New Arrivals at South Coast Zoo

2 August 2010, 10:11 | Updated: 2 August 2010, 11:06

Marwell Wildlife's male ostrich 'Boomer' is a proud dad to eight new chicks.

They came from eggs laid by two females at the zoo near Winchester. They currently measure just 10 inches, but will grow to about 3 metres tall.

Ian Goodwin, Senior Section Manager for the ostriches said:

"Boomer has a reputation for being very protective of his ladies and young, and he has now successfully raised in excess of 20 chicks. After an incubation period of around 6 weeks all the eggs hatched earlier this month."