New Zealand and Australia should be more flexible at the animal imports because there is going to be a point in which the unique species in exhibit are native or the species are very inbred plus with no genetic value. Some species are already disappearing like the tapir and the Rhea.
Auckland Zoo has welcomed the birth of six Chevron Skinks. According to the post, Auckland Zoo is the only zoo caring for the species. Security Check
New Zealand really is the world leader when it comes to protecting its native wildlife, good news all around.
Crocodile Imports I’ll be interested to see if this is just a general update of the rules to allow the import of Sunda gharial this year; or if the New Zealand zoos have other crocodilian species planned for import: Zoo attraction: NZ opens door to more crocodile imports New rules will allow live crocodiles and eggs to be imported from the EU, Asia and the Pacific. The zoo industry has asked the Ministry for Primary Industries to let it bring in the animals, with Auckland Zoo building a new $50 million southeast Asian attraction due to open this year. Previously, only crocodiles from Australia were allowed but that's being expanded to include the European Union, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Thailand. A wider range of crocodile species will also be allowed in.
This really would be a guess, but the African dwarf crocodile is exhibited in many European zoos. It’s small size (1.5 metres) would make it easy to exhibit in city zoos such as Auckland and Wellington; and it would be the perfect compliment to the zoo’s respective African collections, which are largely mammal based.
The otters have been sexed as 2.1. The males have been named Panuta and Budi, and the female has been named Dewi. Security Check
That brings their Asian small-clawed otter family to 5.3: 1.0 Kanan (2009) 0.1 Takumi (2014) 1.0 Arif (May 2019) Kanan x Takumi 1.0 Ketut (May 2019) Kanan x Takumi 0.1 Indah (May 2019) Kanan x Takumi 1.0 Panuta (Dec 2019) Kanan x Takumi 1.0 Budi (Dec 2019) Kanan x Takumi 0.1 Dewi (Dec 2019) Kanan x Takumi It's a shame their hasn't been more females so they can replicate the large family group they had back in the 2000's. Jade (1999) had 1.2 in 2002 and 0.4 in 2003; with all six daughters initially retained. Either way this will be a great sized family group to exhibit in the new South East Asian precinct later this year.
The orangutans and siamangs will be on-display in the High Canopy habitat from the first weekend of April. From the zoo’s email: We're thrilled to announce that from the first weekend of next month (4-5 April) our High Canopy habitat housing our orangutans and siamangs will be open to the public. This first phase of our South East Asia Jungle Track also includes the opening of our brand new dining experience - Te Puna cafe. Swing by on your next visit!
Kaiako, Auckland Zoo’s New Zealand Fur Seal has been put to sleep at the age of 16. Reading the New Zealand mammal thread, this just leaves the zoo with one male Subantarctic Fur Seal. Haere rā Kaiako | Auckland Zoo News
Link here: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=526590118218212 Dhala means ‘Moon Goddess’ in Tibetian.
I feel as if we were all well prepared for this death, with the zoo making several references to caring for Kaiako in his advanced age. It appears this lessens the blow for the public, who generally seem understanding in these sad situations. I was told the capacity of the exhibit was six pinnipeds, which was reached at one stage with 1.1 California sea lion; 2.1 New Zealand fur seal and 1.0 Subantarctic fur seal (what increadible species diversity in one exhibit). I assume they have allowed the numbers to dwindle due to the age of Kaiako and Orua; and that following Orua’s death, some new rescues may be taken on. I’d like to see a small breeding colony of New Zealand fur seal; but acknowledge any offspring produced would just take up space that could be used for unreleasable wild seals.
Auckland Zoo has welcomed the birth of an Emperor Tamarin! This is the first time the zoo has bred the species. Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo has welcomed the birth of two North Island Saddlebacks (tīeke). Both chicks recently fledged. Security Check
