Lappet-faced vulture, one of the most solitary and shiest of Old World vultures is an endangered species. Many zoos and wildlife organizations have been working hard to protect its population. It's not easy work but when a chick hatches, everything is worth it!
Image Credits: Zoo Atlanta
And recently,
Zoo Atlanta has excitedly announced their newest addition - a baby lappet-faced vulture. The precious creature was born to a 16-year-old father, Anibus, and an 18-year-old mother, Amana following a breeding program by the
Species Survival Plan.
In eight long years, the couple produced and incubated a total of 12 eggs. Unluckily, all of them were infertile.
Image Credits: Zoo Atlanta
That's why the arrival of the little chick is an occasion for celebration. Tremendous efforts over the decade of both vulture parent and the zoo's bird team have been paid.
Image Credits: Zoo Atlanta
To support the hatching, the bird team provided the couple with the required material so that they could make their comfortable nest. They even replaced the eggs in the nest with dummy eggs and incubated them for 54 days. This helped raise the rate of survival.
Image Credits: Zoo Atlanta
Once the egg hatched, the team hand-fed and cared for the chick on their own. They managed to maximize the chances of survival of the hatchling. When the chick was 10 days old, it could set things in motion with its parents. And now, the newborn is doing really well. The zoo is so proud of its youngest feathered member!
Image Credits: Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia. The
zoo is now home to 1,000
animals from around the world, from well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species. It promises to be an ideal destination for families at weekend.
H/T:
thekoalabears