Photo: E. Brouwers (Aminal)

In 1986 evolved the idea of co-workers of Animal park Planckendael to start with a stork colony. There were several reasons for this.

• Storks from other countries often visited the region of Mechelen, an indication that Planckendael lies along the flyway of storks from the Netherlands and Germany.
• The stork is an excellent species to show field characteristics of birds. It is not only a large and conspicuous species, but is most time in the open and well visible. A stork is standing on the look out or is resting on its huge nest or flies and soars in its own impressive way. The well known clattering is an interesting example of communication in the world of animals. And eventually it is difficult to ignore the high historical value the bird has in our society. The stork is a rare bird which is internationally protected and well studied. All in one, is the stork an ideal species to educate people in an animal park that is interested in the protection of nature.
• The green area near the park, with the wet grasslands and meadows are still a good habitat for the species.
• Since several years there were already birds in captivity in the park. In 1986 was the breeding success very good, so these birds formed an ideal flock to start up the breeding program.

During the first years of the breeding program had the co-workers of Planckendael to feed a lot of the young storks by hand. Planckendael exchanged at the same time birds with projects in the Netherlands and France. All these grew up in large cages. After 2 or 3 years became it obvious which birds were forming pairs. These birds were put together in a smaller cage. Here they could build there nest and raise their young. Pairs that were successful were released in the next year.

Before the birds were free the Animal park and the surrounding area was prepared for their release. At different places in the park were platforms placed by co-workers of the technical division of Planckendael.

To avoid collisions with the high tension powerlines at the west side of the park, Planckendael and the electricity company Electrabel worked together to make the pylons and wires bird proof. Plastic curls were attached to the wires to make them well visible. The pylons were shielded with metal pins to prevent storks from landing. Along the road next to the park were road signs placed as a warning to drivers to look out for the low flying birds. A biology student of the University of Antwerp made his thesis on a comparative study on the behaviour of the reintroduced and wild storks.

Photo : Kris Struyf