Chester Zoo hatches five endangered secretarybird chicks in first breeding success

England's Chester Zoo announced on August 14, 2026, that it has successfully bred secretarybirds for the first time in its 95-year history, with five chicks hatching to parents named John and Jolene. The birds arrived at the zoo as part of a coordinated international conservation breeding program for the species, which is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Secretarybirds (Sagittarius serpentarius) are distinctive African raptors that hunt on foot across grasslands, using their long legs to stomp on prey including venomous snakes. Wild populations have declined to an estimated 6,700 individuals as grassland habitat is lost to agriculture and urban development.

Across the European breeding program, only 79 secretarybirds exist, and just three other chicks hatched in the past year at other facilities. Chester Zoo's birdkeeper Jamie Cartwright-Stock described the five hatchlings as an "incredible achievement," while Head of Birds Andrew Owen said the zoo is "playing a leading role in the conservation of these incredible birds."

The zoo stated that techniques developed during this breeding success could help other conservation zoos across Europe boost their own breeding results. Staff are monitoring the chicks closely and plan to share findings with the wider program to improve outcomes for the safety-net population in captivity.

The species' scientific name translates as "the archer of snakes," reflecting its specialized hunting method. Secretarybirds are among the few birds of prey that primarily hunt terrestrially rather than from the air, making them ecologically unique among raptors.

Conservationists view captive breeding programs as essential insurance for the species while wild habitat protection efforts continue. The Chester Zoo hatchlings represent a significant addition to the limited European ex-situ population.