I went to the zoo a couple of weeks ago and finally have time to do an update -The froggery is located in the old entrance. The roller doors where the kiosk used to be have been removed and 4 tanks are now in. They are just your standard vivarium you get from a pet shop but are decorated quite nicely. The canopy also makes sure there is no glare. In the actual entry bit is another tank known as the nursey nook. This tank appears to rotate young reptiles. On my visit a baby inland taipan was present. Overall it looks really nice and is a good improvement to what was quite a boring area. -The new squirrel monkey enclosure is located where chook the lyrebird was around the back of the pandas. It was only halfway finished when I was there but looked quite nice. The zoo built it for the squirrel monkey encounter so that the old pair can have a break. -The zoo has so many mara baby's some are now in with the Brazilian tapirs. -A pair of hairy nosed wombats were in one of the semi-circular enclosures across from the seals while they prepare to be released.
how many mara do they have now? The first two litters were around February and March this year, giving the zoo seven or eight (?) animals total. Theoretically they could have had a couple more litters since then (with two adult females, and a gestation period of three months). EDIT: had to change the above because I thought the zoo had 1.3 adults but they have (had?) 2.2 adults.
The zoo had 3 in with the tapirs and the rest in the main enclosure which I didn't see all of them so couldn't say exactly. Speaking to one of the volunteers it sounds like quite a few zoos in the region have expressed an interest and they will breed a few more times at least with both mara and capybara. It's really good to hear that they will hopefully be sticking around for a while.
I just spent the past week on work experience at Adelaide Zoo and now have some updates. -A new bug wall is being worked on which will be housed in the envirodome. -All 3 of the old dwarf mongoose enclosures will be joined together using doors soon to become wombat enclosures. These will house 3 wombats the zoo has rescued. -4 squirrel monkeys are now on display in the old lyrebird aviary. The space looks quite good and adds something energetic and exciting for visitors in that corner of the zoo. -There is now only 1 peccary left -The maras have bred again -The zoo now has 3 animal shows 2 take place each day on weekdays and all 3 on weekends. They feature birds, mammals or reptiles. The visitors seemed to very much enjoy the shows which allow the kids to have a large amount interaction with native animals.
If the giant pandas fail to breed/loan expires, is it true that that area will be converted for gorilla (I think I somewhere read this idea)?
I'm not sure, I've heard the rumour but don't know if there's any truth in it. It would take a lot of converting to change the area into a suitable gorilla exhibit, and I do wonder if it is sensible for a zoo as small as Adelaide to bring in another large ape species. I'd love to have gorillas in Adelaide if it can be done well.
Personally I do not think "allowing children to get closer to the animals and giving them more space to play" will benefit my idea of the zoo, in the way that it will definitely not restore it to its former glory. It will probably make the zoo seem worse than what it even is now.
Indeed, a rather limp vision ..., a zoo is much more than just a children's education play ground. Probably, - as we may agree - it really takes someone from the zoo industry to really have a concept of what should be done aka priorities and what would really benefit the zoo.
I wish we could get away from this 'Zoo as Adventure Playground' vision. Its true that Zoos derive a lot of their revenue from attracting families with children, so they need to be attractive to children in the first place. But they are equally for the benefit of adults of all ages too and I cannot see why exhibiting animals and having 'play facilities' seem necessary to link together- Museums don't have play areas, so why Zoos? I agree Adelaide might better be served by improving/increasing the animal collection first and foremost.
While in general I agree with this sentiment, I feel it is not really the case for Adelaide Zoo, which has one of the largest collections in Australia yet lacks a decent "children's area". There is a rundown and cramped section at one end of the zoo which contains a petting zoo area and a couple of small play items, but nothing large or anything like what most large Australasian zoos have. A redevelopment of this area could create a much better play area that would benefit all visitors.
From the feedback I've seen from visitors, many seem to feel that there are 'not many animals' to see for the ticket price. Personally, I feel that there are lot more areas at Adelaide Zoo that could do with an upgrade over children's play areas, it is such a small zoo that to build a large kiddie area would make a big dent in space available for the animals.
Much of Adelaide Zoo could do with an upgrade its true, although there are not a lot of poor enclosures. I think that upgrading the existing children's area - not intruding on other areas beyond that - should still be a priority. As you say, Adelaide is a small zoo, but it packs a lot in, and visitors saying that there is not much for the price of their ticket are presumably referring to a perceived lack of megafauna - because there is little space and they moved most of them to Monarto!
Dusky Langurs? Hi - I'm heading to Adelaide Zoo next week. Are the dusky langurs still there (in with the Malayan tapirs)? I had a look at the zoo's website and there was no mention of them on the list of animals. I'm hoping they are still there as they are one of my favourites!
