This poll is an idea I've thought of to decide amongst zoo chatters what they believe to be the best new birth/hatching in Oceania zoos. I will run this competition every month with the possibility of an end of year contest for all the monthly winners. I have created a similar thread for new species as well. In addition I am hoping to run the competition for the UK, North America and Europe excluding the UK too. In terms of the rationale behind your votes just pick whichever piece of news excited/interested/impressed you the most. If there are any glaring omissions please let me know.
Great idea @britishzoofan! My vote goes to Melbourne’s Snow leopard cubs; but the laying of 14 Greater flamingo eggs (especially if a sizeable proportion hatch) are a very close second. Both zoos respectively are the only breeders of these species (within Australasia) and their births/hatchings represent a lot of hope for the future of the species in the region. Usually that you’d see that sentence shortened to ‘hope for the future of their species’ in some press release; but sadly, species are being phased out like nobody’s business in the Australasian region, so we have to make the most of what we have (while we have it)!
Agreed, a great idea @britishzoofan! My vote also went towards the snow leopard cubs at Melbourne Zoo. A significant milestone which probably secured the species in the region for several years to come.