New Cheetah Duo Arrive from South Africa Positive news to start the year - two young female cheetah have arrived from Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshorn, South Africa to join Orana's large population. Story & video here: Orana Wildlife Park Welcomes Two Cheetahs | Stuff.co.nz
They seem to have had quite a staff cleanout at Orana too, quite a few keepers have left in the last 12 months.
At home with wildlife - Story - Campbell Live - TV Shows - 3 News VIDEO: http://www.3news.co.nz/At-home-with-wildlife/tabid/367/articleID/295944/Default.aspx
This article: Cheetah cubs clinging to life | Stuff.co.nz (which is basically the same as that posted above, so I won't bother copying it in here), does say that, if the three cubs survive, the number of cheetah at Orana will be boosted to 16. Fingers crossed for them.
Sad news - the three cubs have been euthanased. Struggling cheetah cubs euthanized | Stuff.co.nz The litter size is potentialy seven according to this article, which seems like a very large number.
I think the record for a cheetah litter was fifteen from memory, but most litters are between one and six cubs.
TWENTY YEAR OLD SCIMITAR-HORNED SPERM USED FOR A1 AT ORANA Latest news from Orana, and rather interesting too (from their facebook page): Orana have 4.1 Oryx, the only ones in NZ. The total Australasian population is 18.24.1, which is a very large population for the region.
I always think it odd that Orana have such low numbers of oryx nowadays when they have bred so many. They were always highly inbred though. I *think* (but I could be quite wrong) that they were the first holders in Australasia. I gather the majority of the Australian stock is held on private stations rather than in zoos.
It is weird, if they have bred 70 in the last 35 years (even if there's been no breeding in the last 5 years), you would think they would have a more robust population than just one female and four males. Seems like they must have had some seriously bad luck and/or poor management (too many individuals sent to Australia?) in the past. OK, perhaps I should have included the usual disclaimer - 24.18.1 in ZAA zoos in Australasia, stations (which probably hold hundreds?) not included.
oh wow really? I assumed your figure was the entire number (including private stations). There must be absolute truck-loads of them in Australia then!!* *Or not. Anybody better informed feel free to correct me
OK, my bad, ZAA have launched a new (more complex) census programme and I read the data incorrectly. Its actually 24.18.1 (I think the other number included every species with "oryx" in their name, e.g. eland, etc). Mary River Australian Safaris had a herd of 150 in 2011 apparently, and includes photos of them on their website. Dead and posed with an obese guy. I suspect there are more.
Male Giraffe, Fanana is currently en-route from Dubbo to Orana and should arrive very shortly (being flown in rather than sent by ship, which speeds things up)
He has arrived at Orana now, and will be in quarantine for 30 days. Interestingly, he wasn'r flown direct to Christchurch, but to Wellington, from where he travelled by ferry and truck to Orana. Not quite sure why they didn't just fly direct to Chrischurch, maybe the planes on that route aren't as big, but I wouldn't have thought so. Stories here: Giraffe sailed to Picton on the Interislander | Stuff.co.nz New Giraffe Arrives At Orana Wildlife Park | Stuff.co.nz
actually flown to Auckland from Sydney, then transferred by road to Wellington, ferry to Picton, then road to Chch. I would guess the reason would have either been the size of the plane or maybe a difference in flight time.
Ah ok, that makes sense then, Auckland is a much bigger airport obviously, so probably was better equipped for a giraffe arrival, whether that was due to the plane itself or the cargo. I was confused because Wellington is smaller than Christchurch, so it didn't really make sense to fly to there.
Three Siamangs escaped from their enclosure today at Orana. Apes escape at Christchurch park - Story - NZ News - 3 News
Orana is closed "indefinitely", which I think is simply a poor choice of wording rather than anything deeper. Chch zoo on lockdown after storm - Story - NZ News - 3 News