Columbia Welcomes Adorable Toco Toucan Chick at Riverbanks Zoo
Columbia, a city known for its vibrant culture and beautiful parks, is buzzing with excitement this fall. Why, you ask? The Riverbanks Zoo & Garden has welcomed a delightful addition—a tiny toco toucan chick! This little feathered friend has been the highlight of the zoo and a symbol of persistence, as it took over a decade for the dedicated bird team at the zoo to achieve this joyful milestone.
A Feathered Love Story
Meet the proud parents, Ramsay and Dora. Both of them have been residents at Riverbanks for a while now; Ramsay since 2018 and Dora since 2019. The two lovebirds were paired just six months after Dora’s arrival, and ever since, zookeepers have been cheering them on in their efforts to start a family. After five years of hopes and dreams, bird keeper Amy Gooding finally experienced the delightful news—a fertile egg had been laid! “I always hoped this day would come, but honestly didn’t think it would,” she expressed, filled with joy. “I screamed for joy when I found out we had a fertile egg, and now to see this little guy hopping around … it’s why I got into this field.”
A Rare Achievement
The excitement around the toucan chick is not just about its adorable presence; it’s part of an important conservation effort. Toco toucans are notoriously challenging to breed in captivity. In fact, Riverbanks hadn’t seen a hatchling toucan in a decade. This achievement showcases the hard work and dedication of the team at Riverbanks Zoo, which has been recognized since 1978 for its remarkable efforts in protecting and raising toucans and other bird species.
Life at the Bird Conservation Center
The chick, who is yet to be named, is currently learning the ropes of life as it flaps its tiny wings and takes its first flights inside the zoo’s Bird Conservation Center. Excitement fills the air as guests eagerly await the moment when the little one can be seen by the public in the spring. The chick’s gender will soon be discovered through a special feather test, adding even more intrigue to this captivating story. In the meantime, Ramsay and Dora have retreated to a “backstage habitat” where zookeepers are hopeful for another egg to bring even more joy to the zoo.
Creating the Perfect Environment
To further encourage breeding, staff have creatively enhanced the living arrangements. More private nesting areas have been added to inspire love and reproduction among the toucans. The team is even working to replicate the conditions that brought about Ramsay and Dora’s success in hopes of inspiring the other adult toucan pair at the zoo to follow suit. After all, each baby toucan represents not only a victory for Riverbanks but also a step forward in conservation efforts.
The Bigger Picture of Conservation
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden isn’t just about cute creatures; it has a core mission dedicated to conservation. Many may not realize that along with the breeding program for toucans, the zoo has been actively working on protecting and breeding species like Golden lion tamarins and black howler monkeys for decades.
As the leaves turn and the temperatures cool, Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo & Garden stands as a heartwarming reminder of nature’s wonders and the efforts required to protect them. This tiny toucan chick is sure to bring smiles galore when it makes its public debut, and we can’t wait to see it flourish under the loving care of its parents!
