The uncommon Von der Decken Hornbill got to the zoo in Cupar as part of a threatened types breeding program in 2015.
Zazu, called in honour of Simba’s devoted bird buddy in Disney’s The Lion King, is presently sharing his new enclosure with other bird types consisting of Hamerkop, Turacos and Whistling Ducks.
Fife ZooHowever, efforts to discover him an appropriate mate have actually been prevented by problems consisting of Brexit.
Increased administration around the motion of animals from the European Union and UK broad constraints as an outcome of the Avian Influenza (or ‘Bird Flu’) have actually left Zazu alone.
He has actually been branded “Scotland’s unluckiest bird” by staff at the zoo who are actively aiming to discover him a partner in a European-broad search.
Fife ZooVon der Decken Hornbills are normally discovered in dry areas of Eastern Africa. Males like Zazu are quickly recognizable by their big red expenses, whilst women have black expenses.
Female Von der Decken hornbills bury themselves underground to hatch and rear their chicks with the male hornbill feeding the mom and chicks through a slit in the underground mud nest.
Fife Zoo director, Mike Knight said ‘We’ve been actively looking throughout Europe for a partner for Zazu, however this has actually shown tough following the current Avian influenza break out and likewise the increased obstacles confronted with moving animals throughout Europe because Brexit.
“We’ve now needed to close the walkthrough component of his enclosure to visitors, however we are still positive a mate can be relocated to the zoo in the Spring.
“Zazu seems perfectly happy sharing our new aviary with the other bird species, but unfortunately he will be spending Valentine’s Day without a date again this year.” Fife Zoo is home to numerous endangered animals consisting of Grevy’s zebra, meerkats and lemurs. It is presently under prepare for growth.”
