Adelaide Zoo Adelaide Zoo News 2024

If that happens I'm really hoping their enclosure can be turned into a snow leopard exhibit! Surely that would at least have to be under consideration.

I'm not barracking for them to leave - but if they were then I'd certainly be barracking for the snow leopards.

 

Adelaide Zoo has three Dusky langur aged 11-15 years. The species has an average lifespan of 15-20 years, but it’d be easy to house them off-display at a moment’s notice. The Malayan tapir they cohabit with is 24 years of age, so is well and truly at the upper limits of its lifespan. I’d be surprised if she was still around in a year or two, though they can potentially reach 30.

The original gorilla exhibit outlined in the 2015 masterplan is quite small, so could easily fit into the area now allocated to a giraffe savannah; though I’d imagine something larger would be the aim and in any case, they won’t redevelop something they’re about to invest a significant amount of money in for many decades. The original plan was to house Mandrill, colobus etc. in adjacent exhibits to the gorilla and Pygmy hippopotamus. Mandrill are another omission from the latest masterplan, cementing their phase out (from Adelaide and Australasia).

 

The lease for the Giant pandas is set to expire in November, so I’m hopeful we’ll hear an update from the zoo in the next few months on whether it’s been renewed or not. They’re undoubtedly Adelaide Zoo’s biggest attraction and even with the underwhelming/non existent breeding success, they’re sure to remain a drawcard as the region’s only pair of Giant pandas.

If pushed for an alternative, I agree Snow leopards are the natural choice. They’d compliment the adjacent Nepalese red panda and be a good fit for the terrain of the exhibit. The den facilities would only need comparatively minor modifications. The general public regard Snow leopard as the king of leopards (despite them not actually being a leopard) and they’d surely prove at least as popular as Wellington and Melbourne’s pairs.

 

The mandrill phase out is the most bizarre and illogical of all phaseouts in recent years. Maybe Melbourne or Sydney (or elsewhere) could come to the rescue and take them but I doubt it. I simply can’t see any reason to phase this species out… but I’m sure I’ve said that before on ZooChat.

 

Adelaide Zoo have an elderly pair of Mandrill, aged 19 and 26 years; and their prime aged son. I imagine they’ll wait until the elderly pair pass and then export the son to the US or Europe. Given how long this process can take, they may even look at arranging this beforehand so he’s not left alone for a prolonged period when they pass.

Melbourne’s decision to phase out Mandrill was equally as baffling, especially considering they’ve done nothing of note in the six years since they’ve passed and it’s now sitting empty.

 

Nepalese red panda breeding plans:

From socials:

Keeper Jemma shares an exciting update - plans are underway to breed the two Red Pandas, Mishry and Ravi!

Mishry is about to come into her breeding season and keepers are preparing to introduce her to Ravi for the first time.

The two Red Pandas are part of the regional breeding program working to save the endangered species. Our paws are crossed for cubs!

 

Naming competitions underway:

Black and White Colobus Infants:

Zamba gave birth to a male infant in November, whilst Adale giving birth to an infant in March (sex to be determined).

The names for the infants are as follows:

• Kudumu (meaning durable in Swahili)
• Nuru- (meaning light in Swahili)
• Pili- (meaning second child in Swahili)
• Sukari – (meaning sugar in Swahili)
• Chumvi- (meaning salt in Swahili)
• Ndizi – (meaning banana in Swahili)
• Kadogo – (meaning the small one in Swahili)

Cotton Top Tamarin Twins:

Born to mum, Peppa, last October.

Names are as follows:

• Corozo – A nut that comes from a native palm in South America and is used for button production
• Tagua – A product from a native palm also known as vegetable ivory in South America.
• Carlos
• Camilo

Voting can be done on the Zoos website, via the link below:
Animal naming competition - Adelaide Zoo

 

Orangutan Forest Canopy Trail now open:

The addition of the aerial lines enables Kluet and Puspa to both be on display at the same time (one in the exhibit; one on the towers/aerial lines). They previously rotated use of the exhibit.

Watch Puspa and Kluet climb the Orangutan Forest Canopy Trail for the first time! | Watch Puspa and Kluet climb the Orangutan Forest Canopy Trail for the first time today! Keeper Pij explains that Kluet and Puspa are much happier... | By Adelaide ZooFacebook

Watch Puspa and Kluet climb the Orangutan Forest Canopy Trail for the first time today!

Keeper Pij explains that Kluet and Puspa are much happier being neighbours rather than roommates, and this habitat allows them to use the area while giving each other space.

 

They were previously mentioned in Monarto's Masterplans in a small exhibit adjacent to the Black Rhinoceros bus stop. I assume now with the Elephants incoming these plans have been scrapped. The only species other than Elephants Monarto has openly expressed plans for at this current date is Baboons.

Personally, I think a small drive-through exhibit dedicated to 2-3 Maned Wolves at the start of the park would suit Monarto greatly and fill a gap in the current circuit

 

Yes, the elephants were clearly a last minute decision for Monarto (albeit an exciting one) with the present state of the region (two zoos in a semi-urgent need to phase out) presenting a rare opportunity to acquire elephants without importing.

It appears to have been regionally recognised the importance of providing primates (spider monkeys, baboons etc) with the opportunity to live in larger troops as they would in the wild, with continuous (or at least regular) breeding. There’s been incidences of late of females rejecting young, which is a common problem when females don’t have the chance to witness the raising of young in their formative years. With this in mind, zoos like Adelaide and Auckland are phasing out their baboons and so Monarto has been identified as the site for a large troop. I’m excited to see what eventuates.

 

Fat-tailed dunnart joeys now on display:

They're out! And they're zooming! The Fat-tailed Dunnart joeys have made their big debut in the Nocturnal House and have been busy exploring the... | By Adelaide ZooFacebook

The Fat-tailed Dunnart joeys have made their big debut in the Nocturnal House and have been busy exploring the habitat.

The joeys are now three months old! This breeding program is key to Fat-tailed Dunnarts and other dunnarts’ survival, some of which, like the Kangaroo Island Dunnart, is classified as critically endangered.

 

Nepalese red panda breeding update:

Red Panda breeding update | A furry-good update on our Red Panda breeding program! Ravi and Mishry have swapped habitats and have been getting familiar with each other's scent.... | By Adelaide ZooFacebook

Ravi and Mishry have swapped habitats and have been getting familiar with each other's scent. This is the first step to help them get used to each other before coming together for potential breeding.

Watch Ravi explore Mishry's habitat and sniff her scent!

Stay tuned for updates.

I applaud Adelaide Zoo for giving everyone an insight into the breeding of this species. Usually, the first we’ve heard of breeding at other zoos in the region has been an announcement their four month old cubs are ready to leave the nest.

 

I agree - it’s great to learn what happens behind the scenes with these things and about how much preparation work goes into them.

It brings the public along for the journey rather than just showing them a (successful) result at the end. It’s really interactive in that way.

 

I have long appreciated ZoosSA's relative openness about a lot of their behind-the-scenes goings on, even when it's an upsetting circumstance. It's certainly helped me feel connected to the zoo, and I'm sure helps cement a friendly community feel.

 

The tribute to Soona following her passing remains one of the best tributes I’ve seen regarding the passing of a zoo animal within the region. It was time when her keepers were in shock and grieving, yet found the time to acknowledge the tragic event and forge that connection with the community. Their openness was much appreciated and admirable given the circumstances.

One thing I’ve noticed many zoos do is ask the community to share their memories of the animal in question. Aside from being a way to encourage positive/supportive feedback, it’s a nice way to acknowledge the connection the public has with these animals.

 

Tapir Update

In celebrating World Tapir Day, Adelaide Zoo mentioned they have three tapir (Jelita, Arturo and Chiquita). Combined with the removal of Talara from the website, this suggests Talara has passed away. It appears her last mention was on April 2023 last year.

Talara was born September 1987 (at Marwell Zoo), so she reached a remarkable age.

Malayan tapir:

0.1 Jelita (2000)

Brazilian tapir:

1.0 Arturo (2006)
0.1 Chiquita (2002)

 

Were Arturo and Chiquita intended to breed?

 

No, apparently they were never intended for breeding as they’re related. Arturo was brought in for the sole purpose of providing Chiquita with companionship after Talara passed.

 

Do we know if Adelaide have any intention of breeding? Of course they feature in the master plan but there’s still some confusion on my end. I also wonder if Melbournes plans for the elephant exhibit will affect Adelaide’s holding of either tapir species

 

Not with the pair they have. I’m hopeful the inclusion of tapir in the masterplan indicates an intention to import more Brazilian tapir. As a region, I think there’s reasonable potential to establish a thriving population if we sourced more founders and multiple zoos committed to them.