Animal Diaries Archive

Check Out The Lorikeet Chicks!

8 October 2004

We started the week by setting out to hand raise Red-Collared Lorikeet chicks. The larger of the chicks has been handed over to the Bird Show section to eventually join the free flight show. While the other chick we have decided to hang onto for our rainforest aviary to help our keepers meet and greet our guests all the while having a really close up bird experience. The other bonus is that our newer team members will also get the opportunity to play 'mum' and gain some first hand experience in raising a baby bird.

The HUGE news of the week is the arrival of a new Black Necked Stork, and this bloke is not just any Black Necked Stork. This Stork is the first Black Necked Stork to be bred in captivity.

'J.J' is the famous bird's name and what a handsome fella he is. He has just arrived from the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary in Port Douglas. 'J.J' got his name from 'Jab' his mother and 'James' his proud father. 'James' is actually on loan to the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary from us here at Australia Zoo. 'James' has been up there for a good eight years and by the look of it, he has been having a great time.

J. J. is one of a kind. He has answered many questions about Black Necked, including several we didn’t even ask. Can you believe 'J. J.' has not only been taught by his parents to fend for himself, but also to build a nest. Yes! He actually helped his parents build their latest nest. As well as help feed this year's nestlings.

Yep, you heard right... Last year heralded a world first and has been followed up this year with continued success; this pair is currently raising another two chicks. There were three chicks in the nest, however, with such a large number in the clutch, one of the chicks was falling behind and in the best interest of that chick, a decision was made to hand raise it. To cut a long story short, Australia Zoo now also has taken on this twelve week old Black Necked Stork. He/she (we're not sure yet) is being cared for by the Bird Show Team members. Hopefully one day soon, our guests will be gob-smacked and in awe of a free flying Black Necked Stork in our free flight bird show.

The ongoing data and knowledge we gain about these beautiful birds may prove to be invaluable as this species is classified as rare and their numbers in the wild continue to decline.

So it's a big 'thumbs up' to the combined long term effort between Australia Zoo and the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, that has payed off and offers a huge light at the end of the tunnel for this magnificent species.