A first for a very old park. Four pelican chicks have been born at St James’s Park in central London, the first time resident pelicans there have successfully hatched chicks, according to the Royal Parks.

Pelicans were first introduced to the park in 1664 and have had a permanent presence there since 1897. Park manager Mark Wasilewski said the chicks’ arrival was a “breakthrough” moment in more than 360 years of the site hosting pelicans.

He said he was “truly thrilled” and added: “I can’t wait to watch their antics as they grow and join the wider flock and develop their own distinct characters.”

The chicks are about a month old and are living in a private area of the park while they gain strength. They are expected to join the six adult great white pelicans at the park’s lake when they are nine to 12 weeks old.

Wasilewski said: “We have increased the feeding for the pelicans, so they have all the fish they need.

“Right now, our focus is on giving these chicks the safest and best possible start in life, so that they can be nurtured by their parents and grow into strong, healthy adult birds.”

He urged visitors not to approach the chicks, to keep dogs on leads around the lake, and to avoid causing the baby pelicans any distress while they establish.

The Royal Parks charity, which manages St James’s Park, said it was working closely with wildlife organisations including Blackpool Zoo, the Royal Veterinary College and the Zoological Society of London to provide expert care for the chicks.

The birds have not yet been named.

Nick Burnham, senior wildlife officer at the Royal Parks, said their arrival was a “career highlight” for him.

“It has been wonderfully exciting to watch them hatch and begin to find their (webbed) feet.

“We will continue to monitor the chicks closely and ensure their parents are well fed… Pelicans are used to living in large flocks, so we think the new arrivals will settle in well.”

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