Sure it all can be done if enough money and effort is directed at it but being old schooled I don't like to see animal species place well outside their climate preference
Australasian Snow Leopard Population
- Thread starter Patrick Keegan
- Start date
-
- Tags
- population snow leopard
Haha that's fine; I wouldn't place Snow Leopards in Perth, or even Northern Australia. Adelaide's a little bit too too the extreme, but the zoos in NSW have shown it can be done so I have hope Adelaide can do it too.
Swanson02
Well-Known Member
In the old masterplan, gorillas are located where the Giraffes are currently, so keeping the giraffes is more influential on whether Adelaide gets Gorillas.
Another option is if Adelaide just retains one Giant Panda (Wang Wang) as an ambassador. So they could theoretically hold a Snow Leopard pair in the other exhibit. Rotating them on exhibit and in a den.
Adelaide plan to keep Giraffe, so Gorillas are unfortunately probably on the back-burner, at least for now.
I don't think China loans Giant Pandas overseas; unless they're a designated breeding pair. If Snow Leopards are preferred over Sri Lankan Leopards; Snow Leopards could easily be exhibited in the planned Leopard enclosure as part of Jewels of Asia, even though it's not exactly geographically accurate.
That's a great idea. Going forward, rotational exhibits are something we''ll see more and more in zoos. Perth Zoo are similarly planning a rotational exhibit for their sun bears and tigers.
Interestingly, both Adelaide and Mogo Zoo held Siberian tigers between 1980-1995 and 1995-1997 respectively - a species I would have only considered suitable for Tasmania.
I agree it’s better that zoos house species naturally predisposed to a similar climate given they make for a more active exhibit. A Snow leopard that retires to an air conditioned den during summer isn’t going to be as engaging as a Sri Lankan leopard wading in the pool by the viewing window.
I’m pleased to see Tasmania Zoo acquire Snow leopard and Wellington Zoo constructing an exhibit for them. This species will be a perfect fit for both zoos.
I thought Adelaide had transferred their Siberians to Mogo Zoo?
Yes they did. As I mentioned above, Adelaide Zoo held them from 1980 to 1995. Their last Siberian tiger was a male named Kuldur. He was transferred to Mogo Zoo in 1995, who held this species until his death in 1997.
Here’s a complete history of Siberian tigers in Australasian zoos for anyone who’s interested:
History of Siberian Tigers in Australasian Zoos
Wellington Zoo
Wellington Zoo imported their first Siberian tigers in 1976:
1.0 Brutus
Born at Marwell Zoo 10/10/1975
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28/12/1976
Sent to Adelaide Zoo 24/12/1992 (died 1994)
0.1 Baboeska
Born at Rotterdam Zoo 30/12/1975
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 02/11/1976
Died at Wellington Zoo 18/12/1987
Brutus and Baboeska produced two litters at Wellington Zoo:
Litter One:
0.1 Tanya
Born at Wellington Zoo 27/11/1978
Sent to Johannesburg Zoo 20/03/1981 (died 1982)
0.0.1 Unnamed
Stillborn at Wellington Zoo 27/11/1978
Litter Two:
1.0 Mikov
Born at Wellington Zoo 16/10/1979
Sent to Johannesburg Zoo 20/03/1981 (died 1992)
0.1 Natasha
Born at Wellington Zoo 16/10/1979
Sent to Johannesburg Zoo 20/03/1981 (died 1999)
Adelaide Zoo imported another female in 1988:
0.1 Nara
Born at Leipzig Zoo 09/05/1980
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 22/12/1988
Died at Wellington Zoo 13/10/1991
Wellington Zoo has not held Siberian tiger since 1992.
Adelaide Zoo
Adelaide imported their first Siberian tigers in 1980:
1.0 Kuldur
Born at Leipzig Zoo 27/04/1980
Arrived at Adelaide Zoo 26/09/1980
Sent to Mogo Zoo 21/06/1995 (died 1997)
0.1 Nara
Born at Leipzig Zoo 09/05/1980
Arrived at Adelaide Zoo 26/09/1980
Sent to Wellington Zoo 22/12/1988 (died 1991)
0.1 Nowa
Born at Leipzig Zoo 09/05/1980
Arrived at Adelaide Zoo 26/09/1980
Died at Adelaide Zoo 23/04/1991
Kuldur and Nara produced one litter of cubs in 1983:
Litter One:
0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
Died at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
Died at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
Died at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
Adelaide Zoo imported another male in 1992:
1.0 Brutus
Born at Marwell Zoo 10/10/1975
Arrived at Adelaide Zoo 24/12/1992
Died at Adelaide Zoo 18/04/1994
Adelaide Zoo has not held Siberian tiger since 1995.
Mogo Zoo
Mogo Zoo imported their first Siberian tiger in 1995:
1.0 Kuldur
Born at Leipzig Zoo 27/04/1980
Arrived at Mogo Zoo 21/06/1995
Died at Mogo Zoo 11/06/1997
Mogo Zoo has not held Siberian tiger since 1997.
Thank you to @Nisha for her help with the above info.
Wellington Zoo
Wellington Zoo imported their first Siberian tigers in 1976:
1.0 Brutus
Born at Marwell Zoo 10/10/1975
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 28/12/1976
Sent to Adelaide Zoo 24/12/1992 (died 1994)
0.1 Baboeska
Born at Rotterdam Zoo 30/12/1975
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 02/11/1976
Died at Wellington Zoo 18/12/1987
Brutus and Baboeska produced two litters at Wellington Zoo:
Litter One:
0.1 Tanya
Born at Wellington Zoo 27/11/1978
Sent to Johannesburg Zoo 20/03/1981 (died 1982)
0.0.1 Unnamed
Stillborn at Wellington Zoo 27/11/1978
Litter Two:
1.0 Mikov
Born at Wellington Zoo 16/10/1979
Sent to Johannesburg Zoo 20/03/1981 (died 1992)
0.1 Natasha
Born at Wellington Zoo 16/10/1979
Sent to Johannesburg Zoo 20/03/1981 (died 1999)
Adelaide Zoo imported another female in 1988:
0.1 Nara
Born at Leipzig Zoo 09/05/1980
Arrived at Wellington Zoo 22/12/1988
Died at Wellington Zoo 13/10/1991
Wellington Zoo has not held Siberian tiger since 1992.
Adelaide Zoo
Adelaide imported their first Siberian tigers in 1980:
1.0 Kuldur
Born at Leipzig Zoo 27/04/1980
Arrived at Adelaide Zoo 26/09/1980
Sent to Mogo Zoo 21/06/1995 (died 1997)
0.1 Nara
Born at Leipzig Zoo 09/05/1980
Arrived at Adelaide Zoo 26/09/1980
Sent to Wellington Zoo 22/12/1988 (died 1991)
0.1 Nowa
Born at Leipzig Zoo 09/05/1980
Arrived at Adelaide Zoo 26/09/1980
Died at Adelaide Zoo 23/04/1991
Kuldur and Nara produced one litter of cubs in 1983:
Litter One:
0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
Died at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
Died at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
Died at Adelaide Zoo 27/02/1983
Adelaide Zoo imported another male in 1992:
1.0 Brutus
Born at Marwell Zoo 10/10/1975
Arrived at Adelaide Zoo 24/12/1992
Died at Adelaide Zoo 18/04/1994
Adelaide Zoo has not held Siberian tiger since 1995.
Mogo Zoo
Mogo Zoo imported their first Siberian tiger in 1995:
1.0 Kuldur
Born at Leipzig Zoo 27/04/1980
Arrived at Mogo Zoo 21/06/1995
Died at Mogo Zoo 11/06/1997
Mogo Zoo has not held Siberian tiger since 1997.
Thank you to @Nisha for her help with the above info.
It’d be good to see some other NZ zoos join in. Auckland could theoretically create a ‘Nepalese’ precinct at the top of the zoo (the Rainforest trail), featuring Red Panda and Snow Leopards.
Snow leopard would be a great addition to both Auckland and Hamilton Zoo.
Auckland could either demolish the current otter and lemur (old tiger) exhibits and build an exhibit on that space as you suggest, while retaining the red panda exhibit behind it; or make use of the space where the off display red panda exhibit is situated near the orangutan exhibits. This is bordered by the party zone I’ve never seen anyone use and the seal pool, which is a species designated for phase out. This presents a few options.
I’ve long maintained that Hamilton Zoo should scrap plans for a third tiger exhibit in favour out of exhibiting Sri Lankan leopard, but Snow leopard could be another option.
I would of thought Snow leopards would of been a given by any medium sized zoo in NZ
Strangely enough, only Wellington Zoo has held this species to date (1986-1995). They were classified as endangered until 2017 and have always had an aura of prestige about them, but there’s been enough of a surplus in the North American and European breeding programmes to supply New Zealand zoos. It’s surprising Auckland Zoo has never shown an interest at least.
Agreed but find it surprising!
I believe Auckland plan to construct a walkthrough Lemur enclosure in the area where the current Lemur/Otter and Red Panda habitats are situated. This would mean Auckland's Red Panda's would have to be moved elsewhere.
I would prefer the Seal enclosure to be maintained, at least for another species or species (a mini aquarium with sharks ect. is my preference).
The only other area I can think of is the former Saimang enclosure. It could be converted into an enclosure for Snow Leopards, with possibly Red Panda moving into the Squirrel Monkey enclosure, of course with some renovations to make viewing easier for the elusive Red Panda.
I'm envisioning utilising the depth of a former seal pool, to create something of a mountainous exhibit for snow leopard. This could theoretically allow viewing from multiple levels.
Snow Leopard Mountain:
That’s inspired! The underwater viewing window could form the base of the mountain, with adjoining dens; while the viewing platform across from the jetty allows you to gaze up at the mountain towering above. A spiralling terrace design could increase the floor space of the mountain and provide multiple vantage points for these mountain dwelling cats.
Wow, I have to say that's one of the most creative exhibit replacement ideas i've seen in a long time on Zoochat!
If Auckland could get something like that done, that would be groundbreaking. They could be viewed from the bottom, and from above, although this is going back along the lines of former carnivore pits, if it's done well, it can be world class.
I'm not sure though what would happen to the Penguins. I doubt they'd keep the aviary virtually right next to a Snow Leopard enclosure.
Thanks @steveroberts. I did ask the zoo what their plans were for the seal pool as I wondered if the flamingo aviary was gonna be built there. I was told it will likely remain part of the New Zealand precinct, so I would guess either Little blue penguin, sharks or a rehab pool for turtles (they get a few come in).
It’s sad to see a holder disappear - though as Mogo phases out, Wellington will be acquiring them. Considering Wellington will be importing a pair of three year old siblings and have spent a significant amount on building their exhibit, this signifies a long term commitment to this species.
Melbourne are planning to breed again in the future, which should provide Billabong with the option to acquire more as their elderly Snow leopards pass on.