Rommel, The Great Bustard Who Beat The Odds

In mid-November, Watatunga Wildlife Reserve said goodbye to one of the reserve’s better known characters, one of our male great bustards, Rommel. He earned a reputation as a strong-willed but charismatic fiend in feathered form, charming visitors and staff alike with his antics, his appetite, and his undeniable personality.  Rommel came to Watatunga via the fantastic work of the Great Bustard Group and here is what they had to say about his passing.

“In 2015, the Great Bustard Group collected eggs under licence in Spain. The eggs were all hatched by our project partners at the Cotswold Wildlife Park. One of the chicks hatched but it was clear the chick had an injured leg. The cause was not identified but reoccurring problems led to the bird being unable to stand or support his own weight. For most other species of birds this would have resulted in euthanasia. However, a Great Bustard is a very special thing, and every effort was made to save him.

We made a series of “Bustard Bouncers” for him. These were a round container, starting off with a cup, then a cut down bottle and finally a bucket as the bird grew, with a piece of material cut from a pair of tights stretched over the top. Holes were cut for his legs and one for him to pass waste. The stretchy nature of the stocking took the majority of his weight, and the floor of the container was built up with gravel so the container was stable and the height of the floor was infinitely adjustable. This set up allowed his legs to work and to take a variable amount of weight but kept him upright and clean. He was given physio several times every day and he thrived.

A consequence of this intensive care was that the bird became very attached, and ultimately imprinted on humans. He was never going to be fit for release into the wild anyway, so this was not particular loss.

The bird was always a vigorous feeder – whatever problems he had with is legs his appetite was always sharp. As he could not move around and feed from the ground, he was bill fed or hand fed for far longer than was usual. Whether deliberate or accidental, food or fingers were one and the same to him and care was needed when feeding him to escape minor injury. He sat, supported by his “bouncer” and commanded the attention of all around him, always alert, bright eyed and ready to peck at anything in reach. Looking like a certain famous Second World War tank commander standing in his turret someone referred to him as “Rommel” and the name stuck.

Due to his poor start in life and his relationship with people, he was not released but went to Watatunga in Norfolk, one of our two partners holding our captive stock of Bustards. Both Watatunga and the Cotswold Wildlife Park hold birds which cannot be released into the wild and some birds gifted from the Brandenburg government in Germany.

It was against the odds that he made it to adulthood and that he lived for 9 years must be considered a success.”

Thank you to the Great Bustard Group for this wonderful account of his early life pre-Watatunga.

Rommel passed away peacefully in the arms of our dedicated staff.  While we are heartbroken by his loss, we celebrate the joy he brought to so many.  Rommel will forever be one of the legends of Watatunga Wildlife Reserve.  If you love our Great Bustards and would like to find out more or sponsor one of them, then do check out the amazing work of the Great Bustard Group.

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