Flamingo chick hatches at zoo

Edinburgh Zoo has announced important news that for the first time in almost ten years, a Chilean flamingo chick has hatched in the zoo.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said the chick hatched on 4 September 2025, marking a milestone in the zoo’s breeding programme. 

To help the chance of eggs hatching successfully, the wildlife conservation charity’s keepers temporarily remove them from the nest site and place them in incubators. During incubation, the adult flamingos are provided with dummy eggs so they can continue their natural parenting behaviours without disruption. Once the chicks begin to break through the eggshell they are then returned to the nests. 

Lorna Hughes, birds and primates team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “We have been caring for this flock for years and to see a chick hatching and being taken care of by its parents is just incredible. 

“It is still early, but the chick is looking stronger every day so we are hopeful they will grow nice and healthy. Flamingo chicks develop quickly, doubling in weight within days, so we are already seeing our little one get bigger. Now we just need to keep everything crossed for the remaining eggs still in the incubator.” 

With this arrival, Edinburgh Zoo’s flamingo flock now contains both its youngest and oldest residents. From the newly hatched chick to Shrimpy, Louis and Rio, who are estimated to have hatched in 1961. 

Visitors looking to spot the new arrival can book zoo tickets online in advance and save at edinburghzoo.org.uk/tickets