Four Little blue penguins have hatched:
Four new baby penguins at National Zoo
The chicks have been named Jatz, Oreo, Monte and McVitie.
Four new baby penguins at National Zoo
The chicks have been named Jatz, Oreo, Monte and McVitie.
National Zoo and Aquarium National Zoo and Aquarium News 2024
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
Updates from my visit 02/03/2024:
- (At least) two otters are now housed in an enclosure between the sun bears and the koalas. It's somewhat tricky to view, because on the top level (near the meerkats), the viewing is more set up for an arboreal species. We saw another three otters in the original exhibit. It seems temporary, although there is signage, which makes me think it's not.
- Currently, the zoo is on a breeding pause for giraffe. Shaba and Mzungu's two youngest calves, male Thembi (2022) and female Mkali (2023), are still being housed with them, while older son Khamisi is housed with the female, Skye, from Australia Zoo in the original exhibit, mixed with zebra.
- While not officially on display, we caught a good glimpse of the female colobus baby, Aida. You can see into the enclosures for colobus and lemur on the top level of Jamala, above the hyenas from the viewing window with the Sri Lankan leopard exhibit on either side. Aida's grown a lot.
- The ring-tailed lemur exhibit next door to the B+W ruffed lemurs is now signed for capuchin, although I didn't see anything in there. Perhaps the Jamala lemurs were moved from that enclosure. There were three capuchins in their existing exhibit, including Cocoa and Mocha, as well as the two lemurs (including the one-handed one) near the rhino cafe.
Thanks for the update! Is the plan to breed this pair?
Not at this stage. The keeper said that they are awaiting on recommendations from the species coordinator. Skye and Khamisi are both well-represented (Skye being the daughter of Forrest), so she said it will depend on how many calves are produced at other zoos. Skye takes after her father, she's around the same height as Shaba, the breeding bull.
That would make sense. Considering Skye's age, it would be surprising if she was to receive a recommendation soon, but obviously things can change quite quickly in these situations.
That's also interesting to hear re. Skye. She may also be one of the tallest female giraffes!
I think this height gene comes from Rukiya’s side as she’s a tall female within Auckland’s herd and has had several tall calves. Forrest is the most notable; but Nakuru at Melbourne is a large female. I was surprised to see a noticeable height difference between her and the young bull, Klintun, who at five years, would be close to full size.
New home is still being located for the otters in the old red panda exhibit. Their names are Basil and Josey, and had a split with the main family (Bal, Pai, Chester).
Jamala capuchins Gonzo and Monyet have retired off display, sibling ring tails Tico and Makai have moved up to Jamala, and capuchins Peanut and Gomez (offspring of Gonzo and Monyet) will be moving to the enclosure under renovation next to ruff lemurs, which indeed previously housed Tico and Makai. Big shuffle!
Thanks for the confirmation, that's helpful information. I thought the new (temporary) otter exhibit looked like a red panda exhibit (ie, not a new build), but I couldn't remember actually seeing a red panda there recently, so good to have that confirmation that it was previously the use of that space.
Yeah, I don’t remember when it last housed red pandas. Probably during Ari/Eilish’s time. It was empty for a while before the otters had to move in there.
A Plains zebra foal was born 16/04/2024:
Zebra foal has the zoo guessing its gender | Canberra CityNews
The zoo has seen 27 zebra foals be born, but most get sent to other facilities. There are nine currently housed at the zoo.
Zebra foal has the zoo guessing its gender | Canberra CityNews
The zoo has seen 27 zebra foals be born, but most get sent to other facilities. There are nine currently housed at the zoo.
Update from my friend’s visit last week:
Zebras - the new foal is a female; Kyan has left the main zebra family to join older brothers (Jabari and Kiambo) in the African Plains exhibit (shared with Skye and Khamisi the giraffes).
A Leachie gecko has arrived from Taronga and is now on display.
Sabi the African lion recently passed away at the age of 21 years.
Kasarna the Siamang has been kicked out by the family and is now off display while new home is being found.
Zebras - the new foal is a female; Kyan has left the main zebra family to join older brothers (Jabari and Kiambo) in the African Plains exhibit (shared with Skye and Khamisi the giraffes).
A Leachie gecko has arrived from Taronga and is now on display.
Sabi the African lion recently passed away at the age of 21 years.
Kasarna the Siamang has been kicked out by the family and is now off display while new home is being found.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Osedax
Well-Known Member
As reported by @WhistlingKite24 in the Australasian Giraffe Population thread and the Monarto news thread, 1.0 giraffe Themba has moved to Monarto Safari Park.
National Zoo and Aquarium Update
Update from my friend’s recent visit:
Sri Lankan leopards: Ankesh (father) has been separated from Yakalla and Kalani (mother and daughter); with a new leopard den built on the other side of the exhibit. Kalani has reached reproductive age; and by separating them, they can prevent inbreeding without placing her on contraception (which is desirable if she’s to breed in the future).
The Waterbird pond exhibit is undergoing renovations in anticipation of housing Cape porcupine.
Two Little blue penguin chicks from this year (Zooper and Dooper) have been integrated with the main colony.
Some new Swamp wallabies have joined the existing mob.
A new indoor saltwater pond is open, with a Port Jackson shark and Common stingaree on display; along with other Southern Coast fish.
The Koala joey is a female and has been named Brindabella.
Update from my friend’s recent visit:
Sri Lankan leopards: Ankesh (father) has been separated from Yakalla and Kalani (mother and daughter); with a new leopard den built on the other side of the exhibit. Kalani has reached reproductive age; and by separating them, they can prevent inbreeding without placing her on contraception (which is desirable if she’s to breed in the future).
The Waterbird pond exhibit is undergoing renovations in anticipation of housing Cape porcupine.
Two Little blue penguin chicks from this year (Zooper and Dooper) have been integrated with the main colony.
Some new Swamp wallabies have joined the existing mob.
A new indoor saltwater pond is open, with a Port Jackson shark and Common stingaree on display; along with other Southern Coast fish.
The Koala joey is a female and has been named Brindabella.
If it is a Common Stingaree, it would be the first individual of that species displayed in some time (or perhaps even ever).
I’m curious if separating Ankesh and Yakalla will have any impact on any potential future breeding from the two? And why the choice was made to separate Dad from Mum/daughter and not daughter from Mum/Dad? Separating out Ankesh would also place a bigger gap between a potential third litter if they were breed again, without the need for contraception for Yakalla as well
Update from my visit this weekend
Conspicuous lack of updates in some Zoos across the east coast so this is one of my many first posts.
There is now several stingaree of differing type in the saltwater pond along with 2x Port Jackson Sharks.
A Pale Octopus is located within the aquarium on the upper level and is wild caught.
Male Sri Lankan Leopard seems to enjoy the den area and interacting with kids although he paced frequently when females were on display he seems to be settling in compared to my previous visit
There is a Dinosaur themed section located opposite the ostrich enclosure and seemed hugely popular with visitors.
The giraffes located near the back of the zoo are on a breeding pause waiting for an import for breeding to resume.
Significant work seems to be taking place outside the playground.
The aviary near the repeated Tiger enclosures is empty and works are ongoing.
Parking was quite difficult due to how busy the zoo was, something I have not seen in previous trips.
Conspicuous lack of updates in some Zoos across the east coast so this is one of my many first posts.
There is now several stingaree of differing type in the saltwater pond along with 2x Port Jackson Sharks.
A Pale Octopus is located within the aquarium on the upper level and is wild caught.
Male Sri Lankan Leopard seems to enjoy the den area and interacting with kids although he paced frequently when females were on display he seems to be settling in compared to my previous visit
There is a Dinosaur themed section located opposite the ostrich enclosure and seemed hugely popular with visitors.
The giraffes located near the back of the zoo are on a breeding pause waiting for an import for breeding to resume.
Significant work seems to be taking place outside the playground.
The aviary near the repeated Tiger enclosures is empty and works are ongoing.
Parking was quite difficult due to how busy the zoo was, something I have not seen in previous trips.
Yakalla is 13 years old (born 2011), so is nearing the end of her reproductive years. Due to her representation within the region (2.1 offspring), I would assume the decision has been made not to breed from her and Ankesh again as a pair.
Yakalla and Kalani can meanwhile continue to live cohesively together (hopefully until she is required for breeding); and by not putting her on contraception, she stands the best chance of conceiving if/when she has the opportunity to breed.
Like you say, there appears to be no discernible reason why the separation couldn’t have been Ankesh and Yakalla, so maybe the long term plan is to re-pair him.
If they intend to import within the next 1-3 years, we can assume it’s from within the region. Australia lack a Giraffe IRA and can only import from New Zealand. None of the New Zealand zoos intend to import from outside the region to my knowledge.
The Hippopotamus IRA is currently being processed; and I’m hopeful the Giraffe IRA will be next, but who knows. Even if it is, it will be many years away. The good thing about giraffes is that long birth intervals aren’t detrimental to the cow’s reproductive health. The cows at Auckland Zoo had 8-10 years between calves while a new bull was brought in (five years after the death of the previous bull); and then took a further three years to mature. Other zoos have had similar gaps or not bred from females until they were 10 years plus.