Two rare plains-wanderer chicks at Taronga Western Plains Zoo have received a clean bill of health.
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The female chicks will hopefully play a key role in the zoo's conservation breeding program. The zoo plans to release their plains-wanderer population back into the wild, with the long term goal of getting them off the endangered species list.
Veterinarian Michelle Campbell said both of the chicks were in excellent health and body condition. She said they appeared to be growing well.
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The physical examination involved a through check, which included listening to their heart and lungs.
They weigh 56.6 grams and 61.5 grams. An average female plains-wanderer weighs about 70 grams, so the chicks still have some growing to do.
Keeper Mark Riordan said each chick was given a leg band with a number on it for identification.
"We have separated the chicks from the dad now, which is what would happen in the wild. When the next breeding season commences around spring time, we hope to introduce them to other males at our conservation breeding complex," he said.
The plains-wanderer conservation breeding program is part of the National Recovery Plan, aiming to establish a sustainable population that can support reintroductions to supplement the wild populations.
