Since this monday (20th September), Zoo Wuppertal requires proof of vaccination, a negative test result or proof of recovery from covid for entry. This has the positive side effect of being able to re-open almost all animal houses (only the two cat houses are still closed + the aquarium part of the building since it's being worked on at the moment). I took the opportunity to visit the zoo since I hadn't been to the houses for some years and it's not far away for me. I didn't notice many changes indoors, but I found at least two new species that weren't listed on ztl in the terrarium: Green keel-bellied lizard (Gastropholis prasina, seen but not signed) and Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus henkeli, signed but not seen). Other news that haven't been posted here: A little while ago, for the first time in 13 years, red river hogs were born in Wuppertal. I forgot the exact number the zoo posted on social media, but I saw at least two that were quickly brought inside the stable by their mother.
I was thinking about visiting Zoo Wuppertal this weekend, are the Asian golden cats visible eventhough the cat houses are closed?
Yes, at least in theory. The outside enclosures are accessible, so it depends on if they're going outside. I didn't see one this week, but I only checked once, and I saw one at my last visit back in May when the house was closed, too. I don't know how many they still have, they were signed only on the last enclosure in the row when I was there, and it seemed to me that there were more enclosures the last time, but i could be wrong...
According to their Instram 2 red river hogs were born, so you saw them all ;D Yesterday 3 Patagonian maras (Dolichotis patagonum) were born. Sources: Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (01/09/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTSloBVg6d0/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (22/09/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUIv5uyM7uA/
Since it hasn't been mentioned yet, polar bear Anori has left the zoo a little while ago and arrived safely at zoo Mulhouse/France.
Visited Zoo Wuppertal last Tuesday. Bad weather, but still had a great day at the 50th different zoo I visited in my life! - cat house, small cat House and Lion indoor enclosure were all closed - at the place where ‘ducks, gooses and storks’ should be, were actually cranes and tortoises. - At the place of the old crane exhibit a new enclosure for red panda’s is build - aralandia was the best enclosure of the park, although only the flamingo’s and hyacinth macaws were already there - Nice to see so many rare species! (bairds tapir, drill, snow leopard, yellow-backed duiker). Unfortunately missed the Gordon’s wild cat and golden cat. - polar bear enclosure was completely empty (no water in it anymore) - aquarium was renovated, terrarium was open
In which exhibit did you see Gastropholis prasina? I think I might have seen one at my recent visit to the zoo.
It wasn’t possible to go to the aquarium so I’m not sure. From the part which I could see, half of the aquariums were normal with fishes in it, the other half was empty.
I don't remember exactly, it was in one of the terrariums on the way back to the entrance of the building when following the one-way signs, where nothing was signed. Then they have made some progress, when I was there, most of the tanks I could see from the entrance where empty if i remember correctly. In terms of Aralandia, there is at least a southern pudu in there, too (didn't see it, but they wrote about it on social media and showed a photo) and maybe the sun parakeets, but since I didn't see them either, they could (temporarily) be behind the scenes...
In June 2 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) were born. The young born on the 22nd of June is a male. In July 6 eggs hatched! Would this be the first time that this species has bred in Zoo Wuppertal? In July the Subantarctic gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua papua) had 2 chicks, sadly one passed away at the end of that month. In July 2 Laughing Kookaburras (Dacelo novaeguineae) hatched, sadly the father was killed by a bird of prey (through the netting). On the 5th of September a Vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) was born and on the 12th of October another vicuna was born. On the 2nd of September a Speckled cape tortoise (Chersobius signatus) hatched. On the 3rd of October the first King penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) hatched. The two red river hogs that were born in September a both males. According to the zoo's instagram 3 Green keel-bellied lizards (Gastropholis prasina) can be found in the terrarium building. Sources: Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (25/07/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRwaGWKMwGM/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (08/07/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CREwAzrMSMW/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (13/07/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRReIdHMIra/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (18/07/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRevQNDMW6O/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (20/07/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRjdkrsM7IY/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (05/09/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTc6gI3MN7D/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (12/10/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CU8FDfFNyth/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (29/09/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUaVA2HsqXB/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (06/10/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUsVt5Cggwd/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (17/10/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVJO7tqtGrW/ Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (03/11/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV0spzVMIiJ/
I forgot to mention that earlier this year 2 female Hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) arrived from the Netherlands, one from Blijdorp and one from Artis. Source: Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (18/08/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSt-gVmsRpx/
Zoo Wuppertal has received permission from the EEP to start breeding with their snow leopards (again). Source: Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (05/12/201) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXG4FOZMWkN/
The post also states, however, that it is unclear if the male will be able to reproduce again, since the last check-up has shown no change since the zoo stopped the suppression of his fertility.
Male Okapi Thabo, born in Wuppertal in 2019, has been transferred to Al Bustan Zoo in the United Arab Emirates. His genes are well represented in the EEP, thus the transfer to another continent. The facility there apparently has 8 Okapis at the moment, and another one from an unspecified european zoo will follow. In exchange, zoo(s) in Europe (not stated which) will receive two Okapis from Al Bustan, which are not related to the EEP animals.
Apparently, the zoo is planning further changes in the mountain area. The already expanded takin exhibit will be made even bigger to hold a breeding group. For this, the domestic reindeer will leave for Vienna, and maybe the kiangs will leave/have already left, too (not sure, haven't found anything official). The construction is supposed to be finished in spring 2023, and the takins might be getting company from gorals and tufted deer. Sources: A german zoo forum and the zoo's website
A few weeks ago a 10-year old male Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) was observed having an injury to his right wing. An X-ray revealed a malposition of the elbow joint and a broken bone on the wrist. He has been given a wing bandage and was housed in the Aralandia stable building together with another flamingo to keep him company. Source: Instagram of Zoo Wuppertal (04/01/2022) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYRnhEztUx9/
Thanks, didn't even know that newspaper article. Doesn't mention everything, e.g. the other species, but it adds the info that someone made it possible with a big donation, the Zooverein also donated money. Honestly, I'm not sure. I think it was supposed to be built elsewhere, but I don't remember where exactly. It wasn't mentioned in any recent posts, but it's even been mentioned in the latest zoo guide I bought, so... The other construction I know of is currently the new red panda exhibit (to open this year) and the expansion of the elephant enclosure, though I don't know when this will start.
