Same-Sex Flamingos Successfully Hatch Chick at Zoo

Curtis and Arthur, a same-sex pair of Chilean flamingos at Paignton Zoo in Devon, England, have made headlines by successfully hatching and now rearing a chick, marking the zoo's first successful hatching of flamingo chicks since 2018. Bird curator Pete Smallbones speculates that the egg was likely abandoned by another couple, allowing Curtis and Arthur to adopt it, a phenomenon known among Chilean flamingos and other bird species. The zoo has launched a 'Love Lagoon' initiative, engaging the public in naming the flamingos and documenting their pairing process. This event highlights the zoo's commitment to a breeding program aimed at combating the decline of Chilean flamingos, which face threats such as habitat degradation and egg-harvesting. The success of Curtis and Arthur's parenting reflects broader trends of same-sex coupling in avian species, with numerous documented instances of same-sex pairs raising chicks. The zoo remains optimistic about the potential for more eggs to hatch in the coming weeks.