Tricoart
Well-Known Member
Oh, those. Don't know about anyone else, but I'd take any of the reptiles they've lost over some pet tortoise.
Australia Zoo Australia Zoo News 2022
- Thread starter WhistlingKite24
- Start date
I believe you guys are thinking of the Radiated tortoise that @WhistlingKite24 mentioned last month:
"We have just recently received a group of Radiated tortoises into our collection however they are still in Quarantine at this time. Once they complete quarantine they will move out onto display somewhere in the Zoo - be sure to keep your eyes peeled!"
But your points still stand. This is a low key acquisition that's already held in five over Queensland zoos.
Yes, I was a little confused as they've has star tortoises for quite some time now.
Still, some Radiated tortoises being the biggest import of the last few years which demonstrates the declining progress of Australia zoo in recent years.
I had an impromptu visit to Australia Zoo today. The zoo had a large group of US servicemen that are stationed in Queensland currently visit so the zoo was filled with Americans exploring the grounds. Here are some newsy bits and pieces as well as my own observations:
- five new Fijian Crested Iguanas and two Merten’s Water Monitors arrived sometime last year. A Reticulated Python is now mixed with the albino Burmese Python as well. I also went to the reptile show which occurs in the elongated tortoise enclosure. It featured a nice mix of a Woma Python, Boa Constrictor, American Alligator and Shingleback. The keeper kept the boa around his shoulders while he was holding the lizard. The snake suddenly took an interest in the lizard and the keeper had to quickly manoeuvre the boa away from the lizard.
- the Crocodile Hunter Lodge is planned to house Diamond Pythons and Southern Koalas among other animals. The koalas arrived from Kangaroo Island as joeys following the bushfires there and have remained off-show for a few years now.
- three Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are now occupying an open-topped enclosure in the wetlands area in a ‘parrot on a stick’ set-up which is rather disappointing. At least they had plenty of branches and lots to chew.
- a few other observations; a Brahminy Kite was in the traditionally eagle aviary, none of the cassowary chicks are on show currently, the brolga’s clutch of eggs seem to have been unsuccessful as I didn’t see them and the fruit-doves were on the visitor barrier/seating area in the rainforest aviary. I sat next to one for a good ten minutes.
- keepers now feed the Ring-tailed Lemurs in the tortoise enclosure on Bindi’s Island encouraging the large bachelor group to remain around them which works well from a visitor’s perspective. The macaw enclosure has remained vacant for several months now.
I had an impromptu visit to Australia Zoo today. The zoo had a large group of US servicemen that are stationed in Queensland currently visit so the zoo was filled with Americans exploring the grounds. Here are some newsy bits and pieces as well as my own observations:
- five new Fijian Crested Iguanas and two Merten’s Water Monitors arrived sometime last year. A Reticulated Python is now mixed with the albino Burmese Python as well. I also went to the reptile show which occurs in the elongated tortoise enclosure. It featured a nice mix of a Woma Python, Boa Constrictor, American Alligator and Shingleback. The keeper kept the boa around his shoulders while he was holding the lizard. The snake suddenly took an interest in the lizard and the keeper had to quickly manoeuvre the boa away from the lizard.
- the Crocodile Hunter Lodge is planned to house Diamond Pythons and Southern Koalas among other animals. The koalas arrived from Kangaroo Island as joeys following the bushfires there and have remained off-show for a few years now.
- three Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are now occupying an open-topped enclosure in the wetlands area in a ‘parrot on a stick’ set-up which is rather disappointing. At least they had plenty of branches and lots to chew.
- a few other observations; a Brahminy Kite was in the traditionally eagle aviary, none of the cassowary chicks are on show currently, the brolga’s clutch of eggs seem to have been unsuccessful as I didn’t see them and the fruit-doves were on the visitor barrier/seating area in the rainforest aviary. I sat next to one for a good ten minutes.
Highlights from today:
- keepers now feed the Ring-tailed Lemurs in the tortoise enclosure on Bindi’s Island encouraging the large bachelor group to remain around them which works well from a visitor’s perspective. The macaw enclosure has remained vacant for several months now.
I’m guessing you didn’t ask about the elephant in the room (or rather the elephant not in the room)?
I’m partly joking as staff would offer no further comment that the reason given in the media citing Megawati’s health.
It’ll be see however whether they continue with plans to import Sumatran bulls long term. This will surely be off the cards for the foreseeable given the infrastructure isn’t in place to house them at this point in time.
@WhistlingKite24 (post: 1387080)
Such great photos, that Dingo is so beautiful, same with the Fruit Dove (never cease to be wowed by their amazing colours), and the Aldabra Tortoise and Shingleback/Bobtail are very cute (I should say majestic for the Aldabra Tortoise, love that you got the photo with that Willy-Wagtail just chilling happily on top of her/his shell).
Such great photos, that Dingo is so beautiful, same with the Fruit Dove (never cease to be wowed by their amazing colours), and the Aldabra Tortoise and Shingleback/Bobtail are very cute (I should say majestic for the Aldabra Tortoise, love that you got the photo with that Willy-Wagtail just chilling happily on top of her/his shell).
A few news updates from the zoo’s magazine publication:
- an update on the Crocodile Hunter Lodge. The cabins are in and the roof has been installed over the main lodge building. The wood being used across the site comes from the old wooden grandstands that used to be in the crocodile environmental park. More than 3000 native flowering plants have been added with one of the aims being to attract wild Glossy Black Cockatoos. There are also feature trees with three large bottle trees having been transplanted to the front of the lodge. In terms of animals for the lodge, there will be a main mixed exhibit with Red Kangaroos, Emus and Koalas. The additional exhibit with the Southern Koalas will be mixed with Short-beaked Echidnas.
- the Red Panda cubs born last year have indeed been confirmed as a male and female cub meaning the region had five (2.3) cubs for the 2021-2022 season. They were born just before Christmas on 21st December.
- the long term plan for both Southern Cassowary chicks is to move them to the wetlands area near the brolgas and storks. The handraised chick has been introduced to a few chickens for socialisation and has been incorporated into the crocoseum show recently.
- the eight Radiated Tortoises arrived from Perth Zoo specifically. Three of these individuals were originally seized through an anti-smuggling operation.
From the zoo’s magazine publication – the zoo’s first ever Boyd’s Forest Dragons are currently in quarantine. Two females arrived from Sea Life Melbourne and a male arrived from Melbourne Zoo. The trio will be introduced to the enclosure with the White-lipped Tree Frogs in the reptile house and the zoo hopes they will begin breeding.
The Red Panda cubs are now on-display at Australia Zoo as well with female Mohini. They are in the existing red panda exhibit that usually has male Ravi.
The Red Panda cubs are now on-display at Australia Zoo as well with female Mohini. They are in the existing red panda exhibit that usually has male Ravi.
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A few quick notes from my visit on the 1st July:
Main highlights:
- an Eastern Whipbird is now in the rainforest aviary representing a returning species for the zoo after a few years without them on show. It remained surprisingly visible hopping about with the pitta. Sacred Kingfisher is also due to return soon as well as they will be receiving one. There are no longer any Peaceful Dove, Gouldian Finch, Zebra Finch nor Regent Honeyeater in the aviary which was later confirmed via email. No reason was given.
- the tree frog enclosure in the reptile house has gone through some notable landscaping; vertical branches have been added for the new Boyd's Forest Dragons which weren't on display yet. The Eastern Diamond Rattlesnakes and Gila Monster (it was actually moving!) all showed particularly well.
- the adult emus have moved to the new Crocodile Hunter Lodge leaving a large gap in wetlands. Their former enclosures were under construction and there was notable fencing work being completed.
- both Southern Cassowary chicks were seen. The handreared one is now housed next to the adults in a separate enclosure which is fenced off from the public. It was cheeping away. The other chick is still in with the adult male and has lost its stripes.
- a glass-fronted den and new platforms have been added to the red panda enclosure. The female nor the cubs were visible. The nearby Sumatran Elephants were enjoying their pool in the rain much to the delight of many visitors.
Main highlights:
Crocodile Hunter Lodge seems to be open and ready for bookings. Price for one night on a weekday in July was $849.
Home | Crocodile Hunter Lodge
Home | Crocodile Hunter Lodge
Is that all I will book in for the week.
I looked up the lodge when it opened last month and was surprised for the money it costs how low key everything looked. I’ve stayed in far nicer hotel rooms for a fraction of the cost. The dining room and pool look stunning, but they’re shared with other guests and the extent of the animal experience is some kangaroos hopping around the lawn (something many Australians can see in their backyard). It will presumably cater mostly to the international market.
I appreciate the ethos behind this lodge is to be eco-friendly and they should be commended for their dedication to saving the planet, using recycled materials etc. but in my opinion (and from what I’ve seen), it isn’t as impressive as the National Zoo’s overnight lodge for what they’re expecting people to spend.
Perhaps this is why the glamping got the boot?
The zoo has undergone so many revisions of the overnight stay concept. There were initial plans for a hotel back in the 2000’s. I would perceive the lodge as the compromise - scaled down and eco-friendly; but an upgraded version of the glamping.
The hotel from what I had read from a newspaper report at the time said that there was going to be a 5 star hotel also connected to a new railway station which never happened
Terri clearly had the business nous to realise a hotel wouldn’t be a viable investment. The international market will provide a steady trickle of guests, but probably only enough to fill the eight room lodge throughout the year. If they’ve underestimated it’s popularity, then they could always expand the lodge, but a hotel with close to 100 rooms would have likely sat mostly empty throughout most of the year and they had the sense to realise that.
I have to say, i'm not a big fan of hotels in zoos. As you say a hotel would never be popular; and i'd prefer for a safari style lodge. Visitors who are willing to have an overnight experience in a zoo would rather stay in a safari style lodge rather than a five star hotel. A hotel just dosen't fit the zoo experience.
I hope an Onomastic (expert on names) is top of the list.
