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Habitat:
Grasslands in southern South America
Lifetime:
20 years
Weight:
15 to 25 pounds
Number of eggs:
10 to 15 eggs
Incubation time:
1 to 1.5 months
IUCN Status:
Safe
EEP:
Yes
Flightless
Rheas are part of a group of birds that we call ‘ratites’. Ostriches, cassowaries and kiwi’s are also part of this group. These birds are not directly related to each other. They do all miss something that flying birds have; a keel. The keel is an extension of the breastbone. It gives an anchor for the muscles that birds use to fly. Ratites don’t have those muscles, so they don’t have a keel. The name ‘ratite’ comes from the Latin word ‘ratis’, which means raft – a boat that doesn’t have a keel.
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Theme area: on your own strength
You can see the Darwins nandoe in the ‘On Your Own strength’ theme area. Here, you’ll discover how animals move and why moving – or, conversely, staying still – is important for survival.
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Species Conservation in Eindhoven Zoo
Fortunately, the IUCN status of the Darwin’s rhea is ‘safe’, but did you know that more than 10,000 animal species are at risk of extinction? Eindhoven Zoo collaborates with approximately 325 European zoos to conserve these species. We form the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Through management programs (EEP’s), we ensure healthy backup populations.
The Darwin’s rheas in Eindhoven Zoo are also part of an EEP. A coordinator keeps a studbook of the species and manages the population in zoos. Together with a committee, the coordinator provides advice on which animals may breed together. Sometimes, this means that an Darwin’s rhea relocates to another zoo. This way, we increase the chances of healthy offspring and the survival of the species. You can recognize species with an EEP by the logo of a rhinoceros with calf.
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Management of the EEP
Protecting and preserving animal species is one of the most important tasks of zoos. In collaboration with recognised European zoos, we work to maintain a healthy reserve population of animal species. We do this through management programmes, also known as EEPs. Each EEP is led by a coordinator. This person keeps track of data on a particular animal species and manages the population in zoos.
Eindhoven Zoo manages the EEP for Darwin's rhea. Together with a committee, the coordinator advises on which animals may reproduce together, whether animals need to be moved to other zoos for this purpose, and if so, to which ones.