Zlin´s municipality (who owns the zoo) bought 20 hectares of fields recently, it is that area behind lions exhibit along the stream. The zoo will use it to enlarge their african section. Definite species for current elephant area is not decided, but it should house some afr. hoofstock, the house will stay (with minor fixes).
The 5th one in europe in 2016. Very good news in a time, the wild population of this species is declining.
The vet team from IZW Berlin made AI attempt at African elephant cow Zola (21). They used sperm from wild African bulls. Now it takes ca 4 months to wait for results. The next AI attempt will be with Kali (22) early next year. The youngest cow Ulu (20) is in training still. EAZA threatened to take all young cow elephants away from Zlin if the zoo would not breed them asap (they would be replaced by noncycling cows). That makes sense because African elephant population in Europe is doing very badly atm. On the other hand, all 3 cows are rather old for first pregnancy.
Everglades themed exhibit (alligators and cougars) was canceled. But zoo is now focused to create a new masterplan for Karibuni (African themed exhibits). This should be complex (on 24 ha) of safari style exhibits. The first annouced exhibit (on 6 ha) will be for elephants. Another phases should include ungulates, hippos, (lions or wild dogs). The last phase should include Central Africa themed safari with gorillas and bongos!!! and many other species.
Zlin has become the third European zoo to hold Bear Cuscus (Ailurops ursinus): a pair were received in December.
Interesting. They weren't on show when I visited on the 1st of January. I wonder if they will go on show in the summer, though I struggle to think where they could go at Zlin unless they're in a new enclosure or maybe in an aviary.
Is there some new initiative for keeping this species? I was surprised when I saw that Pairi Daiza had obtained a pair, and now that Zlin has joined them I can't help but wonder. If the animals are being sourced responsibly and sustainably, I hope that this trend continues into a viable captive population.
The pair of Bear Cuscuses came from an animal trader. They will be housed along with the kiwi above the Koala Restaurant once their new exhibits are built.
A pair of rhinoceros hornbill have been imported from Zoo Negara, Malaysia back in 2016 and been kept off show till now. ZOO a zámek Zlín - Lešná
African elephant cow KALA underwent AI recently, result still unknown. The zoo said all three elephants are on new diet. Fruit and vegetables (too much sugar) got replaced by tree branches. The aim is to keep them in slim shape and lower expected birth-weight of calf under 100 kg. First birth of cows over 20 years old is pretty dangerous at its own.
I have just been told by two of the zookeepers that all five of the African pygmy kingfishers have died. Their old enclosure now only holds crabs.
