Return of the Orangutans From Facebook: Auckland Zoo’s three orangutans are returning from Orana Wildlife Park mid next week, ahead of the opening of the first phase of the South East Asia development this summer. This will include the high canopy habitat for orangutans and siamang gibbons; as well as the cafe. 1.0 Charlie (Bornean) Born 21 Mar 1981 at Singapore Zoo 0.1 Wanita (Hybrid) Born 23 Mar 1979 at Taronga Zoo 0.1 Melur (Bornean) Born 11 Jun 1988 at Hong Kong Zoo I’m even more excited to see what Sumatran orangutans Auckland Zoo will be importing in the future. South East Asia Development | Auckland Zoo
There is no long term for them. They are on phase out - once these three have died, then Auckland (and everyone else in the region) will completely focus on Sumatran's. Though its possible (space depending) that a Sumatran pair or trio will come to Auckland before then.
It’s my understanding that Sumatran orangutans will be arriving in the near future (as mentioned on the zoo’s South East Asia FAQs); though like you say, due to space it will probably be a pair (or if we’re lucky, a trio). Melur is a viable breeding female and at 32, could still contribute to the breeding programme for Bornean orangutans outside the region. Her line is well represented in Asia, but she could be of use to either the European or North American region. She only has a handful of relatives including a son, grandson and half sister in North America (all who are ranked genetically valuable). I’m hoping she will be exported. Charlie (who I’ve heard is vasectomised) and Wanita (a sterilised hybrid) are of no value to the breeding programme. Wanita is not closely bonded to Charlie and in my opinion should be exported to a smaller zoo/wildlife park to free up space at Auckland. Mogo Zoo currently hold 1.1 hybrids (including her younger sister, Willow).
The new Zebra foal born to Layla 26/12/2019 has been sexed as a colt, and he’s having difficulty bending his legs. It sounds similar to the carpal flexion condition that Willow (Asian elephant at Melbourne Zoo) suffered from, which they noted at the time was more commonly seen in equines. They zoo are positive about his outlook at this stage. From Facebook: We’ve been blessed to have a zebra born at the Zoo just before New Year, but as some of you may have noticed on your recent visit, our 3-week-old foal is a little unsteady on his legs. Our skilled ungulates keepers and veterinary staff have noted that the foal’s front legs are not bending as we would expect which is causing this unsteadiness. Our ungulates team leader Tommy says that apart from these issues the foal has been suckling, growing, hitting each milestone as he should and that Layla’s being “a fantastic mum” to him. Currently, he’s being treated and will continue to be monitored closely by our keepers and vets, who hope to see some improvement soon. Our thanks for your support and we’ll keep you posted on his progress.
Auckland Zoo has welcomed the birth of three Asian Small-clawed Otter pups. These pups were born in late December. Auckland Zoo
Awesome! That brings this family to 3.2.3. They'll make an engaging exhibit when their new exhibit opens this year as part of the South East Asian development.
Yes, I believe they arrived Wednesday as Orana Wildlife Park’s Facebook said Tuesday would be their last day at Orana.
Excellent news! Auckland Zoo has welcomed the births of two Cape Porcupines to parents Bruce and Alika. This is the first time the zoo has bred the species. Security Check
That's awesome news! Especially given the lack of luck the zoo has had with breeding porcupines over the last decade or so. The male only arrived four months ago and was noted as taking an instant liking to this female, so it's good to see some results. I believe this is the first porcupine born at the zoo in 28 years (1992) and like you say, the first Cape porcupine birth for Auckland Zoo!
It’s currently flamingo breeding season and Auckland’s Greater Flamingo flock have laid 14 eggs so far. The zoo are not sure if all the eggs are fertile but hopefully their flock will continue to grow. Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo’s flock has really gone from strength to strength since the first chick was hatched in 2014. It’s well documented that larger flocks have better breeding success; but it’s exciting to think that their flock could be at the stage to warrant a splinter off group within the next decade (to found a flock at another zoo). Their import from England in 2001 really was a substantial achievement for the region, and it’s rewarding to see how successful they’ve been.
Is there any longer-term thought in the region to do another mass import of flamingo eggs and set up more breeding flocks? Maybe from the US?
I was going to make a comment about the likelihood of long term species planning by the management of the region’s major zoos; but like jokes regarding the Black Caps, that would be too easy. The 20 founders of Auckland Zoo’s flock (at least four of which are now deceased) were imported as chicks aged 33-71 days of age. They were hatched and handraised in a pre export isolation facility; and I imagine the same formula would be followed for future imports. Many European zoos have Greater flamingo; while in North America, the American flamingo appears equally (if not more) prevalent. I don’t know the relatedness of the European population; but given the longevity of the species and the relative difficulty of breeding, it’s possible that genetically it’s in pretty decent shape and could supply our region with a second founder flock of birds unrelated to Auckland’s. I’d try there first.
I'd forgotten that American flamingoes were different from Greaters, although I'm sure there are probably Greaters kept in the US. But certainly it would be possible to obtain more diversity for the fledgling population. So have any zoos either in NZ or Australia shown any interest to obtain flamingoes in the future?
Keystone Wildlife Conservancy (private facility) expressed an interest in importing Greater flamingo in 2010 according to this document: “Keystone secured Zoo Aquarium Association full institutional membership in 2009. It is the intention of the KWC to now procure further exotic species to fulfil the remit of the Conservancy. KWC now wishes to transfer Lemur (Ring-tailed and Black and White Ruffed), Cotton- top Tamarin, Tapir (Brazilian), Red Panda, Greater Flamingo, antelopes and Meerkat into their containment facility from within New Zealand.” While nothing has happened in ten years, it’s worth noting that only now is Auckland Zoo starting to approach the stage where it could think about exporting some of it’s flock. Keystone has in the past taken surplus giraffe and zebra from zoos (including Auckland); so Auckland Zoo would no doubt recognise it as a suitable institution to establish a splinter off group from their flock. If breeding continues at the current rate, this transfer would benefit Auckland as much as it would Keystone; as well as adding the insurance of having a second population of this species.
An orangutan update from the zoo’s email publication: As the first phase of our South East Asia Jungle Track approaches completion this summer, we're absolutely ecstatic to welcome our orangutan trio back to Auckland Zoo. They're currently off display awaiting their new habitat opening but are getting back into the swing of things very well.
Auckland Zoo has welcomed a Brolga chick. This species hasn't bred at the zoo in five years (their last brolga hatched in 2014 and moved to Hamilton Zoo). Auckland Zoo https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=939382716458733
Auckland Zoo has received a male giraffe (Billy born in 2018 to parents Forrest and Penny) from Australia Zoo. He will gradually be introduced to the three females at Auckland. His half-brother Sunny is currently at Wellington Zoo. Security Check
