In an unexpected twist on the usual annual birthday update, the zoo's oldest capuchin, Crystal, has been found to be significantly younger (eight years) than previously thought, and is now aged 41 years (so possibly not the world's oldest...). From Facebook:
One of the zoo's two otters, Jala, died just three days after his 16th birthday. This leaves the zoo with just 14 year old female Jemima, but they have stated they are trying to source a new companion for her. Jala the otter dies just days after birthday celebrations at Brooklands Zoo
An article from September: Brooklands Zoo cotton-top tamarin euthanised This week, cotton-top tamarin Nephrite was euthanised by vets after a health check diagnosed the small primate with an untreatable kidney illness. Brooklands Zoo coordinator Eve Cozzi said the loss left the zoo with just two of the tiny monkeys; Nephrite's daughter, 5-year-old Inca, and Inca's father, 15-year-old Lorenzo. Nephrite was born at the zoo in February 2002 and was popular with both staff and visitors, said Cozzi. ...
Asian small-clawed otter import: http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/5/399483 Otters have returned to New Plymouth District Council (NPDC)’s Brooklands Zoo after a break of more than two years. Five small-clawed otters have arrived from Dubbo Zoo, Australia to make a new home in New Plymouth. The female siblings are all aged one or two years old. Katara, Rani, Suki, Luna and Akira have been off-display at Brooklands Zoo for a week as part of MPI requirements, but are now in their new home between the capuchin and cotton-top tamarin monkeys.
Future of Brooklands Zoo: Proposed new exhibits include a $1.5 million exhibit for Asian small-clawed otter and a $2.9 million exhibit for Bolivian squirrel monkey; which due to the costs have led to the viability of operating the zoo being questioned: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/504664/council-debates-9m-for-new-plymouth-zoo Just yesterday, council approved an ambitious seven-phase strategic vision for the boutique zoo, including new animal enclosures, a children's play area and a canopy walkway extending out into the native forest of Pukekura Park. But today, councillor Gordon Brown wanted $9 million earmarked for zoo compliance costs removed from the draft pan, which would effectively mean closing it down.
Another article from a couple of days ago: Do New Plymouth zoo's otters really need a new $1.5m home?
What a rather populist and short-sighted vent a single councillor may do. I would rather hope the time the Brooklands Zoo has been around and its role in the community to play may take precedence. I do think this calls for a more fundamental discourse on how to upgrade and modernise the zoo and give it more focus on a good mix of native species and some exotics appealing to the general public in attractive natural and immersive exhibits.
