Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2023

Monarto welcome first giraffe calf of 2023:

Giraffe calf moves to Adelaide Zoo

The male calf, born 05/01/2023, has been transferred to Adelaide Zoo for hand rearing.

 

What is the exhibit named Aviary on the map along the Malleefowl Track with a Malleefowl as it's symbol on the map?

 

Pretty sure that’s the malleefowl aviary, I think there have been tawny frogmouth in there in the past, don’t know if they’re still there.

 

Four (3.1) Plains-Wanderers have hatched at Monarto Safari Park. 19 eggs from the groups of Western Swamp Turtles have also been laid across both sites at Monarto and Adelaide combined: Cracking news! Chicks rule at Zoos SA - Adelaide Zoo

 

Very good news for such rare species.

 

Monarto Safari Park have announced that female Plains Zebra Thembela is pregnant and due to give birth any day now. This will be her fifth foal - reported on social media.

 

Plains zebra birth:

This foal was born February 20 and is Thembela’s fifth foal.

Reported on socials.

 

A naming competition is in progress:

Zebra Foal Naming Competition - Monarto Safari Park

Tembea – meaning walk around, travel (zebras travel great distance daily, and you can travel around Langhorne Creek starting at Bleasdale Vineyards)

Tamu - meaning delicious/sweet (the little foal is ‘sweet’ and the wine delicious)

Taratibu - meaning slowly (representing wine maturing slowly)

In case you haven’t guessed, they’re doing a colab with a vineyard. These names are better than Xbox the Tasmanian devil or that damn giraffe at Australia Zoo - but still, zebras aren’t slow and they’d be no doubt keen to down play them as edible/delicious.

 

Spotted Hyena Update

Spotted Hyena cub gets the perfect name

The cub born August 2022 has been sexed as a male via photos sent to the Serengeti Hyena Research Group in Berlin. A DNA skin sample is also currently being tested by the group to confirm. The cub has been named Jabali - meaning strong as a rock.

Two male hyena have been transferred in from Sydney Zoo - Enzi and Endesha, who were imported from Singapore Zoo in 2019.

Mahali has been transferred out to Sydney Zoo to pair with their remaining male, Etana.

 

Three Cheetah cubs were born at Monarto Safari Park from females Quella and Qailee. The single cub from Quella’s litter was not able to be raised but was successfully introduced to Qailee and her cubs - reported on social media.

Link: Spot-foster: Australasian first for vulnerable little Cheetah cubs and their carers - Monarto Safari Park

 

A Cape Porcupine was born in late January to Monarto’s breeding pair Oliver and Rita: Little Louie to bring about a spike in visitor numbers - Monarto Safari Park

 

A third recent litter of Cheetahs have been born at Monarto Safari Park - four cubs were born to female Kuishi on 5th April. This is her first litter - reported on their FB page.

Additional article: Spot-tacular seven! Pitter-patter of paws grows at Monarto Safari Park

 

An interesting note they plan to combine the males from the litters to make the largest coalition possible. With this coalition housed in the new space, it’ll enhance viewing as it’s easier to see a Cheetah if there’s a coalition of four or five males versus a female the huge exhibit would arguably be wasted on. I’ve always felt Werribee’s exhibit would be better suited to a male coalition.

 

Cheetah cub update:

The two Cheetah cubs born 12/03/2023 to Qailee have been sexed as one male and one female.

The cubs are being reared by their mother alongside a female cub born to their aunt, Quella on 05/03/2023.

Reported on socials.

 

I visited MSP on Monday and did the Land of the Lemurs experience for the first time. The zoo houses several groups of lemurs; I believe two mixed-sex groups and a bachelor group, with the largest family in the walk-through exhibit. It's a beautiful set up, much larger than any lemur walk-through I've done before. With just dirt paths to follow, it feels very much like you're in the lemurs' domain more than I've experienced in other walk-throughs. A lot of activity going on (it helped that I chose a lovely sunny morning) and the keeper gave a great commentary on the group and their behaviours.

I don't feel this experience would have worked other than as a paid optional extra, and I found it to be well worth the fee, even as someone who's walked in with lemurs many times prior. As Adelaide Zoo houses the species as well, it doesn't feel like the average visitor will miss out too much because of the exclusive nature of the tours. I'll pop a few photos up in the gallery-- I'll try to take some more next time!

 

Alpha male chimpanzee, Tsotsi, passed away this morning after a brief illness. His cause of death is as yet unknown. The chimpanzee exhibit is closed while the group and staff come to grips with the loss.

He was a beloved alpha male of almost thirteen years and father of Hope (potentially he also sired Zola and/or Happy). From his unsocialised background and a reputation for being a bit of a thug, he learned from his companions and became the perfect alpha male. On a personal level, I am devastated. I've been visiting Tsotsi since I was fourteen years old, and he was very special to me.

 

Fittingly, Tsotsi’s name does indeed mean “thug” - arguably a more appropriate name for a chimpanzee than the traditionally peaceful names bestowed upon African ungulates.

Due to the death of his father in 1994, Tsotsi grew up without an adult male influence and was surely short of discipline.

It’s a credit to Monarto’s team they were able to integrate him not just with Sandali, Boyd and Gombe; but the four females from Europe. Few introductions between adult male chimpanzees had previously been attempted within the region - and none with this level of success.

 

He was incredible with the introduction of Hannah and Lani. The keepers tell me that he immediately hugged Hannah when she was nervous, and had her back ever since. Zombi was very close to him as well.

 

@marmolady, your tributes to Tsotsi made me tear up. What a special chimpanzee who has a profound impact on so many.

Vale Tsotsi. My thoughts are with you and all of those who loved and cared for him throughout his life.

 

Piece of 2023 News Not Mentioned:

On March 28th, the zoo announced his name, Tamu.

Monarto Safari Park

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On June 9th, the zoo announced that they are reopening the Chimpanzee Platform exhibit on June 10th.

Monarto Safari Park