If you’ve ever wanted to stroll through a tropical forest while being judged by birds and outsmarted by monkeys, the Michael Corbasson Zoological and Forest Park in Nouméa is the place for you. It is home to a large population of New Caledonia’s national bird, the kagu (or cagou or cagu)!

Spanning more than 34 hectares, the park is home to a remarkable collection of New Caledonian birds, wildlife and native plants.

As you wander the shaded trails, you’ll discover giant kaori trees, curious reptiles, playful primates, and a variety of tropical birds. The park serves as an important conservation center, helping to protect many of New Caledonia’s unique species and educate visitors about the island’s extraordinary biodiversity.

Kagu: New Caledonia’s Celebrity

One of the star attractions is the kagu, New Caledonia’s national bird. Found nowhere else on Earth, this flightless bird sports a stylish crest and an unforgettable bark-like call that sounds more watchdog than bird.

These magnificent birds have beautiful striped wings, sporty crests on their head, blood red eyes, and fat gray bodies.  They love to eat meat and worms and have an unusual “bark” squawk. The Kagu make this morning and evening cry sounding remarkably like a bark.

Kagu’s mate for life.  Females lay one egg each year.  The young are raised by their parents for a few years before it moves to another territory to find a new community.

The Zoological And Forest Parc is home to several young Kagu and we were able to spot one!  He not nearly as attractive as his parents, but there is hope yet!

When it feels threatened, it runs quickly and hides. However, they can also fan out their wings and raise their crests if it cannot flee or if it has a chick with it.

I had really wanted to see the kagu with its raised crest but it simply would not cooperate.

Aviary More Than a Zoo

Even though New Caldonians classify this as a zoo it is more of an aviary.  They have an unusually large number of bird exhibits.

But running free throughout the park are hundreds of peacocks.  They even had several albino breeding pairs.

One of my favorite, new birds is the “Cloven-feathered Dove” with furry boots (center bottom image)

So much color in these beautiful feathered friends.

Leaping Lemurs

They have five feisty male lemurs living on their own little island in the zoo.  They were just fed their morning snack and enjoyed showing off their score!

Little Farm

As you enter the Zoological and Forest Parc you first encounter their “little farm.”  It was really kind of funny as they had 1 deer, 1 donkey, 4 rabbits, and 1 pig.

Matt is pointing out the “domestic ass.”

Whether you’re a nature lover, bird enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful escape from the city, the Zoological and Forest Park offers a fascinating glimpse into the wild side of New Caledonia.

Find the Zoological and Forest Parc on No Foreign Land.

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We visited the Zoological and Forest Parc on 17 June 2026.