Colchester Zoo chick 'fantastic' for critically endangered species

Colchester Zoo’s Ruppell’s griffon vultures – which come from the Sahel region of Africa – have given birth to a chick which was successfully hatched on March 2.

Mum and dad Morticia and Jekyll are already experienced parents having raised two young in this pairing.

The chick, which has still yet to be named due to the gender not yet being discernible, is “doing very well’ and growing every day.

The Ruppell’s griffon vultures are currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to habitat loss, decline in food sources and hunting for trade.

Incredible - Ruppell’s griffon vultures can stand up to 90cm tall with a wingspan of 2.6m (Image: Colchester Zoo)

This means the arrival of this new vulture is “fantastic news” for the conservation of the species which can fly at 37,000 ft – the highest recorded flight of any bird and species and the same as commercial planes which fly between 30,000 and 40,000 ft in the air.

The birds live for about 40 years out in the wild and have keen eyesight meaning they can spot carcasses or groups of carnivores on a kill.  

Colchester Zoo’s Animal Care Team will announce the name once the chick’s gender has been determined.