and here are those new lizards: Capital Times, Wellington. What's on in Wellington There are also photos on the zoo's Facebook page.
What is this 'Eastern' Grand Skink name? I haven't heard this before. Has the species been split or something? Good news though.
Interview with Zoo Director Karen Fifield Quite a good article, includes some updates on the zoo's plans for the year, and beyond. Story & Photos here: Wellington Zoo's Karen Fifield | The Big Comeback | Stuff.co.nz
both Otago and grand skinks have western and eastern populations which are managed as separate identities to keep the genetic lines pure. All (?) the grand skinks in captivity are from Macraes Flat (the eastern population).
not at all, in fact it is much more endangered by a long way. However for historical reasons the captive population are eastern grands (i.e. they just happen to be the ones that had been captured). I just found an article from 2011 which says there were plans to have all four populations (of both Otago and grand skinks together) represented by captive-breeding populations but I don't know if that has happened. Article here: Endangered skinks may be relocated | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News Western grands number "in their tens" (2012): http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/east-otago/217975/genetic-work-aims-help-save-skinks At the time of the last DoC management plan for Otago and grand skinks (2009) there were no captive western grands but does say that the plan is for starting a breeding programme for them (and also mentions in passing that Otago skinks were sent to Jersey Zoo in the 1960s): http://www.doc.govt.nz/global/Conse...d-and-otago-skink-captive-management-plan.pdf
Hero HQ to open 25th April Hero HQ, Wellington Zoo's exhibit for various invertebrates and reptiles (and possibly amphibians?) is due to open next week, on April 25 (which is a public holiday in NZ - ANZAC Day). The exhibit is on the site of the old kiosk, and indeed uses much of that building in its new design. I think the exhibits will be viewed from outside the building, i.e. they will be terrariums set into the walls. This is what the building looked like a few months ago - http://www.zoochat.com/15/future-reptile-house-wellington-zoo-2013-a-308143/ Story here: Wellington Zoo - Marvel at the new Super Heroes of Wellington Zoo!
I've been regularly checking with news items over the last few weeks to catch when the scorpions and other inverts have arrived from Australia, but so far nothing announced. I would go ahead and assume they have been imported already though (or as good as) if they have now referenced them on their own website's news page.
Hero HQ is open as of today. For some reason there does not yet appear to be any specific information anywhere as to what is actually on show there! The zoo's facebook says "Tarantulas, Scorpions, Goliath Stick Insects, Chameleons and more", and has a photo of a "giant green mantid" (presumably the enormous Hierodula majuscula from Australia), an out-of-focus unnamed scorpion species (might be the Australian rainforest scorpion Liocheles waigiensis), Jackson's chameleon and shingleback. Signs and terrariums visible in the photos include those for Madagascar day gecko, leopard gecko, scheltopusik and goliath stick insect. [EDIT: the shingleback isn't part of Hero HQ, it was just visiting from its regular exhibit at the old elephant house for the opening] [EDIT #2: I just realised that given Wellington Zoo's mortal dread of giving scientific names on the animal signage, it may not be easy to make any statements on just which exact species the invertebrates are....]
Wellington Wishes to Import Giraffe Calves from the US of A! Old update on the giraffe situation. Wellington Zoo Giraffe Replacement Some Way Off | Stuff.co.nz Well isn't that a blessing. What would we do if hybrid giraffes weren't well-represented???
Ground-(or should that be rib?)-breaking Surgery Excuse the pun, here is a story about how one of Wellington Zoo's kiwi has been operated on to try and save her broken beak with a graft from her rib. Story & Photo here: Kiwi Undergoes World-First Beak Graft Surgery | Stuff.co.nz
the zoo's hospital has at least five white-capped mollymawks brought in after last night's massive storm which caused widespread damage throughout the city. The zoo is fine according to their Facebook.
yep, last week there were bad floods in the South Island, this week snow. Apparently chest-deep in some areas. Wellington didn't get snow but their storm was the worst in 45 years. There were pictures on the news of sea-front houses completely demolished and reinforced sea-walls just levelled by the waves.
this news video has about the Zoo being inundated with injured seabirds (from minute 5.30 to about 7.20), including mollymawks, little penguins, shags and a giant petrel. Bearing the brunt of the storm - Campbell Live - Video - 3 News
Wellington Zoo, as well as Auckland Zoo and Orana Park, are hoping to each import a group of four Tasmanian Devils, and if import regulations are organised quickly the 12 devils could be in the country by the end of this year. Story here: Wellington Zoo In Line To Get Four Devilish 'Ambassadors'... | Stuff.co.nz More info on this thread: https://www.zoochat.com/community/posts/683975
Meet the Locals Development Continues The Wellington Zoo's native species exhibit - Meet the Locals - is set to begin the next phase of development, with the zoo calling for expressions of interest for the project. This will see an old part of the lower zoo, which has been blocked off for a couple of years now, redeveloped to include exhibits for penguins, farm animals, forest birds and kea. It will link to the first phase of Meet the Locals, a native bird breeding facility called The Roost. The plan, which is viewable on the link below, appears to be somewhat different to the original concept (see here: http://www.zoochat.com/15/plan-meet-locals-development-210685/), with the large walkthrough deer exhibit apparently scrapped (although deer are still in the farm section), and the forest aviary also missing (although there will be a bush area to attract wild native birds...). There is also no mention of obtaining Tahr for the old sun bear enclosure, fostering hope that this may be used for snow leopards in the future. Story and plan here: Wellington Zoo | Meet The Locals Development To... | Stuff.co.nz