A male giraffe calf has been born at Orana Wildlife Park to first-time mother Kamili. The calf is currently being handraised and spent some time off-site at Rangiora Vet Centre: 登录 Facebook | Facebook
Giraffe calf naming competition: Voting via socials is now open on the giraffe calf’s name. The options are as follows: Imani - A swahili name meaning faith, belief and confidence Rangi - Rangi is the god of the sky as well as a nod to Rangiora/Rangiora Vets Kevin - His current nickname Rwenzori (Zori) - A mountain range in Central Africa as he will be tall like a mountain Selassie - Former Emperor of Ethiopia Obi - Means heart in Swahili I like Rangi for the New Zealand link; while Rwenzori is a unique name I haven’t heard before. Imani and Obi are both overused and unoriginal options; and there’s African countries (Tanzania, Kenya etc.) I’d associate with giraffe before Ethiopia.
Giraffe update - calf named; breeding plans: The male giraffe calf has been named Kevin. Not the most inspired name in the world, but at least it’s a K name. It appears the long term plan is for Kevin to remain at the zoo long term for breeding. While he can’t breed with his mother, this article mentions he’s a genetic match for two of the cows in the herd: Baby giraffe nicknamed 'Grinch' has first 'zoomies' at Orana Wildlife Park Kevin is related to all four cows, but after his mother, Harriet (2012) would be his closest relative. Therefore this refers to plans to breed him with Shira (2013) and Mdomo (2013). The former was the mother of Jasiri (2021-2022). I’m a little disappointed as New Zealand’s giraffe IRA was finalised last year and this would have been an opportunity to import an unrelated (and genetically valuable) bull from outside the region.
I hoped at a minimum we’d see Orana Wildlife Park import a new breeding bull; and Auckland Zoo import a second breeding cow. I don’t believe their youngest cow will be breeding.
Definitely. With the other three main zoos breeding, it’s hard to see them becoming a breeding facility as logistically it makes sense for New Zealand to have a facility to receive surplus bulls over exporting them all to Australia. They also have a breeding zebra herd on exhibit, which is better suited to sharing with bull giraffes. I’m curious if given the space they have available, whether they could act as a quarantine/holding facility for imports from outside the region ahead of their transfer to Australia - since NZ have their giraffe IRA sorted and Australia don’t. This was done with the Eastern bongo that spent a year at Wellington.
From socials: 3.0 Slender-tailed meerkat have been transferred from Wellington Zoo. They’re cohabitating with Orana’s crested porcupine.
Spoiler: Domestic News On February 1st, the zoo announced that a (1.0) llama named Roldo passed away at ~27 years old. Orana Wildlife Park On March 10th, the zoo announced that they acquired (0.0.4) common ostriches which are now on exhibit in a temp. exhibit opposite the farmyard. Four inquisitive ostrich chicks have joined our animal family this month. They are settling in well in their temporary home opposite the farmyard. Once... | By Orana Wildlife Park | Facebook
Tasmanian devil update: Orana Wildlife Park posted an update today on their nine Tasmanian devils. I see they reached this number after the import of five males last year, but was surprised nonetheless to be reminded they had nine as Auckland, Wellington and Orana all imported four devils each in 2014 and the others have maintained similar numbers since (2-4 devils at any one time). The DOB of seven of Orana’s nine devils was listed: 1.0 Toba (01/04/2018) 1.0 Talei (02/04/2018) 1.0 Mangana (04/04/2018) 1.0 Fox (01/04/2019) 1.0 Pendlebury (01/04/2019) 1.0 Steele (01/04/2019) 1.0 John (05/04/2019)
Three kiwi chicks have hatched: Reported on socials: Orana’s two breeding pairs of kiwi have produced three chicks this season. One of the pairs produced two chicks and is a first time breeding pair.
New Walk-through Exhibit I visited Orana Wildlife Park on April 2nd, and I had a conversation with a keeper about the juvenile emus that are currently in the farmyard area, the keeper told me that the emus were in the farmyard so that they would get used to people and then be placed a new walk-through exhibit at the park. I have no idea where the new exhibit will be built, it could be where the adult emu and wallabies are currently residing. When this new walk-through exhibit does open, I'm hoping they will have other Australian animals aside from the emu like one or more species of wallaby and maybe bring back kangaroos to the park.
Orange-fronted parakeet breeding update: From socials: It's World Parrot Day. Did you know Canterbury has it's own special parrot the Orange-fronted parakeet. Orana joined the breed for release programme for this species in 2017 and since then our birds have been superstar breeders. One of the keys to the success of this, is flock mating. This is when the birds are introduced slowly to each other in flocks to allow them to choose their partner. We have three pairs being introduced in the coming weeks with the hopes of love blossoming and the pitter patter of little feet hopefully not long after. ————————— The birds are: Nacho, Guacamole and Salsa (males); being introduced to Trixie, Margarita and Misty (females).
Spoiler: Domestic News On June 12th, the zoo announced that they acquired a (1.0) Dutch rabbit named Bounty which is now on exhibit in the farmyard area next to the guinea pigs and Netherland dwarf rabbit. Orana Wildlife Park On June 14th, the zoo announced they named the ostriches Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup, and Mojo-Jojo, and were moved to the old yak exhibit. The ostrich chicks have moved! Now the chicks are six months old, they are big enough to be in their new habitat. They are now located in what was the... | By Orana Wildlife Park - Facebook
Sumatran Tiger Transfer Scout has left the building! Scout has transferred to Hamilton Zoo to be paired with Kirana. This leaves Orana Wildlife Park with one male Sumatran tiger: 1.0 Reggie (2016) Satu x Maneki As the only offspring of his Indonesian born mother, Reggie is one of the most genetically valuable tigers in the region. Orana plan to acquire a female tiger in the future.
A pair of male Lady Amherst’s Pheasants have arrived from Brooklands Zoo. They are now on display in the aviaries near their zoo school - reported on their FB page.
Male Siamang imported from Belgium: It’s great to have a new founder in the region! From socials: Suka the siamang gibbon swung into Orana and has quickly formed a bond with Basuki, our 10yo female. The two were paired as part of a joint recommendation from species co-ordinators at both the Zoo Aquarium Association Australasia and the European Association of Zoos & Aquaria’s. Suka came to us from Pairi Daiza in Belgium, he is 9 years old and brings important new genetics to the region.
New pair of Brown teal (endemic species) arrive: From socials: Today we welcomed a new pair of Brown teal to the Park from The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust. Orana is privileged to be part of the captive component of the recovery programme for this threatened native species. Our old pair have headed to Isaacs to retire.
Orana building new Orange-fronted parakeet aviaries: From socials: Our team have been busy planting our new Orange-fronted parakeet aviaries! This is incredibly exciting as the new aviaries will double our holding capacity of this nationally critical species. With less than 400 remaining in the wild, facilities like this are important for the survival of this local Canterbury species.
