Australia Zoo Australia Zoo News 2021

Zoofan15 said:
This is arguably the most progressive development Australia Zoo has undertaken since Steve’s death.
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It will be even better when they finally finish it. :p They still haven’t completed one of the croc enclosures. When I first saw the new complex last year I was happy to see they kept a lot of the original trees including the large fig shown above. Great viewing opportunities of the crocodiles via the boardwalk is another big plus. The nearby turtle exhibit also received a revamp as well and helps tie in the whole wetland theme they are trying to create:
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Zoofan15 said:
This is arguably the most progressive development Australia Zoo has undertaken since Steve’s death.
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I would be the first to admit they do have very nice gardens and wonderful plants/trees. However lets not forget this was a reptile/croc display from the very star of the parkt, Its the exotic side which appears to be their weak area!
 
Zorro said:
I would be the first to admit they do have very nice gardens and wonderful plants/trees. However lets not forget this was a reptile/croc display from the very star of the parkt, Its the exotic side which appears to be their weak area!
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Yeah, there'd be so much I would change in that entire orange area of the zoo's map of I could, it just has the worst layout out of any other section of the zoo (though the Sumatran Elephants will at least help the South-East Asia portion of it whenever they go in).
 
It seems Australia Zoo no longer houses Black And White Ruffed Lemurs as they have been removed from their website
 
I can confirm they no longer have Black and White Ruffed Lemurs, they were sent to another facility mid last year sometime.
 
Riley said:
I can confirm they no longer have Black and White Ruffed Lemurs, they were sent to another facility mid last year sometime.
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Since they were never on exhibit that I am aware of I doubt the public will miss them!
 
Zorro said:
Since they were never on exhibit that I am aware of I doubt the public will miss them!
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I’m surprised they didn’t shoehorn them into the geographical melting pot known as Bindi’s Island.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’m surprised they didn’t shoehorn them into the geographical melting pot known as Bindi’s Island.
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They did try to introduce them onto one of the adjoining lemur islands - they unfortunately headed straight towards the water and it was deemed too great of a risk. The loss of the ruffed lemurs at Australia Zoo is sad but not unexpected I guess.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
They did try to introduce them onto one of the adjoining lemur islands - they unfortunately headed straight towards the water and it was deemed too great of a risk. The loss of the ruffed lemurs at Australia Zoo is sad but not unexpected I guess.
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I thought that there were a few zoos in the zoo world where this species was kept on islands!
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
They did try to introduce them onto one of the adjoining lemur islands - they unfortunately headed straight towards the water and it was deemed too great of a risk. The loss of the ruffed lemurs at Australia Zoo is sad but not unexpected I guess.
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Melbourne Zoo keep them in an exhibit with half of it surrounded by a moat, so they can be kept successfully around water. If they spend a consolidated amount of time near the waters edge, there is a greater chance that they might slip in and drown. I guess its better that they were moved, and they are in a safe enclosure. Do the Ringtails venture near the waters edge?
 
Jambo said:
Melbourne Zoo keep them in an exhibit with half of it surrounded by a moat, so they can be kept successfully around water. If they spend a consolidated amount of time near the waters edge, there is a greater chance that they might slip in and drown. I guess its better that they were moved, and they are in a safe enclosure. Do the Ringtails venture near the waters edge?
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Yeah ruffed lemurs have been kept on island exhibits at multiple zoos (Perth for example). I guess every animal and situation is different - some are successful, some are not. The main island has a wooden fence that surrounds the land and the Ringtail Lemurs often walk along the perimeter. I have never seen them approach the water's edge though.

Edit: For anyone wondering, the three ruffed lemurs moved to Hunter Valley Zoo specifically - confirmed via email.
 
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WhistlingKite24 said:
Yeah ruffed lemurs have been kept on island exhibits at multiple zoos (Perth for example). I guess every animal and situation is different - some are successful, some are not. The main island has a wooden fence that surrounds the land and the Ringtail Lemurs often walk along the perimeter. I have never seen them approach the water's edge though.
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That could have been a big drawcard for the zoo the only swimming Ruffed Lemurs in captivity :D
 
Visit to Australia Zoo – 13/03/2021:

*the rainforest aviary is going to receive a much-needed renovation – they will replace the netting that currently covers the entire exhibit. Keepers were in the process of catching some of the birds today with a large cage set with food. Most of the finches and emerald doves have already been caught but there are still a few species remaining. The birds will be housed in holding aviaries at the wildlife hospital.

Rainforest Aviary Sign

Rainforest Aviary Sign


*a Red-bellied Black Snake is now on-display in the former chameleon enclosure. I confirmed with a keeper that their last Veiled Chameleon had to be euthanised at the age of five due to gout-related issues. On a happier note, the poison dart frog population is steadily growing according to keepers – nine frogs are currently on-display with plans to introduce more to the display space soon.

enclosure for Red-bellied Black Snake

enclosure for Red-bellied Black Snake


*more reptile news. There are three new Fijian Crested Iguanas on-display with the star tortoises – they didn’t look fully grown. I assume that their breeding pair has now been moved off-display or to another facility. The death adder enclosure across the other side of the reptile house has now been emptied presumably awaiting a new occupant. The future green anaconda exhibit in the Crocoseum has been fully boarded up and a screen has been placed around the area in preparation for modifications to the enclosure.

Fijian Crested Iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis)

Fijian Crested Iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis)


*the cheetahs now seem to be brought out to public areas more regularly. I saw their two females in the elephant enclosure. Females, Bonnie and Barbra (formerly Emmy and Liberty) both which were imported from South Africa. The keeper mentioned they still have six (4.2) cheetah at the zoo.

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

female Bonnie

For more photos see here: Australia Zoo - ZooChat
 
A few bits and pieces from the zoo’s magazine publication:

*one of the Australia Zoo’s American Alligators recently turned 91 years old. Alison, an old female arrived from David Fleay Wildlife Park (if I remember correctly) in 1987 and has been at the zoo ever since.

*note on Sumatran elephants: “elephants have settled in well and love roaming around the bush out the back of the zoo, as well as eating lots of tasty coconuts. Construction on Australia Zoo’s world-class Elephantasia continues; we want it to be absolutely perfect. The elephants will have access to multiple areas over hundreds of acres to play, swim and roam. We can’t wait to share this exhibit with you.”

*Australia Zoo are now in the process of trying to breed their Komodo Dragons. The article mentions that they will most likely use male Naga, who lives at Snakes Downunder Reptile Park, to pair with their female Indah. Introductions with their original male Gilli were not as successful.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
A few bits and pieces from the zoo’s magazine publication:

*one of the Australia Zoo’s American Alligators recently turned 91 years old. Alison, an old female arrived from David Fleay Wildlife Park (if I remember correctly) in 1987 and has been at the zoo ever since.

*note on Sumatran elephants: “elephants have settled in well and love roaming around the bush out the back of the zoo, as well as eating lots of tasty coconuts. Construction on Australia Zoo’s world-class Elephantasia continues; we want it to be absolutely perfect. The elephants will have access to multiple areas over hundreds of acres to play, swim and roam. We can’t wait to share this exhibit with you.”

*Australia Zoo are now in the process of trying to breed their Komodo Dragons. The article mentions that they will most likely use male Naga, who lives at Snakes Downunder Reptile Park, to pair with their female Indah. Introductions with their original male Gilli were not as successful.
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Not sure what its referring to in regards to construction of the Elephantasia?. Are they extending it?,
 
Jambo said:
Yes, expanding it slightly; but more so renovating it, as the facilities are over twenty years old.
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While I have seen it a few times this area was really never much more than a large grassed area with a wall at two sides and a pool in the front corner. I was surprised it did not even have a covered area ( apart from a couple of shade sails) or holding barn. Anything they can do to improve it would be a bonus!
 
Zorro said:
While I have seen it a few times this area was really never much more than a large grassed area with a wall at two sides and a pool in the front corner. I was surprised it did not even have a covered area ( apart from a couple of shade sails) or holding barn. Anything they can do to improve it would be a bonus!
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I’d be even more impressed if their facilities were renovated to include bull facilities to house the long awaited Sumatran bulls we were promised. :p
 
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