FREDDIE the flamingo, one of seven new chicks at the appropriately named Flamingoland, near Malton, takes a stroll with his father in his new surroundings.

Zoo manager Ross Snipp said the theme park now had 91 adults and he was hopeful that another seven eggs, as yet unhatched, would produce more chicks shortly.

“Breeding them can be difficult. They like to be in large numbers. They feel more comfortable in that situation because others are keeping a look-out for predators,” said Ross.

“We find that once one starts to build a nest and lay eggs, others follow.”

He added that while 30 eggs had been laid in the last year or two, some had been infertile, crushed accidentally by the parent birds, or even destroyed by rival flamingos seeking to take over a nest.