Meet the New Cape Vulture Babies that Hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo welcomed a baby Cape Vulture to the world at their new Cape Vulture habitat.

In a Facebook post posted on April 2, the zoo confirmed the "historic hatching" took place on March 14 and revealed that "this is the first major breeding success to come from the Zoo's brand-new Cape vulture habitat, which opened in February 2025."

According to a statement on the zoo's website, "the L.A. Zoo's Cape vulture habitat brought the species back for public viewing for the first time in many years." The new habitat will allow visitors to get "a closer look at their behaviors and social interactions among the members of the committee, the name for a group of vultures."

Cape vultures are considered a vulnerable species, making this recent hatching especially important for ongoing conservation efforts.

"Welcoming a Cape vulture chick is a thrilling moment for our team and a beacon of hope for African vultures," Rose Legato, Curator of Birds at the L.A. Zoo, said in a statement. "We spent years meticulously planning a space that would encourage their natural roosting and nesting behaviors, and this successful hatching proves we hit the mark. Vultures are one of nature's most misunderstood marvels, and I cannot wait for our guests to eventually watch this chick grow and learn just how vital they are to our ecosystems."

The post also confirmed that the chick will "remain behind the scenes under the supervision of the Zoo's animal care team until it is mature enough to safely reintroduce to the exhibit." While people will have to wait to meet the chick, the sweet baby has plenty of fans online, with Facebook users sharing their excitement on the big news.

"Congratulations to the vulture team," one person wrote in the comments. "So so cute! Can't wait to meet!" Another user also wrote, "Another miracle at the Los Angeles Zoo" in the news.

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All about the Cape Vulture

According to the Los Angeles Zoo, "the Cape vulture is a large bird with a wingspan of up to eight and a half feet" and "stands at about three feet tall and weighs 15 to 24 pounds."

They are considered "nature's 'clean-up crew,' " because they "dispose of large carcasses that could carry diseases like rabies, botulism, or anthrax."

Like other vulture species, Cape Vultures consume dead animals and are able to " digest meat in any stage of decay, and strong immune systems allow them to safely eat dangerous pathogens that would sicken or kill other animals."

Related: Friendly Vulture Majestically Shows Off His Massive Wings to Man Who Feeds Him

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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 1:50 PM.