Project Results

Full results will be published in a peer-reviewed paper by 2020.

About This Project

Saddle-billed Storks are large, charismatic birds that are rare in captivity. The Dallas Zoo was the first zoo to successfully hatch a live chick and was then able to aid other zoos to have similar successes with their birds. Over the past five years, reproductive success has decreased dramatically throughout the SSP population. To rule out possible nutritional factors, this study has been initiated to evaluate the vitamin and mineral blood levels in the captive population.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The Dallas Zoo has had a long relationship with this species dating back many years. Beyond being the first zoo in the world to successfully hatch a live chick back in 1994, the studbook keeper for Saddle-billed Storks is based here at the Dallas Zoo, and we house three breeding pairs, more than many other zoos and aquariums. The fecundity of Saddle-billed Storks in captivity is dropping precipitously from previous hatching levels. From a high point of twenty living chicks from four institutions over two breeding seasons to only nine living chicks from three institutions in the most recent breeding season. Since there is still so little known about this species in captivity this project is attempting to rule out any nutritional basis for this decline.

What is the significance of this project?

Popular with the staff and the public, these storks stand up to 1.3 meters tall with a striking crimson, black and yellow bill. They create long standing pair bonds with intricate mating and nest building behaviors. Endangered in many parts of Africa, and very rare in captivity, this species is a beautiful reminder of the many wonders of the natural world. The conservation goal of all zoos and aquariums is to establish captive populations to help educate the public to inspire more global conservation efforts. The information acquired from this study will hopefully resolve the more recent loss of fecundity in Saddle-billed Storks and re-establish reproductive success in the population.

What are the goals of the project?

To have blood samples collected from all birds in the captive population and submitted for lab analysis.

Holding institutions will be requested to submit samples as soon as this project is funded. Ideally we hope to repeat sample collections six-months after initial submission to allow for any natural fluctuations, but only the initial collection is budgeted in this proposal. We have also created a survey to send to all the holding institutions to gather diet information, reproductive history, and any other pertinent husbandry information. With this information we will hopefully be able to determine if there are any nutritional deficient in these birds, allowing for appropriate dietary supplementation to be initiated. Repeat testing will be determined based on initial serology.