VISITORS have been flocking to a Cotswold bird park over the last month after "the world's deadliest chick" hatched.

The bird's birth at Birdland, in Bourton-on-the-Water, made headlines around the world but it is yet to be named. 

Birdland announced its latest arrival, a rare southern cassowary chick, in early September after more than two decades of breeding attempts. 

Today, (September 26) is World Cassowary Day, which raises awareness for the rare and endangered bird. 

The chick, which is now around a month old is yet to be named and sexed but keepers are hopeful they will find out soon. 

It is the world's deadliest chickIt is the world's deadliest chick (Image: Birdland)

Headkeeper at Birdland, Alistair Keen, said: "We haven't been able to name or sex the chick yet but we are hoping to do it soon. 

"We are trying to train it to go into the shed with dad, and in theory when that happens we will be able to get some feathers and do a DNA test. 

"We have had a noticeable increase in footfall over the last month as it has caused quite a stir in the zoo world, even making the news in New Zealand. 

"The chick is fit and healthy and now has quite the personality and has become quite showy."

The southern cassowary chick is the only one born in the UK this year and one of only four to be born in Europe.

The birth was a major milestone for Birdland in Bourton on the water, as the wildlife attraction has been trying to breed the endangered birds for more than 25 years.

The chick is now almost a month old and still the only one born in the UK this year.The chick is now almost a month old and still the only one born in the UK this year. (Image: Birdland)

Mr Keen continued: "It's a big deal because we have had eggs before but we have not had any chicks. 

"In 2023 we had broken eggs and last year we were also unsuccessful. 

"This year we had four eggs, one went missing fairly early on but we were still hopeful. 

"The eggs take around 50 days to hatch and I received a call from a really excited keeper, we are all really chuffed.

"Ideally we would have liked three or four but if you had offered me one, I would have said yes please."

The southern cassowary is renowned for being one of the world's largest and most formidable flightless birds which originates from New Zealand.