Auckland Zoo Auckland Zoo News 2024

If the penguins won't use the pool, then I agree that the seal exhibit is unsuitable for them. Keepers have mentioned that due to some of the penguins having missing flippers, they do have issues when it comes to swimming and unless the flock were to increase dramatically perhaps retaining the smaller pool in the meantime would be for the best.

And indeed, the whole point of a zoo is its animal attractions. While Auckland Zoo's conservation and environmental work is very valuable indeed, there are, I believe, better ways to highlight this than adding further play areas, even ones with an environmental theme.
 
Burma to leave by the end of 2024:

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/subs...k=bfb54ef4af46695650b65c1a62ad2455-1705800987

According to this source (unfortunately behind a pay wall), the plan is for Burma to be exported later this year.

This will bring a close to Auckland Zoo’s 101 year association with elephants, following the import of Jamuna from India in June 1923.

0.1 Jamuna (Indian elephant)
Born in the wild (India) 00/00/1917
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 07/06/1923
Died at Auckland Zoo 02/09/1965

1.0 Rajah (Indian elephant)
Born in the wild (Myanmar) 00/00/1917
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 00/06/1930
Died at Auckland Zoo 09/03/1936

0.1 Kassala (Indian elephant)
Born in the wild (Unknown) 00/00/1945
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 01/05/1952
Sent to Bullens Circus 30/12/1957

0.1 Malini (Indian elephant)
Born in the wild (India) 00/00/1953
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 04/08/1961
Died at Auckland Zoo 27/02/1971

0.1 Ma Schwe (Indian elephant)
Born in the wild (Thailand) 00/00/1964
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 30/10/1968
Died at Auckland Zoo 02/08/1982

0.1 Kashin (Indian elephant)
Born at Dusit Zoo (Thailand) 00/00/1968
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 00/00/1972
Died at Auckland Zoo 24/08/2009

0.1 Koru (African elephant)
Born in the wild (Unknown) 00/00/1980
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 04/04/1983
Died at Auckland Zoo 26/07/1983

0.1 Burma (Indian elephant)
Born at a logging camp (Myanmar) 00/00/1982
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 18/05/1990
Still at Auckland Zoo

0.1 Anjalee (Sri Lankan elephant)
Born at Pinnewala (Sri Lanka) 23/08/2006
Arrived at Auckland 21/06/2015
Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 08/03/2023
 
Zoofan15 said:
Burma to leave by the end of 2024:

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=AAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/plans-lodged-to-expand-monartos-wild-africa-glamping-accommodation-as-elephant-arrival-date-revealed/news-story/039bf4c1f82f936545dc3988a71e1966&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE&nk=bfb54ef4af46695650b65c1a62ad2455-1705800987

According to this source (unfortunately behind a pay wall), the plan is for Burma to be exported later this year.

This will bring a close to Auckland Zoo’s 101 year association with elephants, following the import of Jamuna from India in June 1923.

0.1 Jamuna (Indian elephant)
Born in the wild (India) 00/00/1917
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 07/06/1923
Died at Auckland Zoo 02/09/1965

1.0 Rajah (Indian elephant)
Born in the wild (Myanmar) 00/00/1917
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 00/06/1930
Died at Auckland Zoo 09/03/1936

0.1 Kassala (Indian elephant)
Born in the wild (Unknown) 00/00/1945
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 01/05/1952
Sent to Bullens Circus 30/12/1957

0.1 Malini (Indian elephant)
Born in the wild (India) 00/00/1953
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 04/08/1961
Died at Auckland Zoo 27/02/1971

0.1 Ma Schwe (Indian elephant)
Born in the wild (Thailand) 00/00/1964
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 30/10/1968
Died at Auckland Zoo 02/08/1982

0.1 Kashin (Indian elephant)
Born at Dusit Zoo (Thailand) 00/00/1968
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 00/00/1972
Died at Auckland Zoo 24/08/2009

0.1 Koru (African elephant)
Born in the wild (Unknown) 00/00/1980
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 04/04/1983
Died at Auckland Zoo 26/07/1983

0.1 Burma (Indian elephant)
Born at a logging camp (Myanmar) 00/00/1982
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 18/05/1990
Still at Auckland Zoo

0.1 Anjalee (Sri Lankan elephant)
Born at Pinnewala (Sri Lanka) 23/08/2006
Arrived at Auckland 21/06/2015
Sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 08/03/2023
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Although it's for the best and Burma will be better off in the company of other elephants, it will still be a sad day for the zoo and I will miss her greatly. She's always been a gentle presence and well beloved by staff and visitors alike.
 
ApeLadyNZ said:
Although it's for the best and Burma will be better off in the company of other elephants, it will still be a sad day for the zoo and I will miss her greatly. She's always been a gentle presence and well beloved by staff and visitors alike.
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It’s truly the end of an era. I can’t imagine my childhood without visiting Kashin and Burma at the zoo in the 2000’s and with the zoo’s history of elephants going back 101 years, I’m sure every generation of New Zealanders will have their own memories.

Though I prefer to see elephants in multigenerational herds, I can’t deny city zoos holding a single elephant or a pair helped foster a greater association between the general public and the elephants on an individual level. In short, everyone knows their names; whereas few visitors to Melbourne Zoo seem to know names of individuals, much less be able to identify them in the herd.

Wellington Zoo’s last elephant died in 1985 and I have no doubt people at the time found it hard to imagine a future for their zoo without elephants. The fact is, it soon becomes the new normal and progress marches on.
 
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Zoofan15 said:
It’s truly the end of an era. I can’t imagine my childhood without visiting Kashin and Burma at the zoo in the 2000’s and with the zoo’s history of elephants going back 101 years, I’m sure every generation of New Zealanders will have their own memories.

Though I prefer to see elephants in multigenerational herds, I can’t deny city zoos holding a single elephant or a pair helped foster a greater association between the general public and the elephants on an individual level. In short, everyone knows their names; whereas few visitors to Melbourne Zoo seem to know names of individuals, much less be able to identify them in the herd.

Wellington Zoo’s last elephant died in 1985 and I have no doubt people at the time found it hard to imagine a future for their zoo without elephants. The fact is, it soon becomes the new normal and progress marches on.
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Many Auckland Zoo visitors will retain fond memories of Burma. She has certainly provided the zoo with some memorable moments, including her brief escape back in 2004:

Elephant escapes after dropping log on electric fence - NZ Herald

She will always be remembered and loved, although she was not quite the icon that Jamuna, and later Kashin, were.

It is indeed the end of an era, given Auckland Zoo's long history with elephants. Fortunately, the zoo is investing time and money into other popular animal attractions, such as the orangutans, rhinos and tigers.
 
ApeLadyNZ said:
Many Auckland Zoo visitors will retain fond memories of Burma. She has certainly provided the zoo with some memorable moments, including her brief escape back in 2004:

Elephant escapes after dropping log on electric fence - NZ Herald

She will always be remembered and loved, although she was not quite the icon that Jamuna, and later Kashin, were.

It is indeed the end of an era, given Auckland Zoo's long history with elephants. Fortunately, the zoo is investing time and money into other popular animal attractions, such as the orangutans, rhinos and tigers.
Click to expand...

It’s fair to say the orangutans and the tigers will be regarded the animal stars of the 2020’s. While Burma is much loved, the appeal of a single elephant housed in a paddock can’t compete with the reach she and her predecessors had via their daily walks around the zoo (which are no longer conducted in visitor hours). It was thrilling to see these magnificent animals just feet away.

I’d love to hear any memories you have of Ma Schwe. She arrived as a four year old in 1968 and died in 1982 (of acute heart failure while being walked around the zoo according to A Tiger by the Tail). She was only four years older than Kashin (who arrived as a four year old in 1972), so it would have been cool to see their playful interactions. All I’ve heard is the shy Kashin was initially overwhelmed by the confident Ma Schwe’s overtures upon their introduction; and that Ma Schwe was very much the boss, not allowing Kashin to play with her favourite toys etc.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s fair to say the orangutans and the tigers will be regarded the animal stars of the 2020’s. While Burma is much loved, the appeal of a single elephant housed in a paddock can’t compete with the reach she and her predecessors had via their daily walks around the zoo (which are no longer conducted in visitor hours). It was thrilling to see these magnificent animals just feet away.

I’d love to hear any memories you have of Ma Schwe. She arrived as a four year old in 1968 and died in 1982 (of acute heart failure while being walked around the zoo according to A Tiger by the Tail). She was only four years older than Kashin (who arrived as a four year old in 1972), so it would have been cool to see their playful interactions. All I’ve heard is the shy Kashin was initially overwhelmed by the confident Ma Schwe’s overtures upon their introduction; and that Ma Schwe was very much the boss, not allowing Kashin to play with her favourite toys etc.
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I agree, the orangutans and tigers look to be the new stars of the zoo, certainly since the birth of Bahmi and the arrival of Daya, and the birth of the tiger twins.

My memories of Ma Schwe are a little fuzzy, but from what I remember, she did seem more assertive than Kashin, and I perceived her as larger. I do recall them living in the old elephant house and thought even as a child that it seemed unsuitably cramped for them. The two elephants frequently extended their trunks for visitors to feed them, which is, of course, thankfully no longer permitted these days.

I do miss seeing the elephants walked around the zoo, though. It was a very impressive sight, and children in particular seemed to delight in following behind the massive animals.
 
Elephants are one of my favourite animals and its sad to see Burma go, but its the best thing for her and any other captive elephants since the current situation at Auckland Zoo would not be ideal as has already been well discussed. one thing I would like "smaller zoos" (in terms of size) is have more bachelor herds, because
1. Bulls are often underrepresented in zoos because of the reputation are harder to handle because of their larger size and because of musth ( though female elephants do go though a similar hormonal stage that can make them aggressive). having plenty of healthy bulls will be important for the long term breeding.
2. Any zoo with bulls typically only have one and bulls need social interaction at all ages and its important for young bulls to learn and find mentorship in older bulls to learn how to behave. this may actually make them easier to handle in both captivity and the wild , and then can be moved off to zoos with female herds for breeding.

there are a lot of zoos starting to do this over in Europe and the US but not in Oceania, so it would be cool if a zoo like Auckland tried that, though it would require big changes
 
Auckland Zoo have bred Asian arowana:

Auckland Zoo successfully breeds rare Asian arowana | Auckland Zoo

The breeding of 16 Asian arowana fry that hatched around early December has been achieved just over a year after the Zoo’s five adults moved into the new Indonesian swamp forest habitat.

To Auckland Zoo’s knowledge, this is the first time that Asian arowana have ever been bred in New Zealand.

Asian Arowana have been bred at Auckland Zoo! | We have more exciting news - Asian arowana have been bred at the Zoo! These endangered Southeast Asian fish hatched in early December and are growing... | By Auckland Zoo | Facebook
 
Zoofan15 said:
Auckland Zoo have bred Asian arowana:

Auckland Zoo successfully breeds rare Asian arowana | Auckland Zoo

The breeding of 16 Asian arowana fry that hatched around early December has been achieved just over a year after the Zoo’s five adults moved into the new Indonesian swamp forest habitat.

To Auckland Zoo’s knowledge, this is the first time that Asian arowana have ever been bred in New Zealand.

Asian Arowana have been bred at Auckland Zoo! | We have more exciting news - Asian arowana have been bred at the Zoo! These endangered Southeast Asian fish hatched in early December and are growing... | By Auckland Zoo | Facebook
Click to expand...

This is amazing news!
 
Giraffe calf naming competition:

Auckland Zoo have announced a naming competition for their giraffe calf and the best news of all, it’s a free-form/open entry naming competition.

Just like her whānau from around the Zoo, we’re looking to give this newborn a name that relates to where her counterparts are from in the wild. To give you an idea, her older brother is named Jabali which means ‘strong’ in Swahili.

The competition closes January 31.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Giraffe calf naming competition:

Auckland Zoo have announced a naming competition for their giraffe calf and the best news of all, it’s a free-form/open entry naming competition.

Just like her whānau from around the Zoo, we’re looking to give this newborn a name that relates to where her counterparts are from in the wild. To give you an idea, her older brother is named Jabali which means ‘strong’ in Swahili.

The competition closes January 31.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that information - that will be interesting! I wonder what kind of names we'll see nominated (aside from Giraffey McGiraffeface, of course! :P )
 
ApeLadyNZ said:
Thanks for that information - that will be interesting! I wonder what kind of names we'll see nominated (aside from Giraffey McGiraffeface, of course! :p )
Click to expand...

At least half the entries will be a combination of people’s attempts at humour (Sir Spot-a-lot, Giraffey McGiraffeface etc) and people entering their own name/their kid’s name.

Of the genuine entries, a percentage will then need to be weeded out given the zoo will be keen to avoid double ups. This is the zoo’s 40th giraffe calf and while sharing a name with a calf from 1990 might be permissible, they’d surely avoid more recent additions such as Zuri (2015); or other high profile zoo residents such as the rhinos.
 
Zoofan15 said:
At least half the entries will be a combination of people’s attempts at humour (Sir Spot-a-lot, Giraffey McGiraffeface etc) and people entering their own name/their kid’s name.

Of the genuine entries, a percentage will then need to be weeded out given the zoo will be keen to avoid double ups. This is the zoo’s 40th giraffe calf and while sharing a name with a calf from 1990 might be permissible, they’d surely avoid more recent additions such as Zuri (2015); or other high profile zoo residents such as the rhinos.
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Someone on Facebook where the nominations are taking place has already wittily suggested "Shorty". :P All joking aside, some very interesting and quite beautiful and unusual names have been suggested.

My own nomination was for Kianga, which means "ray of light" or "sunshine" to reflect her high value and the joy she has brought.
 
Zoofan15 said:
At least half the entries will be a combination of people’s attempts at humour (Sir Spot-a-lot, Giraffey McGiraffeface etc) and people entering their own name/their kid’s name.

Of the genuine entries, a percentage will then need to be weeded out given the zoo will be keen to avoid double ups. This is the zoo’s 40th giraffe calf and while sharing a name with a calf from 1990 might be permissible, they’d surely avoid more recent additions such as Zuri (2015); or other high profile zoo residents such as the rhinos.
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They should name her Shemp.

All jokes aside, how often do Australian zoos name their animals based on personality/distinguishing traits in addition to regional names? (Ones in Swahili, Thai, etc.)
 
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ApeLadyNZ said:
My own nomination was for Kianga, which means "ray of light" or "sunshine" to reflect her high value and the joy she has brought.
Click to expand...

That’s a nice name. It has an appropriate meaning and is a K name like her mother. I wish Auckland Zoo had continued this tradition when Rukiya and Kiraka were overlapping in producing calves. They did it for Kinshasa and Manyara in the 80’s and 90’s.
StoppableSan said:
They should name him Shemp.

All jokes aside, how often do Australian zoos name their animals based on personality/distinguishing traits in addition to regional names? (Ones in Swahili, Thai, etc.)
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When it’s a litter of lions cubs etc. there seems to be a bit more thought put into allocating names to each cub based on personality e.g. Kutaza (Swahili for cross one) was given to the most fiery cub in Kura’s first litter; while her next litter included a cub named Tiombe (meaning shy). A few other examples include Jalur (Indonesian for stripes) being given to a tiger cub with the most prominent markings; Pathi Harn (Thai for mircale) being given to an elephant calf that survived against the odds; and Forrest given to a giraffe calf born with joint issues that required intervention.

In most cases, the names are pretty generic in their meanings. Names meaning beautiful, pretty, queen, lady, peaceful etc. are given to females; while names meaning leader, strong, brave and powerful are given to males. Sometimes the name relates to the species e.g. Masamba (Swahili for leaves) is a common African ungulate name.

I would say:

80% of names are generic (but regional)
15% of names have a meaning (and are regional)
5% are outside the box e.g. Forrest
 
ApeLadyNZ said:
A PSA on Facebook has just been posted that the tiger habitat is currently closed. The male cub has injured himself and was removed for vet observation; he is currently being reintroduced to his mother and sister.

Auckland Zoo - PSA: Our tiger habitat is currently closed If... | Facebook
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In tragic news, the male cub was sadly euthanised this morning.

From socials:
Auckland Zoo is today coming to terms with the devastating loss of a 4-week-old Sumatran tiger cub who had to be euthanised this morning due to a head injury sustained after a tumble while exploring his habitat on Saturday afternoon.
As a first-time mother, female tiger Zayana (6) who gave birth to this male and his twin sister on 2 January, has been doing a fantastic job rearing both offspring whose healthy growth has seen them become increasingly active and mobile, and exploring their environment with Zayana close by.
“It’s hugely upsetting for everyone connected with the Zoo, but nobody is more devastated today than our team of carnivore keepers who have been doing an incredible job supporting Zayana throughout her entire breeding journey,” says Auckland Zoo director, Kevin Buley.
“Working with our keeping staff, our dedicated veterinary team have done absolutely everything that they could have done over the last 72 hours, to give the little cub the best possible chance of recovery after his accident, but it was not to be”.
Over this time this included a number of carefully planned veterinary interventions – moving the cub (temporarily from Zayana) to our vet hospital. At the hospital the vet team was able to more closely assess his condition and provide supportive care. A specialist veterinary neurologist was also consulted who assessed the cub late yesterday. Typically, with a mild concussion a marked improvement would be expected within a 72-hour period. However, with a noticeable deterioration in his condition, the team had to make the tough but correct call this morning, to euthanise him.
As she has done throughout the weekend, and continues to do today, female Zayana is doing a great job caring for the remaining female cub, and the team is hopeful that this will remain the case going forward.
For now, our tiger habitat remains closed to visitors while we continue to closely monitor Zayana and her remaining cub.
 
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