Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2022

[Zoofan15]

Land of the Lemurs - Opening November 14

In a follow up to hints this week on social media, Monarto Safari Park have announced their lemur walk through is opening on November 14.

At this stage, Ring-tailed lemur are the only lemur species in this walk through, which is a little disappointing. At a minimum, I’d have expected them to acquire Black and white ruffed lemur.

Land of the Lemurs - Monarto Safari Park

Set off on an exhilarating expedition through the habitat of this stripy species as they whip and zip from tree to tree or run between your feet!

Immerse yourself in all things Ring-tailed Lemur, hear them purr and see them pounce and play.

Our Zu-loop bus does not venture past the lemurs, so Land of the Lemurs is an exclusive opportunity to mingle with the troop.

You’ll also encounter the Tortoise Research Facility where the Aldabra Giant and Radiated Tortoises lap up life in the slow lane.

 

[Zorro]

Land of the Lemurs - Opening November 14

In a follow up to hints this week on social media, Monarto Safari Park have announced their lemur walk through is opening on November 14.

At this stage, Ring-tailed lemur are the only lemur species in this walk through, which is a little disappointing. At a minimum, I’d have expected them to acquire Black and white ruffed lemur.

Land of the Lemurs - Monarto Safari Park

Set off on an exhilarating expedition through the habitat of this stripy species as they whip and zip from tree to tree or run between your feet!

Immerse yourself in all things Ring-tailed Lemur, hear them purr and see them pounce and play.

Our Zu-loop bus does not venture past the lemurs, so Land of the Lemurs is an exclusive opportunity to mingle with the troop.

You’ll also encounter the Tortoise Research Facility where the Aldabra Giant and Radiated Tortoises lap up life in the slow lane.

I agree I am surprised they have not added the Black and white Ruffed Lemurs as well.

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree I am surprised they have not added the Black and white Ruffed Lemurs as well.

Admission is separate and overpriced for what they’re offering ($55 for an adult; $40 for an adult) when you consider admission to Monarto is $40.

Had this been a free add on to the zoo, I’d think fair enough and accept it for what it is; but my expectations for the quality of this lemur walk through are much higher as a paid experience. I hope Auckland Zoo don’t go this route.

 

[Zorro]

Admission is separate and overpriced for what they’re offering ($55 for an adult; $40 for an adult) when you consider admission to Monarto is $40.

Had this been a free add on to the zoo, I’d think fair enough and accept it for what it is; but my expectations for the quality of this lemur walk through are much higher as a paid experience. I hope Auckland Zoo don’t go this route.

Yes I agree $55 is a bit over priced. $40 entry to Monarto is not to bad, perhaps $55 for entry that also covers the Lemur walk as well might be a better option.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes I agree $55 is a bit over priced. $40 entry to Monarto is not to bad, perhaps $55 for entry that also covers the Lemur walk as well might be a better option.

I agree $40 general admission to Monarto is reasonable. I’d be happier if they increased their general admission to anything up to $80 and then made all these add ons free.

I wouldn’t be happy if after paying admission at Auckland Zoo, I had to pay additional if I had to go in the tropical dome or walk through the African aviary.

 

[Astrobird]

They say they have the largest troupe of lemurs in Australia, so how many is that?

 

[Zoofan15]

They say they have the largest troupe of lemurs in Australia, so how many is that?

They have eleven adults and four pups:

Welcome to Monarto Safari Park's Land of the Lemurs

They’re also expecting the import of 5.5 Ring-tailed lemurs from the US.

 

[Swanson02]

Admission is separate and overpriced for what they’re offering ($55 for an adult; $40 for an adult) when you consider admission to Monarto is $40.

Had this been a free add on to the zoo, I’d think fair enough and accept it for what it is; but my expectations for the quality of this lemur walk through are much higher as a paid experience. I hope Auckland Zoo don’t go this route.

It is very overpriced, although the price will probably decrease greatly in 6 months to a year when the initial demand drops. I think $20 would be a more reasonable price if they are deadset on making it a paid experience.

I generally disagree with zoos placing entire species behind paywalls. Monarto's hippos for instance will only be accessible through Wild Africa. I think they should at least place a bus route near them to give general admission guests a minimal/poor view that at least encourages them to pay extra for Wild Africa. The only species Monarto is confirmed to be adding that will be available to view with general admission are Maned Wolves, not exactly a headline species. Although they will give visitors a reason to exit at the new Black rhino bus stop.

 

[Zoofan15]

I generally disagree with zoos placing entire species behind paywalls. Monarto's hippos for instance will only be accessible through Wild Africa. I think they should at least place a bus route near them to give general admission guests a minimal/poor view that at least encourages them to pay extra for Wild Africa. The only species Monarto is confirmed to be adding that will be available to view with general admission are Maned Wolves, not exactly a headline species. Although they will give visitors a reason to exit at the new Black rhino bus stop.

I agree. When species are held behind paywalls, it makes the average person question if they can justify spending the additional money to see it. Have I seen this species before? Can we afford to pay for all the kids to see it? etc. and therefore several people miss out, who otherwise would have been happy to see it.

Sure paywalls restrict visitors numbers in high demand areas - but the infrastructure of a modern zoo shouldn’t be so poorly equipped to meet these demands they require this initiative; in which case, it suggests it’s purely a money making tactic.

 

[Jambo]

They have eleven adults and four pups:

Welcome to Monarto Safari Park's Land of the Lemurs

They’re also expecting the import of 5.5 Ring-tailed lemurs from the US.

So where did they end up obtaining these ones from if they weren’t the ones from the US?

 

[Zoofan15]

So where did they end up obtaining these ones from if they weren’t the ones from the US?

The founders came from Australia Zoo.

There was a minimum of 1.3 founders as a mother and her two daughters were mentioned in late 2021, with the daughters having produced three infants between them. Assuming survival to adulthood, that’s seven lemurs.

Unless the founder troop was larger, I would assume more have joined from elsewhere as the math ain’t mathing with regards to making up the troop to 11 adults and 4 newborns within those parameters.

 

[Zorro]

The founders came from Australia Zoo.

There was a minimum of 1.3 founders as a mother and her two daughters were mentioned in late 2021, with the daughters having produced three infants between them. Assuming survival to adulthood, that’s seven lemurs.

Unless the founder troop was larger, I would assume more have joined from elsewhere as the math ain’t mathing with regards to making up the troop to 11 adults and 4 newborns within those parameters.

From what I can recall one male imported from the UK to Australia zoo was later sent to Altina as a breeding male, I believe his name was Stanly. Stan the man.

 

[Zoofan15]

From what I can recall one male imported from the UK to Australia zoo was later sent to Altina as a breeding male, I believe his name was Stanly. Stan the man.

I’ve managed to find details on Stan. He was imported by Australia Zoo from Colchester Zoo as a five year old in 2014 and was transferred to Altina Willdife Park in 2016, where he’s since bred.

While at Australia Zoo, it appears he lived in a bachelor troop with three males named Vatobe, Betafo and Mandaby.

Australia Zoo held two troops of lemur around that time - a bachelor troop; and a breeding troop, which were noted to produce Australia Zoo’s first twins in 2016. I would assume the bachelor males were unrelated to the breeding troop, so a new breeding male could be subbed in as and when required.

Monarto Safari Park received a breeding troop in August 2020 which consisted of a female named Blossom, her daughter Debbie; and another female named Lilo (who wasn’t Blossum’s daughter as I originally assumed). Debbie produced a single infant at Monarto in late 2021; and Lilo produced twins.

The sire of these infants (Monarto’s breeding male) hasn’t been named in the media, but is probably one of the males from Australia Zoo’s bachelor troop (Vatobe, Betafo or Mandaby).

 

[Jambo]

1.0 Giraffe Inkosi will be arriving from Perth in the coming weeks. The move has been in the works for almost two years now, so it’s great to see it finally going ahead.

 

[Zoofan15]

1.0 Giraffe Inkosi will be arriving from Perth in the coming weeks. The move has been in the works for almost two years now, so it’s great to see it finally going ahead.

It’s been noted there’s plans for Inkosi to breed at Monarto Safari Park.

Inkosi was born 07/10/2019, so at three years old, he could potentially sire calves as soon as he’s introduced to the cows - which is exciting given most zoos are receiving bulls around the age of 12-18 months and then wait for them to mature (the original intention with Inkosi).

 

[Jambo]

It’s been noted there’s plans for Inkosi to breed at Monarto Safari Park.

Inkosi was born 07/10/2019, so at three years old, he could potentially sire calves as soon as he’s introduced to the cows - which is exciting given most zoos are receiving bulls around the age of 12-18 months and then wait for them to mature (the original intention with Inkosi).

I was under the impression he was going to join Monarto’s bachelor group which currently consists of some young males his age. Sometimes zoos do throw in the comment of him participating in the breeding program (which he will to an extent - if he’s apart of a bachelor group).

Monarto has never used more than one breeding bull at a time, so unless they retire Mzuri (who’s only been the breeding bull there for a few years now).

If Inkosi is being sent for breeding though, he is unrelated to all four females (or at least closely, considering all of our regions giraffes are distantly related somehow). Maybe he’s planned to breed with some of Moanrto’s young females of his age (offspring of Mzuri).

 

[Zoofan15]

It’s been noted there’s plans for Inkosi to breed at Monarto Safari Park.

I was under the impression he was going to join Monarto’s bachelor group which currently consists of some young males his age. Sometimes zoos do throw in the comment of him participating in the breeding program (which he will to an extent - if he’s apart of a bachelor group).

Perth Zoo’s socials stated:

At his new home, Inkosi will play a major role in the regionally coordinated breeding program.

I’m confident this refers to him becoming a breeding bull, as going into a bachelor herd would at best be considered a role within the coordinated breeding programme - not a *major* role.

He may well join the bachelor herd initially until Mzuri is phased out as breeding bull.

 

[Zorro]

It’s been noted there’s plans for Inkosi to breed at Monarto Safari Park.

Inkosi was born 07/10/2019, so at three years old, he could potentially sire calves as soon as he’s introduced to the cows - which is exciting given most zoos are receiving bulls around the age of 12-18 months and then wait for them to mature (the original intention with Inkosi).

Monarto and TWPZ must hold almost half the regions giraffe population currently?

 

[Jambo]

Monarto and TWPZ must hold almost half the regions giraffe population currently?

Roundabout. They do both have the two largest Giraffe herds in the region; followed by Mogo of course. I believe these are the only three facilities who have giraffes in the double figures in the region.

 

[Zorro]

Roundabout. They do both have the two largest Giraffe herds in the region; followed by Mogo of course. I believe these are the only three facilities who have giraffes in the double figures in the region.

Its surprising Werribee don't have a larger group!