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Rare Secretarybird Chicks Hatch at Chester Zoo
5 Aug
Summary
- Five endangered secretarybird chicks have hatched, a first for Chester Zoo.
- These long-legged birds hunt snakes by stamping on them.
- Zoo keepers' techniques may aid other European breeding programs.
In a remarkable conservation success, Chester Zoo has welcomed five chicks of the endangered secretarybird, a species that has never before successfully bred at the institution during its 95-year existence. These distinctive birds, characterized by their long legs, inhabit African grasslands and possess a unique hunting style.
Unlike their raptor relatives, secretarybirds often hunt on foot, using their powerful legs to deliver fatal blows to venomous snakes. The specialized methods developed by Chester Zoo's dedicated keepers are now recognized as a significant advancement, offering potential strategies to assist other zoos across Europe in their efforts to breed more of these vulnerable birds.
