Taipei Zoo Toucan Carries Mouse, Zoo: Induced to Drop, Did Not Eat
A visitor at Taipei Zoo witnessed a toucan carrying a mouse. The zoo announced that staff successfully induced the toucan to drop the mouse using raisins, and the mouse was not eaten. The mouse was already dead and sent to the veterinary office for examination for diseases or parasites.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 21:25
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 21:31 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 22:32 (1h 0m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yang Shu-min, Taipei, 6th) The issue of rodent infestation in Taipei City has sparked discussion. A visitor witnessed a toucan at Taipei Zoo carrying a mouse in its mouth. The zoo stated today that upon receiving the notification, they successfully induced the toucan to drop the mouse using raisins, and it did not eat it. The mouse was already dead at the time and was sent to the veterinary office for examination.
The zoo told the Central News Agency that at around 3 PM today, a keeper at the Pangolin House received a notification from a visitor that a toucan was suspected of preying on a mouse. Keepers arrived to handle the situation and successfully induced the toucan to drop the mouse using raisins. Upon inspection, the mouse was already dead and identified as a young individual of the Asian house mouse. According to park regulations, it was sent to the veterinary office for examination to determine if it carried any diseases, viruses, or parasites.
The zoo explained that toucans naturally prey on other small vertebrates. However, the toucans housed in the Pangolin House have sufficient food and did not eat this mouse.
When asked if the toucan would be infected if the mouse tested positive for a virus, the zoo said that toucans generally prey on vertebrates and they have not heard of them being infected this way.
This incident has garnered attention amidst Taipei City's intensified efforts to address rodent problems. The zoo stated that rodent prevention, capture, and removal efforts are continuously underway. Zoos are inherently open spaces, and the entry of wild animals is common. They will continue to manage and prevent such occurrences.
According to the zoo's official website, wild toucans (Great Toucans) are distributed in South America, inhabiting forests and grasslands. They are the largest toucans, with predominantly black plumage, white neck, chest, and upper tail coverts, and red undertail coverts. Their diet includes fruits like figs and oranges, as well as caterpillars, termites, chicks, and bird eggs. In captivity, they hunt and eat small birds that fly into their cages. (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150506
Stand with facts, your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
(Central News Agency reporter Yang Shu-min, Taipei, 6th) The issue of rodent infestation in Taipei City has sparked discussion. A visitor witnessed a toucan at Taipei Zoo carrying a mouse in its mouth. The zoo stated today that upon receiving the notification, they successfully induced the toucan to drop the mouse using raisins, and it did not eat it. The mouse was already dead at the time and was sent to the veterinary office for examination.
The zoo told the Central News Agency that at around 3 PM today, a keeper at the Pangolin House received a notification from a visitor that a toucan was suspected of preying on a mouse. Keepers arrived to handle the situation and successfully induced the toucan to drop the mouse using raisins. Upon inspection, the mouse was already dead and identified as a young individual of the Asian house mouse. According to park regulations, it was sent to the veterinary office for examination to determine if it carried any diseases, viruses, or parasites.
The zoo explained that toucans naturally prey on other small vertebrates. However, the toucans housed in the Pangolin House have sufficient food and did not eat this mouse.
When asked if the toucan would be infected if the mouse tested positive for a virus, the zoo said that toucans generally prey on vertebrates and they have not heard of them being infected this way.
This incident has garnered attention amidst Taipei City's intensified efforts to address rodent problems. The zoo stated that rodent prevention, capture, and removal efforts are continuously underway. Zoos are inherently open spaces, and the entry of wild animals is common. They will continue to manage and prevent such occurrences.
According to the zoo's official website, wild toucans (Great Toucans) are distributed in South America, inhabiting forests and grasslands. They are the largest toucans, with predominantly black plumage, white neck, chest, and upper tail coverts, and red undertail coverts. Their diet includes fruits like figs and oranges, as well as caterpillars, termites, chicks, and bird eggs. In captivity, they hunt and eat small birds that fly into their cages. (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150506
Stand with facts, your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.