The first birth of 2014 at Canberra's National Zoo & Aquarium was a Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo. Apparently these are rather difficult to breed - does anyone know when and where the last breeding occurred in Australia? Story & Photos here: Rare Goodfellow's tree kangaroo baby makes an appearance at Canberra's National Zoo and Aquarium - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
On the current zoo map, viewable here: Visitor Information - National Zoo & Aquarium, the squirrel monkeys appear to have moved in to the South American primate block, replacing the Tawny Frogmouths which lived in a fairly large aviary.
The Aquarium at the National Zoo has reopened in time for Easter. There are photos on the Zoo's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/canberrazoo?ref=ts&fref=ts
National Zoo celebrates International Tiger Day. Full article and photos here: Zoo stresses role our consumer habits have on animal habitats
Does this mean there are no longer any cougars at National Zoo? EDIT: Their Facebook page says they still have one, older, female Cougar (Cree), and she is moving into the old bear enclosure. This sounds like a good swap.
This should have happened when the enclosure was first built nearly 14(?) years ago. The original bear enclosure was woefully undersized by modern standards for three large bears, while the two pumas were easily lost in the bigger exhibit. Dare say the surviving puma will still be hard to see in the old bear exhibit. Are the snow leopards living in the enclosed forest next door - possible tension between cats? And who lives in the old 'walk-through' cave inside the aquarium? Sounds like the NZA need to import a few more animals as the old ones go or it will look a bit empty in some of the exhibits, particularly with the planned expansion. No more tigons or leopards. Just how many pumas are there still in Aust collections? Melbourne, NZA and Dream World? They were the prefered Sth American spp at one stage, except few zoos took them on. Should have went for Jaguars...
From the website there appears to be 0.2 new black and white colobus named "Safi" and "Misuka". Anyone know where from (Monarto?)? EDIT: Found out they did indeed come from Monarto.
From Facebook: New arrivals on display! Hyenas are fascinating creatures which evoke quite an emotional response from people. While they are scavengers they are also skilled hunters with a complex social order.
The male hyenas are 'Zuberi' (b. 2013 to Forest) and 'Pinduli' (b. 2012 to Kigali) and are located in the former European brown bear enclosure. 6.0 Africa hunting dogs have also arrived (but are off display until the new area opens).
