VISITORS to Crocworld Conservation Centre will get to admire its latest resident, a female marabou stork named Samara, who arrived on Wednesday, 22 June on a breeding programme loan from Umgeni River Bird Park.
This new addition to the family joins Stallone and Norris, two marabou stork brothers who were donated to the centre by African Bird of Prey Sanctuary in Pietermaritzburg.
“The female will initially be kept in a separate section of the marabou stork enclosure for an adjustment period before she is introduced to her male counterparts, when it is anticipated she will choose a mate,” said Crocworld Conservation Centre manager, Martin Rodrigues.
“The ownership of the female will remain with Umgeni River Bird Park, however, any offspring produced will be split between the two facilities.”
The marabou stork can reach a height of close to 1.5-metres and weight up to 9kg.
It breeds in Africa south of the Sahara in wet or arid habitats, often near human habitation, especially landfill sites.
It is sometimes called the ‘undertaker bird’ because of how it looks from behind with its cloak-like wings and back, and skinny white legs.
