Colchester Zoo gives update on new Vulture chick born

Earlier this year Morticia and Jekyll, Ruppell’s griffon vultures, hatched a new chick at the zoo. 

Over the last six months, the animal care team at Colchester Zoo have been keeping a close eye on the chick to ensure that both parents were feeding the bird with enough food. 

The vulture chick born at Colchester Zoo (Image: Colchester Zoo)

Now the zoo has said the chick has finally fledged and explored the rest of its home and has since returned to the nest several times to sleep and rest throughout the day. 

A spokesman for Colchester Zoo said although there is no set hierarchy in vultures, the chick was a slightly reserved during its first few feeds as a fledgling but has now learned how to feed for itself.

The gender of the new chick has not been confirmed as this requires a DNA check to do so, however, staff are planning to carry this out soon. 

Ruppell’s griffon vultures can fly at 35kph and at altitudes of about 37,000 feet, which is the highest recorded flight of any bird species.