Prague Zoo is employing an innovative method of using hand puppets to raise two orphaned lesser yellow-headed vulture chicks. This technique is vital to prevent the chicks from imprinting on humans, which could hinder their ability to integrate into the wild and successfully reproduce. Antonín Vaidl, the zoo's curator of bird breeding, emphasized the behavioral problems that can arise if birds become too accustomed to human caregivers, stating that such imprinting could affect their future breeding capabilities.
The puppet method, which has proven successful with other species at Prague Zoo, including rhinoceros hornbills and Javan green magpies, involves using puppets designed to resemble adult vultures. This allows the chicks to be fed while maintaining a necessary distance from human handlers. Prague Zoo is recognized as one of only three European institutions actively involved in breeding the lesser yellow-headed vulture, highlighting the significance of these conservation efforts. The lesser yellow-headed vulture, also known as the savannah vulture, is found across South and Central America. While currently listed as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN, habitat loss, particularly of wetlands, remains a concern for the species.