Located on the lower level of the Zoo, next to the parrot exhibits, the National Incubation Center for Birds of Prey is at the heart of Israel’s efforts to conserve and restore its rarest raptors. Here, the Zoo’s dedicated bird care team incubates and hatches eggs collected from breeding centers across the country, zoological institutions, and, when necessary, from wild nests requiring intervention.
The center was established as part of a national and international conservation initiative aimed at protecting, breeding, and reintroducing endangered birds of prey, with a particular focus on the Griffonvulture, one of Israel’s most threatened and iconic species.
All birds of prey in Israel are protected by law, and a wide range of organizations work together to ensure their survival. Conservation measures include:
- Supplementary feeding stations, where safe carcasses are provided for vultures and other scavenging birds.
- Rescue and rehabilitation, with poisoned or injured birds receiving treatment at the Wildlife Hospital at the Ramat Gan Safari.
- Protection from electrocution, through the insulation and modification of power infrastructure by the Israel Electric Corporation.
- Education,monitoring, and enforcement, aimed at preventing the illegal use of toxic pesticides and poisons that continue to threaten wildlife.
The primary goal of the National Incubation Center is to significantly increase the number of healthy chicks that hatch and survive to be released into the wild. By providing optimal incubation conditions and expert care during the critical early stages of development, the center plays a vital role in strengthening Israel’s populations of endangered raptors.
The center has successfully incubated eggs and hatched chicks of numerous species, including:
- Griffon Vulture
- Lappet-faced Vulture
- Egyptian Vulture
- White-tailed Eagle
- Bonelli’s Eagle
- Barbary Falcon
- Lesser Kestrel
- and many other birds of prey that are part of Israel’s national conservation programs.
The National Incubation Center operates in close partnership with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, combining scientific expertise, hands-on conservation, and long-term breeding programs to help ensure that these magnificent birds continue to soar over Israel’s skies for generations to come.
Photo: Michal Erez
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