Diergaarde Blijdorp – Vulture aviary

Name of Zoo: Diergaarde Blijdorp
Name of respondent: Harald Schmidt
E-mail address of respondent: h.schmidt@rotterdamzoo.nl
Name of Exhibit: Vulture aviary
Opening Date/Year: 01-07-10

Height in m: 10
Area in m2: 2800
Volume in m3: 28000

Shape sides: rectangular
Shape of top: flat

Frame
1) placement main support structures inside (e.g. tent-like)
2) materials main support metal
3) special supports/protection for

(a) interface net/mesh and main support (specify) None
(b) protection from main supports rotting in ground (specify) n.a.
4) secondary supporting structures cables
5) lowering or removal of top when snow or severe winds expected possible No
6) constructor

Material sides
1) solid (rock, brick wood etc) 0
2) glass 0
3) piano wire 0
4) netting/mesh 4
a) material nylon
b) name manufacturer
c) supplier
d) product name
e) opening size 5×5
f) diameter 7
g) color black
h) configuration knotted
i) how is netting/meshing attached to aviary structure?
j) visibility through net/mesh excellent
k) water resistance excellent
l) UV resistance excellent

Material top
1) Same as sides no
2) Not same as sides
a) name manufacturer
b) supplier
c) name product
d) material nylon
e) configuration knotted
f) opening size 10×10
g) diameter 14
h) color Black
i) water resistance excellent
j) UV resistance excellent

a) walk through / walk in yes
b) barriers between public and birds rails
c) other special features to enhance viewing possibilities, specify shelter viewing area

Service:

i. double doors with area between: yes
ii. through attached building: no
iii: please describe how you bring in large enclosure furnishings that are too large to be brought through the doors:

Visitor:
Curtains:

Sand:  10 % area
Grass: 60% area
Dirt: ?
Rocks: 10 % area
Visitor path: 10 % area
Other: ?

Grass/other herbacious plants < 20 cm high cover:  60 % area
Herbacious plants/shrubs 20 cm- 1m high cover:  20 % area
Herbacious plants/shrubs/trees 1 m-3 m high cover: 0 %
Number of coniferous trees > 3 m high: 0
Number of deciduous trees > 3 m high:  12
Are there any plants you would recommend for aviaries?:  N.A.
Are there any plants that have been problematic in this aviary?: N.A.

Supplemental lighting outside: no

Attached to aviary: yes
Dimensions:

i. length:
ii. width:
iii. Height:

Average number of nights used per year:
Average number of days used per year:
Direct access to main outside enclosure: yes
Direct access to alternative outdoor area:
Substrates (specify):
Usable water area present for bathing:
Possibility to subdivide area if need to:
Keeper access area not shared by birds:
Natural sunlight received:
Number of hours of artifical light:
Heating supplied:
Please describe ventilation system:
Visitor viewing:

Electric fence inside:
Electric fence outside:
Different type meshing along bottom:
Plastic along perimeter:
Concrete under ground:
Other (specify):

Introduction and/or catching area present:

Species currently held (if possible also historically) list:
Species not held successfully:
Reason per species (please list species below)
i. escape:
ii. incompatibility:
iii. health issues:
iv. stress:
v. accidents (e.g. collisions):
vi. other:

Problems with:
Indigenous bird species entering enclosure:
Predation in enclosures: 
Aviary withstanding winds experienced:
Aviary withstanding snow experienced: 
Excessive mortality and or accidents with one or more species:
Other health issues, e.g. foot lesions:
Frequent replacement or repair of materials: 
Husbandry issues e.g. cleaning, heating, moving birds:

Visitor:
Keeper:

Contact person: Steven van den Heuvel
Data submitted: 16-02-12