Females seen be can Both lighter phase. fawn the belong rest while phase, black the the to belongs population the of percent 25 Two areas. known—about are by agricultural morphs bounded colour in mosaics, “Tassie”. forest and grassland dry favours It common locally and remains it widespread bycats, feral there superseded in 1960. Possibly ofSydney outskirts in the seen mainland was the on well. as However, ofAustralia specimen last the part southern in found the in Tasmania, once quollwas “native cat” as to eastern the Referred Near Threa Eastern Quoll t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Dasyurus viverrinus) e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct is b of 2–5 eggs, which hatch in hatch 165–190 which eggs, days. of 2–5 clutches produce Females and small birds mammals.nestling eggs, on invertebrates, feeds Thisspecies fiercely. any intruder attack and territory their of protective arevery Males apart. to tell Sexesare difficult well conspecifics. prey as as recognising and environment the stimulichemical from up pick to used is tongue long The timetrees. the highup in its of most spends and habitat its in camouflaged isperfectly it colour green its With claws branches. long grip to and a prehensile tail with body a slender has it lifestyle: well arboreal an to extremely adapted has It well plantations. as as in rainforest both Guinea, over isfound muchofNew species This length. in) total cm (25.6–33.5 reaching lizard 65–85 smallA relatively monitor Near Threa Emerald or Green Tree Green or Emerald Monitor t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Varanus prasinus) En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s

b 81 82 Fennecs did not reproduce in captivity for a very long time. They first bred in Budapest Zoo in Zoo Budapest 1977.bred in first time. long They avery for in captivity reproduce did not Fennecs fur. by thick sand desert hot the from protected are feet of the soles The at foxthe night. warm day the and keeps during heat deflects coat dense The consumption. food through water absorb to known isalso It burrows. construct can in it dunes which dweller, sand stable Adesert prefers it individuals. ten to ofup consisting lives in it relatives packs ofits most Unlike sonars. as act also and heat dissipate to serve ears size. The body to relative ears largest offoxesthe smallest has isthe and it reasons: two for special is The fennec of vehicular increase traffic. the and diseases use, commercial for canid to trapping due locally rare become has but at risk not iscurrently it aspecies Peninsula. As Arabian ofthe asmall and part Africa weighing small 1.5kg carnivore, barely This North to (3.3lb), isnative Near Threa Fennec Fox Fennec t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Vulpes zerda)(Vulpes e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b enemies. Only anacondas, caimans and jaguars prey on giant otters. prey on jaguars and caimans anacondas, Only enemies. few has man, species this from Apart threats. Today, serious most the are pollution water and degradation mining, poaching, logging, habitat decimated. became population muchof the and pelt its for hunted intensely mammal was carnivorous semi-aquatic ago this afew decades Until lb) in weight. kg (66 30 and in 1.8length to grows which ft) ofall otters, m(5.9 largest ofthe habitats native the are rivers large bordering wetlands and Hungary. in theirrainforests species of lowland Tropical ambassadors first very femaleswill the be here, these wereso maintained otters European small-clawed and much smaller the only Oriental Previously Zoo. in Budapest 2014,Fall From giant otters three will to see able be visitors Near Threa Giant Otter t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab (Pteronura brasiliensis) e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, I x ti nct s

b 83 84 consolidation of the Croatian subpopulation in collaboration with the Birds of Prey Conservation Centre in Senj. Centre Conservation of Prey Birds the with in collaboration subpopulation Croatian ofthe consolidation isinvolved in zoo the Our wild stocks. boosted have successfully programmes breeding and changed methods were recognised, threats these ungulates. After administered domestic to by adrug caused shutdown renal from in numbers died large vultures Pakistani and while Indian ofwolves, attack the from sheep protect to meant by poisons exterminated were almost Croatian—subpopulations the particular European—in southern The too. of Europe, parts other and in Asia ofcollapse were point reaching the vultures ofgriffon meantime, populations the In 1940s. ofthe end by the country the from disappeared vultures persecution, (e.g., well systematic as as carrion), habits burying changing and production remains. their up However, cleaned livestock happily birds decline ofextensive these and the to due livestock grazing were teeming with lowlands time the that At 1940s. wild until in here the the were nesting vultures griffon and limit distribution, species’ ofthe northernmost the may wings once reach2.6m (102in). was fullyextended of its Hungary wingspan the ofvultures, species largest of the One Near Threa Griffon Vulture Griffon t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Gyps fulvus) (Gyps e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b 1860 and 1970. They are now protected by law and protected areas were established to aid their survival. aid their to were established areas 1860 1970. and by law protected and protected now are They between were killed ofthem 150,000 ofthis because and sheep ofattacking were accused animals. and plants both feedingon creatures, omnivorous are awayThey items. unguarded carrying or wipers windscreen off breaking ofcars, seals rubber at the damage, picking considerable may birds cause playful These roots. between dug in or burrows crevices, in rock trees, large beneath ground the on positioned tunnels—are long by reached sites—often Nest to four up females. to i.e.,polygynous, are males Older maybe attached live they in small flocks. season breeding the Outside Zealand. New Island, high South alpineon regions (approximately 2,000–6,500ft) 600–2,000m inhabit parrots large These Near Threa t Leas Conc

t (Nestor notabilis) (Nestor e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, I x ti nct s

b 85 86 birth to one or very rarely two young following a gestation of118 may years. live 32 for species following this young agestation two rarely captivity very In days. or one to birth femalesgive output: reproductive low its for reason isthe this Probably mammalian predators. life, encounters rarely it arboreal an leads it because owl, an and aprey for large too isnormally it (4.4–6.6lb) aweight of2–3kg With asleep. already are raptors animal,isactive, it when for a “lucky” is honey. and kinkajou The nectar extract to it helps that tongue extendable widely isits characteristic Another down. upside hang can kinkajou the limb” “fifth its with branches to monkeys:on holding World New way as same muchin the tail its uses species This insects. on feed do occasionally populations ofsome 10 other members leavesthe for and even though percent, nectar and diet, ofits percent 90 for fruit consumes it range of its parts overeat meat: large not does it carnivore as a classified Although America. South and in Central forests of tropical inhabitant is an kinkajou The Near Threa Kinkajou t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

(Potos flavus) l lnVu erab e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b offspring. Our lizard, which came to Budapest Zoo in 2008, had been conceived without outside fertilisation in Chester, i.e., fertilisation outside isamale, it too. without conceived had been in 2008, Zoo Budapest to came which lizard, Our offspring. exclusively male produces However, parthenogenesis conspecifics. encounter rarely hence and inhabitats highly isolated occur which dragons, Komodo for in may handy and come tetrapods among rare isextremely phenomenon This parthenogenesis). as known amethod mate to (by need the asexually, breed to isable species i.e. this without in 2006, Zoo Chester in the discovered As scientists. even contemporary to offer to of surprises acouple has today Earth the roam to reptile in 1912 documented terrestrial in largest First weight. ,the 100kg (220lb) and herpetologist by aDutch in length (9.8ft) 3m reaches It in Indonesia. islets offshore some and Komodo on found lizard ofmonitor species isagigantic dragon Komodo The Near Threa Komodo Dragon t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Varanus komodoensis) En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, I x ti nct s

b 87 88 occasionally small birds. Feral cats constantly reduce their numbers. their reduce constantly cats small Feral birds. occasionally small mammals lizards, and invertebrates, eat and picky very are not They in captivity. years 100 may live 6–7 up to days old. Kowaris for at about world outside the into venture first and days 56 about (0.16in) for mother oftheir teats the to themselves in alitter. attach born are young They long to December.4mm approximately six, Usually April from to similar-sized compared lasts long period breeding is young very of the The relatives. 126-day well the weaning offemalesas as gestation long 32-day creature. The playful and isahighly social kowari the marsupials, carnivorous other to Contrary glands. scent ofits secretion the and urine, faeces its with territory its marks It hours. morning in the bask to or tussocks grass hunt to among singly inemerges or and small groups burrows lives in underground It kilometres. ofsquare acouple just encompasses range home .Its Queensland southwestern and Australia South northern to isnative kowari the , marsupial brush-tailed the as also Known Near Threa Kowari t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

(Dasyuroides byrnei) l lnVu erab e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b loss and illegal collecting for the international pet trade are the greatest concerns. There are six individuals in zoo. our individuals six are There concerns. greatest the are trade pet international the for illegal and collecting loss Habitat them. harvest peoples other but them, touching or againsteating have ataboo Antandroy the and Mahafaly The diseases. poultry warding off of ameans as ducks chickens and with in pens tortoises the keep lay 3–12 Females too. often bushpigs, people in September. eggs Malagasy The of faeces dried the eating haveseen and been fruits and succulents eat also tortoises radiated but isgrasses food of their percent 80–90 About (15.7in) 13kg 40cm and biology. reaches species’ length the It (28.7lb) Mauritius. in about and carapace Réunion in However, weight. isknown little well to island,as as the on elsewhere introduced also was but Madagascar southwestern and southern to isnative medium-sized tortoise This Near Threa Radiated Tortoise t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Astrochelys radiata) (Astrochelys En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s

b 89 90 to the subspecies A. f. styani native to China. However, European zoos, Budapest included, now maintain the lighter coloured subspecies lighter coloured the maintain now included, However, China. to Budapest native f. zoos, European styani A. subspecies the to belonged They reproduced. also in and Zoo Shanghai from came 1990, pairBudapest in first The eggs. and well invertebrates as as shoots, and leaves ofbamboo lots and roots shoots, fruits, berries, ofitems: leaves, grasses, agreatvariety on feed in not use. Cat-bears when retracted claws climbers, their are tail.bushy Excellent their with bythemselves day. cover also they around moving seen asleep be can When they wild, in in dawn to the captivity dusk from Active 14,000ft). (about of4,300m altitude an to up occur They refuge. may take pandas red where thickets ofbamboo remain there few forests and isdecreasing, habitat ofpotential area total The individuals. at 16,000–20,000 estimated size is population Its China. Himalayas to southern the from cat-bear, red or stretches panda species of this lesser range the called the Also Near Threa Red Panda Red t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab (Ailurus fulgens) e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, is x ti nct b and—because matching pairs are difficult to come by—rarely bred in zoos. This species can survive for up to 20 years in captivity. in 20 years to up for survive can Thisspecies bred in zoos. come by—rarely to difficult are matching pairs and—because seen wild,isseldom in it the abundant Although numbers. population its affect positively decline ofpredators the and development agricultural Africa: in rise the on actually are mammals few large that ofthe isone hog river red animals. The 60 to ofup of 15 groups huge form can but individuals amaximum comprising troops generally It lives in plains marshes. and valleys, flood forested savannahs, wetdense rainforests, inhabits it where Basin, Congo the and in Africa isfound West hog river red The snout. oftheir sides have lumpsboth on boars only because distinguished easily greyishin colour. normally are which wild , isunique among are species Sexes this pattern contrasting and fur reddish-brown striking its With Near Threa Red River Hog t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab ( porcus)(Potamochoerus e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct EE

P 91 92 maintained in the zoo. in the maintained (Varecia lemurs black-and-white variegata), ruffed two addition, In relative, are femaleslive closest in Budapest. species’ the two male and one hunting. present, and At loss isdeclining mainly habitat to due species endangered critically This moves. she when by one one up them picks she fur. and leaves, vines, mother, their to built on in oftwigs, hold asimpleto Initially, nest able not are triplets babies so the occasionally or twins to give byfemale. lead birth are adominant groups Females Matriarchal mainly fruits. on feeds creature nocturnal the dusk, after call. Active eerie and (11lb) home. aweight 5kg to Reaching ofup Madagascar aloud has island. It the prosimian on largest lemur northeastern ofthe calls is one This it Near Threa Red Ruffed Lemur Ruffed Red t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

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(Varecia rubra) En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d EE E P, is x ti nct b Increasing the zoo population of echidnas is one of the foremost goals of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) members. Aquaria) and ofZoos Association (European ofEAZA goals foremost ofthe isone ofechidnas population zoo the Increasing (39.2F). sink 4C to temperatures body their and 17cm to torpor into adeep go they winter the During food. collect tongue—up (6.7in) long—to sticky their use but have teeth no They termites. and ofage. ants mainly consume Echidnas months at 6–8 independent completely becomes and pouch the from isejected baby later days the 50 1.5cm isjust and days ten Approximately long. about (0.59in) after a puggle—hatches as embyro—known blind naked and semitranslucent, The pouch. into asmall, at atime, one eggs, directly backward-facing rubbery-skinned lay mammal, species femalesofthis Amonotreme legs. rear the on located spurs small poisonous with themselves defend actively can males to using spines their addition In rainforests. montane and except tropical for of habitats all types in in nearly great abundance, sometimes isfound, It in zoos. Tasmania, and rarities Australia greatest ofthe Guinea, isone and ofNew inhabitant isan echidna short-beaked The Near Threa Short-beaked Echidna t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e En

(Tachyglossus aculeatus) da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti nct is

b 93 94 10–15 years but in captivity they may live for 18, or sometimes even up to 40 years. may they live 18,10–15 for years. even 40 to up sometimes or in captivity but years wild is in the lifespan Their days. in hatch 50–56 chicks The males. by different fathered in asingle clutches season, 4–5 A female may produce alone. chicks the raises and eggs the incubates also hen male. by the The together gathered ofplants into a mattress eggs lay 3–5 their Females bymeans. this males dagger-like may even unattractive kill claws. Females 10cm their long with (3.9in) opponents their stab to seek and season, breeding in the aggressive, especially extremely be can birds individual some (37.2mph). people, avoids normally it 60km/h Although runner, to up of fast speeds can reach it A very mood. its reflects neck and head cassowary’s a of skin bright The and insects. fish on sometimes and berries seeds, fruits, on feeds It undergrowth. the way through its force to casque its uses and forests dense bird inhabits flightless This individuals. at 20,000 isestimated wild population the and Australia, northeastern and Guinea New (132–176lb) inhabits in It weight. in 60–80kg heightand 170cm to grows Cassoway (5.6ft) Southern the earth, ofbird on species largest second The Near Threa Southern Cassowary Southern t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab e

(Casuarus casuarius) En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s b its range and occurs at low population densities. It is seldom maintained in zoos but may live 24 but to up for in zoos in maintained captivity. years isseldom It densities. atpopulation low occurs and range its declining isgenerally throughout species This family ofcarnivores. aseparate to belong but canids not are dog-like, they distinctly are hyenas though Even ahermaphrodite. believed be to long hyena was alike striped the perfectly almost sexes look both because isthat fact interesting Another smelly. isextremely it suggest, researchers some few enemiesbecause, has species siblings. younger their This raise helpparents their cubs Older lives in it small alone,family although groups. isusually seen It bones. hardest the crack jawscan it powerful its With corpses. even buried up it digs Sometimes carrion. on mostly feeds and cousin spotted its than less hyena hunts striped the Asia, and Africa in both occurring predator A nocturnal Near Threa Striped Hyena t Leas Conc t e n er ned/

l lnVu erab (Hyaena hyaena) e En da n gered En Cri da t n i c gered a y y ll i n t E x he Wi he t i nct l d E x ti E nct s

b 95 97

Rare species in a unique historic environment historic a unique in species Rare

Fromits Budapest 1866, opening in Zoo was the only zoological it oneis theof most garden Hungary in popular cultural for almost century.a Today, attractions it has Luckily, shed theits character As in country, peopletime. over “menagerie” visited a contemporary one by million annually. its zoo, scope activities of includes the organisation of value- and nature-oriented recreational programmes, education, conservation programmes directed at saving endangered species and scientificresearch. During the past decades it hasrefashioned its collection to meet legal of requirements, animals conservation priorities and the expectations regarding modern husbandry. The animal focus has shifted towards illustrating environmental issues and endangered exhibiting species and subspecies. In addition to boosting a rich collection creatures, of living Budapest Zoo turned a complex into cultural institution: it now organises various events, festivals, art shows, as as classical well and music jazz concerts.

requirements imposed on modern animal and plant husbandry, and educational needs. educational and husbandry, plant and animal modern on imposed requirements and even to restore some of the long-destroyed houses, but the resulting new facility also meets both the the both meets also facility new resulting the but houses, long-destroyed the of some restore to even and reconstruction works not only have we managed to preserve the original beauty of the century-old buildings buildings century-old the beauty of original the preserve to managed we have only not works reconstruction area, while its unique architectural treasures provide an unparalleled historic environment. With the recent recent With the environment. historic unparalleled an provide treasures architectural its unique while area, Budapest Zoo is a gem in the heart of the Hungarian capital. Its botanical garden is a nationally protected protected nationally a is garden Its botanical capital. Hungarian heart the of the in gem a is Zoo Budapest Contemporary Noah’s arks Contemporary Noah’s 96 98 diversity of life on Earth. So apart from mammals and birds, visitors can observe a wide variety of amphibians, fish and invertebrates in Budapest. in and invertebrates ofamphibians, fish variety awide observe can visitors mammals birds, and from apart So oflife Earth. on diversity ofthe cross-section give to abroad seeks zoo Our assemblage. adiverse standards, even by international oflive animals constitutes, collection of2013, end the 117 and By individuals 10,354 outstanding This Zoo. 1072 to belonging groups breeding display were on in Budapest species Diversity from various aspects Diversity would no longer exist! longer no would many species ofzoos work the without projects, reintroduction by successful attested as And habitats. their and ofspecies preservation the to ofsupport collection and education raisingofawareness, research, through species ofendangered breeding captive the from of conservation, spectrum whole the encompasses work Their programmes. in conservation role nature play important increasingly they an network cooperating closely to their thanks and mines gold of information, zoos animals breeding modern and of keeping makes experience decades-long Their by 140 visited inare which 41 year. million each organisations and countries, people institutions 345 links and represents (EAZA) Aquaria and ofZoos Association 1992,European since the Functioning zoos. Australian and African Asian, American, for organisations regional separate are There institutions. various the among cooperation facilitating aframework as serve associations Professional goals. their reach to other each intensivelywith more cooperate and in actions, their organised and purposeful more are zoos biodiversity, preserve to order In ever before. than important ismore conservation species in and nature aquaria and ofzoos role change, the water, situation, depressing this smuggling, poaching, In etc. pollution, air soil and infections, climate loss, by habitat threatened are plants and Today’s Animals problems. environmental full acute ofincreasingly in aworld operate zoos Cooperating zoosCooperating

Arabian Arabian 99 100 all we are involved in the conservation-oriented breeding of 69 unique species. of69 breeding all we involved conservation-oriented are in the In data. very lack ofthese by the isobstructed ofwhich breeding coordinated the wild isunknown, in the status their and even in rare are zoos mangabey, golden-bellied the that as such We have species, also some 35. maintains zoo our (ESB), StudBook European inare the but program yet have not breeding do organized an which species Of importance. isofglobal breeding 13 for kept are i.e. species, conservation-oriented their (ISB) studbooks international programs, breeding in included the taxa the Of coordinators. species—as ofone case in the stock—and breeding by keeping Programmes) Species Endangered (European programs EEP ofthese in 34 We participate greatapes. to sharks horn snails through Partula taxa—from 345 than more breed latter, zoos ofthe European part As Aquariums. and ofZoos Association European the or African by the still others and Australasian, by the others American, by the managed are Some organisations. by regional run are initiatives conservation These wild. in the rare have that become species ofthreatened protection zoo-based in the key are elements programs breeding captive Coordinated Veterinarians at work Joining forces toJoining save species sizes of zoo populations mentioned in this book originate from the gigantic ISIS database. ISIS gigantic the from originate in book this mentioned populations sizes ofzoo the about Data species. the for coordinator European time the same isat the ofmandrills and studbook the keeps Zoo at Budapest expert an instance, For purposes. breeding for go should system in the registered individual each where determines ofagiven species coordinator the data studbook and evaluating information this After ZIMS). (ISIS/ System Information Species International isthe repository global of name this The combinations. gene best the offer that pairs breeding up set can experts these ancestry, their about knowing By well-founded make decisions. can animal of which professionals management basis the on in zoos, maintained species of each individual each etc.—for history, disease vaccination, parentage, ofbirth, dates as possible—such as information muchpertinent as contains that database up-to-date isan key success to Another In the service ofIn the nature service Mandrill

Golden-bellied mangabey 101 102 established by captive-breeding. established aself-sustaining population or strengthened be could ofwhich populations the species, threatened or endangered few of(critically) examples a we wild” provide the to “Back chapter the programme. In international ofan part as in Spain, Jerez, near were released in Budapest hatched ibis, birds bald northern ofthe population the boost to instance, For rescue. population fauna and local involved in monitoring universities and groups conservationist ministries, authorities, protection nature national with and WWF) or (e.g., organisations IUCN the conservation international large with both cooperate organisations Zoo linked be achieve to should success. programmes two The isamust. habitats natural at preserving oriented action in situ purpose, this wild. in For the ofany species survival the guarantee cannot breeding itself, captive In Griffon vulture Griffon What happens to captive-bred animals? Northern bald ibis Northern in 1986 to conserve the genes of this archaic breed. archaic of this genes the in 1986 conserve to horses, example Hutsul are One extinct. go animals otherwise would that ofdomestic reproduction planned the to may breeding extend Conservation species. i.e., ofthe vipers, wild entire stock the than ofmore 600 than ofmore birth in the resulted effort Aconcerted habitats. shrinking inofthe one collected specimens to accommodation temporary and care medical offers Zoo programme, Budapest a conservation of part As rodents. baby and nestlings locusts, grasshoppers, mild their paralyze to use only venom normally they although killed, deliberately or pets for collected were also snakes but ofhabitats, loss the decline was rapid their for reason The individuals. 500 than at less estimated is population Hungarian total else. The everywhere disappeared has but Kiskunság), (Hanság, areas general in two survived has It forints. The pairs. 80 to numbers their boost to managed conservationists birds feeding the by and rescuing but Cres, on nested pairs 20 few as as 1980s, the In human and disturbance. ofhabitats loss the lackoffood, the from comes later. or threat sooner greatest The will extinct they be save to them isdone something unless and Balkans, decline in the in are strong vultures Insulae”. “Caput Center Griffon Ecological partner, our the with together of Cres, island Croatian ofthe population vulture save to the out set and zoo’s at the end not vulture do involved in responsibilities agriffon Our perimeter. we became instance, For O is a small, 50–60 cm (1.6–2.0 ft) long snake protected by law and having a conservation value million of one by law having and a conservation protected snake long cm (1.6–2.0 ft) Hungarian viper is a small, meadow 50–60 the very last pure-bred specimens of which were gathered by the staff of Budapest Zoo. Ten mares were sent to Aggtelek National Park Park Ten Zoo. National Aggtelek to ofBudapest were sent mares staff by the were gathered ofwhich specimens pure-bred last very the utside the fence the utside Hutsul horse Hutsul conservation programme in 2001 in 2001 programme conservation

Hungarian meadow viper 103 104 10,000 species = species 10,000 n species to proportionate is which of area the and does nature devoid of any human influences exist? ofany human devoid influences nature does and isareserve, what and azoo constitutes blurred: get what boundaries increases, populations number ofcaptive the and shrink wildlife habitats As discovery! await still Earth inhabiting oftaxa 1.8 ofthe percent majority while three the just However, species, isavailable million about information known detailed ofman’s mainly because at are risk, activities. species ofextant one-third than evaluation, more its to According List. Red in included its species animal plant and threatened ofeach status population the annually assesses (IUCN) ofNature Conservation the for Union International The Ex b represented species tant What fate awaits extant species? SPECIES THA u mbers T HA VE EVERLIVED y circles ECHINODERM SPECIES PROTOZOANS BIRD SPECIES REPTILE SPECIES FUNGUS SPECIES CR SPONGE SPECIES UST SPECIES ACEAN PLANT SPECIES FISH SPECIES MAMMAL SPECIES WORM SPECIES

CNIDARIDAN SPECIES NUMBER OF OF NUMBER

MOLLUSC SPECIES SPECIES ANT SPECIES

NUMBER OFDESCRIBEDINSECTS ARACHNID ARACHNID AMPHIBIAN SPECIES BEETLE SPECIES these “Lazarus taxa”. “Lazarus these of another is insect stick Island Howe Lord The their one net caught in fishermen 1938. American million ago until South 80 years out died believed have to was species latter “resurgent”,The famous most wallabycoelecanth. the or the Parma the as such rediscovered, occasionally are However, species years. 50 “extinct” at least wild for in the seen been not has it when extinct aspecies declare Researchers wildlife parks. and zoos collections, private in merely captivity—in survived species 58 additional An by people. inway another one or were exterminated others the All of“natural” causes. because purely ofthem 61 only and years, 50 past in the extinct became species 799 IUCN, the to According might disadvantageous. suddenly become properties advantageous previously situation, a new In ofhabitats. transformation and fragmentation strong isthe others, among result, ever The before. than faster ischanging world the place—and taking iscurrently events ofsuch sixth believethe that scientists Some extintions. mass considered be can they affected, taxa which, their the i.e.,by of impact, events major five percentage the at haveleast there been history Earth’s develop. In species new by which process anatural engine ofevolution, the but tragic something necessarily isnot extinction To palaeontologists, and geologists Adapting wildlife –lost and new species

Lord Howe Island stick insect stick Island Howe Lord 105 107 Documentation and dissemination of knowledge of and dissemination Documentation One for the requirement long-term survival of the various and plant species—and animal essential for real any successes—is that zoos should be effective awareness raising public in the of results of their conservation work, the population status of species,the vulnerability of habitats, therisk factors and the importance of action. Zoosare themost obvious arenas for dialogue about and forconsciousness animals so raising, education least is at as important to us as hands-on work with It animals. worth is cooperating this field in even we so canattention draw to a particular problem more effectively. European zoos been conservation have running the campaigns status familiarising at aimed taxon of a given or ecological problem for more than a decade. They joined forces to protect tigers, gorillas, amphibians, European carnivores and polar animals, asas to fight well against andpoaching the bushmeat trade. The funds thus raised are used for critical saving habitats. So far members have conservation habitat thousand initiatives. ten almost sponsored 86% Source: IUCN jelentések Source: 73% 31% 25% 24% 22% 13% Ratio of species at risk of extinction within a taxonomic group* Birds Fishes Insects Reptiles Mammals Amphibians Crustaceans

The Saint Vincent amazon occurs exclusively on the island after it is named. As only about 500 individuals are left in nature, captive breeding efforts are very important.

Asia, where agricultural encroachment, deforestation and are the hunting most destructive factors. Furthermore,the extinction risk speciesof The dramaticallyis most especially increasing, the in Tropics. affected heavily region Southeastis Accordingto expertsknown one-third of all species areon thebrink extinction, of and 20percent vertebratesall of thiscategory. in fall 106 Some bird and mammalian taxa (species and subspecies) 109

108 that have gone extinct in the past 350 years

Name of species Presumptive place and year of extinction Reason for extinction

Aldabra brush warbler (Nesillas aldabrana) Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, 1994 Introduction of goats, cats and rats

Amsterdam wigeon (Anas marecula) Mauritius, 1696 Hunting

Arabian gazelle (Gazella arabica) Arabian Peninsula, 20th century Hunting

Auckland Islands Merganser (Mergus australis) Auckland Islands, 1902 Hunting, introduction of domestic animals

Barbados raccoon (Procyon gloveralleni) Barbados Hunting

Bar-winged Rail (Nesoclopeus poecilopterus) Fiji Islands, 1973 Hunting, introduction of rats

Bluebuck ( leucophaeus) Republic of South Africa, 1799 Hunting

Bushwren ( longipes) , 1950 Introduction of rats Passenger pigeon Caribbean monk seal (Monachus tropicalis) Caribbean Sea, 1952 Habitat loss, hunting

Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) of America, 1914 Hunting Introduction of rats and cats, as well as brush fires and Chatham fernbird (Bowdleria rufescens) Chatham Islands, 1895 overgrazing Cuban macaw (Ara tricolor) Cuba, 1864 Hunting Schomburgk’s deer Desert rat-kangaroo (Caloprymnus campestris) Australia, 20th century Introduction of predators

Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) Mauritius, 1685 Introduction of domestic animals, agriculture

Elephant bird (Aepyornis maximus) Madagascar, 17th century Hunting

Falkland Islands wolf (Dusicyon australis) Falkland Islands, 20th century Hunting

New Zealand quail Prairie hen Great auk (Pinguinus impennis) Northern Atlantic Ocean, 1844 Hunting, egg collecting

Burchell’s zebra Hoopoe (Fregilupus varius) Réunion Island, 1705 Hunting, introduction of domestic animals, agriculture Kangaroo Island emu (Dromaius baudinianus) Kangaroo Island, 1827 Hunting

Labrador duck (Camptorhynchus labradorius) Labrador Peninsula, 1875 Hunting

Lesser bilby (Macrotis leucura) Australia, 1931 Introduction of predators

Mauritius sheldgoose (Alopochen mauritianus) Mauritius, 1698 Hunting Tasmanian tiger or thylacine North Island giant (Dinornis novaezealandiae) New Zealand, 1850 Hunting Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) , 1914 Hunting

Quagga (Equus quagga) Republic of South Africa, 1878 Hunting

Red gazelle (Gazella rufina) Algeria, 20th century Hunting

Réunion ibis (Threskiornis solitarius) Rodrigues Island, 1761 Arrival of humans, disturbance

Réunion sheldgoose (Mascarenachen kervazoi) Réunion Island, 1710 Hunting

Schomburgk’s deer ( schomburgki) Thailand, 1938 Hunting

Sea mink (Mustela macrodon) Canada, 20th century Trapping

Steller’s sea cow (Rhytina gigas) Bering Sea, 1768 Hunting

Thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) Australia and Tasmania, 1936 Hunting

Aurochs Yemen gazelle (Gazella bilkis) Yemen, 20th century Hunting Source: www.iucn.org Source: 111 European of the Budapest Zooin the Visegrád Wisent Reserve

century the wisent (Bison bonasus) occurred four isolated in Europe: regions eastern in and the Prussia, Poland, Transylvania th A genuine success story In the 18 Caucasus.By the of the20th beginning century only the and Polish theCaucasian subpopulationsextant. still were Their numbersplummeted October 1922—as Onso that much 15 the Caucasus a direct I and result of World the War wisent subsequent became extinct 1927. in upheavals—as as few 56 wisents left were Europe. in theInternational In 1927 Society for the Protection of the European Bison held its meeting Budapest in because mainly the Visegrád Wisent Reserve, where the European of Budapest Zoo housed, were was already functioning The that at been had time. animals moved to The 5.8 ha). (approximately “jugers” reserve a fencedVisegrád in area to live of 10 existed 1923, 1930. in until Thebisons of number slowly started the in togrow whole of Europe but the majority killed II. during World again were War Thetotal world the number of European bisons From that started point, however, population of wisents to increase consisted of 59 cows and 76 1951. bulls in steadily: their the 1968, stock while in free-roaming surpassed population specimens was 2004, in 1955 1000 individuals (1019) kept 31 at different sites, with captives another 1200 maintained zoos. in

century, one of the of one century, th

Zoos have been actively participating in conservation projects since the first half of the 20 of the half first the since projects conservation in participating actively been have Zoos

Back to freedom Back to following pages we discuss some which have been or currently are on display in Budapest Zoo. Budapest in display on are currently or been have which some discuss we pages following then the number of species that would no longer exist if it had not been for zoos has risen to several dozens. In the In dozens. several to risen has zoos for been not had it if exist longer no would that species of number the then the face of Earth. The first species directly saved from extinction by zoos was the European bison or wisent. Since Since wisent. or bison European was the zoos by extinction from saved directly Earth. of first face species The the reasons being that from the second half of the 19th century numerous animal species disappeared forever from from forever disappeared species animal numerous century 19th the of half second the from that being reasons 110 112 the first reintroduction took place in China. place in took reintroduction first the in and 1985 worldwide, Père David’s in zoos maintained are deer thousand several Currently zoos. American and European to a few ofthem quite later presented milu Duke werethere. 50 kept The in 1920 about survived: herd Abbey Woburn away the swept WarOnly by World I. were largely they either: inHowever, continent China. our on meantime, PèreDavid’s eradicated the were completely many were deer not left In species. this breed to 11th the only but Abbey Europe, to wereat Woburn sent aherd up set to of these as far so went ofBedford Duke later some remaining (approximately 120) wild.Beijing. specimens in The near Alittle the hunting ground imperial an inhabited extinct already David’sin science Père (Elaphurusto deer Western known davidianus),1866, made “milu”, called first was locally species their When were Plain. Hungarian Great the roam 200 than more today that prolific were so 7400 They (about ha area. acres) fenced 3000 in anearly conditions live to optimum in under 1997 arrived specimens 21 way their (Hortobágy): Pentezug found to acouple cooperation, ofinternational aresult As thousand. Today individuals. 59 a than with numbermore they in 1959, wild horses for starting studbook international an established Zoo Prague numbers. in 1901. their zoos reduced European various to were dispatched 28 further then and However, wars world manyastray, went two the and reserve), biosphere now a (Ukraine; Nova Askania to transferred Mongolia were in collected przewalskii) (Equus horses Przewalski’s first The O f horses and deer Przewalski’s horse Père David’s deer zoos and today approximately 1700 approximately in today and captivity. maintained are zoos specimens However, endangered. in bred critically isregularly it as listed istherefore decline and serious avery isbelieved have to undergone species the but nasomaculatus) ( screwhorn or addax ofthe population natural the about isknown nothing Virtually reintroduction. and their survival for hope is there so centers, breeding and in zoos prolific most are Fortunately, wild in in 2000. the extinct declared officially was species their and 1980s in the were seen Sahara ofthe borders southern and dammah) northern patrolling the (Oryx oryx horned scimitar- now. last The vergeofextinction the on are species several that wonder No population. local increasing by hide the and meat their well for as as hunters, American and by European horns exceptionallybeautiful their were for hunted region Sahelo-Sahara ofthe gazelles and vulnerable.Antelopes especially are habitats few animals only, these to adapted avery species and sustain can semi-deserts and Deserts At the last minute Addax

Scimitar-horned oryx 113 114 from their habitat and the thousand individuals found in zoos are their final hope for survival. for hope final their are in found zoos individuals thousand the and habitat their from disappeared havebirds virtually These ) rothschildi were successful. equally (Leocospar to save Bali’sthe mascot, regional efforts The ofextinction. brink the from back bred was species this Trust, &Wetlands worldwide, zoos numerous Wildfowl and ofThe Scott, Peter Sir conservationist ofthe direction the humans. Under ofcourse, cats—and, and dogs rats, mongooses, pigs, animals as such introduced to prey easy they were season, nesting the in fly cannot birds these As Islands. Hawaiian in the habitat in natural their in 1952 were left 30 just even though worldwide, in individuals zoos bythousand several are represented display on in also Budapest, sandvicensis), (Branta geese Nene Rescued birds Rescued Hawaiian geese Bali myna Bali breeding. Although rather difficult to keep and breed, several strong captive populations of this rare insect are in existence now. are in existence rare thisinsect of populations captive strong several breed, and to keep difficult rather breeding. Although ofconservation-oriented center the as serve to offered Zoo in island 2001. Melbourne ofthe were and found, afew specimens Only southeast australis), (Dryococelus insect stick Island Howe Lord The wild. into the released are in zoos hatched offspring because decreased has risk extinction endangered, stillit is critically Although wild. the in heavilynow guarded is and captivity in prolific isquite species this wild. in Fortunately, the were ofhundred left acouple just century, 20th ofthe half second the adjoining By and swamps. River (Changjiang) the of lower the reaches to Yangtze alligator Chinese (Alligator confined the sinensis) ofChina, isat present most rangingthroughout Originally Return to the wild thought to be extinct by 1930, was rediscovered on a volcanic stack 20 km (12 km 20 mi) stack avolcanic on by 1930, rediscovered was extinct be to thought Lord Howe Island stick insect stick Island Howe Lord

Chinese alligator 115 117 Polar bear Polar Asian bear black Javan tiger Javan Bears and cats Bears and In Europe, the first Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus)cub wassuccessfully raisedin Budapest. There was no need to separate the baby born on January from10 1933 itsmother because she her did job perfectly. The first polar bearcubreared in the Budapest was born on 23 November This1933. was a real sensation because, as stated a scientific by article from that time, “therejust are zoologicaleight to ten gardensin the occurred, event world which a similar in but only five managed of keep to them have the offspring alive”. Also leopards, jaguars and tigers produced the numerous young over past century. One them of is certainly worth of mentioning. The first individual of the now extinct Javan tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) the in Budapest lived 1920–1930s in Zoo. The named female Saxa arrived as Between an months eight 1925 old juvenile. she seven litters had and summer 1933 in 1927 consisting of a total of 20 cubs, of which eight successfullywere was her Emir mate raised not a Javan but to adulthood. a Bengal However, tiger. couple” a “middle-aged In of Javan tigers—Bengal 1950 and Fatime—was added to our collection. They two had offspring female 1952 in (both sentwere to Soviet Nahar zoos 1959 and was later), in born. Itpossibleis quite that Naharwas the last of her subspecies,because after no other Javan tiger was seen anywhere 1976, she died in the in world. The Javan tiger was declared extinct the 1950s in although in wild in some tracks found were on the island1976 (the tigers that left them not were sighted, though).

Earlier on 4 April 1930 was was 1930 4 April on successes were the first to breed it in 1934. in it breed firstto the were first reproduced in Budapest. Between Between Budapest. in firstreproduced

(G. c. tippelskirchi) War II this was the most commonly kept kept commonly most the was II this War 1918 and 1930 there were no giraffes in in giraffes no were there 1930 and 1918

animals—among them a few which were were which a few them animals—among breeding results with numerous species of of species numerous with results breeding subspecies in European zoos. However, we we However, zoos. European in subspecies

the zoo, so the arrival of two Masai giraffes two of giraffes Masai arrival so the zoo, the

In the past 150 years or so we had excellent excellent had so we or years 150 past the In awaited with great excitement. Before World World Before excitement. great with awaited 116 118 more individuals recovered later formed the nucleus of the current population of this ancient breed. ancient ofthis population current of the nucleus the later formed recovered individuals more afew and duo This Hungary. to secretly them brought and search along after two down trace to managed animals. Fodor nuisance declared were they 1947 killing In because the ofall hounds ordered Romania Transylvanian extinction. the saved Fodor, total from personally hound Dr. Tamás Department, Bird inofthe initiated Pulihead 1956 and was the by and Dr. Anghi, ofKuvasz role: breeding the Csaba important an again zoo played the War World II Following breeds. ofthese popularisation in playedrole the amajor Emil Raisits veterinarian later the and in 1912. started guarding dogs zoo’s livestock herding and The ofHungarian breeding planned director, Lendl, The Zoo! Adolf Budapest for not were even it wouldnot exist they fact, In breeds. dog Hungarian relatedto work our mentioning without complete be wouldnot picture The Planned breeding Puli Transylvanian hound hippos were born in Budapest Zoo and only seven were obtained from other zoos or dealers. or zoos other from sevenwere obtained only and Zoo in Budapest were born hippos 11 life. ofher all years 39 produced In 45 in Kincsem, the babies daughters, ofher One ever live to hippo fecund in captivity. most the be to of14 a total to isthought and gave calves birth time. at that Arany were highly sought-after hippos young because (Gold), Arany to changed in died 1917. He in Berlin. stay was Ara prolific extremely ofthe name The 1912 In Ara. and zoo, in Bandi the hippos other were two there ashort in after Budapest in 1893 arrived and Nile the in Upper the in 1880s collected was Jónás, our of named zoo, first The significance. of particular was Park National in team Aggtelek ofahighly productive establishing the children. for So breeds best ofthe isone it and legendary, are toughness and workload Its common. also are bays sandy but bay colour isusually astandard It equine benign breed. and isadocile, sturdily-built horse Hutsul The Horse and hippo and Horse Hutsul horse Hutsul

Hippopotamus 119 120 the sixth person in the world to do so. do to world in the person sixth the avosetta), in 1978: marvel followed by another (Rucervirostra species, of the Dr. avocets pied to breed managed reproduction Mödlinger Pál captive inyoung 1973. its fourth the raised was This successfully zoo in the oedicnemus) pair maintained (Burhinus curlew stone The in Dévaványa. station rescue agreat bustard up set to possible it made research decade-long zoo-based, young. His raising the and eggs bustard ofincubating “formula” the was ofwhich 1958result the Sterbetz—in Dr. with István his research—together started breeding. He captive Dr. bird its for in Hungary. isaprotected protocols the Tamás in played role tarda) elaborating amajor (Otis Fodor greatbustard The training”. “preparatory some wild after into the year,each were birds released ofthese most and were produced nestlings hundred Several destroyed. have been would otherwise that were collected clutches countless and to gain popularity, started approach again conservation was in full by 1956. but swing The War ofWorld II end at the only ceased ofwild bird eggs incubation The exchange. excellent an for basis formed or zoo in the stayed either birds These species. other several and Baillon’s crakes avocets, pied little and stilts, black-winged reared as well.thisHe successfully for invented amethod Cerva difficult. muchmore was easy. relatively chicks was the Raising However, incubating started. thus was scale alarger on incubation and well eggs, as birds as with trips his collecting from returned zoo. He restored newly in avifauna the Hungarian ofthe representatives typical most display on the put to intended Cerva Department. aBird coordinate hiredwas in andCerva up set was to 1910, task Frigyes When wild of eggs birds. first to hisincubate first very the among was Zoo Budapest Stone curlewStone chick incubator! the into Right Hatching nestlings raising and Great bustard Pied avocet chick Bustard in captivity in the 1960s. in the (Phoxinusminnows phoxinus)time ever—Eurasian in captivity first the breed—probably to managed his colleagues and department, Dr. the of head the Pénzes, For instance, Bethen Aquarium. the in maintained successfully were very fishes native addition, In 100kg (200lb). almost to grows that tortoise tortoises spurred African the 1961. is there Then Europe—in in afirst reproduced—probably they mentioned: be to wild, in deserve the rare now guereza) (Colobus guerezas mantled and dorcas), (Gazella giraffes reticulated grevyi), (Equus zebras Grévy’s our instance, For species. interesting ofextremely ofhundreds births the experience to we lucky have before been mentioned those to addition In Zebras, guerezas, tortoises which bred in 1973. Apparently, we were the first in the world to successfully incubate eggs of this heavy thisheavy of (Centrochelyseggs incubate sulcata)to successfully inworld bred 1973.the which in first we were the Apparently, (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata), onager), hemionus (Equus onagers gazelles Dorcas Grévy’s zebra zebra Grévy’s (Boa constrictor (Boa occidentalis), boas Argentinean our reptiles, had young. Of regularly African spurred laying tortoise eggs

Eurasian minnow Eurasian 121 122 (Panthera tiger tigrisAmur altaica) (Syncerus caffer buffalo nanus) forest African Black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia ruffed variegata)Black-and-white lemur Black (Panthera lion leoAsiatic persica) maximus) (Elephas elephant Asian demersus) (Spheniscus penguin African (Goura cristata)Blue crowned pigeon (Goura (Aotus azarae (Aotus monkey boliviensis) night Bolivian (Bettongia penicillata) (Bettongia bettong Brush-tailed Animal species (Dasyurus viverrinus) (Dasyurus quoll Eastern (Pelecanus crispus) pelican Dalmatian Emerald or Green tree monitor (Varanus monitor prasinus) tree Green or Emerald alpinus) (Cuon dog wild Asiatic or Dhole Giant otter (Pteronura otter brasiliensis)Giant zerda) (Vulpes fox Fennec Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) tamarin lion Golden (Cercocebus chrysogaster) (Cercocebus mangabey Golden-bellied Data about the species discussed in this book* (Eulemur macaco) Golden-bellied mangabey Program or or Program Studbook Breeding Breeding ESB/ISB EEP, isb EEP, ISB EEP, ISB EEP, ISB EEP, ISB EEP, ISB ESB ESB ESB ESB EEP EEP EEP EEP EEP EEP ISB specimens in Number of of Number Budapest 29 10 13 12 4 6 3 4 2 5 5 3 4 2 3 2 2 9 Number of births births of Number in the last last the in ten years ten 12 13 18 12 5 6 0 8 1 4 6 5 5 0 0 0 0 2 Wombat (according to the IUCN IUCN the to (according between 431 and 529 and 431 between unknown due to rarity unknown Hyacinth macaw Hyacinth a few thousand, max. max. thousand, a few between 10,000 and and 10,000 between Wild population 40,000–50,000 unknown, stable unknown, 10,000–14,000 approx. 5000 approx. approx. 1000 approx. max. 80,000 2000–2500 1000-5000 database) unknown unknown unknown 100,000 60,000 10,000 15,000 350 in the international zoo zoo international the in Population registered information system 2439 663 329 842 620 497 257 371 136 242 144 177 471 274 40 95 27 37 (Gyps fulvus) vultureGriffon (Gyps (Ctenodactylus gundi) (Ctenodactylus Gundi Hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus macaw hyacinthinus) Hyacinth Red panda tortoise Radiated (Varanus dragon komodoensis) Komodo flavus) (Potos Kinkajou notabilis) Kea (Nestor (Trachypithecus langur Javan auratus) Kowari (DasyuroidesKowari byrnei) Red.fronted brown lemur (Varecia rubra) (Varecia lemur ruffed Red (Potamochoerus hog porcus) river Red (Panthera leopard pardusPersian saxicolor) (TragelaphusNyala angasii) dama mhorr) (Nanger gazelle Mhorr didactylus) (Choloepus sloth two-toed Linneaus‘ Animal species (Geronticus eremita) (Geronticus ibis Waldrapp or bald Northern (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) (Astrochelys radiata) (Astrochelys (Eulemur rufus) (Eulemur Western Lowland Gorilla Lowland Western Program or or Program Studbook Breeding Breeding EEP, ISB EEP, ISB EEP, ISB EEP, ISB EEP, ISB ESB ESB ESB ESB ESB ESB ESB ESB EEP EEP EEP EEP EEP specimens in Number of of Number Budapest 28 14 12 5 6 4 8 2 6 1 2 1 3 3 3 5 8 7 Freshwater stingray Freshwater Number of births births of Number in the last last the in ten years ten 57 10 13 12 0 8 0 0 3 8 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 3 (according to the IUCN IUCN the to (according ofapprox.21,000 pairs ofapprox.21,000 between 10,000 and and 10,000 between subspecies extinct in in extinct subspecies European population population European (3300nesting birds) (3300nesting unknown, probably probably unknown, population stable population Wild population 32,000–40,000 unknown, strong strong unknown, approx. 10,000 approx. data deficient, deficient, data approx. 1200 approx. database) population unknown unknown unknown unknown 100,000 the wild the 10,000 stable 5000 6500 5700 443 in the international zoo zoo international the in Population registered information system Rhinoceros iguana Rhinoceros

1392 1242

445 390 360 550 223 501 591 243 224 156 132 187 84 96 66 81 123 124 Red-fronted macaw (Ara rubrogenys) macaw Red-fronted Rhinoceros iguana (CycluraRhinoceros cornuta) midas)Red-handed tamarin (Saguinus (Lemur catta) (Lemur lemur Ring-tailed Rothschild’s (Giraffa giraffe camelopardalis rothschildi) (Hyaena hyaena) (Hyaena hyena Striped (Saimiri monkey sciureus)Squirrel leadbeateri) (Bucorvus hornbill ground Southern (Casuarius casuarius) cassowary Southern South American tapir echidnaShort-beaked Animal species (Pongo abelii) Sumatran (Pongo orangutan (Macropus eugenii) (Macropus Tammar wallaby White or Square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceros Square-lipped or White (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) gorilla lowland Western White-fronted marmoset (Callithrix marmoset geoffroyi)White-fronted Wombat (VombatusWombat ursinus) *Data were extracted from the IUCN Red List (wild stocks) and the International Species Information System (ISIS; zoo populations). zoo (ISIS; System Information Species International the and stocks) (wild List Red IUCN the from extracted were *Data Emerald green monitor (Tapirus terrestris) (Tachyglossus aculeatus) Nyala Program or or Program Studbook Breeding Breeding EEP, ISB EEP, ISB EEP, ISB ESB ESB ESB ESB ESB ESB ESB EEP EEP EEP EEP EEP EEP ISB specimens in Number of of Number Budapest 21 10 5 5 3 7 2 3 3 2 2 5 8 3 6 1 3 Number of births births of Number in the last last the in ten years ten 38 45 19 12 7 0 5 0 6 0 1 0 2 3 1 9 1 (according to the IUCN IUCN the to (according Sumatran orangutan unknown, probably probably unknown, 10,000–10,0000 Wild population unknown, stable unknown, 10,000–17,000 a few thousand a few approx.40,000 max. 125,000max. max. 2700 max. database) unknown unknown unknown unknown 20,000 10,000 20,165 stable 7,341 2500 in the international zoo zoo international the in Population registered information system 3401 1426 350 209 549 238 342 772 407 201 526 195 158 212 147 413 51 Our newest rarity, the giant anteater giant the rarity, newest Our 126 Mhorr Gazelle White-fronted Marmoset Linnaeus’ Two-toed Sloth Dalmatian Pelican Bolivian Night Monkey Red-handed Tamarin Dog Wild Asiatic or Dhole Western Lowland Gorilla Tammar Wallaby Rothschild’s Giraffe Asiatic Lion Asian Elephant Eastern Quoll Quoll Eastern Squirrel Monkey Bald orNorthern Waldrapp Ibis African Forest Buffalo R Zoo O Wombat Red-fronted Brown Lemur Introduction Sumatran O Lemur Black Southern Ground-hornbill African Penguin Hopes for the future White or Square-lipped Rhinoceros Javan Langur Macaw Hyacinth Tamarin Lion Golden Ring-tailed Lemur Persian Leopard Gundi Gundi Golden-bellied Mangabey Blue Crowned Pigeon Tiger Amur Emerald or Green Tree Monitor Tree Monitor Green or Emerald Tapir American South Nyala Brush-tailed Bettong rganisations taking in part conservation breeding programs Contents . . . ed D ed . . . . ata B ata rangutan ...... ook ...... 60 80 66 64 68 30 44 36 34 38 54 48 40 58 50 46 56 62 22 32 20 26 52 28 42 79 72 70 81 76 24 10 16 18 12 14 74 9 8 5 Documentation and dissemination of knowledge Adapting wildlife – lost and new species new and –lost wildlife Adapting Rescued birds Rescued Horse and hippo Diversity fromDiversity various aspects Some bird and mammalian taxa that have gone extinct in the past 350 years 350 past the in extinct gone have that taxa mammalian and bird Some individuals? captive-bred with happens What E Zebras, querezas, tortoises Striped Hyena Hyena Striped Joining forces to species save forces Joining In the last minute last the In Short-beaked Echidna Kowari Kowari A genuine success story success A genuine Southern Cassowary Cassowary Southern O Red Ruffed Lemur Ruffed Red Fennec Fox Fennec What fate awaits extant species? extant awaits fate What O Back to freedom Hatching and raising nestlings Hog River Red D Contemporary Noah’s arks Planned breeding Radiated Tortoise Cooperating zoos Return to the wild to the Return Rare species in a unique historic environment historic aunique in species Rare Bears and cats Komodo Dragon Red Panda Panda Red Giant O Giant Kinkajou Kinkajou VultureGriffon In the service of nature service the In Kea arlier successes ata about the species discussed in this book this in discussed species the about ata utside the fence the utside f horses and deer and f horses . . tter tter ......

122 100 109 105 103 104 102 120 107 101 110 116 121 119 118 113 115 112 114 117 111

96 90 99 98 86 84 88 83 95 89 85 93 94 92 82 87 97 91 127 Front cover: Giraffe cleaning its calf – photo by Melinda László Inside front cover: Sumatran orangutan baby – photo by Zoltán Bagosi Back cover: A family of lions – photo by Melinda László

Photo credit: Melinda László (page 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 24, 28,29, 30, 32, 40, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 50, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 66, 76, 77, 81, 84, 86, 90, 92, 94, 95, 97, 98, 107, 123, 124.) dr. Klára Karai (page 36) Zsolt Kovács (page 106, 108, 112, 113 right) Prof. Dr. Miklós Persányi (page 110) All other pictures by Zoltán Bagosi. Other titles in the series (all entirely in Hungarian)

1 2 3 4

5 6

1 Past, present, future of the Hungarian meadow viper Titles in preparation, to be published in 2014–2015: 2 Past, present, future of the European otter The last remaining wild horses 3 Past, present, future of the European pond turtle Vultures in the Carpathian Basin 4 Past, present, future of the European bison Lynx in the Carpathian Basin 5 Wildlife rehabilitation centers in Hungary. Pelicans Efforts to rescue protected birds and other animals The European snake-eyed skink 6 Asha and her relatives. Past, present, future of the Asian elephant The northern bald ibis Zoo Books for Nature Contemporary zoos have a complex mission. Through their animal ambassadors they tell city dwellers about the disappearing harmony between man and nature, while they also serve as recreational, ecological–environmental and learning centers, aid the survival of species in need, and represent cultural spaces nurturing our heritage. The approximately 1000 leading zoological institutions in the world place great emphasis on conservation, education and science. They constitute a tight network, form bonds and alliances, and carefully exchange their holdings. By coordinating global captive breeding efforts they seek to save more than 300 endangered animal species from extinction and preserve their genes. Budapest Zoo is involved in the conservation of 70 species, and these are the main subject of Zoo Books for Nature.