There has been little news from Wellington Zoo worth reporting so far this year, just the regular check ups at the zoo hospital and so on. But there was some exciting news (and photos) posted on their Facebook page today: I'm not quite sure what this takes the total population of this species at Wellington Zoo too, but it must be getting fairly high now (they have another group on display elsewhere in the zoo), must be ~10.
Panda Patched Up Story & Photo here: Panda patched up - national | Stuff.co.nz Seems unusual they would keep two adult males together, especially with females in adjacent enclosures.
Wellington Euthanises Last Wild Dogs Wellington Zoo's two remaining African Wild Dogs, both male, have been put down. There are plans to import a new pack from South Africa later in the year. Story here: Wellington Zoo's wild dogs put down - national | Stuff.co.nz See also here: Wellington Zoo - Wellington Zoo saddened by passing of African Wild Dogs
I didn't realise they only had two left. I remember when there was a much larger group. Interesting that they first got the species way back in 1971 (if that date is not a typo).
I think they stopped breeding them a while back (maybe because sending surplus pups elsewhere was difficult?) and they dwindled, I've only seen a small group on recent visits, but it used to be much larger 4-5 years ago. Wellington Zoo's date is 1971, which does seem early. I don't think they would have had them continuously since then?
the implication I got was that they first displayed the species in 1971, but not that they have had them continuously since then. I certainly don't remember them at all in the late 80s and early 90s. For the date I thought perhaps the PR person at Wellington made the typo, and hence all the media got the same date. It just seemed a very early date to me. But it could be correct.
There were still 3 in early February when I was there, so another one must have died or been euthanized recently too.
on their Facebook they were saying that the third dog Jelani was put to sleep a couple of months ago due to the same age-related issues. These last dogs were the remnants of a pack established at the zoo in 2003.
also from their Facebook, two agouti babies were born recently. And the Hero HQ won the ZAA's 'Best Small Scale exhibit from a Large Institution' in March: Wellington Zoo - Wellington Zoo wins ZAA Exhibit Award for Hero HQ Interestingly the article says the scorpions at the zoo are rainforest scorpions. I thought they must be desert scorpions -- given that their tank is themed as a desert! Of course the complete lack of any identification beyond "scorpion" did not help me. EDIT: I have found out they are rainforest scorpions (Liocheles waigiensis).
Youngster gets into tiger's keeper enclosure Youngster gets into tiger's keeper enclosure | Stuff.co.nz
Another article about 'the tiger accident' : Zoo under scrutiny after child's close encounter with tiger - National News | TVNZ
2.0 Cheetah cubs were moved from Orana Park to Wellington on Wednesday. Unfortunately one was found to be unconscious on arrival and died that evening..... hence an investigation is now underway Cheetah dies mysteriously at NZ zoo | Mail Online
Senja a female Sumatran Tiger has arrived at Wellington Zoo from Mogo Zoo. Wellington Zoo - Female Sumatran Tiger arrives at Wellington Zoo
this is actually 2013 news but it has not come out before (and I don't know if they are actually on display or not) but today I came across some photos on Flickr and a mention in a Santa Ana Zoo pdf about 20 African Giant Millipedes (Archispirostreptus gigas) being imported to Wellington. Excellent news. Photos here (photos of millipedes and tarantulas at Wellington): https://www.flickr.com/photos/97659971@N06/sets/72157634489848862/ Text from the Santa Ana Zoo pdf (I don't know how to attach a link to it):
my sister tells me the millipedes are on display. Apparently the news of their arrival was in one of the zoo's email newsletters in 2013 but I missed that one obviously.
News from the Zoo's Facebook page today: Its a pygmy marmoset in case you were wondering. Wellington Zoo is one of three holders of this species in NZ, but I think the only ones to have had any successful births, they have been doing very well here! Lots of photos of the new baby on the Zoo's Facebook page too.
I just came across a news article from about two weeks ago discussing the new male which the zoo will be getting soon-ish to pair with this female: http://www.newswire.co.nz/2014/07/zoo-wants-produce-tiger-cubs/
