I hope you enjoyed your visit
@Swanson02. Good job finding out all of this too!
A couple of little comments and discussion from me:
, I was there for only 6.5 hours today.
6 1/2 hours! Gee you had a nice visit!
. I generally like to upload pictures of the exhibits rather than the animals themselves,
Me too, I find exhibits a fair bit more interesting, and will help those (like me), to get a good idea of Adelaide as i've only visited once which was more than a decade ago when I was much younger!
The nocturnal team has also been pushing for Kiwi, (I'm unsure how they'd fit them into the planned 'Aussie Ark' area)
Kiwi would be great for Adelaide. Although they would be quite hard to acquire, a trade for koala or platypus would be beneficial for both sides.
Also apparently Adelaide is still very interested in flamingos and would like to fit them in somewhere in the planned Africa expansion.
I would love to see flamingos back in Australian Zoos although unfortunately unless restrictions permit this won't be happening anytime soon unless there's a major push by Australian zoos.
Snow leopards are now the more favored of the two leopard species for Adelaide. (I was also told this by the nocturnal keeper). They hope to extend the 'South East China' area to include them*. (I don't know where they would fit though, maybe in the area filled by Arturo's exhibit when he moves?)
It seems
@Zorro was right when saying Adelaide hasn't showing any interest to acquiring the accreditation yet for Sri Lankan Leopards. In my opinion, Snow Leopards would be much better; as they could support Melbourne breeding wise on a regional level.
he Pandas will remain at Adelaide no matter what, I was also told that Adelaide and the SA government will do whatever they can within their powers to keep them here. The zoo was actually quite worried in 2020 when extending the lease due to the political situation but apparently, the Chinese government was actually quite happy to extend it. Adelaide is also attempting to import a male Giant Panda urine sample to stimulate Wang Wang, although this will be tough and costly.
I'm personally in favour of Adelaide importing a new pair ASAP, with possibly Wang Wang being retained as a stimulant male. It's good to see Adelaide's dedication to this species, they are SA's major attraction, and my fingers are still crossed for Panda cubs hopefully in the future over there.
Adelaide will phase out Malayan Tapir after their last female dies. I saw she had really bad arthritis in her back left leg so this might be sometime soon
It'll be a real shame to see this species disappearing from regional zoos, but they're just not suited to the extreme Australian climate, so it's understandable.
- Arturo was brought in not for breeding, but to supply Chiquita with companionship after Talara dies as she would have likely struggled without another tapir.
- Chiquita has stopped cycling due to no male being present around her when she was younger so breeding is out of the question anyway
- Brazilian Tapirs are in Adelaide's plans and the keeper believes a new breeding group will be imported when Arturo and Chiquita eventually pass*
That's interesting, I was told by Melbourne's keepers he was sent for breeding purposes. Of course, it was a small chance anyways, but it's nice to see Adelaide's dedication to this species. A new breeding group will be amazing, and hopefully other zoos within the region can jump on board too *ahem Melbourne*.
pparently, there has been chatter, of loaning Obi the Pygmy Hippo out for breeding rather than importing a new female in the near future*. (I assume to DDZ so maybe Melbourne is being stubborn and so DDZ have asked Adelaide for help instead?)
The only possible option is DDZ, but i'm not sure they have the facilities to breed them at the present time. I assume though if DDZ was asking for a male for breeding (At DDZ), Melbourne would be unwilling to give Felix (their only pygmy hippo) away. In my opinion it would be best for DDZ to just loan Kamina to Melbourne for a few years to breed. Melbourne have the best facilities and have the experience. They're the most logical destination for a new breeding pair.
The two new females are Kwazi and Mahali (spelling might be wrong) and the exhibit was closed as one of the females has just given birth and they are trying to get the new baby adjusted
A baboon baby! I'm assuming this was to Adelaide's resident female. It's good to have confirmation on which females were sent from Melbourne though. The individuals thus are Mahali (2018) and Quasi (2017).
- Adelaide wants to breed from Kluet before his time is up as he is genetically valuable
- Adelaide might also be receiving a 4/5-year-old Orangutan from somewhere, I was just told "we might be getting a 4-year-old orangutan soon"*.
There's no female of that age within the region, so she must be coming from overseas. I'm glad to see Kluet will still be getting another chance. As you've said, he is especially genetically valuable. Possibly one of the younger Perth females may be a closer and easier option.
Adelaide still has plans for Gorillas just space (like everything at Adelaide) is the issue. I was told that a bachelor troop is actually more likely at Adelaide and the breeding troop at Monarto. They just have to get Monarto on board. The keeper speculated a total of 7 Gorillas, 3 males at Adelaide and 1 male and 3 females at Monarto*
That sounds reasonable. The three males at Taronga seem the best option for a bachelor troop at Adelaide in say five years time. A breeding troop (at Monarto) could then follow that, although the right now, the focus will be on importing females for Melbourne and Mogo.
- Mandrills are still in Adelaide's plans for the new Africa area. The keeper confirmed that Melbourne will be receiving a new group sometime soon. Adelaide hopes for their remaining three to naturally die off before importing a new breeding group as integrating two groups is apparently too hard. They will also be in the new African area
Wonderful to hear Adelaide still have plans for Mandrills, and Melbourne will be receiving a new group too! Very exciting for the future of this species in the region. Melbourne's will apparently come from Adelaide, but I think (Considering their small group size) it'll just be one of the younger males arriving as Melbourne's breeding male.
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