Article about the first stage of Auckland's multi-million-dollar 10-year redevelopment plan will be completed this year with the opening of two new exhibits(Meerkats & Lace Monitors) and animals expecting babies(Capybara, Squrriel Monkey, Otter, Red Panda and Kiwi) Zoo abuzz over baby boom and savannah - Summer Herald - NZ Herald News
What tortoises are in African Pridelands? Any idea what species will be home for the Australian freshwater exhibit?
The article states the zoo are expecting otter pups and a red panda cub in 2016. Can we conclude that both these births have already occurred and the offspring are in their nesting boxes waiting to emerge? Red pandas are born December/January and otters usually in the warmer months (November to April/May). It seems it was a good decision to swap the previous breeding female Jana, with Jeta after Jana did not produce subsequent litters following her 2009 litter. Jeta has now had two successful litters with hopefully a third to follow, not to mention producing the first female otter pup in 12 years in 2015. Jaya (1990) > Jade (1999) > Jeta (2003) > Kalaya (2015)
the zoo has five chicks from their orange-fronted kakariki (photos of them in the nest box posted yesterday on their Facebook page).
Well the Red Panda cub has arrived, although it turns out they got twins, from parents Bo and Sagar. Story and video here: Zoo welcomes rare red panda cubs
Great to see confirmation of new exhibits for orangutans and tigers, hopefully within a connected South-east Asian area, with additional species also incorporated. I wonder what this will mean for the existing tiger exhibits, are the days of the pit enclosure numbered? The newer enclosure could make a good aviary or monkey enclosure. Does anyone know where the Australian freshwater exhibit will specifically be located? There is space between the lorikeet aviary and the Tasmanian devils, and within the wallaby walkthrough, but I suspect they will be installing it at the end of the Brolga enclosure where the lovebird aviary used to be, and so create a link to the bridge and cockatoo exhibit again.
Hopefully the Platypus! On another note, I hope Auckland introduce the wombat and echidna to their Australian collection.
I hope the tiger pit is retained. It is not highly unsuitable for the tiger, and combined with the second enclosure built 2006, I see little reason for an upgrade. I think the zoo arguably has bigger fish to fry. If the zoo is to import Sumatran orang-utan, and upgrade is definitely in order. I did a behind the scenes in 2013 and the inside dens seemed quite tired etc. Keepers have spoken before on the unsuitability of the smaller enclosure, which makes the animals feel as if they're in a fishbowl. The naturally social chimpanzees probably had little objection but the orang-utans have apparently never taken to it. Reading about the differences in curating Bornean vs. Sumatran orang-utans, Sumatrans were described as more social. Hopefully Auckland can do the species justice like Perth Zoo and breed regularly from multiple females, not like some of the other Australian Zoos who hold pairs, or small family units. Sumatrans were also described as more aboreal (due to ground predators like the tiger in their native habitat). A bigger emphasis will need to be made on the availability of climbing structures vs. the more open plan park theme of the Bornean's habitat, which has also been criticised by staff.
It has been formally announced that Auckland Zoo will receive a second Asian Elephant from Sri Lanka "soon". Read more: Auckland Zoo to welcome new elephant | NZNews | Newshub
...and, predictably, animal activists are "outraged". Auckland Zoo 'delighted' by new elephant offer, but animal rights activists angry | Stuff.co.nz
Fantastic news regarding the hopefully imminent arrival of Nandi. Pleased to hear she is only five years old so she can settle in and be bred from young like Melbourne Zoo were able to with Kulab, who was six years old on arrival, and produced her first calf aged ten. Auckland Zoo were still viewing AI as the most viable option for breeding (as oppose to importing a bull), is this correct?
Auckland Zoo's Pridelands extension first residents move in, ahead of the exhibit opening next Friday. Story & video here: Auckland Zoo meerkats move into new home, reaction caught on camera | Stuff.co.nz
Hello, I'm new to the forum. I have come accross and article about the new Savannah development, Sneak peek into Auckland Zoo's $7 million African savanna development | Stuff.co.nz There is also a video which is really good, it gives a sneak peek into what it will look like. The meerkat enclosure looks amazing, the domes for visitors look like a big improvement from the last ones. The African birds that will make home in the aviary are said to be moving in soon, as well as leopard tortoises and chameleons. Also the watering hole for the giraffes and zebras looks great, complete with a little waterfall. I look forward to checking it all out when it is finished, which should be in a few days.
Welcome ZooBoyNZ, from another zooboy from NZ. The inclusion of Chameleons is exciting, the Zoo has not had these for about ten years. Presumably these will be Jackson's Chameleons from Ti Point. Interesting to hear the director state that there will be multiple bird species in the aviary, not just the lovebird colony - I wonder what else will be included? There are few African birds available apart from Guineafowl, African Grey Parrots and maybe some finches. Notably, he also mentioned other small animals, which might indicate that Porcupines might move here in the future, and possibly other species.
I'm thinking by "a whole range of African birds species" he might be exaggerating somewhat to refer just to lovebirds. Just as a point of interest the sign at the start of the video shows the species which will be present. The bottom row of animals are meerkat, lovebirds, tortoise, lion and rhino. The top row is zebra, giraffe, nyala, guineafowl and ostrich.
Thank you! And yes chameleons are very exciting. I was also wondering what other birds would be in the aviary, I guess we will need to wait and see, which should be only 4 days now! And it would make sense for the porcupines to move into the area, since this new meerkat enclosure looks very large, maybe they will make it a meerkat/porcupine mixed enclosure like Orana's. Either way, I'm very excited for the opening!
Yes! I also noticed this! Nyala would be a great addition to the Auckland Savannah, as I believe Wellington has a herd of quite a few now (not exactly sure how many) but maybe a few females could be transferred to Auckland. Antelopes are my favourite animal, so it would be nice to have another species at Auckland. Speaking of that, it seems a little bit strange that the springbok are not featured on this sign...?
