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Keepers have been delighted by the progress made by two Great Grey Owls being hand reared at the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Glacier hatched on 31st May 2007 and Graphite hatched on 2nd June 2007, are the first of their species to ever hatch at the Zoo in Colwyn Bay. After their parents failed to hatch eggs last year, keepers decided to take two of the four eggs from their nest in order to increase the chances of survival this year. Weighing just 30grams at hatching, the chicks were kept at a controlled temperature, in conditions replicating those of their parents nest and were fed every four hours through the day and night by dedicated owl keeper, Simon Killick. Now aged three weeks the chicks weigh over 500 grams, are able to regulate their own temperature and are down to just four feeds a day. Simon Killick said “Taking the eggs and keeping them under controlled conditions has ensured a better chance of survival – had Graphite and Glacier been left in the nest they may not have hatched. It has been rewarding to watch them progress. Great Grey Owl chicks grow fast and can be expected to try to fly as early a one month.” The chicks are now on view to visitors in the Children's Farm at the Zoo. The Great Grey Owl is found across northern North America and Scandinavia across north east Europe and through central Asia to Eastern Siberia. It does not generally come into conflict with man though some are shot by trappers who suspect them of eating trapped fur animals. Some can be aggressive when the young are about to leave the nest while others are curious and appear fairly tame.
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