Auckland Zoo Wild Indonesia Development

Auckland Zoo have updated their FAQs for the South East Asian Precinct, including answering questions about the return of their Bornean orangutan; if the zoo will be importing more Sumatran tigers; and if the zoo will be importing more orangutans (presumably the Sumatran species):

South East Asia Development | Auckland Zoo

When will the orangutans be coming back to the Zoo?

It’s not possible to give an exact date, but our orangutans will be back at Auckland Zoo by early 2020.

Will the Zoo be getting more orangutans?

Yes, as part of a zoos’ international breeding programme for these endangered primates, we will welcome more orangutans in the future. Dates for more orangutans arriving are yet to be confirmed.

Will the Zoo be getting more tigers?

Yes. As part of zoos’ international breeding programme for these Critically Endangered big cats, we will be welcoming more Sumatran tigers, who will have a home in our expansive new tiger habitat. A date for more tiger(s) arriving is yet to be confirmed.

Crab eating macaques are not specifically mentioned in this question, however:

Will there be new species?

Yes! We are excited to share that in addition to orangutans, siamang gibbons, tigers and otters, our new South East Asia area will be home to the stunning Asian crocodile species, the Sunda gharial, a rich diversity of fish species including Asian arowana and other reptiles. Potentially we may welcome some other new species as well. We will keep you posted!

I hope they are they ‘other new species’ they ‘may potentially’ welcome (vague stuff guys); and that they haven’t been scrapped.
 
Nisha said:
The most likely species would be Francois Langur. Already present in Australia
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I'm not sure if it would be the Francois Langur since it doesn't really fit with the exhibit since Francois Langurs are found in Southwestern China, not Indonesia.
 
Otautahian said:
The caption under the photo for the primate house in the article at the end of page three of this thread says "THE NEW HOME OF AUCKLAND ZOO’S ORANGUTAN, SIAMANG AND INCOMING LEUTANG MONKEYS." I guess they meant "Lutung", as in, leaf monkeys :)
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Nisha said:
The most likely species would be Francois Langur. Already present in Australia
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ZooNZ said:
I'm not sure if it would be the Francois Langur since it doesn't really fit with the exhibit since Francois Langurs are found in Southwestern China, not Indonesia.
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I’m going to guess Dusky leaf monkey. It’s already held in the region (four siblings at Adelaide) and is native to South East Asia.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’m going to guess Dusky leaf monkey. It’s already held in the region (four siblings at Adelaide) and is native to South East Asia.
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If that is the case, then great! Finally another zoo taking on a lovely species.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Beats the dating ones I always gets. It just adds to my friend's assumption that ZooChat is a dating site. :p
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I get dating site ads as well, which is odd, because I've never been on a dating site in my life. But this thread is the only one I get Aukland Zoo ads on. On the home page I've gotten ads for Milwaukee County Zoo, Caversham Wildlife Park, and some site offering "Free Zoo Tickets". I also gets ads for pet supplies and sites selling live amphibians.
 
Update on the Wild Indonesia development (Orangutan and Saimang islands):

Here are two videos from Auckland’s FB page. The first explains the massive poles that will be in the exhibits; and the second, how the exhibits will look. The thing that amazes me is that in the second video, she states the orangutans will be able to go 20 metres above the walking trail. Which looks something like this:
images


Video 1: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156334709381984&id=57062666983&__tn__=*s*s-R

Video 2: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156334656301984&id=57062666983&__tn__=*s*s-R
 
Jambo said:
Update on the Wild Indonesia development (Orangutan and Saimang islands):

Here are two videos from Auckland’s FB page. The first explains the massive poles that will be in the exhibits; and the second, how the exhibits will look. The thing that amazes me is that in the second video, she states the orangutans will be able to go 20 metres above the walking trail. Which looks something like this:
images


Video 1: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156334709381984&id=57062666983&__tn__=*s*s-R

Video 2: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156334656301984&id=57062666983&__tn__=*s*s-R
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That looks incredible. So far removed from the bare, grass field they used to inhabit. It's amazing to think that the old 'Orangutan Park' would have been considered state of the art, when it opened in 1987. I suppose it was compared to the barren, barred cages that used to hold orangutans.

I still think the arboreal concept of this exhibit is better suited to Sumatran orangutans. I find it really hard to imagine Charlie (an adult male Bornean orangutan) off the ground. Hopefully he likes the change.

I'm really interested to see what new Sumatran orangutans will be coming.
 
Zoofan15 said:
That looks incredible. So far removed from the bare, grass field they used to inhabit. It's amazing to think that the old 'Orangutan Park' would have been considered state of the art, when it opened in 1987. I suppose it was compared to the barren, barred cages that used to hold orangutans.

I still think the arboreal concept of this exhibit is better suited to Sumatran orangutans. I find it really hard to imagine Charlie (an adult male Bornean orangutan) off the ground. Hopefully he likes the change.

I'm really interested to see what new Sumatran orangutans will be coming.
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It is a massive development from Auckland’s previous enclosure, and will be one of the few in the world that will allow Orangutans to go above the heads of visitors! This development will certainly kick them ahead of a few other zoos is Australasia *cough cough* Melbourne *cough cough*.

I definitely like the idea of the Moonsoon habitat, and construction on it seems to be beginning. I though the zoo planned to have Crab eating-macaques? They don’t seem to be on the plans anymore? They were meant to co-exist either in the Moonsoon building, or adjacent to the Moonsoon building.

Charlie isn’t much of a height’s person. He much prefers the ground; although Wanita and Melur don’t mind being high up. It will certainly be interesting to see where the Sumatran Orangutan’s are coming from. A few zoos, such as, Adelaide and Melbourne need more genetics to continue their breeding program. Will the Borneans co-exist with the Sumatran’s and the Saimangs when they return?
 
Jambo said:
It is a massive development from Auckland’s previous enclosure, and will be one of the few in the world that will allow Orangutans to go above the heads of visitors! This development will certainly kick them ahead of a few other zoos is Australasia *cough cough* Melbourne *cough cough*.

I definitely like the idea of the Moonsoon habitat, and construction on it seems to be beginning. I though the zoo planned to have Crab eating-macaques? They don’t seem to be on the plans anymore? They were meant to co-exist either in the Moonsoon building, or adjacent to the Moonsoon building.

Charlie isn’t much of a height’s person. He much prefers the ground; although Wanita and Melur don’t mind being high up. It will certainly be interesting to see where the Sumatran Orangutan’s are coming from. A few zoos, such as, Adelaide and Melbourne need more genetics to continue their breeding program. Will the Borneans co-exist with the Sumatran’s and the Saimangs when they return?
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Melbourne’s exhibit looked very dated from the pics I saw on here, unless they’ve done anything major to it in the last few years?

I haven’t heard anything on the Crab-eating macaque in a while. My guess is they’ve been replaced with Dusky leaf monkeys, but I could be wrong.

I’d say it’s likely the Borneans won’t co-exist with the Sumatrans or Siamang. Auckland Zoo did a behavioural study on their orangutans and with the exception of Charlie and Gangsa (who had a strong bond); they tolerated each other at best. In some cases, the females fought to the point they had to be separated. Wanita especially, is notoriously temperamental.

Also, if there were female Sumatran orangutans, they couldn’t be kept with Charlie if there was any chance of them falling pregnant. Siamang have injured by orangutans at other zoos, so they probably wouldn’t risk that either.

My guess is Charlie, Melur and Wanita will be kept together in one group as they all can live together without serious incident, and will now have even more space to escape each other. The Siamang pair will be kept in another group; and the Sumatran orangutans in another 1-3 groups (depending on the number).
 
Zoofan15 said:
Melbourne’s exhibit looked very dated from the pics I saw on here, unless they’ve done anything major to it in the last few years?

I haven’t heard anything on the Crab-eating macaque in a while. My guess is they’ve been replaced with Dusky leaf monkeys, but I could be wrong.

I’d say it’s likely the Borneans won’t co-exist with the Sumatrans or Siamang. Auckland Zoo did a behavioural study on their orangutans and with the exception of Charlie and Gangsa (who had a strong bond); they tolerated each other at best. In some cases, the females fought to the point they had to be separated. Wanita especially, is notoriously temperamental.

Also, if there were female Sumatran orangutans, they couldn’t be kept with Charlie if there was any chance of them falling pregnant. Siamang have injured by orangutans at other zoos, so they probably wouldn’t risk that either.

My guess is Charlie, Melur and Wanita will be kept together in one group as they all can live together without serious incident, and will now have even more space to escape each other. The Siamang pair will be kept in another group; and the Sumatran orangutans in another 1-3 groups (depending on the number).
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Melbourne’s orangutan exhibit’s are ageing. There are 3 enclosures; and I would say the first two (outside netted enclosure, and dayroom), definitely need a more naturalistic look. A renovation of the Orangutan exhibits would definitely be an improvement from what they are currently.

Inside orangutan dayroom

Inside orangutan dayroom

  • Media owner Jambo
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Netted orangutan enclosure

Netted orangutan enclosure

  • Media owner Jambo
  • Date added

Outside orangutan enclosure

Outside orangutan enclosure

  • Media owner Jambo
  • Date added
Menyaru and Gabby

I also heard that Auckland may be possibly importing dusky leaf monkey. I’ll email Auckland and ask them.

Borneans have shwon tnat they are more of a solitary species compared to the Sumatran’s. There was a Auckland zoo tv episode that talked about the orangutans daily lives and their bonds with one another. I do seem to recall a keeper saying that Charlie and Gangsa were close.

Charlie was vasectomised to my understanding a few years after Madju”# birth in 2005. I may be wrong though. It would be interesting to see all 3 species together. They could also add some Asian short clawed otters running around at ground level. :) In 2014, Melbourne seperated it’s Saimang from their orangutans because they fought a lot.

Auckland claimed that the Saimang would be kept with the orangutans. In the design, Auckland zoo had 5 Islands for the orangutans, and Saimangs; So maybe Charlie, Wanita and Melur would have 1, than the Sumatran orangutans spread across the other 4, with the saimangs with 1 of the 4 groups.
 
Jambo said:
Melbourne’s orangutan exhibit’s are ageing. There are 3 enclosures; and I would say the first two (outside netted enclosure, and dayroom), definitely need a more naturalistic look. A renovation of the Orangutan exhibits would definitely be an improvement from what they are currently.

Inside orangutan dayroom

Inside orangutan dayroom

  • Media owner Jambo
  • Date added

Netted orangutan enclosure

Netted orangutan enclosure

  • Media owner Jambo
  • Date added

Outside orangutan enclosure

Outside orangutan enclosure

  • Media owner Jambo
  • Date added
Menyaru and Gabby

I also heard that Auckland may be possibly importing dusky leaf monkey. I’ll email Auckland and ask them.

Borneans have shwon tnat they are more of a solitary species compared to the Sumatran’s. There was a Auckland zoo tv episode that talked about the orangutans daily lives and their bonds with one another. I do seem to recall a keeper saying that Charlie and Gangsa were close.

Charlie was vasectomised to my understanding a few years after Madju”# birth in 2005. I may be wrong though. It would be interesting to see all 3 species together. They could also add some Asian short clawed otters running around at ground level. :) In 2014, Melbourne seperated it’s Saimang from their orangutans because they fought a lot.

Auckland claimed that the Saimang would be kept with the orangutans. In the design, Auckland zoo had 5 Islands for the orangutans, and Saimangs; So maybe Charlie, Wanita and Melur would have 1, than the Sumatran orangutans spread across the other 4, with the saimangs with 1 of the 4 groups.
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Thanks for those pics @Jambo. It does still look very dated, the outside exhibit looks very sparse and depressing!

Okay cool, I'll be interested to hear what Auckland Zoo say. Last I heard, they were importing Lutung (leaf) monkeys. I guessed Dusky leaf monkey as they're a South East Asia species already kept in the region.

I never knew Charlie was vasectomised! It would make sense though as he's never been exported outside the region; and they were probably keen to avoid another accident like with Madju (2005). Melur's daughter (stillborn in 2002) was the last planned pregnancy I believe.

That plan could definitely work. It'd be nice if the orangutans get to rotate between the islands too. I'm not 100% but I believe in Singapore Zoo they mix the groups up from time to time. That would probably be quite enriching for the orangutans. In the wild, females with offspring occasionally meet and the offspring socialise; so it'd be good if that could happen. It would have been ideal for Intan and Datuk (both born 1989) to have had that social interaction as juveniles. Madju had to make do with Wanita!
 
Zoofan15 said:
Thanks for those pics @Jambo. It does still look very dated, the outside exhibit looks very sparse and depressing!

Okay cool, I'll be interested to hear what Auckland Zoo say. Last I heard, they were importing Lutung (leaf) monkeys. I guessed Dusky leaf monkey as they're a South East Asia species already kept in the region.

I never knew Charlie was vasectomised! It would make sense though as he's never been exported outside the region; and they were probably keen to avoid another accident like with Madju (2005). Melur's daughter (stillborn in 2002) was the last planned pregnancy I believe.

That plan could definitely work. It'd be nice if the orangutans get to rotate between the islands too. I'm not 100% but I believe in Singapore Zoo they mix the groups up from time to time. That would probably be quite enriching for the orangutans. In the wild, females with offspring occasionally meet and the offspring socialise; so it'd be good if that could happen. It would have been ideal for Intan and Datuk (both born 1989) to have had that social interaction as juveniles. Madju had to make do with Wanita!
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The orangutans at Melbourne could’ve definitely made home in the former Lemur islands; of which, where demolished for the Snow Leopard ridge precinct. The Saimangs inhabited one of the two islands for quite some time. Sad

Madju was an unexpected birth for Auckland, as they never intended to breed Melur at that time. Charlie being vasectomised, would’ve explained why he has never had another offspring since Madju (2005).

The Atlanta zoo in the US rotates their gorillas a lot, putting them in different mixes. Auckland could certainly mix their Sumatran orangutan’s up, alongside moving the Saimang from group to group. I certainly can’t wait to see how this turns out. :)
 
Jambo said:
The orangutans at Melbourne could’ve definitely made home in the former Lemur islands; of which, where demolished for the Snow Leopard ridge precinct. The Saimangs inhabited one of the two islands for quite some time. Sad
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Those tiny islands would not have contained an orangutan for longer than around five minutes!
 
Zoofan15 said:
Thanks for those pics @Jambo. It does still look very dated, the outside exhibit looks very sparse and depressing!
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I'd agree that its sparse but don't expect much more from Auckland's new exhibit or any other zoo. Melbourne's exhibits are not much over a decade old and unfortunately are not out-of-date in that sense. The problem is that orangutans are tree-trashers and notorious escape artists. Give them real trees and not only will they soon destroy them (as they did at Melbourne) but you have to be very careful they don't use the branches to liberate themselves over the walls. The only naturalistic orangutan exhibits I have seen are in Southeast Asia, where everything grows fast and they all utilised existing established trees. they also use moats. Which are not in favour in the west due to risk of drowning. Melbourne's exhibit is in my opinion mediocre. But sadly is very comparable to most modern orang exhibits I've seen in western zoos. The one thing i'll give them credit for is that their animals do brachiate everywhere and virtually never descend to the ground thanks to all those vertical poles. Thats was a great design addition.
 
toothlessjaws said:
Those tiny islands would not have contained an orangutan for longer than around five minutes!
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Yeah, but they could have surely made the islands more secure? One of the islands that used to house the lemurs was around the size of the current outdoor netted orangutan exhibit. Do you have a photo of the previous lemur islands? I couldn’t find one online. :cool:
 
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