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Paignton Zoo’s pair of gay flamingos, Curtis and Arthur, have become parents to a chick.
The zoo is celebrating the arrival of several Chilean flamingo chicks, marking the first successful hatching of the species at the zoo since 2018.
The vibrant new additions are the offspring of several flamingo couples - with Curtis and Arthur stunning keepers by also taking to parenting.
The mystery surrounding how Curtis and Arthur, the same-sex pair, acquired their chick has sparked curiosity.
Pete Smallbones, Curator of Birds at the Devon attraction, shared his thoughts: "Regarding the same-sex parenting, we aren’t entirely sure how this has come about, although it is a known phenomenon in Chilean flamingos as well as other bird flocks. The most likely scenario is that the egg was abandoned by another couple, so this pair have ‘adopted’ it."
Other flamingo couples that have successfully hatched chicks include Florence and Flame, Frenchie and Del, and Flossie and Lando. These flamingos were named by the public earlier this year as part of a zoo initiative called ‘Love Lagoon,’ inspired by the reality TV series ‘Love Island.’ The zoo has been sharing regular updates on the flamingo couples through its Instagram channel.
Flamingo eggs take approximately 28 days to hatch, with both parents taking turns incubating the eggs on mud pile nests. The chicks, covered in grey downy feathers, look quite different from their vibrant adult counterparts. While there are currently four chicks on the zoo’s flamingo island, more eggs are still incubating.
Smallbones expressed his satisfaction with the breeding programme's success this year: "We are pleased at the success of this year’s breeding programme so far. It’s a testament to the skill and hard work put in by the Bird Team, and we are hopeful that we may see more eggs hatch over the coming days and weeks."
Chilean flamingos are native to South America, where they inhabit brackish or alkaline shallow lakes across several countries. Unfortunately, the species is experiencing a decline in the wild due to various factors, including egg-harvesting, disturbance by tourism, and habitat degradation from mining activities. The successful breeding at Paignton Zoo underscores the zoo's dedication to conserving this Near Threatened species.
Where: Paignton, Devon, United Kingdom
When: 12 Aug 2024
Credit: Wild Planet Trust/Cover Images
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