This week Auckland Zoo’s “Pridelands” animals (giraffe, zebra, ostrich, rhinoceros, nyala) are off display while work is talking place on their exhibits. The rhinoceros and nyala paddock is being extended to include the former hippo exhibit (which has been empty for a while now) with access to a watering hole. I posted some photos on the previous page of what this was looking like during my visit last month. They are hoping it will be completed this weekend in time for the school holidays. The reason the rest of the Pridelands animals are off display is because I believe they are making modifications to the fence that separates the giraffe and rhino paddocks. The zoo said on Facebook that the plan is to have the zebra, ostrich, nyala and guinea fowl able to access the entire space but still keep the rhinos and giraffes confined to their own exhibits - this will apparently be an outcome the keepers will be working towards (similar to how in the early days of the Pridelands exhibit the springbok could choose to be in with the rhinos or giraffes - not sure why they ended up patching the holes in the fence).
Suprised no ones posted anything about this yet but two baby cotton top tamirans have been born to their resident pair Mr Nuri and Mrs Nuri. They were born on June 11. Auckland Zoo welcomes first cotton-top babies in 16 years | Auckland Zoo News
I don't believe there's been any progress on importing this elephant, which was initially due to arrive in 2016. Since they're planning to breed from Anjali (born 2006) through AI, perhaps they will give up on importing a new female and just breed from her instead. Regarding the lemurs, the last I heard the plans were to build a walk through/interactive exhibit near the zoo's entrance. From memory this was due to be completed around 2021.
Based off Auckland's recent past and present behaviour on this issue, I am convinced they have no serious interest in breeding elephants and should never have been granted a permit to import the most recent one.
Things may have changed but I do believe they were keen to do AI with Anjali (born 2006), who arrived in 2015. They planned to start this around 2 years after her arrival so she may even be pregnant by now (and they haven't announced it)?
The zoo recieved two male lions from Wellington Zoo today; Malik and Zulu who were both born at Auckland Zoo 14 years ago! Here is the news article from their website. There is also going to be a news segment about their arrival on 7 Sharp tonight.
Thats amazing news. They haven’t breed at Wellington zoo in a bit. I wonder if they’ll be used to breed at Auckland. They are fairly old males.
Malik bred when they went on loan to Orana though If you read the article on the zoos website - they're planning for another breeding pride. With young females to be sourced within a 2 year time frame. New male/s after that Zulu and Malik are just filling the exhibit whilst those plans are put in place. So they might return to Wellington or they might stay in Auckland for the rest of their days. I think a lot of it will depend on there health by the time Auckland's new imports arrive. They may not be well enough to travel in two years time.
In news from the zoos facebook page today: - the cotton top tamiran male twins have been named; Tito ( meaning blessed and honoured) and Monito ( little monkey in spanish) - the zebra, ostritch and nyala have been introduced allowing the zebra, ostritch, nyala and peafowl to roam through the rhino and giraffe exhibits while still keeping the giraffe and rhino separate. The introductions have proved successful. A link is here-Auckland Zoo
Big news - later this week Auckland will receive their first female White Rhino in 14 years. Six year old, Jamila (bMarch2012) is moving up from Hamilton. She is unrelated to Inkosi and Zambezi despite all three having originated from the Hamilton herd Rhino Jamila is on the move to Auckland | Auckland Zoo News
I think they've timed this well considering female White rhinoceros can give birth as young as 7 years old. White rhinoceros don't usually breed when kept in a 1.1 pair so I assume the plan is to import a second female (and export one of the males) so Auckland Zoo will then hold a herd of 1.2. In my opinion, they should send one of Auckland Zoo's males to Orana Wildlife Park; or send Kruger (and Imani) to Orana Wildlife Park and send one of Auckland Zoo's males back to Hamilton Zoo.
Jamila's transfer has been postponed. She didn't want to go in the crate on moving day. They'll try again once she's had a bit more practice
