The tiny week-old Chilean flamingo chick has taken its first steps in front of its parents
Edinburgh Zoo has shared an adorable video of its newest flamingo chick carefully taking its first ever steps under the watchful eyes of its protective parents, after hatching just last week. The tiny chick's species - the Chilean flamingo, is at risk of becoming officially Endangered, making this rare new arrival all the more special.
The chick is the first of its kind to be born at Edinburgh Zoo for almost 10 years, marking a major milestone in its breeding programme, which involves keeping several flamingo eggs in incubators to encourage hatching. This new addition to the flamingo family means the age-range of Edinburgh's flamingos is now a whopping 64 years, with the three oldest pink birds, named Shrimpy, Louis and Rio, having hatched way back in 1961.
While the chick is yet to develop the iconic pink feathers of a flamingo, the pigments from its diet will give the baby bird its colour as it grows up. The birds hatch with straight beaks, and the distinctive downward curve of the flamingo's beak will develop after around three to four weeks, according to the zoo.
The Chilean flamingo is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, meaning it could become Endangered. Its survival is threatened by habitat loss from mining, water diversion and pollution, as well as human disturbances like unregulated tourism and egg collection.
Edinburgh Zoo is part of the the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision to protect the wildlife of our planet and ultimately save animals from extinction.
Lorna Hughes, birds and primates team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: "We have been caring for this flock for years and to see a chick hatching and being taken care of by its parents is just incredible.
"It is still early, but the chick is looking stronger every day so we are hopeful they will grow nice and healthy.
"Flamingo chicks develop quickly, doubling in weight within days, so we are already seeing our little one get bigger. Now we just need to keep everything crossed for the remaining eggs still in the incubator."
Those who want to visit the baby flamingo can book tickets online for cheaper than buying on the day.
In other Edinburgh Zoo arrivals, the conservation centre recently welcomed its first ever sloth bear.
Cipísek, a two-year-old sloth bear from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic, is now the only one of his kind in Scotland.
Arriving in July, the new bear is still settling into his new surroundings, but RZSS confirmed after his arrival that lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of him exploring his specially designed outdoor habitat.
Alison MacLean, carnivore team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said at the time: "Cipísek is already beginning to show his personality, and we can't wait for visitors to see him in his new home.
"Within the new habitat here at the zoo, there is a large outdoor space for him to roam which mimics the species' natural habitat, including a new den providing visitors with amazing views.
"We can't wait to welcome another sloth bear from Europe over the coming months as a companion for Cipísek."