Critically endangered chick hatches at Longleat
A second critically endangered vulture chick has hatched at Longleat safari park.
The new arrival is an African white-backed vulture and a part of the world well-known park’s committee within the Drive-Through Safari.
Matt Hardy, lead keeper of lakes and birds at Longleat, hailed the brand new arrival.
He mentioned: “Last year’s chick was a fantastic success, and to have another one within 12 months is such a great achievement for the species.
“This is mum, Kimberely’s, first chick, so the truth that her and pa have been in a position to incubate and rear the chick on their very own is good.
“Last year, we helped with incubating the egg, before returning it to the nest for the parents to rear once it hatched.
“The reality we’ve not needed to step in at all this time is such a win for Longleat and the species.”
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The chick, which is now nearly two months old, was solely incubated by the parents, a first for the park in nearly 14 years.
Vulture chicks typically remain in the nest under parental care for around four months before fledging.
It is estimated that there are only 270,000 African white-backed vultures left in the wild, in their native west, east and southern Africa.
The biggest threat to the species is poisoning.
Mr Hardy said: “As a critically endangered species, each breeding success is a milestone for the species.
“To have successfully raised a chick to adulthood last year, and a chick being well reared by its parents this year is fantastic for the breeding program.
“Guests on the Drive-Through Safari can already see the chick if they give the impression of being intently.
“Both mum and dad are taking turns on the nest, and the chick’s head can often be seen poking out.
“As they proceed to develop, they may turn out to be extra seen.”
The safari park will quickly mark 60 years for the reason that launch of its Drive-Through Safari in 2026, the primary outdoors of Africa.