2 weeks Ago
A zoo has welcomed 10 new flamingos to its enclosure. The new arrivals at Drusillas Park, near Alfriston, have travelled from Longleat Safari Park and are “settling in well in their new home”. The group of Chilean flamingos includes four flamingo chicks, who hatched earlier in the year.
The zoo hopes that the additions to the group will encourage “natural breeding behaviours”. Zoo manager Mark Kenward said: “Welcoming 10 new Chilean flamingos has allowed us to achieve a more balanced ratio of male and female birds at Drusillas. “This is exciting because it enhances our potential to successfully breed this stunning species, as well as increasing the size of our flock to 20 individuals, which greatly benefits their overall welfare.
The zoo hopes the new additions will encourage breeding (Image: Drusillas) “Flamingos are naturally social birds that thrive in large flocks in the wild, so expanding our flock is a significant step in providing them with a more natural and enriching environment. This is especially important for a species that has long been iconic here at Drusillas. “We now have a healthy mix of age groups within our flock, ranging from the four chicks, to 42-year-old Anna - the oldest resident in the zoo.
“These young flamingos will benefit from the guidance and care of the older, more experienced birds, helping to ensure their successful integration into the flock. READ MORE: Wildlife rescue charity 'stretched to limit' after record breaking year “With the continued dedication and expertise of our team of keepers, we are optimistic that, with a bit of luck, we will soon hear the chirps of flamingo chicks in the years to come.” The public have been asked to help choose the names of the 10 new residents.
Ideas can be shared on the zoo’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Chilean flamingos are native to high mountain lakes in Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. They usually live in large flocks of several thousand birds.
Currently, the species is at risk of becoming threatened due to declining population numbers, which currently stand at fewer than 200,000 in the wild. This is due to habitat loss, egg collection, hunting and water diversion and mining. Flamingo chicks are grey and turn pink due to the effect of their diet.
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