Rare flamingos lay eggs for first time in 15 years after UK heatwave

Wildlife experts say the incredible feat was made possible because the sweltering heat mimicked the hot, humid conditions that the flamingos normally experience in their natural habitat

Only about 38,000 Andean flamingos exist today (Rex)

The heatwave that has gripped the UK in recent weeks has caused rare Andean flamingos at a wetlands reserve in Britain to lay eggs for the first time in 15 years.

According to British conservation charity the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, six of the exotic birds laid nine eggs.

Wildlife experts said the incredible feat was made possible because the sweltering heat mimicked the hot, humid conditions that the flamingos normally experience in their natural habitat.

The United Kingdom has seen record breaking temperatures in recent weeks with the mercury soaring to 35C in Faversham, Kent, last month.

Mark Roberts, aviculture manager at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, said that it was a “wonderful and welcome surprise” after nearly two decades. The flock last successfully bred in 1999.

Unfortunately, all the flamingos are infertile and the eggs will never hatch.

However, the Andeans were given viable eggs from Chilean flamingos to raise as their own.

Mr Roberts added: “We’ve been encouraging the flock by helping them to build nests but there’s no doubt that the recent heat has had the desired effect.”

Andean flamingos, which are pink and black with yellow legs and black beaks, are some of the oldest animals at the reserve in England. Some of the birds arrived in the 1960s and have lasted longer than any of the staff.

Listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list, only about 38,000 Andean flamingos exist today.

Slimbridge is the only place in the world where you can encounter all six species of flamingo.