Himalayan monal news

Translated from Amersfoort zoo in the Netherlands:

Himalayan monal grows up in spite of everything

Posted on September 6, 2013 at 14:27

More than three months ago, the two Himalayan monals of DierenPark Amersfoort were killed during the night by a predator, probably a fox. The female had laid two eggs immediately before that event, which remained without parents. The rapid intervention of the Amersfoort caretakers caused one of the eggs to hatch some time ago. The daughter has grown and is now on display in a safe reconstructed compound.

”The Himalayan monal couple during the last two years had eggs every now and then, but they did not hatch. Hence, we thought that these eggs would be infertile as well,” says animal nurse Ester Beije. ”To be safe rather than sorry we have laid the eggs in the incubator and this little miracle happened.”

The Himalayan monal compound was adjusted immediately after the accident. There are additional bars now placed low to the ground, so that no predators can enter. The chick is raised during the first weeks of her life with a young peacock, so they could keep each other company. The young peacock now runs among his ilk in the park.

The young lady is now just getting used to her new environment. However, she may soon welcome a mate. DierenPark Amersfoort received a Himalayan monal male which now lives in a residence next to the female. ”Next week, we expect to introduce the two birds to each other, enabling them to become the new Himalayan monal couple in DierenPark Amersfoort”, the animal caretaker says.

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