Environment Minister Suchart Celebrates Khao Khiao Open Zoo's First-Ever Successful Hatching of Masked Finback Birds in Thailand After 40 Years of Extinction
Khao Khiao Open Zoo in Chachoengsao Province has successfully hatched a masked finback bird chick for the first time in Thailand, marking a major conservation breakthrough for a species extinct in the wild for over 40 years. The achievement
Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin announced on May 17, 2026, his delight after learning that Khao Khiao Open Zoo in Chachoengsao Province has successfully hatched a masked finback bird chick for the first time in Thailand. This marks a major conservation breakthrough for the country, as the species has been extinct in the wild for over 40 years.
The minister praised the achievement as a testament to the dedication and expertise of Thailand's wildlife conservation professionals, including the Organization of Thai Zoos, Khao Khiao Open Zoo, veterinary teams, and animal care staff who collaborated closely to safely bring the first chick to life.
According to Khao Khiao Open Zoo Director Narongwit Chadchoi from Sri Racha District, the successful hatching came from eggs of the only remaining breeding pair at the facility. Staff extracted and artificially incubated the eggs, then hand-reared the chick. Given that masked finback birds lay only 1-2 eggs per year with a naturally low hatching success rate, officials decided to implement a "life-saving operation" to maximize the chick's chances of survival—an effort that ultimately succeeded.
This chick represents the first masked finback bird successfully bred at Khao Khiao Open Zoo under the Organization of Thai Zoos, as well as the first such bird bred at any member zoo of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Southeast Asian Zoo and Aquarium Association.
Khao Khiao Open Zoo is now the fourth facility in the world officially approved to breed masked finback birds in captivity, following the Bang Pra Water Bird Breeding Station in Thailand, Assam State Zoo in India, and Angkor Biodiversity Conservation Center in Cambodia.
"This success represents another important milestone for Thailand in conserving endangered wildlife and demonstrates the collaborative effort of all sectors in reviving critically endangered species populations," Minister Suchart stated. "The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment remains committed to supporting research and breeding programs for rare wildlife to maintain Thailand's biological diversity for future generations."
