Khao Kheow Zoo Hatches Greater Adjutant Chick for First Time

CHONBURI — Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo has achieved a historic first by successfully hatching a Greater Adjutant chick, marking a major milestone in wildlife conservation after the species disappeared from Thailand's natural habitats more than 40 years ago, officials announced on May 17, 2026.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin praised the achievement as a testament to the expertise and dedication of Thai wildlife conservation staff, veterinarians, and animal keepers at the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand and Khao Kheow Open Zoo.

Zoo Director Narongwit Chotchoy revealed that the chick hatched from eggs laid by the facility's only remaining breeding pair. Due to the species' naturally low reproductive rate—typically producing just one or two eggs annually with low hatching success—zoo staff implemented an artificial incubation and hand-rearing program they described as a "life-saving operation" to maximize the chick's survival prospects.

This marks the first successful Greater Adjutant breeding at Khao Kheow under the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, and the first accomplished by a member zoo of both the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association.

Khao Kheow now ranks as the fourth facility worldwide officially recognized for successfully breeding the species in captivity, joining Bang Phra Waterbird Breeding Station in Thailand, Assam State Zoo in India, and Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity in Cambodia.

Minister Suchart emphasized that the breakthrough represents a crucial step forward in Thailand's commitment to endangered wildlife conservation and restoration of threatened species populations through sustained research and breeding initiatives.