LANCASHIRE’S flagship zoo is flying high after its vital work to save one of the world’s most endangered birds was hailed in a national report.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums has revealed the top 10 feathered species surviving because of zoos – and the list includes the critically endangered Northern bald ibis – five of which call Blackpool Zoo home.

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With only around 600 left in the wild, the species has undergone huge decline in the past 30 years due to loss of habitat and the disturbance of its breeding grounds.

Richard Wardle, birdkeeper at Blackpool Zoo and Northern bald ibis species champion, said: “Our conservation work for animals across the world is vitally important to the survival of species under severe threat of extinction.

“The number of Northern bald ibis remaining in the wild is extremely worrying and the European zoo community works together to ensure a genetically diverse bloodline within the captive population through a carefully-managed breeding programme.

“Recent conservation projects have even seen captive-bred birds being released into the wild, which is a cause for huge celebration.

“The report will create further awareness about the excellent work carried out every single day of the year.”

Blackpool Zoo supports established projects and uses the work of Birdlife International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to educate visitors about endangered species.

As its name suggest, the Northern bald ibis doesn’t have any feathers on its head.

Its formal name ‘geronticus’ is derived from ancient Greek and means ‘old man’ – referring to its wrinkly, bald face and head.

Other bird species on the top 10 list include the Bali starling from Indonesia, which is struggling due to being targeted by cage bird poachers, and the blue-crowned laughing thrush, found only in China.

The African penguin found in the cold southern waters off the continent is another.