Australia Zoo Australia Zoo News 2022

Honestly a little annoyed it's just an extension of the existing exhibit. As is it's nowhere near small, so it really doesn't need it.
The additional space could of easily gone to a separate bull area so any future males could be on display at the same time as the females or even just an exhibit for a new species. Feels like a waste of space, especially with the zoos Asia area being so barren as it is, 5 species, with 2 of them being small tortoises you rarely ever see. Would of been nice to see them add some new species (or even just shift the Asian species from the front of the zoo up to fill out of area a bit).
I agree but it's expected.
The African section could also be called also barren as well, yes giraffe, white rhinos and a couple of zebra. oh yes also some cheetah which have no exhibit for the pubic.
Also no lions for their African savanna or any antelopes also no monkeys in the collection. There not even an ostrich added to the savanna, so my expectations are quite low.
 
Thinking optimistically, it may be future proofing for growing the herd. What’s considered a spacious exhibit for four cows wouldn’t necessarily meet the needs of an expanded herd a decade or two from now.

I fully agree however it’d be nice to see a greater diversity of species within the zoo’s Asian collection. So often are birds and reptiles overlooked in the creation of Asian/South East Asian precincts.

With birds, we’re limited to what Australian aviculture can supply, but there’s a range of options for reptiles I’d expect a facility like Australia Zoo to be investigating. False gharial would be a nice tribute to Steve given his history with the species - he led the capture of a wild False gharial that was coming into contact with humans and relocated it to the Singapore Zoo.
With the "extra paddock" that would of been an ideal place for the Aucklands cow and the other cow in Perth?. heaps of room now. ;)
 
With the "extra paddock" that would of been an ideal place for the Aucklands cow and the other cow in Perth?. heaps of room now. ;)
Auckland made it pretty clear in their public responses after Australia Zoo dropped Burma that she wouldn't be going there, even if they decided they wanted her again, saying they wanted a "home that actually wants her." Which is completely understandable, considering how Australia Zoo handled it, insisting that Megawati's health would not be an issue, and then pulling the plug on the transfer - via email - a week before Burma was set to fly over. Besides, even if Burma were to come to Australia Zoo, the whole point was so she had her social needs met. Keeping her away from their current herd doesn't fix anything, she'd just be alone in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people, rather than alone in a familiar place with familiar people.
Same with Permai really.
 
False gharial would be a nice tribute to Steve given his history with the species - he led the capture of a wild False gharial that was coming into contact with humans and relocated it to the Singapore Zoo.

I'd love to see more diverse crocodilians in general, beyond the two natives and American Alligator. If any zoo in Australia had reason to import more unique crocs, it'd be Australia Zoo, considering crocs are pretty much their poster species.
 
Auckland made it pretty clear in their public responses after Australia Zoo dropped Burma that she wouldn't be going there, even if they decided they wanted her again, saying they wanted a "home that actually wants her." Which is completely understandable, considering how Australia Zoo handled it, insisting that Megawati's health would not be an issue, and then pulling the plug on the transfer - via email - a week before Burma was set to fly over. Besides, even if Burma were to come to Australia Zoo, the whole point was so she had her social needs met. Keeping her away from their current herd doesn't fix anything, she'd just be alone in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people, rather than alone in a familiar place with familiar people.
Same with Permai really.
I agree, my point was this new area would of been ideal if they could try to put Permai and Burma together!
 
Auckland made it pretty clear in their public responses after Australia Zoo dropped Burma that she wouldn't be going there, even if they decided they wanted her again, saying they wanted a "home that actually wants her." Which is completely understandable, considering how Australia Zoo handled it, insisting that Megawati's health would not be an issue, and then pulling the plug on the transfer - via email - a week before Burma was set to fly over. Besides, even if Burma were to come to Australia Zoo, the whole point was so she had her social needs met. Keeping her away from their current herd doesn't fix anything, she'd just be alone in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people, rather than alone in a familiar place with familiar people.
Same with Permai really.
I agree, my point was this new area would of been ideal if they could try to put Permai and Burma together!

I don’t think we can 100% write it off as a possibility. Yes, Auckland Zoo made that statement - but I doubt they’d go as far to throw the baby out with the bath water.

With options within Australasia exhausted, Auckland Zoo are presumably investigating facilities in the US and realising how challenging exporting her to the US will be - in cost, logistically and to Burma herself (a 40 year old elephant).

If Australia Zoo renew their offer to take on Burma (and Permai), Auckland Zoo would be mad not to consider it. Aside from doing further damage to Australia Zoo’s professional reputation, it’s not an offer Australia Zoo would make lightly given they had to reimburse Auckland Zoo $400K for cancelling last time.
 
Pink Section (Entrance/Main Zoo)

- What looks to be a building/second walkway of some kind is being constructed to the left of the current Cassowary walkway, behind the Binturong enclosure.

Based on posts to social media in the Australia Zoo geotag it looks like this area is open. It's yet another Koala area, called "Koala Island"
From what I can tell it seems very similar to the existing Koala Walk Through, having the ability for guests to walk up and pet Koalas as they sleep and such.
It also seems like it includes a new area where guests can take the classic overpriced 'holding a Koala' photo every tourist gets.
 
I visited Australia Zoo today and noted the following developments and observations:
  • a sign has been placed opposite the zebras and giraffe that an on-display cheetah enclosure is currently under construction to expand the African area further. The exact position nor timeframe for the exhibit was not clear but the sign overlooked a patch of land near the smaller lemur islands close to Bindi's Island.
  • I saw seven of the new Radiated Tortoises and they were easily spotted in the enclosure opposite the elephants. There is also still at least one Elongated Tortoise mixed with them that was attempting to bite the shell of one of the Radiateds; at least the Elongated Tortoise was very visible for once.
  • an old koala exhibit named ‘koala island’ has been reopened after several years with about six koalas on-show right near the cassowaries. It has had some work done on the roof to open it up more to natural light.
  • update from the walkthrough aviary – the new pair of Sacred Kingfishers were found after a decent search perched high up among the imperial pigeons. The whipbird nor lorikeets are confirmed not to be in the aviary currently. The Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves are down to four males and the Noisy Pitta is still active and increasingly visible in the display.
  • the two new exhibits in the wetlands area are approaching completion with the signage now in place confirming the enclosures are for Southern Cassowaries. The brolgas are also nesting once again.
  • the Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish are no longer in the turtle tank on Bindi’s Island however the Southern Purple-spotted Gudgeon remains with two Saw-shelled Turtles, one Krefft’s Turtle and one Brisbane River Turtle. The Broad-shelled River Turtle was also seen in the outdoor turtle enclosure after over a year of not seeing it.
  • the last enclosure in the Crocodile Environmental Park has finally been completed with a pair of Saltwater Crocodiles, Agro and Cookie moving into the exhibit quite recently.

Main Highlights:
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Sign for Cheetah Enclosure:
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I visited Australia Zoo today and noted the following developments and observations:
  • a sign has been placed opposite the zebras and giraffe that an on-display cheetah enclosure is currently under construction to expand the African area further. The exact position nor timeframe for the exhibit was not clear but the sign overlooked a patch of land near the smaller lemur islands close to Bindi's Island.
  • I saw seven of the new Radiated Tortoises and they were easily spotted in the enclosure opposite the elephants. There is also still at least one Elongated Tortoise mixed with them that was attempting to bite the shell of one of the Radiateds; at least the Elongated Tortoise was very visible for once.
  • an old koala exhibit named ‘koala island’ has been reopened after several years with about six koalas on-show right near the cassowaries. It has had some work done on the roof to open it up more to natural light.
  • update from the walkthrough aviary – the new pair of Sacred Kingfishers were found after a decent search perched high up among the imperial pigeons. The whipbird nor lorikeets are confirmed not to be in the aviary currently. The Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves are down to four males and the Noisy Pitta is still active and increasingly visible in the display.
  • the two new exhibits in the wetlands area are approaching completion with the signage now in place confirming the enclosures are for Southern Cassowaries. The brolgas are also nesting once again.
  • the Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish are no longer in the turtle tank on Bindi’s Island however the Southern Purple-spotted Gudgeon remains with two Saw-shelled Turtles, one Krefft’s Turtle and one Brisbane River Turtle. The Broad-shelled River Turtle was also seen in the outdoor turtle enclosure after over a year of not seeing it.
  • the last enclosure in the Crocodile Environmental Park has finally been completed with a pair of Saltwater Crocodiles, Agro and Cookie moving into the exhibit quite recently.
Main Highlights:
full


full


full


full


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Sign for Cheetah Enclosure:
full

That’s excellent and long awaited news they’ve finally decided to build on display exhibits for the Cheetah. If they’re serious about breeding this species in the future, the first step is getting them out of the immediate vicinity of the tigers.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Australia Zoo follow Dreamworld in phasing out free contact with their tigers. The downsizing of their tiger colony and the transfer of the Cheetah to their own exhibit suggest they are.
 
I visited Australia Zoo today and noted the following developments and observations:
  • a sign has been placed opposite the zebras and giraffe that an on-display cheetah enclosure is currently under construction to expand the African area further. The exact position nor timeframe for the exhibit was not clear but the sign overlooked a patch of land near the smaller lemur islands close to Bindi's Island.
  • I saw seven of the new Radiated Tortoises and they were easily spotted in the enclosure opposite the elephants. There is also still at least one Elongated Tortoise mixed with them that was attempting to bite the shell of one of the Radiateds; at least the Elongated Tortoise was very visible for once.
  • an old koala exhibit named ‘koala island’ has been reopened after several years with about six koalas on-show right near the cassowaries. It has had some work done on the roof to open it up more to natural light.
  • update from the walkthrough aviary – the new pair of Sacred Kingfishers were found after a decent search perched high up among the imperial pigeons. The whipbird nor lorikeets are confirmed not to be in the aviary currently. The Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves are down to four males and the Noisy Pitta is still active and increasingly visible in the display.
  • the two new exhibits in the wetlands area are approaching completion with the signage now in place confirming the enclosures are for Southern Cassowaries. The brolgas are also nesting once again.
  • the Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish are no longer in the turtle tank on Bindi’s Island however the Southern Purple-spotted Gudgeon remains with two Saw-shelled Turtles, one Krefft’s Turtle and one Brisbane River Turtle. The Broad-shelled River Turtle was also seen in the outdoor turtle enclosure after over a year of not seeing it.
  • the last enclosure in the Crocodile Environmental Park has finally been completed with a pair of Saltwater Crocodiles, Agro and Cookie moving into the exhibit quite recently.
Main Highlights:
full


full


full


full


full


Sign for Cheetah Enclosure:
full
Good news about the planned Cheetah enclosure but not before time, the housing of them off exhibit from the public since they first held them was odd to say the least. Perhaps they may of realised that they really did not have that much to offer the public for an African exhibit?.
Perhaps they might consider Lions as a further addition as well?
 
Good news about the planned Cheetah enclosure but not before time, the housing of them off exhibit from the public since they first held them was odd to say the least. Perhaps they may of realised that they really did not have that much to offer the public for an African exhibit?.
Perhaps they might consider Lions as a further addition as well?

Their African precinct definitely needed a large carnivore. African wild dog or Spotted hyena would also be a good addition at this point in time.

Bringing in lions to the precinct would scupper their chances of breeding Cheetah, but they might be happy to maintain bachelor males long term. I note they’ve recently transferred out their females.

There’s enough open range zoos focussed on breeding Cheetah to sustain a regional population and Australia can hold handraised Cheetah for encounters/walking around the zoo etc.
 
Their African precinct definitely needed a large carnivore. African wild dog or Spotted hyena would also be a good addition at this point in time.

Bringing in lions to the precinct would scupper their chances of breeding Cheetah, but they might be happy to maintain bachelor males long term. I note they’ve recently transferred out their females.

There’s enough open range zoos focussed on breeding Cheetah to sustain a regional population and Australia can hold handraised Cheetah for encounters/walking around the zoo etc.
There's more than enough land there to maintain both cheetahs and lions without stress they don't have to place them near each other, just a look on the sat maps shows the amount of land vacant
 
I visited Australia Zoo today and noted the following developments and observations:
  • a sign has been placed opposite the zebras and giraffe that an on-display cheetah enclosure is currently under construction to expand the African area further. The exact position nor timeframe for the exhibit was not clear but the sign overlooked a patch of land near the smaller lemur islands close to Bindi's Island.
  • I saw seven of the new Radiated Tortoises and they were easily spotted in the enclosure opposite the elephants. There is also still at least one Elongated Tortoise mixed with them that was attempting to bite the shell of one of the Radiateds; at least the Elongated Tortoise was very visible for once.
  • an old koala exhibit named ‘koala island’ has been reopened after several years with about six koalas on-show right near the cassowaries. It has had some work done on the roof to open it up more to natural light.
  • update from the walkthrough aviary – the new pair of Sacred Kingfishers were found after a decent search perched high up among the imperial pigeons. The whipbird nor lorikeets are confirmed not to be in the aviary currently. The Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves are down to four males and the Noisy Pitta is still active and increasingly visible in the display.
  • the two new exhibits in the wetlands area are approaching completion with the signage now in place confirming the enclosures are for Southern Cassowaries. The brolgas are also nesting once again.
  • the Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish are no longer in the turtle tank on Bindi’s Island however the Southern Purple-spotted Gudgeon remains with two Saw-shelled Turtles, one Krefft’s Turtle and one Brisbane River Turtle. The Broad-shelled River Turtle was also seen in the outdoor turtle enclosure after over a year of not seeing it.
  • the last enclosure in the Crocodile Environmental Park has finally been completed with a pair of Saltwater Crocodiles, Agro and Cookie moving into the exhibit quite recently.
Main Highlights:
full


full


full


full


full


Sign for Cheetah Enclosure:
full

Now we wait to see how long it takes before the Cheetahs actually go on display.
But with the sign up it at least means they're committing to it.
Honestly it really feels like something that should of happened years ago. That spot always remains weirdly vacant (unless it's being used for big inflatable slides during the holidays, of course) so nice to see it fill up I suppose. And give Africa more than 2 exhibits.
Maybe I shouldn't be complaining. Expansion is expansion, and for Australia Zoo even the most minor change with the animals on display is rare, so something this big is definitely a big deal, but it just feels kinda hollow.
I mean, how long have they had Cheetahs again? And they're only just now starting work on having them on display?
 
Now we wait to see how long it takes before the Cheetahs actually go on display.
But with the sign up it at least means they're committing to it.
Honestly it really feels like something that should of happened years ago. That spot always remains weirdly vacant (unless it's being used for big inflatable slides during the holidays, of course) so nice to see it fill up I suppose. And give Africa more than 2 exhibits.
Maybe I shouldn't be complaining. Expansion is expansion, and for Australia Zoo even the most minor change with the animals on display is rare, so something this big is definitely a big deal, but it just feels kinda hollow.
I mean, how long have they had Cheetahs again? And they're only just now starting work on having them on display?
The housing of the Cheetah in the tiger area was never ideal but the plus side is that they did not have to build an enclosure for them, The down side was from a breeding prospective was it was very unlikely to happen, also they public had no way of viewing them. Since they did import a few from South Africa one would expect that at some time that they might want to include the new genes in the country Cheetah population.

One thing that sort of stood out to me when the zoo had mentioned previous on its website, is the the Tigers and Cheetahs had underwater viewing, I have never heard or had seen any other holder of cheetah say about Cheetahs having this or why it is even mentioned considering Cheetah are not known for being water loving cats. :D
Perhaps the zoo woke up to the fact that only having 3 main species on display isn't really cutting the mustard for a African savanna display especially when with many overseas visitors to the zoo. I believe this is a positive step forwards, How long can a any zoo just be stagnant with almost little to no development happening over a long period of time. I not holding my breath waiting for any further developments but I do hope it does happen.
A small plus I believe would be putting a small gate between the Giraffes and rhinos to let the zebra move backwards and forwards from one enclosure to the other also adding a trio of Ostrich would add a new and cheap addition.
 
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I assume the Cheetah will be in this shaded area? To me it looks rather small so probably could only hold a couple bachelor males.

That seems likely. They imported females from South Africa, but they've since been sent to the WCCC, where one has since bred.

Going forward, I'd expect to see a coalition of bachelor males. They're a good fit for a zoo unable (or unwilling) to dedicate a large amount of space and will add some variety to the African Savannah.

It's not massive progress, but it's progress nonetheless.
 
The housing of the Cheetah in the tiger area was never ideal but the plus side is that they did not have to build an enclosure for them, The down side was from a breeding prospective was it was very unlikely to happen, also they public had no way of viewing them. Since they did import a few from South Africa one would expect that at some time that they might want to include the new genes in the country Cheetah population.

One thing that sort of stood out to me when the zoo had mentioned previous on its website, is the the Tigers and Cheetahs had underwater viewing, I have never heard or had seen any other holder of cheetah say about Cheetahs having this or why it is even mentioned considering Cheetah are not known for being water loving cats. :D
Perhaps the zoo woke up to the fact that only having 3 main species on display isn't really cutting the mustard for a African savanna display especially when with many overseas visitors to the zoo. I believe this is a positive step forwards, How long can a any zoo just be stagnant with almost little to no development happening over a long period of time. I not holding my breath waiting for any further developments but I do hope it does happen.
A small plus I believe would be putting a small gate between the Giraffes and rhinos to let the zebra move backwards and forwards from one enclosure to the other also adding a trio of Ostrich would add a new and cheap addition.

I am a little hopeful that with some pretty notable changes/additions these past few years (Elephants and the new croc area, addition of Komodos and Free Flight Jabiru to the show, breeding cassowaries and red pandas, refurbishing the aviary, attempting to breed King Cobras and Komodos, plus a few new smaller species like Radiated and Elongated Tortoises, even the new Koala area) that the zoo might be on an upwards trend after years of being pretty stagnant.
I'm certainly not holding my breath for it, but it could be a sign they're going to pick up the pace and actually going to pick up the pace and start properly holding it's own as a big-name zoo and not falling back on the fact a few celebrities live there.
If we're getting real speculative, the past year or so they've moved the majority of their giraffe herd to other facilities, going from like 12 to just Forest, 3 breeding females and the two youngest calves of said females in a matter of months. The savannah looks really empty now, but if could - maybe - be a sign they intend to get something else to fill the space, like ostrich or some Antelope. I'd very much be surprised if they do, but they've almost had more growth the past 2-3 years alone than they've had since Steve died, so if there'd be any time for them to do it, it'd be now.
 
I am a little hopeful that with some pretty notable changes/additions these past few years (Elephants and the new croc area, addition of Komodos and Free Flight Jabiru to the show, breeding cassowaries and red pandas, refurbishing the aviary, attempting to breed King Cobras and Komodos, plus a few new smaller species like Radiated and Elongated Tortoises, even the new Koala area) that the zoo might be on an upwards trend after years of being pretty stagnant.
I'm certainly not holding my breath for it, but it could be a sign they're going to pick up the pace and actually going to pick up the pace and start properly holding it's own as a big-name zoo and not falling back on the fact a few celebrities live there.
If we're getting real speculative, the past year or so they've moved the majority of their giraffe herd to other facilities, going from like 12 to just Forest, 3 breeding females and the two youngest calves of said females in a matter of months. The savannah looks really empty now, but if could - maybe - be a sign they intend to get something else to fill the space, like ostrich or some Antelope. I'd very much be surprised if they do, but they've almost had more growth the past 2-3 years alone than they've had since Steve died, so if there'd be any time for them to do it, it'd be now.

The giraffe transfers are nothing new. They’ve never retained Australia zoo bred offspring as sons would clash with Forrest; and daughters would inbreed with Forrest. They’ve had a backlog to clear with Covid, so it’s purely circumstantial they’ve had a mass exodus of giraffes out of the place.

I agree with you the past two or three years have been encouraging with regards to developments. They’ve surely taken note - not just of the main zoos in the region, but small zoos like Wildlife HQ who are one of their nearest facilities and made great strides despite having a fraction of the resources.

Australia Zoo was a great zoo in Steve’s day, but no zoo can afford to stay still if they want to remain great. It’s a constantly evolving industry and they need to constantly up their game and strive to improve.
 
So cringey that they still capitalise on Steve Irwin's ''Crikey'' expression. Have to hand it to them though would be the most financially successful private zoo in Australia by probably a fair stretch (most googled zoo in Australia worldwide, even ahead of Taronga and Melbourne); so hope they continue to accomodate for new species in conservation plight (just wish they'd put ''Crikey'' to bed, kinda feels like they're just milking it now).
 
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