Critically endangered vulture chick first to be successfully hand-reared at Longleat

Fixing its beady eye on the camera, this chick has no idea it has made history.

Image: Longleat's new vulture chick, credit Tom Anders

The as yet unnamed vulture chick is the first successful hand-reared hatching for the critically endangered species at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire.

The African white-backed vulture chick, which is already big enough to fill the arms of its keeper, is seven weeks old and thriving.

“The mother has sat on eggs before, but they’ve never hatched; this time we were able to support her and the breeding programme by putting the eggs in an incubator,” said Darren Beasley, Head of Animal Operations at Longleat.

“The chick is now 10 times the size of when it was born and is doing really well" 

“White-backed vultures, Gyps africanus, as a species are critically endangered; under threat from pesticide poisoning around the world which is why we support the charity TUSK and its Vulture Conservation Project (VULPRO) across South Africa. 

“In addition, one of our keepers, Amy Parratt, is on the national vulture working group which oversees the breeding programme in the UK.”

“Vultures are nature’s way of clearing up; a key component of the African ecosystem - the wombles of Africa you could say,” he added.

Image: Longleat's new vulture chick, credit Tom Anders 

The chick will join the venue – the official name of a vulture aviary – in the next few weeks. 

Vultures – like all birds - are descended from dinosaurs known as theropods, and this summer Longleat is gearing up for the return of the avian ancestors with its dinosaur themed family event, DinoROAR.

Visitors to the park will be able to journey into a prehistoric world, coming face to face with colossal animatronics or taking on a virtual reality adventure. There will be roaming dinosaurs, a new giant inflatable providing the ultimate jungle play zone and a specially created trail around the park.

DinoROAR will run from 20 July until 1 September and the fun is included as part of the day ticket price – find out morew at www.longleat.co.uk/dinoroar.