In fact, a staggering 126 chicks have been successfully hatched and raised to chicks by keepers at the zoo, well in excess of what was hoped for and giving a massive boost to the reintroduction project at the Nene Washes near Peterborough.

The project is managed jointly by Whipsnade and the RSPB who run the reserve, Natural England and the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust who work with farmers and landowners to allow these beautiful and rare birds to remain in the area and Pensthorpe Conservation Trust.

At the Nene Washes each batch of chicks is first given a health check by ZSL vets and then released to the wild.

The project began with six birds released in 200, this increased to about 55 in 2003, 75 in 2004, 78 in 2005 and eight in 2006. This year’s number has exceeded all expectations.

Whipsnade senior bird keeper Jamie Graham, who has been in charge of rearing the chicks, said: “It’s just great to have surpassed 100.

“When we set up the project seven years ago, 100 birds was the target we’d set ourselves and this is just fantastic.

“Obviously, the more birds we can release the better the chance that they will come back and a sustainable population can be created in the Nene Washes and across England.”