this is one case where the zoo nor indeed the Government PR people can be blamed. This one clearly lies at the foot of the journalist, Here is the original press release: New Home For Endangered Orange-Bellied Parrots 28th Jun 2016 A new, purpose-built, facility to aid the recovery of the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot opened today at Werribee Open Range Zoo. With less than 50 Orange-bellied Parrots estimated to remain in the wild, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio officially opened the new facility which is designed to give a big boost to the captive population, allowing birds to build much needed fitness prior to release in the wild. The facility is made up of two aviaries and includes a walk through exhibit for zoo visitors, in addition to a large, fitness aviary that will provide captive-bred birds with an opportunity to build up their physical fitness, flight, foraging and social skills prior to their release. The Orange-bellied Parrot is one of three migratory parrot species. Each year, it makes a round trip from Tasmania to south-eastern Australia, a 1000km journey across Bass Strait covering some of the roughest ocean in the world. In a first for Werribee Open Range Zoo, visitors will be able to see this critically endangered species up close in a special walk-through exhibit connected to free-flight aviary. There are a number of challenges involved in the recovery of the Orange-bellied Parrot and with such a small population left, the birds’ survival depends on innovation and collaboration to save this iconic local species. The first birds to use the fitness aviary are expected in 2017, with zoo visitors able to view the fitness regime of the parrots via a unique viewing hole. The new facility at Werribee Open Range Zoo follows the Department for Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s commitment in 2015 of over $100,000, in addition to funding from the National Landcare Program via the Corangamite CMA, to support Orange-bellied Parrot recovery effort. This includes restoration of critical habitat and seasonal surveys along with volunteer support to monitor wild bird numbers. Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio “Orange-bellied Parrots are an incredible species and with less than 50 remaining in the wild, innovative facilities like this aviary are critically important to ensure their survival.” “Once birds move into this new facility it will act as specialised parrot ‘gym’, preparing Orange-bellied Parrots for future release in the wild.”
Where was the original press release? The article Jabiru96 linked to and I quoted is posted in the "news" section of Zoos Victoria's website, so they have to take some of that blame. Would have made more sense for them to have just posted the press release anyway. Why would they write a press release, and then post an unattributed news article based on said press release on their website?
here: New Home For Endangered Orange-Bellied Parrots | Premier of Victoria The article as placed on the zoo's website does not show up anywhere else, so I would say it was a zoo PR person re-writing parts of the press release and stuffing up part of it.
Oops sorry I just assumed it was a newspaper article. So somebody at the zoo is to blame after all. Well done to the pr person getting it right when the zoo can't. The press release is from the Minister. I subscribe to all relevant pollie's media releases, this can easily be done on their websites but be prepared for a lot of dross.
Oh ok, I didn't realise the press release didn't come from the zoo. But I don't think I'll sign up for any releases from pollies!
Three male eastern barred bandicoots have been released into Serendip Sanctuary in Victoria after being retired from the breeding program: Bandicoots find Sanctuary in Serendip | Zoos Victoria
Death of a number of animals : Zoos Victoria 'devastated' over accidental animal deaths, reviews practices
Specifically the accidental Werribee deaths were limited to 17 wild brushtail possums that were poisoned when they ate poison intended for wild rabbits.
WORZ is in the process of building a new breeding facility for plains wanderer, set to open in 2017. They will be working with Taronga Zoo and Featherdale Wildlife Park to establish a captive breeding program: Bringing the Plains-wanderer under our wing | Zoos Victoria
The article below (talking about the death of male Lion, Chaka at Melbourne Zoo) mentions the birth of three Lion cubs at Werribee in October.. Cubs should be onshow from mid December http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vi...h/news-story/65f4ab92bad5550445cd4ef263a74681
Strange how Melbourne Zoo would jump the gun and announce the birth before Werribee has done so. Anyone know the litter size? I assume the mother is Nairibi.
Both are part of Zoos Vic so share the same marketing, PR departments. Just part of an overall strategy, no doubt.
Doesn't sound like any sort of strategy at all, more inside knowledge that got let slip to the media, but yes good point about them being sister zoos. News releases for Taronga Western Plains Zoo can be found on Taronga's website. No doubt they'll be a media release this month when the cubs go public. It's nice to see more cubs born in this pride after the import of the two young females. Australasia seems to have an aging population of lions with Melbourne, Perth, Taronga/Hunter Valley, Adelaide, Auckland and Wellington all housing post-reproductive prides.
Melbourne Zoo has jumped no gun, as MRJ says, Melbourne and Werribee are part of the same organisation (Zoos Victoria), so a press release can easily cover more than one zoo. Having said that, I think the real reason Melbourne hasn't jumped the gun is that there has not been a new litter of cubs born. The only thing the article linked by Nisha said was this vague statement: "But amid the sadness of losing two of their big cats, Zoos Victoria recently celebrated the birth of a lion litter at the Werribee Open Range Zoo" and a photo caption that said "Three lion cubs born in October will go on display at Werribee Open Range Zoo from Tuesday, December 15. The cubs are the first born at the zoo". I think this all refers to last years litter, and the current article has just recycled photos from that. This year the 15th falls on a Thursday, not a Tuesday as it did last year. There doesn't seem to be any news from the Zoo or anywhere else confirming a new litter this year.
How dissapointing. I admit it seemed strange to breed Nairibi one year after Nilo (why not breed from them at the same time to mirror the natural breeding pattern), but I assumed they had their reasons and was pleased they'd decided to breed from her. Maybe this will be on the cards now with so many aging lions in our region. Melbounre should send their remianing male to join Perth's lone female.
In actual fact, four lion cubs were indeed born (albeit this month) to mother Nairibi (a fifth stillborn cub was also born): Lion birth at Werribee Open Range Zoo | Zoos Victoria
