Bird Paradise Celebrates Historic First Hatching of Endangered Kagu Chick

In a groundbreaking achievement for avian conservation, Bird Paradise has successfully hatched its first-ever endangered kagu chick—a feat that places Mandai Wildlife Group among a select group of global institutions to breed the elusive species under human care.

The chick, which hatched on 1 March 2025 after 25 days of artificial incubation, is now thriving at the park’s Breeding and Research Centre. Known for being shy and notoriously hard to breed, the New Caledonian native’s birth is a significant milestone in efforts to preserve this flightless bird, which faces ongoing threats from habitat loss and introduced predators like cats and dogs.

The journey wasn’t without challenges. Keepers had to show ingenuity and adaptability—developing new dietary substitutes, modifying nesting equipment, and even placing a cardboard box in the brooder to create a safe retreat. A plush toy was also introduced to mimic parental presence and offer comfort.

Now growing steadily, the chick has begun transitioning to an adult diet of prawns, mice, and live insects, and enjoys morning sun sessions to soak up essential vitamin D. It is weighed daily to monitor its health, and once independent, it will move into the Winged Sanctuary aviary, where it can continue to develop and integrate with its environment.

The chick’s genetically matched parents, sourced from Yokohama Zoo, arrived at Bird Paradise in 2023. Despite two failed natural nesting attempts in 2024, a third egg was carefully transferred to a hatcher, resulting in this historic hatch.

Kagus are monogamous and reproduce slowly, typically raising just one chick per year. With fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild, every hatch is vital. This chick is also part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s Ex-situ Programme (EEP), which works to ensure genetic diversity and species survival through responsible breeding.

To celebrate this rare arrival, Mandai Wildlife Group is inviting the public to help name the chick. Three names are up for vote:

• Kiara, meaning “bright” – symbolising the chick’s promising future
• Kenza, meaning “treasure” – a nod to its rarity and significance
• Kacey, meaning “vigilant” – reflecting its alert and curious personality

Fans can vote for their favourite on Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s social media platforms, with the winning name to be announced after the poll concludes.