5 - Hamilton Zoo Map (June 2011)

Hamilton Zoo Map (June 2011). I got this map yesterday, and it marks a return to maps (which must be bought - 50c) as opposed to the guide books which are no longer available.

I just thought I would upload some old maps of Hamilton Zoo as there are none in the gallery or on the zoo\'s website. It is also the best way to show the changes in the zoo, which has undergone massive changes and expansion in the past decade, more so than any other NZ zoo, although the rate has definitely declined recently.

Since the previous map (07-09) changes have been largely cosmetic, with few new exhibits. A series of three large aviary-style cages was built near the bottom of the chimp exhibit, which currently hold fishing cats and siamangs. The Bobcats were sent away (Pouakai/Franklin), and the Asiatic golden cat went to Europe. A serval is now rotated through those two enclosures. Brolga moved to the lower cheetah exhibit. Public access to the giraffe house was built at the back of the wetlands complex, allowing viewing when they are not in African Savannah. The nilgai and springbok died out, and some of the blackbuck were added to the savannah. A brown teal/parakeet aviary was built near the kea, and the old harrier hawk aviary behind the owls was refurbished for kaka/banded rail/NZ wood pigeon. This area, surrounding the native aviaries/reptile exhibits was fenced off to create a weka-walkthrough. The agouti moved into the ex-weka enclosure, and meerkats replaced the agouti. Currently the Kune kune pig exhibit is undergoing major renovation, with the pigs living in the spare enclosure next door.

Future projects include construction of a new rhino indoor viewing exhibit for winter weather, and possibly a new siamang exhibit (their current home being extremely damp and cold).

Well thats certainly the impression I gave... But its not what I meant to say . I was trying to say that the population was dying out, being down to 2.0 (current census).

The nilgai were not visible in the African Savannah exhibit, and the sign for them had been removed, (which has happened in the last 5 or so months) so they probably aren't in that paddock any more, and I couldn't see them in any of the holding paddocks, which are off-display. But I hope they were being kept warm and dry over the winter somewhere...