Five secretarybird chicks, an endangered African bird of prey, have hatched at Chester Zoo in Cheshire, marking a first for the zoo in its 95-year history. The successful breeding of these rare birds has been described by conservationists as a significant milestone that could enhance future efforts to preserve the species.

The hatchlings are offspring of two adult secretarybirds named John and Jolene, who were brought to Chester Zoo as part of an international conservation breeding programme. Across Europe, the population of secretarybirds involved in this programme numbers only 79 individuals, with just three other chicks recorded to have hatched at zoos elsewhere in the past year.

Chester Zoo’s keepers believe that the breeding success achieved on-site may offer valuable techniques to support other institutions in increasing hatch rates for the species. Andrew Owen, head of birds at Chester Zoo, emphasized the importance of such conservation efforts, noting that each chick hatched in captivity plays a crucial role in securing the future of the secretarybird, a species facing increasing threats in the wild.

Secretarybirds are distinctive among birds of prey for their ability to hunt on foot, primarily in grassland habitats. Often referred to as “the archer of snakes,” they are known for their method of killing venomous snakes by stomping on them.

The zoo has shared visual documentation of the chicks’ development from hatching through fledging, underscoring the significance of the accomplishment both for Chester Zoo and the wider conservation community. With few breeding pairs and limited hatchlings reported across Europe, this breakthrough at Chester Zoo provides a hopeful sign for the continued preservation of secretarybirds, whose populations remain under pressure due to habitat loss and other environmental challenges.