Last year (2003) in October "Zoo Express" No. 136 We previously announced that "Great White Pelican had bred at Ueno Ueno Zoo for the first time in 71 years." Sadly, the pelican died, but chicks hatched again this year and are growing up safely!
Incubation was confirmed in early August. About a month later, on September 5th, the chicks were spotted. The chicks are dark gray to black in color. The parents are raising their young on the cormorant island in Shinobazu Pond, seemingly oblivious to the presence of other cormorants. The father is also diligently raising the chicks.
The father is called "Hashimagari" because his beak is slightly curved, and the mother is called "Migiaka" because of the color of the ring on her leg. Currently, there are 12 Great White Pelican released into Shinobazu Pond: 6 males, 5 females, plus chicks, but animal keeper are able to identify the adults perfectly.
It's already been a month since the pelican chick hatched, and there are high hopes that this time it will finally hatch! There's a bit of distance from the shore of Shinobazu Pond to the cormorant island, but please try to observe it.

・Photo above──Hina
・Photo: A father raising children
- Photo below: Mother and Hina

(October 8, 2004)