A few questions about Mogo Zoo: A) Does anyone know when Mogo's chimp exhibit will open officially? B) How long til Willowbank's chimps move in? C) Oscar the Jaguar is no longer listed (by ISIS) as being at Mogo. Has he died or has he been sent to another institution? Thanks
I can't answer any of your questions but some good news is that Mogo will be getting a new website soon(ish). Their last website was just a fail website so hopefully this new one will have some actual information and maybe a map. Looking forward to it.
Good to here. If a zoo is wishing to increase their popularity, an informative and regularly updated website can do wonders.
LOU, Why not ask Mogo directly? Anybody else's answers are likely to be speculation. Then, perhaps you can post your answers on this thread and we'll all know the facts. Regards.
I've managed to answer 2 of my three questions: B) Willowbank's chimpanzees have moved to Mogo (don't know when) and C) Mogo's jaguar has died. If i'm not mistaken that was the last in Australasia.
that it was. we are officially out of jaguars. i must admit. i'm kinda glad. at least now we can put that discussion to rest.
I was fortunate enough to see the chimp show at Mogo last week. For a small donation, visitors are allowed behind the scenes to the second smaller chimp enclosure, holding the two from NZ. They are slowly going to introduce the pairs, a father/daughter pair and another pair to eachother and will alternate the pairs between enclosures so the chimps don't establish territories. This will hopefully cause less dispute when all chimps are put on the main display. The inside enclosure still isn't finished completely but is looking very good and very attractive, despite the ugly yellow wall surrounding it. Also, the jaguars enclosure is now filled with servals which are breeding quite regularly at Mogo.
holly and luis are half siblings and willowbanks are father/daughter, so its not exactly a perfect start to a founder group. however - i believe these chimps do make up a new, unrepresented bloodline. and things have drastically improved for the regional chimp program recently. with a large number of zoos committing to breeding the species. a couple of years back just wellington and taronga held the only significant chimp groups (and these were related). we now also have: hamilton monarto mogo rockhampton all developing breeding facilities and groups as well as plans for zoos victoria to reacquire the species. things are looking good.
WILLOWBANK CHIMPS: Male; Born England, imported to New Zealand by Al Horobin, on his death went to Whirling's Circus thence to Willowbank. Aged chimp. Sired female now at Mogo with him. Females mother: Coco. Born Taronga, imported to New Zealand by Ridgway's Circus. Birth date always in dispute. Records of region's chimps kept by former Wellington Zoo director Kon Kuiper showed her to be several years older than claimed by Taronga. Sold by Ridgways to a collection at Dunedin and then to Willowbank when the Dunedin collection closed. Died at Willowbank. BULLEN CHIMPS: Parentage of Holly and Luis depends on who you ask. Either or both can possibly be traced back to chimps imported from England by the late showman Charlie Seal post WW 2.
Cassie and Ockie can be traced back to Taronga chimps via Natureland Zoo Kirra Q, and previous owner Mervyn King. Both now in their mid to late 30s.
One of the cimps at mogo, I can't remember which one, is wild caught so therfore genetically unique and very important for the breeding program in the future.
ah yes - i think i know of this animal. he does television work. last seen on the MMM commercials..... correct?
