There hasn't been much news from Adelaide so far this year, possibly because they aren't doing much except trying to get out of their financial problems. Small news so far has been posted in various threads: http://www.zoochat.com/24/new-tree-kangaroo-france-312856/ http://www.zoochat.com/24/sun-bear-passes-away-308911/ http://www.zoochat.com/24/karta-orang-utan-pregnant-277135/ http://www.zoochat.com/24/warrawong-closing-307485/ And there isn't really much else to report yet - going through the zoo's news section, the biggest other news seems to be the arrival of highland cattle (Get in Swiftly, Adelaide Zoo Welcomes a Furry New Creature -). But their facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Adelaide-Zoo/160021607359286) has reported some worrying news today: Fingers crossed he recovers.
Are there still two flamingos at Adelaide Zoo? The zoo seems to have stagnated since the arrival of the pandas (presumably for financial reasons) so I wonder what their next plans will be. It's fortunate that there is nothing in dire need of renovation but even a small new exhibit might be able to increase visitation amongst Adeladians.
Yes, they still have two - the Greater (possibly been at the zoo since mid-1930s) and the Chilean (the last of a large colony imported from South America to Taronga in 1955). Hopefully they can add the occassional new exhibit, coatis would be an ideal species - could be easily sourced and displayed in a cheap exhibit.
Another new addition announced on facebook, this time a female Golden Lion Tamarin from the States (https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Adelaide-Zoo/160021607359286). Aurora is the only female GLT at Adelaide, they already had three males. I think this brings the regional population to 17, at only four zoos (Adelaide, Auckland, Melbourne, Mogo).
They aren't listed on the census, which almost certainly means they don't. They still have them listed on their website though.
Giant Panda Update Adelaide Zoo has released an article describing female Funi's second period of pseudo-pregnancy, which indicates that she may be ready for motherhood. Story & Photos here: Funi Proves Ready for Motherhood - The article concludes with:
New species for Adelaide The arrival of a new species has been alluded to on facebook: Good to see this species (coati) making it to another major zoo! Hopefully this will boost visitor numbers a little bit in the upcoming school holidays.
well I can honestly say I have never in my life heard the name "Brazilian aardvark" before, but I just googled it and got tons of hits. There are more stupid people out there than I thought! Good to see the coatis spreading out to another zoo!
I too have never heard that name before, if I had then I would've assumed they were talking about a giant anteater! (Makes more sense to me... ) And coatis are bloody everywhere in Europe and the States, I'd quite happily swap them for kaka, Tassie devils, more echidnas or any other natives the Australasian region want to throw this way...
Adelaide Zoo has announced some more details on their facebook page: the coatis are three females and are the first at the zoo in almost 30 years. They will go on display next to the Fennec Foxes after completing 30 days quarantine.
How old is this pair of Pandas now? Did they try to mate them already? Is the Zoo putting a positive spin here on the fact she didn't become pregnant- from the description of nesting and prolonged maternal care of a dummy object, I would say 'may be ready for motherhood' is rather an understatement, she obviously already is! So hopefully next time around they can get her pregnant.
What?!!! In 2010 there were three enclosures of these guys and at least 8 individuals, including two young ones. What the hell happened to them all? Hix
The (downward) progression of the dwarf mongoose at Adelaide Zoo (and therefore Australia, as no-one else was interested in having them) was as follows:- In 2002 there were 8 males and 6 females. In 2006 there were 4 males and 4 females. In 2009 there were 3 males and 2 females. Now, as of this week, there are none. Being worried at their downward spiral, I started a thread on them in June 2007, pointing out that we were losing yet another interesting exotic species. The majority of replies were more or less along the lines of "forget ''em - we would rather have meerkats." Why can't we have both? I assume that, being small, they have a short life span. The impoverishment of Aussie zoos continues.........
I stand corrected - the youngsters I saw were in 2007. At that point there were two enclosures. When I saw them in 2010 there were some in a third, larger enclosure (but one of the original pair of enclosures may have been empty). And apparently they have a life span of only 10 years or so. With any luck, I'll see some in a couple of weeks. Hix
