This has been the custom in zoos worldwide for as long as they've been in existence I think, more so nowadays for the reasons you mention. Large or otherwise well-known 'favourite' animals tend to be the exception to the rule, then the zoo is pretty much forced to make an announcement.
There is a tendency amongst some sections of the public to believe that animals live forever and therefore any death is a tragic enditement of the zoo concerned.
True, Auckland Zoo has recently lost seven big cats in less than two years, which led to a small minority criticising the zoo on social media. In reality, all but one of the cats were elderly and had reached a fairly decent age.
Just want to let you all know, the other Fennec Fox is still alive (confirmed via email).... The zoo still have 0:2 Fennec Fox.
Wildlife HQ has welcomed twin Emperor Tamarins. The zoo has a large group of the species. Wildlife HQ
A news update. Wildlife HQ has received nine new meerkats from Altina. They have also welcomed a Common Wombat (Wildlife HQ). The most interesting piece of news (mentioned at the end of the video below) is that Wildlife HQ will be acquiring White-cheeked Gibbon by the end of the year! Apparently, they will be imported from France. Wildlife HQ
How many meerkats have they got now? I thought they already had 2 groups, does this mean they've got 3 enclosures now?
During my visit earlier this year, they had two groups of meerkat in two separate enclosures (0:4 from Altina, and 1:1 from Symbio). With this third group of nine meerkats, this brings their meerkat population to 15 (unless there have been some transfers/swaps). Queensland seems to have really embraced meerkats since they permitted the species in the state, with Darling Downs Zoo and Australia Zoo both holding 10 individuals each!
Thank you for the response! There's also Snakes Down Under, who has established a breeding group. That surprised me because I was under the impression the Queensland zoos were only allowed non-breeding groups.
From my visit today, the zoo has fazed out their Fennec Foxes because one passed from Old age. They are also getting tree kangaroos (November) and white cheeked gibbons (the cage is awe inspiring to look at) in December or round about that time and tassie devils to start a breeding project.
By ‘phased out’, do you mean they no longer hold Fennec Fox or do they still have one female? Where in the zoo will the gibbon enclosure be? Very excited to see that this species will be in Queensland.
The fennec foxes no longer live at the zoo but will again in the near future and the gibbons are across from the red pandas, Spinners enclosure and the reptile barn. It’s huge, I actually thought that it was home to King Kong And I realised that I spelt Phased wrong!
Yes, Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroos. They will come from a tree kangaroo rescue up north. Wildlife HQ will most likely be the sixth zoo in Australia to hold the species. Security Check
Wildlife HQ has a new species on display. The zoo recently opened a Perentie exhibit near the reptile barn. A great addition for their growing reptile collection. Security Check
