Longleat Safari Park is bursting with new arrivals this summer, and among the latest additions are a clutch of adorable white flamingo chicks.
The safari park, nestled in Wiltshire, is not only celebrating these charming new residents but also a host of other young animals, including rare Amur tiger cubs, a critically endangered cotton-top tamarin monkey, and a secretary bird chick. Two Californian sea lion pups and beaver kits have also made an appearance, further adding to the park’s excitement.
Darren Beasley, Head of Animal Operations at Longleat, shared his enthusiasm for the year’s surge in births. “It’s an exhilarating time for us with all these new arrivals. The flamingo chicks should be fairly easy to spot during a visit to the Safari Park,” he said.
Flamingos lay a single egg on a tall, cone-shaped nest, and their chicks hatch with white plumage. This initial white or grey colouration lasts for about three years, after which the flamingos will gradually develop their signature pink feathers. This transformation is due to the pigments in their diet.
“In the wild, flamingos get their pink colour from eating small crustaceans and microscopic organisms. At Longleat, we provide a specially formulated diet that includes essential pigments to ensure they develop their vibrant hues,” explained Darren.
Adult flamingos reach about 1.5 metres in height and can weigh up to seven kilograms. In the wild, they typically live for 15 to 20 years, but in captivity, where they are safe from predators, they can live up to 70 years.
