Perth Zoo Perth Zoo News 2021

Perth Zoo's Future Vision:

I recently noticed that Perth Zoo have updated their website to include more specific details regarding their masterplan and how the recent state government funding will go towards developing the facility. Here are the key animal-related concepts they propose. Further images of each of the new exhibits are below in the link. They seem to be solid plans but birds have been a bit forgotten (as they usually are). :( Maybe the conservation precinct will have some avian displays.

Future vision: A Future Vision For Perth Zoo

Short-term Plans:

*Primate Pursuits - a series of aerial raceways for the zoo's primates. The zoo have already constructed one for their squirrel monkeys; the design of this new tunnel will be the prototype for the other aerial systems.

*Lemur Raceway - another set of overhead raceways for the lemurs and gibbons to have access to the space on the main lawn.

*Arc and Treehouse - a treehouse with invertebrates, reptiles and native bees. An additional play space for children and a few domesticated animals.

*Conservation Precinct - hospital and breeding facility: "the conservation centre will bring the work that happens behind the scenes to the forefront, giving visitors the opportunity to look into the zoo hospital and breeding facilities for endangered animals and see all the work being done to safeguard our unique WA species. It will publicly showcase veterinary and scientific work, and respond to the need for enhanced STEM opportunities for young people."

*Orangutan Precinct -
the orangutan complex will have six 20-metre tall 'tents' as the zoo calls them also known as netted exhibits. Visitors will be able to view the orangutans from a raised boardwalk.

Long-term Plans:

*Entry Village -
new entry area with local wildlife like Quokkas.

*Tiger and Sun Bear Precinct - new expanded exhibits with raceways.

*African Savannah -
new species like Bongo, Eland and Ostrich are planned hopefully providing Perth with some antelope. Extension of exhibits near main lawn and meerkat exhibit with be expanded with overhead raceways (sounds interesting for meerkats). The rotational exhibits are also still in the works.
 
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I'd love to see them expand to other Asian species. Considering their success with Sumatran Orangutans it would be great if they could do the same for the Bornean subspecies. Some small Asian carnivores like linsangs or civets (apart from binturong) would be a huge boost for their species diversity, especially considering the proximity to the region.
 
Perth Zoo's Future Vision:

I recently noticed that Perth Zoo have updated their website to include more specific details regarding their masterplan and how the recent state government funding will go towards developing the facility. Here are the key animal-related concepts they propose. Further images of each of the new exhibits are below in the link. They seem to be solid plans but birds have been a bit forgotten (as they usually are). :( Maybe the conservation precinct will have some avian displays.

Future vision: A Future Vision For Perth Zoo

Short-term Plans:

*Primate Pursuits - a series of aerial raceways for the zoo's primates. The zoo have already constructed one for their squirrel monkeys; the design of this new tunnel will be the prototype for the other aerial systems.

*Lemur Raceway - another set of overhead raceways for the lemurs and gibbons to have access to the space on the main lawn.

*Arc and Treehouse - a treehouse with invertebrates, reptiles and native bees. An additional play space for children and a few domesticated animals.

*Conservation Precinct - hospital and breeding facility: "the conservation centre will bring the work that happens behind the scenes to the forefront, giving visitors the opportunity to look into the zoo hospital and breeding facilities for endangered animals and see all the work being done to safeguard our unique WA species. It will publicly showcase veterinary and scientific work, and respond to the need for enhanced STEM opportunities for young people."

*Orangutan Precinct -
the orangutan complex will have six 20-metre tall 'tents' as the zoo calls them also known as netted exhibits. Visitors will be able to view the orangutans from a raised boardwalk.

Long-term Plans:

*Entry Village -
new entry area with local wildlife like Quokkas.

*Tiger and Sun Bear Precinct - new expanded exhibits with raceways.

*African Savannah -
new species like Bongo, Eland and Ostrich are planned hopefully providing Perth with some antelope. Extension of exhibits near main lawn and meerkat exhibit with be expanded with overhead raceways (sounds interesting for meerkats). The rotational exhibits are also still in the works.
I really like the sound of them wanting Bongos! :cool::)
Why did they ever get rid of the Oyrx?
 
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I'd love to see them expand to other Asian species. Considering their success with Sumatran Orangutans it would be great if they could do the same for the Bornean subspecies. Some small Asian carnivores like linsangs or civets (apart from binturong) would be a huge boost for their species diversity, especially considering the proximity to the region.
That would be nice to have new species but the trend with most of the big state zoos in resent years has been to reduce not increase the number of species being held! :(
 
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I really like the sound of them wanting Bongos! :cool::)
Why did they ever get rid of the Oyrx?
Not enough space. Realistically PZ lacks the space to keep breeding groups of elephant, rhino and giraffe. Thus it would seem that the new masterplan involves moving both Asian elephants and white rhinos on, and replacing them with potentially bongo and Indian rhino in the future. It could work, given how much space is provided for 3 elephants currently.
 
Not enough space. Realistically PZ lacks the space to keep breeding groups of elephant, rhino and giraffe. Thus it would seem that the new masterplan involves moving both Asian elephants and white rhinos on, and replacing them with potentially bongo and Indian rhino in the future. It could work, given how much space is provided for 3 elephants currently.
True enough!. Its a shame Perth zoo never really had any luck with their elephants, Even back in 2000 I was told they were going to export the bull to Fort Worth zoo in the USA. I believe any zoo going into elephants long term should have the space and commitment such as seen at the Western Plains zoo in Dubbo and soon to be the new elephant complex at Werribee park zoo, Anything less is a waste of time with Auckland zoo being a case in point.
Indian rhino would be a good fit for Perth I hope it comes about. :)
 
A second giraffe calf has been born at Perth Zoo to female Ellie. The male was born on Saturday morning:

"On International Zoo Keeper Day and World Animal Day, we wanted to share some special news with you. At 3:30am Saturday morning, ‘Ellie’ gave birth to a male giraffe calf. As a first time mum, Ellie needs time and space to adjust to motherhood. She is naturally a nervous giraffe, so we need to take things extra slowly with her and her offspring. For the time being they are bonding in the giraffe nursery, with Ellie getting used to her son and learning how to nurse him properly. As some human mums will know, this is not always easy, and Ellie has had some difficulties over the past two days allowing her son to feed. But he is strong, tall (over 180cm) and our expert and dedicated team are continuing to support Mum, calf and the rest of the herd."
 
Does anybody know if Dinar has been breeding with any of the females lately? Also how many Orangutans reside in total at Perth?
 
Does anybody know if Dinar has been breeding with any of the females lately? Also how many Orangutans reside in total at Perth?

When I contacted them at the beginning of the year, they said their plan was to breed Dinar with Pulang. It’s been nine years since Pulang last bred and they believe it’ll be good for her daughter to observe the raising of a sibling.

Dinar has two other potential mates at Perth Zoo - Sekara, aged 31, with whom he’s bred twice before; and Teliti, aged 12.
 
Perth Zoo Annual Report 2020-2021:

Perth Zoo’s annual report is now available online with lots of births/hatchings and transfers to be recorded. Notably, the zoo recently received Black-footed Tree-rats as a new species for the nocturnal house. Full annual report: https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/PerthZooWebsite/media/PerthZoo/All PDFs/Perth-Zoo-AR-2021-FINAL_INTERACTIVE.pdf

Births/Hatchings: two Koala joeys, Dibblers, Numbats, Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur triplets, 16 African Wild Dog pups (only the six born to the alpha female survived, the beta female produced 10 pups and were not reared), Blue-billed Duck, Green Pygmy Goose, Regent Parrot, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Western Swamp Turtle, Corn Snake

Deaths: female African Wild Dog, Kisuri died at the age of nine and contributed 17 pups to the region, a 36-year-old Australian Pelican also passed recently. They also confirmed the loss of the region’s last Madagascar Tree Boa at the age of 18. What a shame this species is no longer in Australasia: “And eighteen-year-old Madagascar Tree Boa, the last animal of its species within the Australasian region’s zoos, passed away.”

Transfers In: 1.0 Golden Lion Tamarin arrived from Mogo to form a breeding pair, one African Wild Dog arrived from Monarto for breeding, two Black-footed Tree Rats arrived from the Northern Territory (great new addition for the nocturnal house!), 2.0 Bilbies arrived from Monarto and a group of Feathertail Gliders arrived from Taronga.

Transfers Out: one Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo to Caversham, one Red Panda to Mogo, 2.0 Binturong to Taronga (glad this species is back at Taronga), one Rockhopper Penguin to Jurong, three Koalas to Queensland zoos [Currumbin and Port Douglas], four African Wild Dogs to the National Zoo and Aquarium and five Asian Small-clawed Otters to Orana.

Releases into the Wild: 11 Numbats, 31 Dibblers, 75 Orange-bellied Frogs and 103 White-bellied Frogs
 
Perth Zoo Annual Report 2020-2021:

Perth Zoo’s annual report is now available online with lots of births/hatchings and transfers to be recorded. Notably, the zoo recently received Black-footed Tree-rats as a new species for the nocturnal house. Full annual report: https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/PerthZooWebsite/media/PerthZoo/All PDFs/Perth-Zoo-AR-2021-FINAL_INTERACTIVE.pdf

Births/Hatchings: two Koala joeys, Dibblers, Numbats, Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur triplets, 16 African Wild Dog pups (only the six born to the alpha female survived, the beta female produced 10 pups and were not reared), Blue-billed Duck, Green Pygmy Goose, Regent Parrot, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Western Swamp Turtle, Corn Snake

Deaths: female African Wild Dog, Kisuri died at the age of nine and contributed 17 pups to the region, a 36-year-old Australian Pelican also passed recently. They also confirmed the loss of the region’s last Madagascar Tree Boa at the age of 18. What a shame this species is no longer in Australasia: “And eighteen-year-old Madagascar Tree Boa, the last animal of its species within the Australasian region’s zoos, passed away.”

Transfers In: 1.0 Golden Lion Tamarin arrived from Mogo to form a breeding pair, one African Wild Dog arrived from Monarto for breeding, two Black-footed Tree Rats arrived from the Northern Territory (great new addition for the nocturnal house!), 2.0 Bilbies arrived from Monarto and a group of Feathertail Gliders arrived from Taronga.

Transfers Out: one Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo to Caversham, one Red Panda to Mogo, 2.0 Binturong to Taronga (glad this species is back at Taronga), one Rockhopper Penguin to Jurong, three Koalas to Queensland zoos [Currumbin and Port Douglas], four African Wild Dogs to the National Zoo and Aquarium and five Asian Small-clawed Otters to Orana.

Releases into the Wild: 11 Numbats, 31 Dibblers, 75 Orange-bellied Frogs and 103 White-bellied Frogs

An interesting note that both the alpha and beta female African wild dogs bred - a common occurrence when a new pack is formed and the hierarchy is stabilising. The same happened when Wellington Zoo formed their last pack with both females (sisters) giving to litters the same month, before one emerged as the alpha - producing all subsequent litters.

Also from the annual report:

Perentie arrives at Perth Zoo:

The Zoo also became home to a young Perentie that, being found as a stowaway in a shipping container, could not be returned to its natural habitat because of biosecurity considerations.
 
Perth Zoo Annual Report 2020-2021:

Perth Zoo’s annual report is now available online with lots of births/hatchings and transfers to be recorded. Notably, the zoo recently received Black-footed Tree-rats as a new species for the nocturnal house. Full annual report: https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/PerthZooWebsite/media/PerthZoo/All PDFs/Perth-Zoo-AR-2021-FINAL_INTERACTIVE.pdf

Births/Hatchings: two Koala joeys, Dibblers, Numbats, Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur triplets, 16 African Wild Dog pups (only the six born to the alpha female survived, the beta female produced 10 pups and were not reared), Blue-billed Duck, Green Pygmy Goose, Regent Parrot, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Western Swamp Turtle, Corn Snake

Deaths: female African Wild Dog, Kisuri died at the age of nine and contributed 17 pups to the region, a 36-year-old Australian Pelican also passed recently. They also confirmed the loss of the region’s last Madagascar Tree Boa at the age of 18. What a shame this species is no longer in Australasia: “And eighteen-year-old Madagascar Tree Boa, the last animal of its species within the Australasian region’s zoos, passed away.”

Transfers In: 1.0 Golden Lion Tamarin arrived from Mogo to form a breeding pair, one African Wild Dog arrived from Monarto for breeding, two Black-footed Tree Rats arrived from the Northern Territory (great new addition for the nocturnal house!), 2.0 Bilbies arrived from Monarto and a group of Feathertail Gliders arrived from Taronga.

Transfers Out: one Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo to Caversham, one Red Panda to Mogo, 2.0 Binturong to Taronga (glad this species is back at Taronga), one Rockhopper Penguin to Jurong, three Koalas to Queensland zoos [Currumbin and Port Douglas], four African Wild Dogs to the National Zoo and Aquarium and five Asian Small-clawed Otters to Orana.

Releases into the Wild: 11 Numbats, 31 Dibblers, 75 Orange-bellied Frogs and 103 White-bellied Frogs
A nice add with the Black footed Tree Rats. :)
 
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