A red-crowned crane and its babies. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Spring has brought a "baby boom" of rare birds at Hangzhou Safari Park, where several endangered chicks have recently hatched, including national first-class protected species such as the red-crowned crane and the white-naped crane.

Between April 9–10, multiple chicks broke their shells almost simultaneously, kicking a busy breeding period for the park's crane population. Keepers reported that four healthy red-crowned crane chicks hatched, with another clutch still incubating. One white-naped crane chick has also recently joined the group.

The park began preparations as early as March, adjusting nutrition for breeding birds and maintaining 24-hour incubation monitoring. After hatching, chicks are raised under parental care and human assistance to ensure they remain healthy.

Known as the "spirit of wetlands", the red-crowned crane is a symbol of longevity and elegance in Chinese culture. Both parents take turns caring for the chicks — one guarding while the other forages. The fluffy yellow chicks are already learning to follow their parents across the enclosure.

The white-naped crane, a globally vulnerable species with an estimated wild population of around 6,500, has also bred this season. Extremely protective parents shelter their chick fromt the slightest disturbance, prompting keepers to rely on remote observation to minimize stress.

A red-crowned crane and its baby. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]