Pink Beauties Return to the ZOO Pond

Did you know we have bird migrations at ZOO Ljubljana too? 
Our great white pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) spent the cold months in heated indoor areas, and now, at the first rays of sun, they have returned to their home on the pond. Their ‘migration’ with us symbolically mirrors the natural migrations of wild populations, which retreat to warmer climes in winter.
Before they took their first swim, our vet Peter Omejc examined them. Together with the keepers, the whole group — three males and two females — was weighed, their condition was checked and they were topped up with vitamins. The birds were thrilled to return to their favourite home, which they immediately showed with enthusiastic bathing and splashing.
These pink ambassadors of nature can now be seen again from the bridge over the pond. You can watch them carefully preening their feathers, courting or swimming peacefully; on sunny days their feathers shine in the loveliest shades of pink.
Come and see them and enjoy the spring atmosphere at the pond! 

The importance of pelicans in zoos
In zoos, great white pelicans are charismatic ambassadors for their wild relatives. Through their presence they raise public awareness of the vulnerability of Eurasian wetlands and dispel misconceptions about their impact on the fishing industry. A key aspect of their care is linking research in the wild (in situ) and in managed environments (ex situ). This collaboration enables valuable transfer of knowledge in genetics, behaviour and veterinary medicine, which in the long term ensures better health for all pelicans — both those in human care and those flying freely over Eurasian lakes.