Wellington Zoo's first imports of 2013 arrived last night: Scheltopusik. Photos here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/WgtnZoo/photos_stream There is only one other Scheltopusik (European legless lizard) in the country (Auckland Zoo), and only four in Australia, so these are quite an exciting import for the region. It is not clear where they came from or how many were imported (although definitely more than one). They are not on display yet, but will be part of the new reptile exhibit when that gets done. I wonder what else will arrive this year?
very good news. As far as my understanding goes, lizards can only be imported to NZ from Australia, so they must have come from there. But Australia can also import scheltopusiks, so they may have originally come from further afield. I doubt there are only four scheltopusiks in Australia. I suspect some very interesting small animals
I just had a look on the zoo's Facebook. I like how that particular person guessed scheltopusik would be in the mystery crate The zoo must have been like "what the heck?!"
Well Ok, four in Australian ZAA zoos. Do you have a good idea of what is coming this year, or is it just guesses? Do you mean small mammals? Or reptiles/inverts? And where from? So exciting! Don't know why they didn't acknowledge my guess at all...
I know some things that are supposed to be coming but I won't say what because things can change and I don't want to spoil surprises. But there will also be lots I don't know about hopefully!! So, no, I don't have "a good idea" but I have "some idea". If they bring in the many-legged African beasties I will be happy! I am very impressed these last couple of years with all the importing Wellington Zoo is doing. They are doing a great job there.
They are doing an amazing job! (except when it comes to facebook credit ) Having said that, there are two species I am most hopeful that they will import - Shrub Infants and Van Diemen's Lucifer, but I don't actually know what will be arriving. Fingers crossed for the "many-legged African beasties" too!
the first one for me too! The second one would be good as well. But I don't think there is yet an IHS for either.
The second one presumably much easier to get hold of too. Both are approved zoo animals though, although maybe they don't have IHSs yet. Would prefer the glacial Asian version of the first though.
yup there's lots of animals on the approved zoo animals list which don't have an IHS yet. The glacial Asian one is unlikely (not on the approved list at all) and their shrubby cousins do much better in captivity and breed easily so would be a much better choice (easy to get hold of too if an IHS is drawn up - in fact would probably be easier than the Van Diemen's critter). I think they'd be much more popular with the visitors as well. Do you think this thread has got confusing enough for everyone else yet?
But the glacial Asian one is soooooooo much better!!!! I think everyone else is very confused. Especially the Americans, who are wondering how on Earth their tax collector could be involved
Tax collector is IRS, not IHS (unless they've changed it). I love shrub infants. They're more active than the glacial asians, or their skinny-as-a-rake cousins. Except the Stupid-Story Shrub Infant - not as cute as the vulgar ones. Hix
I do like those myself but yes the little ones are much much cuter. I think the ones you mention would be too reminiscent of brush-tailed possums for NZ viewers. There are actually four species on the approved zoo animal list but I can't remember which ones they are off the top of my head.
just checked the list. Two of the approved species are little cute ones, two are the big possum-like ones.
moving on from the scheltopusik schilliness....there is another taiko at the zoo's hospital. (There was one there in 2011; some photos are in the gallery from the time). Rare bird treated at Wellington Zoo - Yahoo! New Zealand
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, because you missed the last one. They really are very elegant birds. Make sure you ask when you arrive what time /if it will be getting a check-up to be sure not to miss it. And I hope you get better photos than I did!! Oh, and find out how many scheltopusiks they have imported!
just a little add-on to the taiko story above: this one is only the second ever to be brought to the mainland from the Chathams (the first was the one the zoo hospital looked after in 2011). I think probably the two rarest "zoo" animals I've ever seen are the taiko and a kakapo, both in the Wellington Zoo hospital (neither actually zoo animals of course, but I'm still claiming them!)
