![\"Zazu](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/492422973_683009717716014_5434096097973340939_n.jpg\")
Zazu broke both his upper and then lower beak in separate accidents in 2023(Image: Fife Zoo)<\/p>\nZazu, a rare Von der Decken hornbill, arrived the Cupar zoo as part of an endangered species breeding programme before Brexit and a broken beak thwarted his quest for love.<\/p>\n
11:48, 23 Apr 2025Updated 11:53, 23 Apr 2025<\/p>\n
Zazu broke both his upper and then lower beak in separate accidents in 2023(Image: Fife Zoo)<\/p>\n
A lovesick Hornbill has finally found a mate at Fife Zoo<\/a> after his quest to find “the one” was thwarted by Brexit.<\/p>\n Zazu, a rare Von der Decken hornbill, arrived at the Cupar zoo as part of an endangered species breeding programme in early 2022.<\/p>\n The tropical bird<\/a> shared his brand-new enclosure with other bird species including Hamerkop, Turacos and Whistling Ducks.<\/p>\n He settled in quickly – however due to Brexit making the transportation of birds across Europe more challenging, as well Bird Flu outbreaks, Zazu’s love-life was put on hold.<\/p>\n His search for a partner was thwarted yet again just months later when he broke both his upper and then lower beak in separate accidents<\/a>.<\/p>\n This made him unable to feed himself, relying on round the clock care from zoo keepers to feed him and keep him hydrated.<\/p>\n Keepers working round the clock to save Zazu had to hand feed the bird<\/a> his specialist diet of fruit and small insects including cockroaches.<\/p>\n However, after spending six months receiving specialist treatment his beak thankfully repaired itself – and staff at the zoo have now delighted visitors by revealing he has finally found a compatible mate.<\/p>\n In a post on Facebook<\/a>, Fife Zoo bosses revealed: “Zazu update! You may remember Zazu, the Von Der Decken’s hornbill, who broke his bill a couple of years ago?<\/p>\n “Well, now he has a new wife! After waiting for a while for a compatible mate, she has arrived.<\/p>\n “The happy couple have moved into our separation aviary on their honeymoon to get to know each other better.<\/p>\n “Don’t worry, they’re both still at the zoo, and they’ll move back into our African Aviary very soon…”<\/p>\n The Record previously told how<\/a> the zoo hoped a suitable mate could be found so they could contribute to global captive breeding efforts to safeguard the species from extinction in the wild.<\/p>\n Von der Decken Hornbills<\/a> are usually found in dry regions of Eastern Africa. Males like Zazu are easily identifiable by their large red bills, whilst females have black bills.<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Female Von der Decken hornbills bury themselves underground to hatch and rear their chicks with the male hornbill feeding the mother and chicks through a slit in the underground mud nest.<\/p>\n![\"Zazu](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/492401696_683009811049338_5319640981437044486_n.jpg\")
Zazu has finally found love(Image: Fife Zoo)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/491807475_683009867715999_6106054930270387186_n.jpg\")
The happy couple have moved into Fife Zoo’s separation aviary(Image: Fife Zoo)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_WACOMMUNITYQR2.png\")
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