behind a curtain. “As soon as possible the chicks are placed next to their conspecifics (birds of the same species) so they learn the calls, behaviours and their own identity from a young age. We are happy that our young birds of paradise from 2024 and 2025 are well developed physically and mentally, knowing they are birds!” He said this should help with future breeding at the park. The park’s first successful breeding of a Raggiana chick, ‘Bosh’ (named after keepers Bonnie Bilson and Joshua Heni) was in 2021, with Francis crediting longtime former curator Brett
Smith for teaching him and the other keepers the many skills required to pull off such a feat. This included planting the right vegetation for nest-building, understanding breeding compatibility, and getting the birds’ diet right with a mix of fruit, vegetables, insects and nutritional supplements. A key breakthrough came when the team focused on ensuring that the birds’ enclosures mimicked their natural rainforest habitat. “Over time, the vegetation in the enclosures grew dense and lush, creating an ideal environment for the birds to thrive,” Francis said. Bosh’s arrival heralded the first time in 20
“With the right knowledge, resources and dedication, we can preserve our natural heritage for future generations”
so they can do their elaborate ‘lekking’ courtship dance – and so careful consideration as to how and where birds are housed is essential,” he said. “At (game) – moving birds around to promote the optimum pairings, but guarantee the female has sanctuary when needed to lay eggs and rear chicks. “Then, when the chicks times it feels a little like Musical Chairs hatched, the hard work started – with members of the team
starting hand-feeding from 6am, up until dark – every two hours! This continues until the birds are eventually independent after just a few weeks.” Johnpaul also mentioned the “complicating factor” of the keepers having to hide their humanness! “We need the birds to know they are birds, not people, and so human contact is limited to just feeding times, and once the eyes of the chicks begin to open, the feeds are done from
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