Two clutches of critically
endangered Bermudian Skink have hatched at Chester
Zoo, the first time conservationists have succeeded in breeding the species
outside of its homeland.
The tiny rock lizards, which grow
to around three inches long, are a much-loved symbol of the British Overseas
Territory of Bermuda and an important part of the ecosystem.
Yet the species is on the brink
of extinction in the wild, as habitat destruction and introduced predators have
almost wiped them out.
In a last gasp attempt to prevent
the species being lost forever, the Bermudian government called
on experts at Chester Zoo to help breed the species in Britain.
Keepers in Sussex have gone to great lengths to encourage breeding amongst flamingos this year, including playing the birds classic love songs in an effort to set the mood.
Finally, their efforts have been rewarded with the welcome arrival of a healthy chick.
The rare Chilean flamingo is finding its oversized feet in the flock. It is the first successful hatching at the Drusillas Zoo in East Sussex in three years and keepers are tickled pink.
Classified as a threatened species, Chilean flamingos are native to western South America.
Sadly populations have declined in the wild mainly due to interference in their wetland habitats and human activity near breeding sites so birds abandon their nests.
The flamingos arrived at Drusillas in 1982 but there has not been a successful hatching since 2009.
This year the zoo was determined to break the cycle and over the last few months they have tried all manner of ways to encourage the birds’ natural courtship behaviours.
To get the feathered favourites in the mood the zoo team began by playing them love songs including the classics of love lyricists Barry White and Marvin Gaye.
These were played alongside pre-recorded mating vocalisations of Chilean flamingos attained from Zoo Atlanta, in Georgia.
The keepers also placed mirrors in the enclosure, to create the illusion of a fuller flock and egg on the romance; flamingos are very sensitive to their surroundings and feel safer in a larger group.
They even started building the nests and placed a fake egg on top.
At last their efforts finally paid off and the tiny chick is now making egg-cellent progress under the guidance of proud parents, Maurice and Gabriella.
The couple have been together at the Park since 2002 and the new addition is their third chick at Drusillas.
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