Swedish Ambassador Captivated By Wildlife Wonders At Port Moresby Nature Park

 

Insert is His Excellency Daniel Blockert with Ella

The Port Moresby Nature Park is pleased to report an inspiring success—the breeding of Papua New Guinea’s national bird, the Raggiana Bird of Paradise, or Kumul. This is only the second successful breeding in the past four years and emphasizes the park’s vital contribution to the conservation of one of PNG’s most iconic species.

The Raggiana Bird of Paradise is also part of an international breeding program, making this success all the more significant. The wildlife team at the park has worked for the past three years to acquire the specialized expertise needed to breed these remarkable birds in captivity—a rare and delicate achievement. Their success is a tribute both to scientific knowledge and to an unwavering commitment to conservation.

Apart from breeding, the park supports long-term conservation of this species through its “Lukautim Bilas Bilong Yu” Wildlife Conservation Campaign, which seeks to reduce the need to harvest wild birds for cultural purposes while still honoring traditional heritage.

As PNG stands on the threshold of its 50th Independence Anniversary, the arrival of this new Raggiana chick appears especially symbolic—representing resilience, renewal, and national pride.

Port Moresby Nature Park, which is accredited internationally by the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia, receives more than 150,000 visitors each year, among them 30,000 students who participate in holiday and education programs. Every visit is a chance to discover more about PNG’s biodiversity and why it is so important to conserve it for generations to come.

A highlight of the visit was meeting Ella, the Park’s well-known ambassador animal and a common spotted cuscus. Ella’s welcoming nature and bright appearance captivated the visitors and helped spark fascinating discussions about species conservation and wildlife education.

The Nature Park team was honored to present Ambassador Blockert and his colleagues to its conservation efforts. The visit was not only a celebration of PNG’s natural splendor but also served to underscore the connection between global collaboration and environmental stewardship. Nature Park team was sincerely appreciative of their interest and support of the park ongoing work to protect and promote the rich biodiversity of Papua New Guinea.