Ostrich chicks born at Zoo
Monday 30 August 2010
Three new ostrich chicks at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo have been getting used to the spotlight in their paddock under the gaze of delighted visitors.
© Steve White
The adorable little chicks – who hatched from a sandy nest close to one of the walkways around the zoo - have no chance to be shy or stick their heads in the sand from the passing children and adults who are enjoying Whipsnade during the summer holidays.
The chicks’ parents chose the sandy-based site, near the zoo’s Wild Bite café and Jumbo Express railway to lay their eggs.
This is the first time in many years the zoo has reared ostrich chicks and keepers are very pleased at their progress – although they still have quite a way to go before they reach the huge height of their parents.
The little chicks are not much more than eight inches tall, whereas a male ostrich can grow to eight feet in height.
Visitors can see the chicks and also marvel at the beautiful plumage of their parents.
Just up the road from the ostrich chicks there’s a chance to see five other new arrivals – the little cheetah cubs and their mother Dubai. The lively litter can be seen at Cheetah Rock where they are growing more confident by the day and enjoying a bit of rough and tumble with each other.
There daily animal demonstrations, the Jumbo Express celebrating 40 years since the railway was first created plus the ever-popular animal feeds and explainer talks.
