Darling Downs Zoo Darling Downs Zoo news 2024
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ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
This is extremely disappointing to hear, as with their departure, the Africa track will be without a monkey species. Unless the zoo plans to introduce a new African primate, I think this is a very unwise decision in terms of actually being a zoo rather than a leisure space.
Apparently Auckland’s exhibit is considered insufficient for managing a natural breeding troop long term. Darling Downs Zoo, Sydney Zoo and Melbourne Zoo all hold larger troops, which are beneficial to their welfare; with juvenile females learning maternal skills from observing mothers with infants. Adelaide are similarly phasing out the species in favour of holding a larger troop at Adelaide Zoo.
Along with their new breeding male (Gyasi), Darling Downs Zoo have an impressive nine females. It wouldn’t surprise me if some Auckland females have joined the troop, Cagney and Lacey are nearing the end of their reproductive years.
1.0 Gyasi (2014) born at Sydney Zoo
0.1 Cagney (2006) born at Warsaw Zoo
0.1 Lacey (2007) born at Warsaw Zoo
0.1 Cleo (2011) born at Alma Park Zoo
0.1 Mandy (2014) born at Darling Downs Zoo
0.1 Cruella (2016) born at Darling Downs Zoo
0.1 Selma (2018) born at Darling Downs Zoo
0.1 Isla (2018) born at Darling Downs Zoo
0.1 Selene (2019) born at Darling Downs Zoo
0.1 Angelica (2020) born at Darling Downs Zoo
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
It does make sense for Auckland's younger baboons to join a larger breeding troop eventually, but I hope that Auckland will still consider getting an African primate species. The closest thing they will have when the baboons go will be ring-tailed lemurs, and at present Auckland only houses 4 ageing females - I wouldn't be surprised if ring-tailed lemurs are also on the phase-out list. Personally, I would like to see vervet monkeys considered as a replacement African monkey species.
Some news from the Darling Downs Zoo.
Three Capybara pups born to first time parents Chunga and Eleanor all doing well.
A successful Zebra transfer was completed with Zikomi travelling to the Altina Wildlife Park from DDZ and Jafari making the return trip as a stand in breeding stallion for the DDZ second herd.
Two more Pygmy Marmosets born.
Another common marmoset born.
Three more Rhino Iguanas Hatched.
Three Meerkats born.
Three Capybara pups born to first time parents Chunga and Eleanor all doing well.
A successful Zebra transfer was completed with Zikomi travelling to the Altina Wildlife Park from DDZ and Jafari making the return trip as a stand in breeding stallion for the DDZ second herd.
Two more Pygmy Marmosets born.
Another common marmoset born.
Three more Rhino Iguanas Hatched.
Three Meerkats born.
Steve and his wife have decided not to sell the zoo for now; instead they've made the decision to employ new staff to help handle the workload.
Good news for the meantime! Hopefully DDZ continues progressing in the right direction under Steve's guidance.
Darling Downs Zoo off the market I Australian Rural & Regional News
Good news for the meantime! Hopefully DDZ continues progressing in the right direction under Steve's guidance.
Darling Downs Zoo off the market I Australian Rural & Regional News
That’s good news. Thanks to Steve’s and Steph’s hard work, we’ve seen the zoo progress exponentially over the past 20 years. Long may it continue to thrive under their guidance.
Great news indeed. the sheer amount of work that both Steve and Steph have put into the zoo in 20+ years has been remarkable and amazing, Both have pushed non stop to make the zoo into a place were the animals truly feel at home and lead an amazing life. The zoo is indeed a "constant work in progress". Every single time I have visited there has been upgrades and improvements not to mention the constant expansion of bigger and better exhibits. A remarkable place with remarkable people working there in my humble view!
Without a doubt, one of the toughest obstacles the zoo faced was during Covid, since it forced them to close for a period of time.
I can only imagine how stressful this was for all involved and commend them for getting through it.
Darling Downs Zoo could be forced to close for good due to coronavirus lockdown | Daily Mail Online
There's that, but Queensland Gov also made it hard for them to open for the public for a few years and at one point they were only open on weekends type deal back in 2008 to 2010 sort of timeline.
Darling Downs [Darling Downs Zoo]
Also what ever happened to Ara.
That was such an interesting thread to read, from the issues they had with opening weekends and holidays to Kera the Jaguar! I remember the RSPCA ad she was in well, it was one of my favourites as a kid
Osedax
Well-Known Member
I just found that ad on YouTube and can easily see how it was one of your favourites. I can't imagine how long it would have taken to get all of those animals to behave and walk calmly across the screen. I'm guessing they can't all have been together while filming? And I never knew there were any raccoons in Australia as late as 1999!
I agree. It was a fantastic thread and I much enjoyed reading about Kera. It’s a great shame we no longer have Jaguar in the region. I particulary would have loved to have seen some of the melanistic ones including Ali at Taronga Zoo; his brother, Branco, at Adelaide Zoo; and his son, Maya, at Melbourne Zoo.
I’ve found the ad you’re talking about. According to a post from Steve, it was filmed circa 1988:
I absolutely agree that it’s a shame that there’s no Jaguar in the region - I’m much the same, there were Jaguar at Mogo Zoo when I was a child but unfortunately I can’t remember actually seeing them. The closest memory I have of the lost Felids of Australasia is the melanistic leopard at the National Zoo and Aquarium lining up to spray my siblings and I, much to the distress of my parents.
I remember watching it in the 2000s, and I never realised it was made in 1988 - it holds up very well!
New Exhibit Update
Darling Downs Zoo have provided another clue as to what their new exhibit will be for, by posting these photos. The high, fully enclosed walls and pool briefly got me excited about the possibility of Clouded leopard; but my guess remains this is for the De Brazza’s monkey.
I found this reference in the European husbandry guidelines for De Brazza’s, which notes they’re by no means adverse to a dip in the pool:
De Brazzas monkeys can swim and so a small water area not less than 100cm wide and not more than 50cm in depth within the outdoor enclosure provides enrichment.
Photo credit: Darling Downs Zoo’s socials
Darling Downs Zoo have provided another clue as to what their new exhibit will be for, by posting these photos. The high, fully enclosed walls and pool briefly got me excited about the possibility of Clouded leopard; but my guess remains this is for the De Brazza’s monkey.
I found this reference in the European husbandry guidelines for De Brazza’s, which notes they’re by no means adverse to a dip in the pool:
De Brazzas monkeys can swim and so a small water area not less than 100cm wide and not more than 50cm in depth within the outdoor enclosure provides enrichment.
Photo credit: Darling Downs Zoo’s socials
Attachments
Dillon, a three-year-old male Golden Lion Tamarin has been imported from Colchester Zoo, UK. A new female tamarin will be arriving from Paris very soon. Wonderful to see a new potential breeding pair being established straight from Europe - reported on their FB page.
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New exhibit:
Darling Downs Zoo’s latest exhibit is days away from welcoming its new arrivals. The pool, rocks and penguin sized nest boxes imply it is in fact a penguin exhibit. Credit to @Patrick Keegan for guessing this first.
I’ll admit I was hoping for a De’Brazza’s exhibit, but good to see a new exhibit nonetheless.
Darling Downs Zoo’s latest exhibit is days away from welcoming its new arrivals. The pool, rocks and penguin sized nest boxes imply it is in fact a penguin exhibit. Credit to @Patrick Keegan for guessing this first.
I’ll admit I was hoping for a De’Brazza’s exhibit, but good to see a new exhibit nonetheless.