Our zoo celebrates an outstanding breeding success with turacos, barbets and toucans

Each species presented unique challenges, from specialised diets and complex pair relationships to carefully timed care for eggs and chicks.

Great blue turaco – specialised nutrition and demanding chick rearing

The Zlín Zoo has kept great blue turacos since 2020. This year, five chicks were successfully raised. The first three were hand-reared, while the next clutch was left in the care of the parents.

“We regularly consulted specialists from across Europe, fine-tuned the diet and adjusted the breeding conditions. Although the parents took care of the chicks, we monitored their development daily, weighed them and supplemented their food with special medication whenever necessary,” explained zoologist Václav Štraub.

Only five institutions in Europe keep this species, and according to available information, just two have successfully bred it.

Great barbet – understanding the relationship between partners is key

Only four institutions worldwide keep great barbets, and our zoo is the only one to have successfully raised a chick this year.

Native to Southeast Asia, the great barbet nests in decaying tree trunks. One of the greatest challenges is establishing a compatible breeding pair, as aggression between partners can have fatal consequences. The Zlín team drew on its experience with Guianan toucanets, using separate aviaries and allowing the birds to meet only under carefully controlled conditions.

“Our keepers know the birds’ behaviour very well and can recognise when they need to be separated,” explained Václav Štraub.

The chick was initially left entirely in the parents’ care and later raised by the female alone. Great barbets first arrived at the Zlín Zoo in late 2024. They are currently kept behind the scenes, but are planned to become part of the future Nusantara exhibit.

Toco toucan – three female chicks successfully raised

Breeding Toco toucans requires a carefully balanced, low-iron diet, a specially designed L-shaped nest box and controlled humidity and temperature.

“We placed part of the clutch in an incubator and returned the newly hatched chicks to their parents after a short period of hand-feeding. The pair successfully raised all three chicks. This builds on last year’s achievement, when we raised two chicks,” said Václav Štraub.

Although more than one hundred European zoos keep Toco toucans, successful breeding in 2026 has been recorded at only three institutions. Our achievements are the result of years of experience, careful observation and the keepers’ ability to understand the specific needs of each species.

“Every species teaches us something different. With barbets, understanding the relationship between partners is essential; with turacos, specialised nutrition and chick care are crucial; and with toucans, success depends on dietary details and the right incubation techniques. These achievements confirm once again that our keepers are among the best in the world. I am incredibly proud of them,” said Roman Horský, the director of the Zlín Zoo.