Sydney Zoo has officially opened. Over the opening weekend, the zoo is expecting approximately 10 000 visitors. https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www...-park-ng-e3d95557e398697f0151af630ab4b59f.amp
62 year old Asian elephant Saigon (a former circus elephant) is now on display at Sydney Zoo. There are intentions for her to be joined by other elephants soon but for the time being, there are three water buffalo in the exhibit with her for company.
I wonder how much benefit she gets from the Water buffalo. While Burma waited six years for Auckland Zoo to import a new elephant, they buddied her up with a confident horse. Burma did nothing to startle the horse; but nothing to impress it either, and the horse left for pastures new. Surely for an animal as intelligent and complex as an elephant; nothing but their own species can compare?
So, looking at that map, changes from the previous maps are, I think: *Blackbuck (presumably filling in for an African antelope) - these are placed where the other maps have White Rhino; I guess when the rhino arrives they will either share, or the Blackbuck will move in with the Giraffe and Zebra. *Camel (where the Capybara were supposed to be, with the Capybara now in a much smaller side-exhibit which is actually the Small-clawed Otter enclosure - again probably just being used as a space-filler until the otters are obtained) *Water Buffalo back on there, albeit in a different location (originally when the Hippos were dropped, the buffalo were replacements, but then they were replaced in the plans by Capybara). From the map it appears the Water Buffalo and Elephant enclosures are separated. *Cheetah and Hunting Dog enclosures have swapped places. *Also, the Spider Monkeys are in the Gorilla enclosure, presumably until the latter arrive and then the Spider Monkeys will be moved into the Capuchin enclosure. *The Meerkats were originally placed on the earlier maps to the right of where they are now, where the "Kids Zone" is. The Australian area also appears to have changed a bit to accommodate the inclusion of this childrens' play area.
I notice the capybara are South East Asian. I appreciate they are in that zone/precinct but it wouldn’t have been too difficult to give the map icon a different colour.
there is heaps of new photos of this zoo on google maps which shows it in a real life perspective - im actually quite impressed overall, with time plants will grow and it will look lush. they've almost got a better collection of the ABC animals than the other main zoos, just lacking in birds.
If anyone is still interested, the spiders monkeys at Sydney Zoo came from Orana Wildlife Park (NZ). I contacted the zoo a few months ago and they just responded today.
This article mentions that Sydney Zoo received five spider monkeys. https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp...d/news-story/264ddd71131956c33b4b7d1ec67cb484
Records show that they have 4.0 Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus which is the Mexican Spider Monkey, subspecies of Geoffroys which arrived from Orana as previously stated
Hamadryas Baboon Births 0.3 Hamadryas baboon infants have been born. Their births bring the troop to 16 baboons. It’s good to know something at this zoo is breeding! Mother’s Day at Sydney Zoo will be three times as special this year as the park celebrates the births of a trio of little girls. First-time baboon mum Zuri gave birth to her infant just two weeks ago, while Kasmut and Izara’s babies were born within the past two months. Full article here: Baboon baby boom is a triple treat for zoo
Wonderful news another new bloodline for the region, do they now have the second largest group in the country?
Yes, you’re right. @WhistlingKite24 reported Darling Downs Zoo had a troop of 11 baboons (with two pregnant females) earlier this year; so Sydney Zoo has now overtaken them. Sydney Zoo are catching up with Melbourne Zoo who have a troop of approximately 24 baboons - they were at 23 at the end of 2019; and have since welcomed at least one infant (a male born 10 March). Of course the largest collection of baboons in the country is at that research facility west of Sydney. It’d be interesting to know their origins and if there their genetics could be of value to the Australasian captive breeding programme. Adelaide Zoo desperately needs more females!
I just wonder IF our zoos could have access to (bloodlines) any of the Baboons from this research facility?, would anyone know what numbers they may have there?. I believe if Monarto zoo added them to their new African exhibit on one of those big rocky outcrops there it would be a wonderful exhibit for the zoo!
They have hundreds. It'd be nice to see a huge troop like the one at Singapore Zoo. Monaeto have the space and it'd fit in with their African theme.