Great Bustard Chick Fed Using Puppet Technique In Spain As Conservation Effort Begins
Occurred on May 31, 2026 / Castile and León, Spain
Info: This video captures the first moments of a great bustard chick hatching at the CRAS wildlife recovery center in Castilla y León. The chick emerged after two weeks of artificial incubation. The eggs had originally been collected from the wild after being fertilized in the field. Staff at the center are seen carefully feeding the newly hatched chick using a puppet that imitates an adult great bustard. This technique is used to prevent the chick from imprinting on humans and to help ensure it can later be released back into the wild. The clip shows the tiny, fluffy chick during its earliest stage of life as part of a controlled conservation process. The footage highlights ongoing efforts to support the recovery of the endangered great bustard population in the region.