A second critically endangered vulture chick has hatched at Longleat safari park.

The new arrival is an African white-backed vulture and part of the world famous park’s committee in the Drive-Through Safari.

Matt Hardy, lead keeper of lakes and birds at Longleat, hailed the new arrival.

He said: “Last year’s chick was a fantastic success, and to have another within 12 months is such a great achievement for the species.

“This is mum, Kimberely’s, first chick, so the fact that her and dad have been able to incubate and rear the chick on their own is brilliant.

“Last year, we helped with incubating the egg, before returning it to the nest for the parents to rear once it hatched.

“The fact we haven’t had to step in at all this time is such a win for Longleat and the species.”

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The chick, which is now nearly two months old, was solely incubated by the parents, a first for the park in nearly 14 years.

Vulture chicks typically remain in the nest under parental care for around four months before fledging.

It is estimated that there are only 270,000 African white-backed vultures left in the wild, in their native west, east and southern Africa.

The biggest threat to the species is poisoning.

Mr Hardy said: “As a critically endangered species, every breeding success is a milestone for the species.

“To have had successfully raise a chick to adulthood last year, and a chick being well reared by its parents this year is fantastic for the breeding programme.

“Guests on the Drive-Through Safari can already see the chick if they look closely.

“Both mum and dad are taking turns on the nest, and the chick’s head can often be seen poking out.

“As they continue to grow, they will become more visible.”

The safari park will soon mark 60 years since the launch of its Drive-Through Safari in 2026, the first outside of Africa.