New chick joins the flock at Crocworld Conservation Centre

The joys of spring abound at Scottburgh’s Crocworld Conservation Centre as the team celebrated the first-ever hatching of a jackal buzzard chick on the premises at the start of October. Crocworld’s Bird Curator, Ryne Ferguson, explained that the breeding pair of jackal buzzards had been residents at the centre for a while, but this was their first chick. Ferguson said: “Last year they laid two clutches of eggs but they weren’t fertile. The pair was then relocated to the new Raptor Wing which is much more spacious and even has a ‘room with a view’. I think they felt calmer in this more natural environment and we were happy to see them start building a nest.” The two-week-old chick is being well cared for by its mother, is very healthy and growing well. This is the second exciting spring arrival for Crocworld which welcomed little Mojo, a spotted eagle owl, earlier in the season. Visitors are welcome to come view the new feathered residents at Crocworld, where all relevant Covid-19 protocols are followed. Mask wearing, sanitising and family group social distancing regulations are in place, with the centre and on-site Fish Eagle Café open from 9am to 4.30pm. To find out more, visit www.crocworld.co.za or contact Crocworld Conservation Centre on 039 976 1103