Counting Chicks Before They Do Not Hatch

Tokyo is sending two zoo employees to Norway to learn how to breed ptarmigans before it’s too late for the endangered birds and the do NOT hatch. The idea - “Being prepared for a species’ future is an important role for a zoo.” Norway knows what to do and Japan has good imitators.

Ptarmigans are a rare subspecies that live in the high mountains of the Japan Alps. They are also on the ‘Red List’ meaning they are at an increasingly high risk of extinction. The birds live on alpine plants 2,400 meters above sea level and face problems with temperature management and food supplies when they are moved to lowlands and with increasing temps throughout the globe.

Japan will study how Norway controls daylight and air conditioning which will play a part in the ptarmigan’s reproductive cycle. If the team succeeds in Norway, they will try the same technique in Japan.

“How about eggs for b’fast, Taro?”

“Noooo!!!”

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