Flamingo trio require round the clock care by Slimbridge

News – Three baby flamingos hatched at Slimbridge are being cared for around the clock by centre staff, before they rejoin their flock.

Three Chilean flamingo eggs have hatched at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, a month out of season, requiring round the clock care by staff at the popular attraction. Like all newborns their demands are high; each fledgling flamingo needs feeding every two hours, weighing every day and taking on walks for exercise.

Staff at Slimbridge have taken on the parental role due to fears that the shorter days, and the response of the adult flamingos to the new additions, meant that they wouldn’t get the care and attention they need. Aviculture warden Phoebe Young commented: ‘It has been a really demanding job being a flamingo mum but it is fantastic to see them doing so well and growing each day.

‘I have been mixing eggs with porridge oats, pilchards and vitamins and minerals in a solution and tube feeding them. They cry out for the food and are always begging for more,’ she continued.

While the little Chilean VIPs are at risk in the wild, they are also extra special to Slimbridge Wetland Centre as, following the redesign of their enclosure, it is the first year the flock has produced offspring. Three other babies hatched in the summer, and are now living happily with the 130 flamingos in the main flock.

Slimbridge Wetland Centre has the world’s largest collection of swans, geese and ducks, as well as holding the accolade of being the only place in the world you can see all six species of flamingo.

While the birds are currently white in colour, they’ll develop their distinctive pink colour at around two years old.

For more information about the attraction see Slimbridge Wetland Centre, telephone (01453) 891900 or visit wwt.org.uk directly.

Phillipa Davies
5 October 2011