[Explanation] Since 2017, Xining Wildlife Park has bred 5 alpine vultures, all of which are currently living in the Raptor Valley of Xining Safari Park. These are also the only 5 artificially bred alpine vultures in the country.
[Explanation] The first three alpine vultures that were bred and survived were taken out for artificial brooding and rearing before and after breaking their shells, and then put into the Raptor Valley when they grew up.
"Liu Maoqiu" and "Qi Maoqiu" are the first two alpine vultures in China that have survived parental brooding in an artificial breeding environment. Among them, "Qi Maoqiu" is the first alpine vulture to hatch and grow in an artificial nest.
[Concurrent] Qi Xinzhang, Deputy Director of Qinghai Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Center
"Six Hair Balls" and "Seven Hair Balls", among the five alpine vultures bred and survived in Xining Wildlife Park, have some unique positions.
For example, "Liu Maoqiu" is actually the first artificially bred alpine vulture that was raised by parent birds, while "Qi Maoqiu" is the first alpine vulture to hatch in an artificial nest and then grow up .
These actually represent some of our attempts and explorations in the artificial breeding of alpine vultures over the years. In fact, for wild animals, if they can be nurtured and grown by their parents since childhood, they can learn many skills necessary for survival in the wild , this is of great significance for their own life and for future breeding, so we are also changing in this direction through continuous efforts over the years.
[Explanation] "Liu Maoqiu" and "Qi Maoqiu" are both male alpine vultures that were brooded by parent birds in a captive breeding environment. Qi Xinzhang believes that the parents of "Liu Maoqiu" and "Qi Maoqiu" can choose The artificially built nests for hatching are one of the important reasons for their survival.
[Concurrent] Qi Xinzhang, Deputy Director of Qinghai Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Center
The success of "Liu Maoqiu" is due to our previous judgment on the location of its nesting, and then some protective measures were taken around it. In a perfect location, there are some trees above and rocks below, which can not only shelter from wind and rain, but also provide shade. "Qi Mao Qiu" is a nest that we artificially built for it.
The parents of "Qi Mao Qiu" also laid eggs there before, but because the place was a concrete platform, the eggs could easily roll to the side and break. We made a wooden nest box in the same position. , and then set some branches and dead grass for it. Its parents are also very happy to choose such a position, because with this wooden nest box, its effect of sheltering from wind, rain and shading is perfect.
[Explanation] "Liu Mao Qiu" and "Qi Mao Qiu" have been fed by parent birds since they were young. After six months, they have weighed more than 10 kilograms at half a year old. In terms of body size, they are healthy and develop normally.
[Concurrent] Zhou Haipeng, breeder of Raptor Valley of Xining Wildlife Park
(To the big bird) After feeding the beef and mutton, the big bird feeds its young bird with its beak, three to four times a day.
Now our "six or seven hair balls", today, October 1, has been six and a half months, and now basically (they) have begun to take off, including them in our breeding environment, they can survive and eat by themselves After the meat is gone, eating by yourself is such a situation.
[Explanation] Regarding the survival of the "Qi Maoqiu", Qi Xinzhang also said that he will continue to upgrade and improve the wooden nest box to provide a better breeding environment for more birds of prey like alpine vultures in the future.
[Concurrent] Qi Xinzhang, Deputy Director of Qinghai Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Center
This year, on the basis of these experiences, we will upgrade and improve the setting of the wooden nest box again, adjust its size, position, orientation, and increase the number, hoping to have more alpine vulture couples We can choose the artificial nest boxes we set up for them, and we also hope to have other birds of prey such as vultures and bearded vultures. Based on the breeding of alpine vultures, we can make some breakthroughs and then fill the gaps in the country.
Reporter Qi Miao reported from Xining, Qinghai
Responsible editor: [Liu Xian]