Sparsholt College and University Centre Sparsholt has successfully bred Vulturine Guineafowl for the first time at their Animal Health and Welfare Research Centre (AHWRC). Five eggs have hatched with no mishaps and all five chicks are doing well and are growing from strength to strength each day.
This species of guineafowl is native to Eastern Africa and is easily the most impressive looking of the guineafowl family and is also sometimes known as the "Royal Guineafowl" because of its striking appearance.
The Vulturine Guineafowl is underrepresented in UK zoos so we hope that our five chicks will contribute towards that changing, by improving genetic diversity and seeing this species bred in other UK zoos in the future.
Kira Cattell AHWRC Bird Technician says, "The guineafowl pair at Sparsholt College are an absolute pleasure to work with and it has been so rewarding to see their eggs hatch and produce such healthy chicks. I am really looking forward to seeing them grow and then find new home for them in other UK zoos".
Related Members
-
NewsBlog: A bunch of blokes having a chat over a brew 12th May, 2024Rebecca Reynolds, Head of Education, Conservation and Research, shares the healing benefits of a wellbeing programme at Blackpool Zoo: The World…
-
NewsBlog: There isn’t a choice we must protect our oceans 8th May, 2024MP Sally Ann Hart writes for BIAZA about why we must work to conserve our marine environments and the wildlife that call it home. This is a blue planet.…
-
NewsMaking a Splash: new hippopotamus arrival at Dublin Zoo 8th May, 2024Dublin Zoo is delighted to welcome male hippopotamus, Ernie, who joins female Heidi at the African Plains. Ernie, who is aged 20, arrived from the West…