3 Ptarmigan Chicks Hatch in Artificial Breeding in Central Japan

June 14, 2018

Toyama- Three chicks of the Japanese rock ptarmigan have been hatched through an artificial breeding program at a zoo in the central Japan city of Toyama, the municipal government said.

Japan thus succeeded in incubating the endangered bird artificially for the second straight year after achieving the first success in 19 years last year. The bird is designated as a special natural treasure in the country.

The three babies of the bird, whose scientific name is Lagopus mutus japonicus, were born between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning at Toyama Municipal Family Park Zoo.

They are 6.5 centimeters long and weigh between 14.2 grams and 17 grams.

Three other Japanese rock ptarmigan babies have also been hatched through artificial breeding at a zoo in the city of Nomi in neighboring Ishikawa Prefecture, which received eggs from the Toyama zoo.

"I'm feeling that we've climbed a flight of stairs," Yuji Ishihara, head of the Toyama zoo, said Wednesday, adding that the zoo will make further efforts for the program. Jiji Press