Leipzig Zoo's Farewell Gathering Shocks Attendees: "My Concerns Were Greater"
In a significant step towards wildlife conservation, Leipzig Zoo has begun the process of releasing Eurasian eagle owls into Austria's forests. This reintroduction project aims to establish a stable population of these majestic birds in the Austrian wilderness.
The initiative is part of a larger-scale reintroduction project headed for Austria, with Leipzig Zoo playing a crucial role in the effort. The project began in earnest when two owls, hatched at Leipzig Zoo in 2025, were selected for the release.
The keepers at Leipzig Zoo had the challenging task of capturing the owls before they could be transported. To their relief, the process went smoothly, with the mother Eurasian eagle owl showing concern but not attacking during the capture. Once caught, the owls were placed in transport boxes for a ten-hour car ride.
Upon arrival, the owls were housed in a soft-release aviary to help them acclimate to their new environment. Here, they will learn to hunt and survive on their own, while still having access to food and shelter if needed. The goal is to prepare the owls for a future life in Austria's wilderness.
Leipzig Zoo is committed to contributing to the survival of the Eurasian eagle owl species in Austria. The facility for the Eurasian eagle owls at Leipzig Zoo was built several years ago with the intention of releasing offspring into the wild.
The camera team of ARD's popular show "Elephant, Tiger & Co." was on hand to document the process, providing a unique insight into the conservation effort. The full episode (episode 1139) can be watched in the ARD-Mediathek.
While specific details about the progress, timeline, or outcomes of the Leipzig Zoo's owl release program into Austria are not readily available in the public domain, European zoos, including Leipzig Zoo, have a history of participating in conservation and reintroduction projects for various raptor species, including Eurasian eagle owls.
For the most up-to-date information on the current status or recent updates of this conservation effort, we recommend checking directly with Leipzig Zoo's official communications or Austria's wildlife conservation authorities, as they typically provide detailed reports on such releases.
It's worth noting that the Eurasian eagle owl species was once considered extinct in the mid-20th century. Today, projects like this one offer hope for the continued survival and thriving of these magnificent birds in the wild.
The reintroduction project spearheaded by Leipzig Zoo not only focuses on the Eurasian eagle owls in the Austrian forests but also encompasses a shift towards outdoor-living and home-and-garden improvements, as the goal is to prepare the owls for a future lifestyle in the wild. The initiative aligns with Leipzig Zoo's long-standing commitment to home-and-garden projects aimed at conserving various raptor species, such as the Eurasian eagle owl.
