Latest news with #BirdParadise
New Paper
30-04-2025
- New Paper
Bird Paradise celebrates historic first hatching of endangered kagu chick
In a rare and remarkable breakthrough for avian conservation in Singapore, Bird Paradise has successfully hatched its first-ever kagu chick, marking a historic milestone in the care and breeding of one of the world's most elusive birds. In a media release on April 30, Mandai Wildlife Group, which oversees the operations of Bird Paradise, said the chick hatched on March 1 after 25 days of artificial incubation. It is currently being hand-raised at the park's Breeding and Research Centre. The kagu is a flightless bird native to the dense forests of New Caledonia, a French territory located in the south-western Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and west of Vanuatu. It is generally regarded as elusive, preferring to remain hidden in dense, humid forests. "Welcoming our first kagu chick has been incredibly special for the team," said Ms Anais Tritto, assistant vice-president of animal care at Mandai Wildlife Group. "After several unsuccessful incubation attempts by the parent birds, we stepped in to artificially incubate the egg, carefully controlling the temperature and humidity to replicate natural nesting conditions as closely as possible to support healthy development," she said. The chick's weight being recorded on Day 12. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP Ms Tritto added that for a species as rare and challenging to breed in managed care, every successful hatching represents both a scientific achievement and a source of hope. The adult kagu is easily recognisable by its bluish-grey feathers, bright orange beak and legs, and a striking crest that it displays during courtship and territorial rituals. The chick's parents arrived at Bird Paradise from Yokohama Zoo in November 2023. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP With an estimated wild population of just 500 to 1,000 individuals, the kagu is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Breeding the species in captivity is notoriously difficult, said Mandai Wildlife Group. Kagus have a low reproductive rate, typically laying only one egg a year. They are monogamous and require strong pair bonds, reinforced by elaborate courtship displays such as crest-raising, wing-spreading, and vocal duets. Compounding the challenge, their shy nature and sensitivity to environmental factors make successful incubation and chick-rearing particularly delicate under human care. In 2024, the chick's genetically matched parents - a pair from Yokohama Zoo that arrived at Bird Paradise in 2023 - laid two eggs in separate nesting attempts, both of which failed to hatch. These setbacks were likely due to parental inexperience or unsuitable environmental conditions. Learning from these experiences, keepers transferred a third egg to a hatcher to maximise its chances of survival, Mandai Wildlife Group explained. Since hatching at just 36g, the chick has grown steadily and now weighs 630g - well on its way to the adult weight of around 1kg. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP Since hatching at just 36g, the chick has grown steadily and now weighs 630g - well on its way to the adult weight of around 1kg. Keepers have had to adapt their care methods to accommodate the chick's unique needs, including finding appropriate dietary substitutes, modifying nesting equipment and creating a comfortable environment. A cardboard box was placed in its brooder to mimic a safe hiding space and a plush toy was introduced to offer comfort in place of its parents. Keepers have had to adapt their care methods to accommodate the chick's unique needs, including modifying nesting equipment and creating a comfortable environment. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP The chick is now transitioning to an adult diet of prawns, mice and live insects. Its daily routine includes morning sun sessions for natural vitamin D and regular weigh-ins to monitor its growth. Later in 2025, once it gains independence, it will move to an aviary at the Winged Sanctuary exhibit. Because male and female kagus are visually identical, DNA testing will be conducted to determine the chick's sex once it matures. As part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria's Ex-situ Programme, the kagu breeding initiative at Bird Paradise contributes to the global effort to preserve the species through managed care and genetic diversity.
Straits Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Bird Paradise celebrates historic first hatching of endangered kagu chick
SINGAPORE - In a rare and remarkable breakthrough for avian conservation in Singapore, Bird Paradise has successfully hatched its first-ever kagu chick, marking a historic milestone in the care and breeding of one of the world's mos t elusive birds. In a media release on April 30, Mandai Wildlife Group, which oversees the operations of Bird Paradise, said the chick hatched on March 1 after 25 days of artific ial incubation. It is currently being hand-raised at the park's Br eeding and Rese arch Centre. The kagu is a flightless bird native to the dense forests of New Caledonia, a French territory located in the south-western Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and west of Vanuatu. It is generally regarded as elusive, preferring to remain hidden in dense, humid forests. 'Welcoming our first kagu chick has been incredibly special for the team,' said Ms Anais Tritto, assistant vice-president of animal care at Mandai Wildlife Group. 'After several unsuccessful incubation attempts by the parent birds, we stepped in to artificially incubate the egg, carefully controlling the temperature and humidity to replicate natural nesting conditions as closely as possible to support healthy development,' she said. The chick's weight being recorded on Day 12. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP Ms Tritto added that for a species as rare and challenging to breed in managed care, every successful hatching represents both a scientific achievement and a source of hope. The adult kagu is easily recognisable by its bluish-grey feather s, bright orange beak and legs, and a striking crest that it displays during courtship and territorial rituals. The chick's parents arrived at Bird Paradise from Yokohama Zoo in November 2023. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP With an estimated wild population of just 500 to 1,000 individuals, the kagu is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Breeding the species in captivity is notoriously difficult, said M andai Wildlife Group. Kagus h ave a low reproductive rate, typically laying only one egg a year. They are monogamous and require strong pair bonds, reinforced by elaborate courtship displays such as crest-raising, wing-spreading, and vocal duets. Compounding the challenge, their shy nature and sensitivity to environmental factors make successful incubation and chick-rearing particularly delicate under human care. In 2024, the chick's genetically matched parents – a pair from Y okohama Zoo that arrived at Bird Paradise in 2023 – laid two eggs in separate nesting attempts, both of which failed to hatch. These setbacks were likely due to parental inexperience or unsuitable environmental conditions. Learning from these experiences, keepers transferred a third egg to a hatcher to maximise its chances of survival, Mandai Wildlife Group explained. Since hatching at just 36g, the chick has grown steadily and now weighs 630g – well on its way to the adult weight of around 1kg. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP Since hatching at just 36g , the chick has grown steadily and now weighs 630g – well on its way to the adult weight of around 1kg. Keepers have had to adapt their care methods to accommodate the chick's unique needs, including finding appropriate dietary substitutes, modifying nesting equipment and creating a comfortable environment. A cardboard box was placed in its brooder to mimic a safe hiding space and a plush toy was introduced to offer comfort in place of its parents. Keepers have had to adapt their care methods to accommodate the chick's unique needs, including modifying nesting equipment and creating a comfortable environment. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP The chick is now transitioning to an adult diet of prawns, mice and live insects. Its daily routine includes morning sun sessions for natural vitamin D and regular weigh-ins to monitor its growth. Later in 2025, once it gains independence, it will move to an aviary at the Winged Sanctuary exhibit. Because male and female kagus are visually identical, DNA testing will be conducted to determine the chick's sex once it matures. As part of th e Europe an Association of Zoos and Aquaria's Ex-situ Programme, the kagu breeding initiative at Bird Paradise contributes to the global effort to preserve the species through managed care and genetic diversity. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SG60 deals: Up to 60% off local attraction tickets
SG60 deals have been rolled out as part of Singapore's celebration of its 60th birthday. The SG60 deals, offered by 23 local attractions, such as the Bird Paradise and Science Centre Singapore, are meant for Singaporeans and permanent residents. The deals were announced by Minister of State for Trade and Industry Mr Alvin Tan on 6 Mar (Thu) in the debate over his ministry's 2025 budget. Check out these highlights. Celebrate Easter at Asia's biggest bird park, the Bird Paradise Singapore. Between 15 Mar and 20 Apr, children enter free with every full-paying adult, exclusively for residents. Kids Enter Free (1 Adult + 1 Child) – WildPass Rate from S$49 at 20 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729825 +65 6100 0694 Daily: 9am – 6pm | | Redeem SG60 deals at the Gardens by the Bay by enjoying more than 60 percent off on unlimited visits to 6 gorgeous floral displays, including Sakura and Tulipmania at the Flower Dome at just S$22 from 8 Mar to 12 Oct. Adult Ticket from S$22 and Child (Aged 3-12) Ticket from S$15 at 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953 +65 6420 6848 Daily: 5am – 2am | | Celebrate SG60 at SuperPark Singapore, a family-oriented indoor recreation complex with tube slides, pedal cars and obstacle courses. Buy 2 tickets and enjoy 60 percent off the 3rd ticket. Also, seniors above the age of 60 get 60 percent off admission. Only available for online bookings, use the promo code SG60 at checkout. Regular Off-Peak Ticket from S$30.90 and Senior Ticket from S$12.36 at 3 Temasek Boulevard, #02-477, Singapore 038983 +65 6239 5360 Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 8pm Sat & Sun: 9am – 9pm | | Budget 2025: $800 CDC vouchers, $500 in LifeSG credits and thousands more announced The post SG60 deals: Up to 60% off local attraction tickets appeared first on
