In a momentous event marking a milestone in the over 270-year history of Schönbrunn Zoo, the majestic African ostriches have welcomed their first offspring. The birth of these remarkable ratites, the largest living birds in the world, has captured the attention of visitors and staff alike, signalling hope for the conservation of this endangered species.

With only an estimated 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild, primarily inhabiting the Republic of Chad in Central Africa, the North African red-necked ostrich faces the looming threat of extinction due to poaching and habitat destruction.

The successful hatching of the ostrich eggs, a meticulous process overseen by curator Folko Balfanz, marks a triumph in zoological conservation efforts. "Maintaining a constant temperature of around 36 degrees Celsius and precise humidity levels of 20 to 25 percent for 42 days, alongside regular egg rotation, presented significant challenges," explains Balfanz. Yet, with expertise gained from years of artificial incubation, zoological institutions have achieved groundbreaking milestones in preserving endangered species.

Visitors to the zoo can now marvel at the sight of the newborn chicks, adorned in their grey-brown plumage, exploring the outdoor area in the historic section of the zoo. While the distinctive long neck of ostriches is already apparent in the young, they have yet to develop the striking red colouring that distinguishes them as adults.

"The rapid growth of these chicks, up to three centimetres per day, is truly remarkable," shares zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck. "However, they have much to learn and consume before reaching the impressive stature of their parents, with adult males weighing up to 150 kilograms.

Vienna, Austria - June 5, 2024

In a momentous event marking a milestone in the over 270-year history of Schonbrunn Zoo, the majestic African ostriches have welcomed their first offspring. The birth of these remarkable ratites, the largest living birds in the world, has captured the attention of visitors and staff alike, signaling hope for the conservation of this endangered species.

With only a mere estimate of 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild, primarily inhabiting the Republic of Chad in Central Africa, the North African red-necked ostrich faces the looming threat of extinction due to poaching and habitat destruction.

The successful hatching of the ostrich eggs, a meticulous process overseen by curator Folko Balfanz, marks a triumph in zoological conservation efforts. "Maintaining a constant temperature of around 36 degrees Celsius and precise humidity levels of 20 to 25 percent for 42 days, alongside regular egg rotation, presented significant challenges," explains Balfanz. Yet, with expertise gained from years of artificial incubation, zoological institutions have achieved groundbreaking milestones in preserving endangered species.

Visitors to the zoo can now marvel at the sight of the newborn chicks, adorned in their gray-brown plumage, exploring the outdoor area in the historic section of the zoo. While the distinctive long neck of ostriches is already apparent in the young, they have yet to develop the striking red coloring that distinguishes them as adults.

"The rapid growth of these chicks, up to 3 cm per day, is truly remarkable," shares zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck. "However, they have much to learn and consume before reaching the impressive stature of their parents, with adult males weighing up to 150 kilograms."