Auckland Zoo Wild Indonesia Development

[Zoofan15]

Have the Sunda Gharial been imported yet or are they waiting until the exhibit is finished!

Not yet, but the zoo has recently been given permission from MPI to import them:

“New rules will allow live crocodiles and eggs to be imported from the EU, Asia and the Pacific. The zoo industry has asked the Ministry for Primary Industries to let it bring in the animals, with Auckland Zoo building a new $50 million southeast Asian attraction due to open this year.

Previously, only crocodiles from Australia were allowed but that's being expanded to include the European Union, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Thailand.”

Zoo attraction: NZ opens door to more crocodile imports

It’ll be interesting to see what zoo/zoos they come from. The article further notes:

“The crocodiles and eggs must come from animals hatched and raised in captivity.”

Zoo Negara in Malaysia has had success in breeding them; as has Crocodiles of the World in England, so these are two possible sources.

 

[Zorro]

Thats really good news for NZ!

 

[Tafin]

I hope Auckland Zoo gets a breeding pair of Sunda Gharial. I'm surprised they've never got a Saltwater Crocodile as their Australia area is kind of boring.

 

[Chlidonias]

I hope Auckland Zoo gets a breeding pair of Sunda Gharial.

The application they made was for importing one individual.

 

[Zoofan15]

Reptile Species

I was looking online and came across this application (signed 08/09/2017):

https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/File...PP203434-APP203434-Application-form-FINAL.pdf

The reptile species Auckland Zoo wanted to import were:

False gharial
Southern river terrapin
Northern river terrapin
Painted terrapin
Amboina box turtle
Giant Asian pond turtle
Spiny turtle
Sulawesi forest turtle
Malaysian giant turtle
Asian forest turtle

“The proposed new facilities for these species at the Zoo is a state of the art controlled- climate tropical house as above. Large turtle species and the tortoises will occupy the same space as the tomistoma.

Smaller turtle species and/or juveniles of any chelonian, will be housed in smaller, self- contained, open-topped, land/water enclosures within the tropical house formed from solid barriers at the terrestrial interface and acrylic barriers at the aquatic interface.”

 

[lintworm]

I hope Auckland Zoo gets a breeding pair of Sunda Gharial. I'm surprised they've never got a Saltwater Crocodile as their Australia area is kind of boring.

If you think the Auckland zoo Australia area is boring, you would be shocked to know it is better than most Australian areas in European zoos.

 

[Tafin]

The application they made was for importing one individual.

Did it say what zoo it was coming from?

 

[Jambo]

If you think the Auckland zoo Australia area is boring, you would be shocked to know it is better than most Australian areas in European zoos.

And, even a few Australian Zoos!

 

[Jambo]

An update on how Auckland’s three Bornean Orangutans (Charlie, Melur and Wanita) are settling into their new home in Wild Indonesia:

Observing orangutans with product facilitator Tara! | Auckland Zoo News

 

[WhistlingKite24]

After delaying the official opening of the first stage due to COVID-19, Auckland Zoo has now announced that the High Canopy Habitat for their orangutans and siamangs is now open to the public. From their Facebook page:

It’s the news you’ve all been waiting for...our High Canopy habitat is now open!

It’s an exciting time for our Zoo as we welcomed the first visitors into the new home for our orangutans and siamang earlier today. Opening just in time for the July School Holidays, this incredible and immersive area for our primates (and you!) to enjoy is first phase of our South East Asia Jungle Track to be completed. In time, the track will include a whole host of South East Asian species including new habitats for Sumatran tigers, Asian small-clawed otters as well as a climate-controlled Swamp Forest with Sunda gharial and a school of Indonesian fish.

“To see our orangutans and siamangs – ambassadors for their wild counterparts – having this immersive environment that so brilliantly provides for how I see their species behave in the wild, and ensures their absolute best care, is just wonderful. These primates are among the most intelligent, fascinating and extraordinary animals on our planet, and I can’t wait for our visitors to experience them here in their new home,” says primate team leader Amy.

This work has only been made possible for the Zoo as a part of Regional Facilities Auckland with the fantastic support, trust, and backing of Auckland Council who have shared the excitement and vision for this incredible project.

More information on their website: Auckland to South East Asia – no passport required! | Auckland Zoo News

 

[ZooNZ]

So, I went to see the South East Asia Jungle Track yesterday and I took some photos to be able to show you guys how it looks. It's slightly smaller than I expected and we don't see an indoor area anymore with the best we have being a shelter area for the orangutans and siamangs. Also, the siamang area look larger than the orangs for some odd reason. I apologise that I didn't take the best photos to capture how everything looks but I hope these help a bit in seeing the place in conjunction with all the videos published by news outlets, etc for those who can't go and see it.

South East Asia Jungle Track High Ropes

• ZooNZ
• 7 Jul 2020

South East Asia Jungle Track Entrance

• ZooNZ
• 7 Jul 2020

South East Asia Jungle Track Siamang Exhibit

• ZooNZ
• 7 Jul 2020

South East Asia Jungle Track Siamang Exhibit Sideview

• ZooNZ
• 7 Jul 2020

South East Asia Jungle Track High Ropes Connected

• ZooNZ
• 7 Jul 2020

Connected to Siamang and Orangutan enclosures

 

[Zoofan15]

South East Asia Jungle Track Review

I visited Auckland Zoo this weekend and can honestly say the South East Asia precinct exceeded all expectations.

Seeing the orangutans, especially Charlie (adult male Bornean orangutan) swing across the ropes and climbing structures was such a thrill. All three orangutans were constantly on the go each time I visited their exhibit (I went back three times during my visit); and it was such a contrast to the lethargic lifestyle they seemed to lead in the old orangutan exhibit (1987-2017).

My concern from the initial press coverage was that there was little cover for the apes during inclement weather (which would lead to them staying inside). In reality, there are several overhead panels adjoining the night house and viewing shelter. It rained at one point during my visit and the orangutans flocked to the undercover area, right by the viewing window. Seeing them less than a metre away at eye level was incredible.

Bornean Orangutan Exhibit

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 7

Bornean Orangutan Exhibit

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 11

Bornean Orangutan Exhibit

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

Bornean Orangutan Exhibit

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

Bornean Orangutan Exhibit

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

It’s reasonable to assume their activity can be attributed to the novelty of a new exhibit; but as that starts to wear off, the zoo plans to have the towers connected up. This will allow them to traverse the zoo from 20 metres above the ground. These towers were immense and dominated the zoo’s skyline. I’m especially excited about the towers going across the lake.

Bornean Orangutan/Siamang Climbing Towers

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

Bornean Orangutan/Siamang Climbing Towers

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

Bornean Orangutan/Siamang Climbing Towers

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

The Siamang exhibit was spacious and well planted. They too had adequate shelter adjacent to the viewing window. I liked how their exhibit encorporated the walls of the old orangutan exhibit (1987-2017).

Siamang Exhibit

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

Siamang Exhibit

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

Siamang Exhibit

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

The new Sumatran tiger exhibit is starting to take shape, with fencing poles starting to go up.

Sumatran Tiger Exhibit (Under Construction)

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

They’ve also started working on the visitor entrance to this exhibit.

Australian Precinct - Visitor Entrance (Under Construction)

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 2

The tropical dome is also coming along nicely. I can’t wait to see the False gharial take residence, which the staff said will be next year.

Tropical Dome (Under Construction)

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

The cafe is now open and I was astounded by the architecture of this building. It reminded me of the Casson Pavilion at London Zoo.

Te Puna Cafe

• Zoofan15
• 14 Jul 2020
• 1

My only criticism was the pathway or ‘jungle track.’ Clearly somebody thought they were being clever here by designing something reminiscent of a rainforest; but the result was a chalky paste you need gumboots to trench through. Leave the New Balance at home, lads.

Note: I’ve uploaded more photos in the gallery.

 

[Nisha]

Are the Tiger's still likely to be in place this year or has the pandemic pushed there exhibit back to 2021?

 

[Zoofan15]

Are the Tiger's still likely to be in place this year or has the pandemic pushed there exhibit back to 2021?

I asked a keeper and was told the tigers will be arriving next year due to the pandemic; though looking at the progress made on exhibit, I expect that will be completed (albeit with no tigers to fill it) later this year. Last he heard, the new tigers were coming from the USA.

I will post a full news update tomorrow (I found out lots of info from the keepers and volunteers).

 

[ZooBoyNZ]

Great review, thank you @Zoofan15.
I checked the exhibit out for myself on Monday and was impressed by the new enclosures - orangutans were very active and seemed to be enjoying using their new space. Will be amazing when the ariel pathways are open to see them above the visitor path and over the lake.

Personally was not a fan of the exterior design of the cafe - I feel like all the exposed brick work doesn’t suit the area at all and sticks out like a sore thumb... but not a big deal I guess. Also the “tiger exhibit visitor entrance” @Zoofan15 mentioned is actually a new entrance to the Australian walkthrough because the old one and part of the walkthrough path has been removed to make way for the new tiger exhibit.

 

[Zoofan15]

Orangutan Plans

When I visited the zoo this weekend, one of the first questions I had was when are the Sumatran orangutans arriving?

To my amazement, I was told by a keeper that they won’t be acquiring Sumatran orangutans anymore; as the plan is to go back into Bornean orangutans. She said the reason for this change is that since the decision was made to switch to holding the crtitically endangered Sumatran orangutan; the Bornean orangutan has also become critically endangered.

She mentioned that Charlie and Melur are a viable breeding pair (Charlie is not vasectomised, as has been reported on here) and that while Melur is still on contraception from her stay at Orana Wildlife Park, the plan is to breed from Melur again.

I asked if there would be any further Bornean orangutan imports and was told that while none are planned in the short term; with Melur aged 32, imports will be needed to sustain the colony long term.

I have to say this change of direction has taken me by complete surprise, especially considering Auckland Zoo exported 2.1 reproductive age Bornean orangutan to the USA as recently as 2015. The conservation status of Bornean orangutan was updated to critically endangered a year later, in 2016.

The zoo last mentioned plans to acquire Sumatran orangutan in 2017. Any mention of this in the South East Asia FAQ has since been removed from their website.

 

[driftaguy]

Orangutan Plans

When I visited the zoo this weekend, one of the first questions I had was when are the Sumatran orangutans arriving?

To my amazement, I was told by a keeper that they won’t be acquiring Sumatran orangutans anymore; as the plan is to go back into Bornean orangutans. She said the reason for this change is that since the decision was made to switch to holding the crtitically endangered Sumatran orangutan; the Bornean orangutan has also become critically endangered.

She mentioned that Charlie and Melur are a viable breeding pair (Charlie is not vasectomised, as has been reported on here) and that while Melur is still on contraception from her stay at Orana Wildlife Park, the plan is to breed from Melur again.

I asked if there would be any further Bornean orangutan imports and was told that while none are planned in the short term; with Melur aged 32, imports will be needed to sustain the colony long term.

I have to say this change of direction has taken me by complete surprise, especially considering Auckland Zoo exported 2.1 reproductive age Bornean orangutan to the USA as recently as 2015. The conservation status of Bornean orangutan was updated to critically endangered a year later, in 2016.

The zoo last mentioned plans to acquire Sumatran orangutan in 2017. Any mention of this in the South East Asia FAQ has since been removed from their website.

What a surprise! I hadn't heard about Bornean orangutans now being critically endangered, that's so disappointing. Would there not be enough room to hold both subspecies?

 

[Zoofan15]

What a surprise! I hadn't heard about Bornean orangutans now being critically endangered, that's so disappointing. Would there not be enough room to hold both subspecies?

Yeah, apparently the wild population is almost half what it used to be in the year 2000. The decision to phase out the Borneans at Auckland Zoo first came about in the mid-2000’s.

I believe the idea behind the new precinct is that the configurations can be swapped around. The Bornean orangutan and Siamang can swap exhibits (and there has even been suggestion they could cohabit like they would in the wild); as well as options for the aerial pathways. Right now, there is only one orangutan exhibit - so holding a breeding pair of Sumatran orangutan would require the configurations to be routed so that at least the two males wouldn’t come in contact. From a management perspective, it’s probably simpler to stick with one species that can live cohesively as one population.

That said, when the aerial pathways are all linked up; I hope they give consideration to importing more female Borneans to create a decent sized colony, so that the precinct is a hive of activity and there is something to see across every part of it.

 

[FBBird]

Some of this sounds wonderful, but one thing stands out a mile. Even with the overall lack of exotic bird species in New Zealand, there appears to be no attempt to include even analogue species in the exhibit complex. Puzzled.

 

[ZooBoyNZ]

Some of this sounds wonderful, but one thing stands out a mile. Even with the overall lack of exotic bird species in New Zealand, there appears to be no attempt to include even analogue species in the exhibit complex. Puzzled.

I had the same thoughts walking through the new exhibit earlier this week. The visitor path goes behind the orangutan exhibit and on the way to the glass viewing windows at the other end, there isn’t much to look at apart from a heavily planted (but empty) fenced off space. A lot of visitors were looking down in there trying to spot animals of some kind even though there was no signage suggesting there was actually anything in there.

I feel like this was a missed opportunity and space to include some sort of smaller mammal/reptile species or aviary however hopefully this is something that could be implemented in the future. I remember some of the earlier South East Asia exhibit plans suggested a bird aviary for this area, even though species to hold in it are well... limited.