Nocookies Perth Zoo lioness gets a new home Shinyanga is enjoying her twilight years in a new $1.6 million home equipped with plenty of comfortable resting spots in the shade and lush green grass - not bad for an elderly lioness at Perth Zoo. The first stage of the $3.3 million African lion exhibit was launched on Sunday, and when the second part is completed next year the zoo will have the capacity to hold a pride of eight lions. The exhibit features a thatched hut, large viewing windows and moulds of lion paw prints to show visitors the size of the big cats. There is also information about research to protect the species in the wild. Once completed, the exhibit will include a breeding area with indoor dens and a separate outdoor section to provide privacy for a lioness and her cubs. Environment minister Stephen Dawson described Perth Zoo as a "tremendous asset" to the state, with about 650,000 visitors every year. "When stage two is finished we're hoping to expand the pride here in Western Australia and we're hopeful that we'll get some young male lions from another zoo either from across the country or from around the world," he told reporters. Shinyanga, who was born in NSW and came to WA in 2012, celebrated her 18th birthday in August with balloons and decorations smeared with meat. She is the only lioness currently at the zoo following the deaths of lion brothers Nelson and Mandela last year.
The Perth Zoo annual report for 2016-2017 can be found here: Annual Report | Perth Zoo Some notes: In the year-period they bred 53 Dibblers, 55 Western Swamp Tortoises, 23 Numbats; released 94 White-bellied Frogs and 108 Orange-bellied Frogs; released their 200th zoo-bred Numbat into the wild; and treated 241 wild Black Cockatoos brought in to the zoo. Exotic births included African Hunting Dogs, Pigmy Marmosets, Ring-tailed and Ruffed Lemurs, and Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo. Arrivals noted included the Binturong pair from Singapore, a female Small-clawed Otter from National Zoo (and a male expected from Auckland), nine Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys from Wellington, a female Giraffe from TWPZ, a rehab mainland Quokka from Parks and Services, and three Tasmanian Devils from Trowunna. A pair of Pebble-mimic Dragons were acquired as seizures. Transfers out have included a female Orangutan to Oklahoma; White-cheeked Gibbons to Toldeo and Melbourne, and a Cassowary to "Queensland". Male Orangutan Nyaru was released in Sumatra. A Tiger and a Giraffe were put down. A female Western Ground Parrot died from egg-binding.
There's often discussion on ZooChat about zoo-based conservation, whether zoos are actually doing something worthwhile or just paying lip service (eg. a zoo breeds a rhino and claims it's 'conservation'). Those records above are the kind of things zoos should all be striving for. Perth-bred Dibblers and Western Swamp Turtles have been released into the wild in the past too, and in my book putting a species back into the wild is the ultimate goal for conservation. If you're just breeding a species that's threatened, with no firm plans for re-introduction, then you're only doing half the job. Hix
absolutely. That's partly why I put the breedings and releases of Western Australian wildlife at the top of the paragraph. There are numbers in the document for the releases of Dibblers and Western Swamp Tortoises during that year-period as well. Somewhat unbelievably, there have been discussions on Zoochat in the past that Perth shouldn't be releasing Orangutans into the wild, when clearly if there is supposed to be an ultimate goal for releasing animals into the wild (with future populations) then there needs to be some experimentation into how to go about that. If the Orangutans aren't required for the breeding programme then it is a perfect opportunity to both use that for research and to allow the individual animal the chance to live wild.
Yes, I mentioned that last month (a few posts up). There's a new article here (linked on the zoo's Facebook page too): Perth zoo’s newest arrivals smell like popcorn
And another article about the binturong-breeding : Perth Zoo Celebrates Birth of First Binturong Cubs
Emperor Tamarin Birth: Movember: Perth Zoo’s emperor tamarin baby sporting stubble to make any man jealous This cheeky baby emperor tamarin may just be a few weeks old, but it’s already sporting stubble that would make the Australian cricket team jealous. Fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are growing moustaches in support of the Movember Foundation and this youngster arrived just time for the fundraising drive. Born to parents Javier and Eemmee, the baby primate takes Perth Zoo’s emperor tamarin family to seven. It joins twin brothers Picaro and Ladino and twin sisters Manzano and Higo. Male emperor tamarins take on the primary caring role of young which will often be found clinging to the back of their father’s neck. The species, found in the south-west Amazon Basin and under threat in the wild from logging of their natural habitats, are named for their resemblance to the German Emperor Wilhelm II, who sported a handlebar moustache. Both males and females eventually grow impressive ‘taches. At the moment, zookeepers are giving the tamarins space to adjust to their new relation. Its gender will be determined when it has its first hands-on veterinary check at six to 12 months.
An article from earlier this week about releasing Numbats bred at the zoo: Perth Zoo-born numbats to be released into Australian Wildlife Conservancy Mt Gibson Sanctuary | Community News Group Ten numbats born this year at Perth Zoo will be released into Mt Gibson sanctuary this week as part of the only breeding program in the world for the endangered species. The eleven-month-old numbats, born under the collaborative program between Perth Zoo and Parks and Wildlife Service, were released into the wild within Australia’s second largest feral cat-free area. ...... The first successful breeding at Perth Zoo was in 1993 and since then more than 200 individuals have been released to the wild which has helped re-establish four populations of numbats within their former range.
Article here, from yesterday: Perth Zoo mourns death of Sumatran orangutan Hsing Hsing Perth Zoo is mourning the death of Hsing Hsing, Perth’s oldest male Sumatran orangutan who died at the weekend from diabetes complications and advanced age. Known for his dreadlocks and loud vocal call, Hsing Hsing was 42. The average lifespan for an orangutan is about 35-40 years in the wild. He was diagnosed with diabetes 21 years-ago and had been trained to present his arm for daily insulin injections and blood glucose tests. In a statement Perth Zoo said Hsing Hsing, who was born at Singapore Zoo in 1975 and who sired five orangutans, was a very special member of the Perth Zoo family and would be greatly missed. “His loud booming voice and formidable presence enforced his position as the dominant male in the 10-strong colony,” it said. Although solitary, Hsing Hsing shared a special relationship with female Utama. Zoo staff allowed her time with Hsing Hsing to process his passing and she will be carefully monitored over the coming weeks to ensure she adjusts to his loss. Perth Zoo’s colony consists of adult and young orangutans, including matriarch Puan, who at about 61 is the oldest Sumatran Orangutan in the world having recently been awarded a Guinness World Record. The colony is recognised internationally as one of the most significant in the world, with a successful breeding record. It is also the only zoo in the world releasing Sumatran orangutans back to the wild. The zoo has asked those wishing to mark his passing to consider a donation to its Wildlife Conservation Action in lieu of flowers. Proceeds will help assist Hsing Hsing’s critically endangered wild cousins in Indonesia.
I remember Hsing Hsing when I visited Perth zoo some years ago now. At that time he was the only adult male in the Zoo. I believe he was obtained to replace the oldest female Puan's original mate Atjeh after a climbing frame unfortunately collapsed on him.
Not exactly true. Atjeh was very much alive after Hsing was brought in to sire the 3rd generation (can't remember which year Hsing was imported but roughly 1990). The two were usually alternated so only one male was on display at any one time. Atjeh was PTS (after a long battle) as a result of a wound inflicted by broken timber from his frame, in 1996. Both very impressive male orangs.
Thanks for the clarification. Atjeh had certainly died, though not long before I visited, as I had hoped to see him but knew that I wouldn't. I was rather surprised at Perth's orangutan complex, with no indoor viewing and quite simplistic enclosures. I gather they are much improved since then though.
You are too used to European zoos! Very rarely do Australian zoos have any viewing into dens, which I expect is due to a better climate even in winter.
You're correct- Taronga Gorillas and Chimps and Melbourne Gorillas were other Ape exhibits I saw with no indoor viewing as the inmates are onshow outside throughout viewing hours. So no need...
