It’s really just resting on the pair at Adelaide Zoo now as the pair at Darling Downs Zoo are elderly. The male was born 1989 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and is probably a relative of Hamilton Zoo’s male (now deceased). The female was born 1998 at Adelaide Zoo and is probably a daughter of Talara. Although I think breeding Arturo with Chiquita should be the priority as it’s the match most likely to yield results; it’s a shame the initiative was never taken to match the female at Darling Downs Zoo with Arturo while he was at Melbourne Zoo for 7 years. What a waste. I’d imagine breeding at her age would be unlikely now. Hopefully Arturo and Chiquita can produce a few offspring; or at least a daughter that can be bred back to her father, until more can be imported.
A few notes from a recent visit - Arturo is being housed in the former mara exhibit which is around near the australian wetland aviary. The mara have been moved in with the 2 female tapir over near the giraffe. - A corn snake has gone on display on the reptile house. - They are still not on exhibit though work is ongoing in the nocturnal house and the sign about their impending arrival is still up. Will update once they arrive.
Adelaide Zoo has confirmed that ‘Kimya’, Adelaide Zoo’s only (and probably last) giraffe is in preparation to be moved to the new Sydney Zoo. Security Check
According to a recent Zoos SA email, Kimya the giraffe will be moving to Monarto now, not Sydney Zoo: “When the trailer training recommences, our plan is to transfer Kimya to Monarto Safari Park instead of Sydney Zoo. This is a great outcome for Kimya as it will allow her to rejoin the herd she left over thirteen years ago when she was moved here to Adelaide Zoo as a young giraffe.”
Adelaide Zoo’s Giant Panda Contract Renewed Until 2024: Giant panda duo extend their stay at Adelaide Zoo Hopes for two giants pandas to become parents at Adelaide Zoo have been renewed with a deal to keep the furry duo for another five years. Fu Ni and her partner Wang Wang have already had four attempts at having a cub but there's now extra time for the pair to get lucky in Australia. It's thanks to a deal extension announced on Sunday between the zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association for five more years until late 2024. Researchers haven't been breeding the pandas this year preferring to collect urine samples from Fu Ni both pre- and post-ovulation to find out what impact being in the southern hemisphere might have on their ability to reproduce. But the zoo isn't giving up hope on the pair becoming parents in the future with plans to have them attempt to breed again while the pandas are at peak maturity.
I'd change at least one of the pair if given the chance. What they have/what they are doing hasn't worked for several consecutive years, so it gives little hope it will work in the future. Whether they would get this lease renewed or not was very much up in the air, so perhaps they didn't wanna rock the boat by complicating things with a swap. Now they have their foot in the door (for five years), perhaps a swap will happen if the 2020 breeding attempt fails.
I've always thought 'pairs' is the root cause of most/all Panda breeding attempts that fail. In the wild several males congregate around a female at breeding time and there is competition for her. With just a pair there is no process of mate selection to replicate this. The animal behaviourist Dr George Schaller who studied wild Pandas and saw breeding behaviour, also highlighted this problem. But still they are always farmed out to foreign zoos on a 'pair only' system. Sometimes its successful, but so often it isn't.
A recent interview with Zoos SA's Chief Executive and Director of Life Sciences, regarding the panda contract renewal. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=448145775900646
Prague zoo has announced they have exported 7 Komodo dragons to Adelaide zoo. It is 5 males and 2 females. They should be redistributed to other Australian zoos after their quarantine time is up.
Adelaide Zoo’s experienced pair of Golden Lion Tamarins have welcomed a baby. This new arrival joins a family of eight (including its grandmother). Adelaide Zoo welcomes a new Golden Lion-tamarinm! In other news, the zoo has opened a new tunnel system for their Black and White Colobus Monkeys. Colobus Crossing opens and it’s a hit with animals and humans!
Colobus are unfortunately only found in three zoos in Australia; Adelaide, Melbourne and the National Zoo. Adelaide Zoo has three colobus (I believe non-breeding). During my visit to Melbourne Zoo in late 2018, the zoo was down to two individuals. The National Zoo is their stronghold and they have six colobus according to their website. The most recent birth at the zoo I can find was in 2015.
They would be better off starting again with a pure subspecies or even changing to a different species of colobus. Madness that Melbourne and Perth originally imported different subspecies...
It just leaves one with the feeling that some species are somewhat mis-managed within the region, It begs the question could they do better?
Sadly based on prior history with this species in the region (and most medium sized primates) no species coordinator worth their salt would recommend exporting to Australia. The bare minimum requirement for export ( if i was a species coordinator) would be 5 institutions holding the species requested. It is a real shame as colobus are an amazing interesting primate and i have greatly enjoyed watching them at Melbourne, Adelaide and National Zoo.
