The upper age limit of reproduction for a female Giant panda appears to be 21 years. A few pandas have reached this (including Bai Yun at San Diego Zoo); though I'd imagine most, like Bai Yun, had a strong reproductive history leading up to that final birth (i.e. first births at 20+ would be unlikely). I hope the contract is renewed; though if they stay another 5 years, then Funi returns to China as an 18 year old and then gives birth almost immediately after a decade of failing to breed at Adelaide, that will be a little embarassing. Hopefully a 5 year extension will give both Funi a chance to experience motherhood; and Adelaide the success they're working so hard for. The first birth of a Giant panda in Australasia would be a very special zoological achievement.
It seems like Labor are supporting the attempt to keep Wang Wang and Fu Ni until 2024. Morrison lashes Labor over panda announcement
From a non financial perspective, I think it’s great Adelaide Zoo are giving Australians a chance to see Giant panda. I even know people from New Zealand who have made a trip to Adelaide for no other purpose than to see Wang Wang and Funi. If Giant pandas were at Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington Zoo, I’d certainly make a trip to see them as I’m sure many from Sydney, Melbourne etc have to Adelaide.
Adelaide Zoo has announced that two of their palm cockatoos are moving to a zoo in New South Wales. The birds are sisters, and are two of the four offspring that have been bred at the zoo. Very valuable birds! They didn’t mention the zoo they are moving to, any ideas? Taronga maybe? Adelaide Zoo
A zookeeper has been scratched by Cecil the emu, and has suffered minor injuries to her face and arms. Zookeeper taken to hospital after emu attack at Adelaide Zoo Slow day in the newsroom? The article states, ‘Cecil the emu, had been off food for a week’; so lets hope he’s not sick.
Why don't more Zoos or even private people have Palm Cockatoos? Being an Australian species, I would have thought the standard licence requirements would have covered the keeping of them? They're an amazing species (I seem to remember there being some kind of restrictions on keeping them but don't remember the details)
Yes it is odd that this is a native species thats established in aviculture overseas, and yet private individuals in Australia are not allowed to keep them. My suspicion is that the reason is: they were not established in captivity here and already endangered when most native animal licensing systems was brought into proper effect. If memory serves correct all of Adelaide's animals are descended from their pair which are different subspecies. A male of PNG heritage (at a guess might be the descendant of historic imports) and a female of Australian origin (perhaps a confiscation or rescue?). In any event I'd like to see, for the good of the species, some eggs taken from wild birds to establish a decent gene pool in captivity in zoos. Once established if that spilled over into private aviculture I wouldn't mind one bit!
The biggest restriction is that of course they cannot be taken from the wild or imported legally. Allied to that authorities would be wary of any coming into private hands, even legally, as they could then be used to "launder" wild caught birds into captivity.
If they are native species and not so uncommon at least in some places, should they not pop up in local rescue centers from time to time? Some portion of rescue animals is always not releasable due to permanent damage (wing, eyesight etc.). Starting a captive population seems manageable over time. Or am I missing something?
whilst its diverting from Adelaide news as such, there was Palm cockatoos at the Pearl Coast Zoo which closed, and the parrot collection was taken over and moved to QLD by the ex curator (a Graeme Taylor?) so I assume they became part of a private collection somewhere?
(Wry smile at European ignorance) Missing lots. In Australia palm cockatoos are only found in isolated pockets of the Cape York Peninsula, a wilderness area more than 3 1/2 times the area of the Czech Republic with a population of only 18,000 people, 60% of whom are Aboriginal. So unlikely to pop up at an rescue centre if indeed one exists there.
MRJ, willing to learn more (and not being too biased ... methinks)! Do you know what the population is like in terms of numbers and trends in the Cape York Peninsula? Would a captive component to in situ conservation be helpful at all in Australia for the local population?
Hmm, I see. Seems like real wilderness with little people. Would like to visit it sometime. In my country we have over 30 certified large rescue animals stations that handle ca 25.000 injured wild animals per year (domestic and exotic animals excluded) and probably hundreds of not-registered individuals and organisations that run smaller rescue places. So basically any native species gets into captivity sooner or later.
I believe there are only about 3,000 birds in the wild. Their requirements are quite specialised so they are restricted to pockets of habitat on Cape York. At the moment I think a captive component is unlikely and authorities would be looking more at habitat preservation/enhancement.
I hope you did not think me rude regarding my comments on country size. It is just I am continually amazed as to how small people think Australia is compared to it's actual size. I believe this is due to distortions in the Mercator projection. In my state, Victoria, which is about the same area as Cape York, we have a population of about 6.5 million, and of course there would be hundreds if not thousands of people involved in some way with wildlife rescue. Just no palm cockatoos, though.
A comparison to reinforce your point: Cape York has a population of about 18,000 people, yet it is more than 4 times the size of the Czech Republic, and pretty much all of it is wilderness. Hix
Dharba, one of the two female giraffe at Adelaide Zoo has passed away during a health procedure. Adelaide Zoo It will be interesting to see if Adelaide Zoo will now move Kimya (the zoo’s other female) to her new home sooner rather than later.
Seems like the pandas are here to stay for a while. This article mentions the possible acquisition of a new male panda. Pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni remain at Adelaide Zoo, with China's blessing - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Five more years! I’m surprised at the suggestion of replacing the male, considering semen analysis of Wang Wang over the past few breeding seasons have yielded good results. I’d be more tempted to investigate Funi’s reproductive viability and the possibility of exchanging her for a proven breeder.
In early March, Adelaide welcomed 2 Asian short clawed otter pups to parents, Bao and Kalaya. No cookies | NT News
