An unusual addition, for March, has been made to the Sochi Arboretum. Two cygnets hatched to a pair of Australian black swans on a small island in a cascade of ponds. In a nest of branches and leaves, the cygnets spent the first few days of their lives. Then their parents took them to the water.
“Traditionally, Australian swan cygnets in the park hatch in late April or early May, but these cygnets were born in cold, snowy March. For the staff at the national park, this is a real miracle!” said the head of the park management Dmitry Maslov.
Incubation of the eggs lasted about 45 days. The scientists at the park allow this for a pair’s first egg clutch. The cygnets were born already covered in down, able to see and completely ready to explore the world under the supervision of their parents.
“The birds are constantly monitored by the park staff in order to create the most comfortable conditions for the parent swans and their cygnets,” Dmitry Maslov added.