They zoo take the greatest of care in excavation, but damage to the occasional egg during the laying process is inevitable. 13 eggs were recovered from the previous clutch, which suggests a decent recovery rate given the clutch size for this species is around 2-16 eggs. The zoo is currently treating all eggs laid as potentially fertile and incubating them once recovered.
Auckland Zoo have begun crate training their elephants: The elephants have begun crate training for their export to Australia next year. The zoo built Burma’s crate in New Zealand and received a crate from Australia for Anjalee. The elephants, especially Anjalee, are progressing well with their crate training. Check out the zoo’s social media for the full video.
Zoo releases critically endangered skinks: Auckland Zoo releases endangered Kapitia skinks back into the wild Auckland Zoo is releasing more than 40 critically endangered native skinks back to their original habitat in the South Island. The Kapitia skinks, also known as Chesterfield skinks, were only discovered in 1992 and has been on the critically endangered list ever since a small population of 100-200 was discovered. The zoo will hold back 20 females and three young skinks.
According to the zoos new map half the zoo has been closed due to the South East Asia construction. The South American Rainforest trail, Australian trail, Lizard Lane and Jamuna Plaza are some of the areas affected. This will only be temporary but I believe will still last a few months.
There’s a more in depth explanation on Post #115 of this thread, but basically this construction will result in half the zoo being closed for a month or two; ahead of the South East Asia precinct’s completion - target date May 2022. It’s worth noting that every stage of this precinct has been running behind schedule (even before Covid), so I’m not holding my breath on seeing False gharials anytime before the end of 2022.
Greater flamingo chick hatches: A Greater flamingo chick hatched late last month to Richard (male) and Sullivan (female). The parents were hatched at the zoo themselves in January 2014 and January 2018 respectively. The zoo is hopeful for more chicks over the next few weeks, with three other pairs incubating eggs.
Saddleback chick update: The Saddleback chick is now eight weeks old has been feather sexed as a female. The zoo plan to introduce her to her parent reared siblings in the near future. The chick will hopefully be paired with a male for breeding next year.
Auckland Zoo has announced via social media that their female Bornean Orangutan, Melur, is pregnant and due late summer/early autumn.
Auckland Zoo’s Centenary Celebratations Today is Auckland Zoo’s 99th birthday and to celebrate, they’ve launched a new website ahead of the zoo’s centenary celebrations next year: Auckland Zoo From the director: Auckland Zoo opened its doors to the community for the first time in December 1922. Back then, the population of Tāmaki Makaurau was just 85,000 and 1.9 billion humans lived on planet Earth. A century later, our city has grown to over 1.6 million people and the global population is now nearing 8 billion. Auckland and the world have changed beyond all recognition in the last 100 years, and so has the role and purpose of a good modern zoo. This current role and purpose - for people and for wildlife – has never been more important than it is right now. This year we invite you to be part of our centenary celebrations. If we’re going to have a party, then it may as well go on for a full year. Share your memories, journey into the Zoo’s past, present and future, and join us for an exciting programme of onsite and online activities happening all throughout 2022. Check out the website (in link above) for more info and historical photos. Aaaaaa
South East Asia Boardwalk Open Boardwalk opens so you can explore more of our new Jungle Track! We’re excited to share that our stunning newly completed boardwalk that snakes across the Zoo’s lake and links up all our South East Asia habitats, is now open to visitors - bringing us another step closer to completing our South East Asia Jungle Track! From the Track’s high canopy orangutan and siamang shared shelter, you and your whanau can now walk across the lake, experience being under the orangutan and siamang aerial pathways (where these primates may be swinging above you!) and take in the lush new plantings and wetlands. More info and photos can be seen in the link. It notes the tigers won’t be arriving until later in 2022.
2021 News Summary Births/hatchings: 0.1 Plains zebra (Nyota) 1.0 Cape porcupine 0.0.5 Galapagos tortoise hatchlings 0.0.4 Greater flamingo 0.0.4 Emperor tamarins (two sets of twins) 0.0.1 Cotton-top tamarin Other births/hatchings include a Rough gecko, Brown teal and North Island brown kiwi chicks. Deaths: 2.0 African lion (Zulu and Malik) Arrivals: 1.1 Tasmanian devil (Tasmania) 0.1 Tasmanian devil (Wellington) 0.3 African lion (Werribee Open Range Zoo) 0.1 Plains zebra (Hamilton Zoo) Departures: 0.5 Asian-small clawed otter (Willowbank) Pregnancies (due early 2022): Bornean orangutan (Melur) Southern white rhinoceros (Jamila) Other news: Progress on the South East Asia precinct - Siamang now have access to high ropes; boardwalk now open; tigers arriving mid to late 2022. Elephant departure delayed until early 2022.
