ZOO KEEPERS LEND A HAND TO FEATHERED FRIEND

Keepers at Blackpool Zoo are really getting to grips with the latest feathery arrival. A baby Demoiselle Crane, which hatched in May, is being hand reared after he was removed from his parents’ nest in the interest of his well-being. Specialist keepers are feeding him on crane pellets, chopped fish, fruit, vegetables and insects, a diet which mirrors that of his traditional diet in his native Asia. Peter Dillingham, Blackpool Zoo’s Head Keeper, said: “Following very close observation of the egg in the parents’ nest we took the decision to remove hand rear the crane to give him the best