I had a very enjoyable visit to Wildlife HQ today. I usually visit this zoo towards the end of the year but the cooler weather made for a very pleasant day out. The zoo is looking very tidy and there have been lots of changes since my last visit (which was only about three months ago). Some notes from today:
-The most exciting news I found out today is that Wildlife HQ will be receiving Tiger Quoll soon! It will live in the enclosure right next to a Tasmanian Devil which will make a nice comparison I think. I mentioned in my review a few months ago that this particular exhibit would make a great quoll enclosure.
-The four (3.1) Radiated Tortoises that arrived last week were on-display in the former Binturong enclosure near the bear [this one: Binturong Enclosure - ZooChat]. Considering all the tree branches and climbing structures haven't been moved out, I wonder if they are planning to mix another species with the tortoises. Anyways, they are a fantastic addition and one that complements the overall collection very well. Considering how long-lived this species is, I always think it’s incredible to think how much the zoo will change and grow within their lifespan.
-It was just wonderful to see the Black-handed Spider Monkeys in the open-air enclosure complete with a mature African Tulip Tree and the well-landscaped pond. A huge improvement from their old exhibit. Keepers were busily constructing the other open-air enclosure which is situated opposite the spider monkeys. When the gibbons arrive, I’m not sure if they will live in the one they are currently building or will swap with the spider monkeys. The enclosure that housed the spider monkeys [see here: Cotton-top Tamarin Enclosure - ZooChat] is now occupied by Cotton-top Tamarins – which is absolutely huge for a pair of small monkeys!
-The zoo has now created a lovely mixed-species exhibit with their Golden Lion Tamarins and Pygmy Marmosets. They live in the former capuchin enclosure opposite the baboons. One thing I must commend the zoo about it that the primates always have visible forms of enrichment – for example these monkeys were foraging for their food, which was placed inside plastic eggs.
-I managed to catch a glimpse of the new set of Emperor Tamarin twins – very endearing. A pair of Red-rumped Agouti wouldn’t look out of place in this particular enclosure if the zoo ever acquired the species.
-The exhibits for the nocturnal animals [see here: Nocturnal Animal Area - ZooChat] are gone. They have been demolished to make way for a new café area. I was never a big fan of these enclosures so I don’t mind the change. The possums now live in some of the enclosures near the marmosets. I briefly saw the Short-eared Brushtail Possum emerge from a nest box.
-As I mentioned earlier in the thread, the zoo’s older [and Australia’s oldest] Red Pandas – Nima and Dawa now live near the enclosure right outside of the entry building. They are in a shadier and quieter location. Their former enclosure [see here: Red Panda Enclosure - ZooChat ] is now occupied by the younger Red Pandas from Perth Zoo – father Makalu and son Tenzing, who in turn, used to live near the bear and binturongs. That exhibit [see here: Red Panda Enclosure - ZooChat] is now currently occupied by the Binturong that moved for the tortoises. Hope that all made sense – there have been quite a few moves!
-The Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo was nowhere to be seen. Apparently, they are waiting for another one. Not sure what happened to Julian, the male that arrived earlier in the year.
-The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo that used to live in an open-topped exhibit (which is now the location of a new koala enclosure), now lives in the aviary that housed the Eclectus Parrots. New signage has been put up for the cockatoo and it seems to be permanent move. Unfortunately, the Eclectus Parrots are either off-display again or have left the collection.
-I paid more attention to their small group of Hamadryas Baboons today – always an engaging exhibit. Their alpha male, Tehuti [born at Alma Park Zoo in 2011] has a very impressive cape. His mother, Greetje was from Dierenpark Emmen, Netherlands if I recall correctly.
-The nearby group of four Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs were making some incredible noises today! A chorus of roar-like sounds followed by some howling and shrieking. Along with the ear-splitting calls of the marmosets and tamarins which travel across the zoo, Wildlife HQ will be one noisy place when the gibbons arrive!
-The juvenile Rhinoceros Iguanas have been moved outside into a smaller building that formerly housed a few bluetongues and bearded dragons. The Perentie had access to two enclosures via a small door [this one: Empty Enclosure - ZooChat and this one: Perentie Enclosure - ZooChat] creating a huge space for one medium-sized goanna. The Reptile Barn was closed today due to COVID restrictions.
-I don’t usually pay much attention to Koalas, but Wildlife HQ has a really special one called Bowie. She has one blue eye, and one brown eye that later had to be removed [her story can be found here: Koala Sign - ZooChat]. I managed to find her in the new koala enclosure.
Reflecting the current momentum of Australia’s smaller regional zoos, Wildlife HQ continues going from strength to strength. More photos of the newer enclosures, signage and animals can be found here:
Wildlife HQ Zoo - ZooChat
-The most exciting news I found out today is that Wildlife HQ will be receiving Tiger Quoll soon! It will live in the enclosure right next to a Tasmanian Devil which will make a nice comparison I think. I mentioned in my review a few months ago that this particular exhibit would make a great quoll enclosure.
-The four (3.1) Radiated Tortoises that arrived last week were on-display in the former Binturong enclosure near the bear [this one: Binturong Enclosure - ZooChat]. Considering all the tree branches and climbing structures haven't been moved out, I wonder if they are planning to mix another species with the tortoises. Anyways, they are a fantastic addition and one that complements the overall collection very well. Considering how long-lived this species is, I always think it’s incredible to think how much the zoo will change and grow within their lifespan.
-It was just wonderful to see the Black-handed Spider Monkeys in the open-air enclosure complete with a mature African Tulip Tree and the well-landscaped pond. A huge improvement from their old exhibit. Keepers were busily constructing the other open-air enclosure which is situated opposite the spider monkeys. When the gibbons arrive, I’m not sure if they will live in the one they are currently building or will swap with the spider monkeys. The enclosure that housed the spider monkeys [see here: Cotton-top Tamarin Enclosure - ZooChat] is now occupied by Cotton-top Tamarins – which is absolutely huge for a pair of small monkeys!
-The zoo has now created a lovely mixed-species exhibit with their Golden Lion Tamarins and Pygmy Marmosets. They live in the former capuchin enclosure opposite the baboons. One thing I must commend the zoo about it that the primates always have visible forms of enrichment – for example these monkeys were foraging for their food, which was placed inside plastic eggs.
-I managed to catch a glimpse of the new set of Emperor Tamarin twins – very endearing. A pair of Red-rumped Agouti wouldn’t look out of place in this particular enclosure if the zoo ever acquired the species.
-The exhibits for the nocturnal animals [see here: Nocturnal Animal Area - ZooChat] are gone. They have been demolished to make way for a new café area. I was never a big fan of these enclosures so I don’t mind the change. The possums now live in some of the enclosures near the marmosets. I briefly saw the Short-eared Brushtail Possum emerge from a nest box.
-As I mentioned earlier in the thread, the zoo’s older [and Australia’s oldest] Red Pandas – Nima and Dawa now live near the enclosure right outside of the entry building. They are in a shadier and quieter location. Their former enclosure [see here: Red Panda Enclosure - ZooChat ] is now occupied by the younger Red Pandas from Perth Zoo – father Makalu and son Tenzing, who in turn, used to live near the bear and binturongs. That exhibit [see here: Red Panda Enclosure - ZooChat] is now currently occupied by the Binturong that moved for the tortoises. Hope that all made sense – there have been quite a few moves!
-The Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo was nowhere to be seen. Apparently, they are waiting for another one. Not sure what happened to Julian, the male that arrived earlier in the year.
-The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo that used to live in an open-topped exhibit (which is now the location of a new koala enclosure), now lives in the aviary that housed the Eclectus Parrots. New signage has been put up for the cockatoo and it seems to be permanent move. Unfortunately, the Eclectus Parrots are either off-display again or have left the collection.
-I paid more attention to their small group of Hamadryas Baboons today – always an engaging exhibit. Their alpha male, Tehuti [born at Alma Park Zoo in 2011] has a very impressive cape. His mother, Greetje was from Dierenpark Emmen, Netherlands if I recall correctly.
-The nearby group of four Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs were making some incredible noises today! A chorus of roar-like sounds followed by some howling and shrieking. Along with the ear-splitting calls of the marmosets and tamarins which travel across the zoo, Wildlife HQ will be one noisy place when the gibbons arrive!
-The juvenile Rhinoceros Iguanas have been moved outside into a smaller building that formerly housed a few bluetongues and bearded dragons. The Perentie had access to two enclosures via a small door [this one: Empty Enclosure - ZooChat and this one: Perentie Enclosure - ZooChat] creating a huge space for one medium-sized goanna. The Reptile Barn was closed today due to COVID restrictions.
-I don’t usually pay much attention to Koalas, but Wildlife HQ has a really special one called Bowie. She has one blue eye, and one brown eye that later had to be removed [her story can be found here: Koala Sign - ZooChat]. I managed to find her in the new koala enclosure.
Reflecting the current momentum of Australia’s smaller regional zoos, Wildlife HQ continues going from strength to strength. More photos of the newer enclosures, signage and animals can be found here:
Wildlife HQ Zoo - ZooChat
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