In Heilongjiang, flamingo babies thriving

Nearly a month after their birth, four flamingo babies are getting stronger and have welcomed their first visitors at Longsha Zoological and Botanical Garden in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province.

"This year, flamingos have laid 10 eggs, a record high since our first high-latitude breeding success in 2016," said Cao Tianhai, deputy general manager of the garden. "After 28 days of incubation, four flamingos have hatched, and four more eggs are in incubation, but the other two will not hatch because they failed to fertilize."

The mating season for flamingos is usually March and April.

Staff members at the garden built nesting boxes for the birds in advance, and the flamingos will use their beaks and feet to constantly improve their nests to creating comfortable conditions for a new generation.

In addition, breeders prepared an ample supply of nutritious foods for egg-bearing females, including specialized fodder and several kinds of vitamin pills.