The Woodland Park Zoo reports that one of its adult flamingos and two newborn flamingo chicks have died. The chicks hatched on Oct. 3 and 9.
From the zoo’s press release:
The older of the chicks was found dead this morning in the exhibit, and the younger of the chicks was discovered missing Sunday night.
Both parents of flamingos are involved in rearing their young, and this year’s chicks were being raised under the care of their parents, not by the zoo staff. The younger chick was left in a vulnerable position under the sole care of its mother following the unexpected death of her mate last Friday. A necropsy revealed that this adult bird died of a fractured vertebra and internal health issues. The cause of the injury has not been determined.
The older chick was thriving under the care of its attentive parents and was showing increased signs of mobility and natural flamingo behavior. It is not known what led to its death.
One of the flamingo chicks eating last week. Photo by Dennis Dow, Woodland Park Zoo.
Three flamingo eggs remain in nests at the exhibit, and are expected to hatch soon.
