Video: Europe's only "baby dinosaur" hatches at Paignton Zoo after 21 years

A cassowary chick has hatched at Paignton Zoo in Devon — the first at the zoo since 2004 and the only one born in Europe this year.

The chick is being raised by its father, Madrid, following the species’ natural behaviour in which males take sole responsibility for incubating the eggs and caring for their young.

Lisa Ward, Birds Team Leader at Paignton Zoo, said: “Madrid is doing everything right – he keeps the little one close, shows him where the best food is, and won't let anyone come near his baby.”

Cassowaries are large, flightless birds native to Australia and New Guinea. Females can reach up to two metres in height, and both sexes have powerful claws capable of inflicting serious injuries. Despite their reputation, they are notable for their strong paternal instincts.

Pete Smallbones, Curator of Birds, said: “Cassowaries can be quite challenging to work with, and successful breeding requires careful management and understanding of their behaviour. This breeding success is a real boost to the European zoo population.”

Paignton Zoo manages the European breeding programme for cassowaries and is the only zoo in Europe to have bred the species this year. Other recent bird successes at the zoo include the pink pigeon, once reduced to just nine individuals in the wild, as well as hamerkop, crowned cranes, scarlet ibis and several thrush species.

The cassowary chick, described by visitors as resembling a “baby dinosaur,” can now be seen with its father on the zoo’s grounds.

Visitors are advised to book tickets online in advance via paigntonzoo.org.uk.