Zoológico Regional Miguel Álvarez del Toro (ZooMAT)/ SEMAHN
www.zoomat.chiapas.gob.mx
ZooMAT, located in the southernmost State of Chiapas, Mexico, exhibits regional fauna. Being one of the richest biodiversity states in Mexico, spectacular and endangered animals are exhibited. For many years, this zoo displayed Resplendent quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno) without successful breeding. In 2002 and 2003, the DWA visited the facility and donated equipment to track the activities inside the quetzal nests and provided incubators for eggs. With video cameras, the zoo staff was able to observe eggs being laid, remove the eggs and place them in the incubator. This resulted in the first ever Resplendent quetzal hatched in captivity in 2003. Since 2003, a dozen quetzals have hatched at the zoo. The DWA is also committed to improve the breeding and exhibit facilities for quetzals at the zoo. One of the goals of this program is to release some individuals produced in captivity into the cloud forest of El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve and also, to transfer some to other facilities and obtain economical resources to help ecological research for this bird and its habitat.
