ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
Thanks for this! The Nuris have indeed been quite a prolific breeding pair, and with Yara's twins in Hamilton, the future looks very hopeful for this line.
Auckland Zoo Auckland Zoo News 2023
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Thanks for this! The Nuris have indeed been quite a prolific breeding pair, and with Yara's twins in Hamilton, the future looks very hopeful for this line.
Zayana, their female Sumatran tiger is pregnant. She is due early January: Sumatran tiger Zayana due to give birth early January | Auckland Zoo News
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
This is excellent news! Fingers crossed for healthy cubs!
That’s a shame. She was only four years old. She’s survived by her littermate, Nita; with the other exhibit holding Luna, who turns eight years old in March. The latter is usually quite active on my visits - especially in the rain.
Due to Luna’s age, I doubt they’ll merge her and Nita to form a pair; but will likely wait until one passes and then import some siblings from Australia.
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
I got quite a shock when I heard that it was Nawnta who passed; when the volunteer said they'd lost one of the Devils, I'd assumed it was the ageing Luna at first. @Zoofan15 - you mentioned the possibility of importing sibling in the future. Does Auckland Zoo hold only ambassador animals rather than breeding pairs for this species?
Yes, Australia only export ambassador animals that are surplus to their breeding programme. This species is post-reproductive from around three years, so these are typically the youngest devils we receive. Auckland, Orana and Wellington all regularly import surplus devils from Australia due to the relatively short lifespan of this species.
They can potentially reach eight years, but five to six years is more common. Auckland Zoo imported their first four devils (in recent decades) in 2014; and by 2018, only one of these was alive (a six year old male named Herod).
Two three year old males (Levi and Smiley) were imported in 2018 and Levi was deceased by 2021; with a four year old female named Dash transferred in from Wellington Zoo to join Smiley. They’re both now deceased and were replaced by Luna, Nita and Nawnta.
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
Luna seems to be one of the longer-lived devils that Auckland Zoo has held... last time I saw her, she appeared healthy and very active!
I believe Luna is the record holder; followed by Herod, who was just over six years old in early 2018 and appears to have died 2018/2019 (last mentioned 2018). She’s still incredibly sprightly, so hopeful has another year left in her.
It’ll be interesting to see if Auckland ever hold a larger number of devils than four. They have two exhibits (one of which can be subdivided into two), so could theoretically hold a larger number. Orana Wildlife Park have nine devils!
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that info - it's interesting that Luna currently holds the record! And I personally would like to see more devils in the exhibit as I believe it could hold more and would give visitors more of a chance to see them. Sometimes when I visit the devils are very active, but when they're not, since there's such a small number, they can be very hard to spot.
Luna holds Auckland Zoo’s longevity record; but I’m unsure if this is a national record. Orana Wildlife Park’s nine current devils are born between 2018 in 2019, so statistically speaking, Orana stands a decent chance of attaining a longevity record when they have three times the population of what Auckland and Wellington typically hold.
Personally, I think it’s a shame Hamilton Zoo never acquired them when the other three main zoos in New Zealand did in 2014. They would have been a more exciting alternative to meerkats for sure; though the Cape porcupines have enhanced this area.
It’s rare to see Auckland’s devils as the nest spots aren’t visable. If it’s too hot, they don’t come out; but if it’s hot enough, they wade in the stream. Rainy days appear to be their favourite; followed by overcast.
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
I always wondered why Hamilton never got devils, as they would have fitted in very well there. And I definitely would like to see Auckland bring in more, perhaps when Luna passes away. Perhaps getting two pairs instead of one might make the whole experience a lot better for visitors?
Melbourne recently acquired three sisters for one of their exhibits (on the larger side) and they've certainly made up for it activity wise. I usually find devils are far more active in the morning, and like to stay in their dens on the colder days (probably far more common in Auckland!).
Auckland originally held four devils, which from memory were housed in pairs. A sibling group of three or four would be great to see and the option to divide the larger exhibit in two allows for a separation as a contingency if they fall out down the line.
Wellington’s devils spend a lot of time in their nest boxes, but these are really visable which helps. Melbourne similarly had a large log they took shelter in on my last visit, which still allowed you a view of them.
Melbourne luckily also have viewing windows into their devils dens, not sure if you noticed as you have to bend all the way down to peek in.
Melbourne luckily also have viewing windows into their devils dens, not sure if you noticed as you have to bend all the way down to peek in.
I did see those, but didn’t bother bending down as I was lucky enough to see the devils on exhibit. It was raining heavily one morning and the devil I saw was throughly enjoying itself.
It’s interesting how different weather suits different species and on a day most people would avoid, you actually get better views of some animals. Auckland Zoo’s lions are an example of this (sun = asleep under a log; rain = running around the exhibit, climbing trees). The orangutans also congregate at the viewing window, which is fully sheltered.
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
Yes, absolutely. A wet day is often the best time to see the orangutans close up, particularly if you're wanting to take photos or see Bahmi get up to some amusing antics.
I’m hoping for a wet day when I next visit, so I can see Daya up close. It’ll be great to see her on exhibit with Charlie, Melur and Bahmi in the coming months. When Auckland Zoo imported the three females from Taronga Zoo in March 2001, a full integration of the colony was achieved the same year; but with Bahmi being an infant, I anticipate progress will be more cautious, despite the promising signs I’ve heard of so far.