Adelaide Zoo Adelaide Zoo News 2024

marmolady said:
In other Zoos SA news, CEO Elaine Bensted has announced plans for retirement next year. Her passion and energy will surely be missed.
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Wow, that will truly be the end of an era. The progress of Monarto during her tenure has been near exponential and she should be proud of her instrumental role in that.

How poignant she should retire on the high note of the elephant complex fully opening, with the arrival of the remaining elephants from Perth and Taronga.
 
African lions Amani and Mujambi have died:

From socials:

Today is a sad day. It is with an extremely heavy heart that Adelaide Zoo announces the passing of African Lion pair female Amani (23) and male Mujambi (19). Both big cats are now at rest.

Over the weekend Mujambi’s suffered a medical episode, and despite the best care by our veterinary team, the difficult decision was made for him to be humanely euthanised. Amani was then put to sleep shortly after as the negative welfare and aspects of her life without Mujambi were determined to outweigh any positives of remaining alone.

Amani was the oldest lioness in Australia, recently turning 23. Amani’s keepers held a birthday party to mark her big day with members and volunteers turning up to watch her demolish enrichment items created by Adelaide Zoo’s BEEZA team. Our male lion, Mujambi, turned 19 in March and was a handsome lion with a beautiful mane, albeit thinning in his old age.
 
I'm deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Adelaide's beloved lions, Mujambi and Amani. My heartfelt condolences to the zoo staff and everyone who cared for them. They lived long lives and were extremely well cared for.

It will be interesting to see the zoo's plans for the exhibit now. Could they perhaps place the tiger cubs in there to free up space? (Three on-display exhibits for tigers is a lot for a small zoo) or move a pair of young lions up from Monarto? Maybe even bring in hyenas from Monarto? I have my fingers crossed that we might see Sri Lankan leopards enter the conversation again.
 
Swanson02 said:
It will be interesting to see the zoo's plans for the exhibit now. Could they perhaps place the tiger cubs in there to free up space? (Three on-display exhibits for tigers is a lot for a small zoo) or move a pair of young lions up from Monarto? Maybe even bring in hyenas from Monarto? I have my fingers crossed that we might see Sri Lankan leopards enter the conversation again.
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These are all good ideas, especially Sri Lankan leopards, which would be such an asset to Adelaide Zoo. If they didn’t want to dedicate the space to two exhibits as originally planned, they could opt to be a non-breeding holder and exhibit a single leopard.

The revised masterplan indicates the new lion exhibit will be situated below the historic elephant house, where the tapir etc. are now. They could potentially transfer over a pair or trio of surplus lions from Monarto to inhabit the now vacant lion exhibit; as it would otherwise leave the zoo without lions for at least two years while the new exhibit is being built (construction hasn’t even started). Last I heard, Monarto’s lions were held in four prides; with whatever group can’t be reintegrated with the main pride presumably being prime candidates for transferring out:

1.0 Kashka (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo
1.0 Kito (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo
1.0 Kubwa (20/10/2015) Johari x Nilo

1.0 Chad (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
1.0 Ruka (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani

0.1 Husani (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe
0.1 Nia (24/04/2013) Leroy x Tiombe
0.1 Makena (18/06/2013) Leroy x Kiamba
0.1 Adira (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Malika (24/01/2021) UNK/MULT x Husani
1.0 Bahati (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Mshindi (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Lela (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Kadija (30/08/2023) UNK/MULT x Husani

0.1 Chikondi (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani
0.1 Zahara (16/02/2020) UNK/MULT x Husani

I’ll be interested to see what happens with Adelaide’s tiger cubs. I was under the impression the decision to build a third exhibit was around retaining them long term; but the cubs are 22 months old (well and truely at dispersal age) and the construction of a third exhibit will clearly be a minimum of a year away. The third exhibit appears scheduled to be built of the site of the old lion exhibit; so a renovation or demolition is the most likely scenario imo.
 
Zoofan15 said:
African lions Amani and Mujambi have died:

From socials:

Today is a sad day. It is with an extremely heavy heart that Adelaide Zoo announces the passing of African Lion pair female Amani (23) and male Mujambi (19). Both big cats are now at rest.

Over the weekend Mujambi’s suffered a medical episode, and despite the best care by our veterinary team, the difficult decision was made for him to be humanely euthanised. Amani was then put to sleep shortly after as the negative welfare and aspects of her life without Mujambi were determined to outweigh any positives of remaining alone.

Amani was the oldest lioness in Australia, recently turning 23. Amani’s keepers held a birthday party to mark her big day with members and volunteers turning up to watch her demolish enrichment items created by Adelaide Zoo’s BEEZA team. Our male lion, Mujambi, turned 19 in March and was a handsome lion with a beautiful mane, albeit thinning in his old age.
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It's a shame to hear considering Amani was on her way to being one of the oldest lions on record, but a respectable decision nonetheless.

I would be surprised if they sent over the two male cubs from Monarto now, as the current exhibit is on the smaller side and they would presumably want to construct the first exhibit before they receive any more Lions.

Regarding a replacement, Hyenas seem likely considering they still fit the general theming of the area, and there's also a surplus now at Monarto with the recent births.
 
Jambo said:
It's a shame to hear considering Amani was on her way to being one of the oldest lions on record, but a respectable decision nonetheless.

I would be surprised if they sent over the two male cubs from Monarto now, as the current exhibit is on the smaller side and they would presumably want to construct the first exhibit before they receive any more Lions.

Regarding a replacement, Hyenas seem likely considering they still fit the general theming of the area, and there's also a surplus now at Monarto with the recent births.
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Having looked closer at the masterplan, we can probably rule out Spotted hyena as the area is designated to become the Jewels of Asia precinct.

Although African lions as an exhibit filler are a possibility until the new exhibit is built (so as not to leave the zoo without lions), I’m tempted to say the strongest likelihood is that it will be redeveloped for Sumatran tigers.

The space opposite is currently planned for sun bear, which seems unrealistic in the current state. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were replaced by a Sri Lankan leopard exhibit.
 
The Sleepy Hippo said:
A breeding pair of Asian Lions would do then :cool:
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In all seriousness, Adelaide and Melbourne would be best placed to manage Asian lion populations as it’s now recognised they predominantly live in same sex groups (females and cubs; with males living a nomadic lifestyle, sometimes in a coalition with one or two related males); rather than the more traditional method of housing them in a 1.1 pair.

Adelaide has Monarto an hour away; and Melbourne has Werribee 45 minutes away. Both are logistically well placed to undertake transfers as breeding dictates between the zoos. The open range zoos could house females and cubs; while their city based counterparts could house the males. It’s unlikely either would consider it considering the average zoo visitor wouldn’t make the distinction between Asian lions and the African lions already held by Zoos Victoria and Zoos South Australia, but it would be undeniably impressive to see both species managed within the region.
 
For those interested there’s been some points made by Dr. Phil Ainsley, director of the zoo about the future precint in a press conference:

- Cost will be 10 million AUD for new habitat to bring back lions to Adelaide Zoo. Fundraising needed (aka; this isn’t happening in the near future).

- Will be a Bachelor group with TWO male lions. NO females. This is intended to support breeding activity at monarto as the genetic pool there dries up. Current intention is an overseas import.

- New area will be called the “Lion gorge”, and will be quote “The same size as the bamboo forest, so a nice big area”.

- Confirmation that the Sumatran tiger area will be EXPANDED into the current lion habitat at a future date. Quote “We want to remain in that critically important breeding program”. Cost 900k AUD
 
Luke899 said:
For those interested there’s been some points made by Dr. Phil Ainsley, director of the zoo about the future precint in a press conference:

- Cost will be 10 million AUD for new habitat to bring back lions to Adelaide Zoo. Fundraising needed (aka; this isn’t happening in the near future).

- Will be a Bachelor group with TWO male lions. NO females. This is intended to support breeding activity at monarto as the genetic pool there dries up. Current intention is an overseas import.

- New area will be called the “Lion gorge”, and will be quote “The same size as the bamboo forest, so a nice big area”.

- Confirmation that the Sumatran tiger area will be EXPANDED into the current lion habitat at a future date. Quote “We want to remain in that critically important breeding program”. Cost 900k AUD
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Thank you for posting this. This confirms they’re proceeding with the 2023 amended master plan as previously detailed.

It therefore appears Adelaide Zoo will be without lions for a while; but interesting to hear they’re planning an overseas import - presumably from outside the region as I believe Wellington Zoo plan to retain their males, (who may even be related to Nilo and Nairibi; with Nilo’s sons being Monarto’s breeding males). The intention could be to import adolescent males and let them mature at Adelaide; before they’re ready to take over the Monarto pride.

With regards to the Sumatran tiger expansion. It appears this will be comparatively simple (for a start, a tenth of the cost) than the construction of the new lion complex. Perhaps a renovation of the existing lion cages; rather than a demolition and replacement, which would undoubtably exceed $1 million.

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Adelaide Zoo planning to mark passing of Amani and Mujambi:

In the meantime, Adelaide Zoo have posted an article about the deaths of Amani and Mujambi; while mentioning they’re planning to mark the passing of this iconic pair in the future:

Vale African Lions Amani and Mujambi - Adelaide Zoo

We hope it is of some comfort to learn that we will mark the passing of Amani and Mujambi in the future and celebrate the impact they have had on us all and, importantly, on the conservation of their wild cousins.
 
I still think it’s really really dumb to be doing a big African precinct what you literally have the largest safari park in the region just an hour away.

They should be doing everything possible to move that stubborn male giraffe and make Adelaide Zoo an Asian themed zoo and get the gorillas in like the previous master plans envisions, and build a new lion habitat.

One singular giraffe should not be carving the future for a capital city zoo, and forcing it to do something that Monarto already has perfected.
 
Luke899 said:
I still think it’s really really dumb to be doing a big African precinct what you literally have the largest safari park in the region just an hour away.

They should be doing everything possible to move that stubborn male giraffe and make Adelaide Zoo an Asian themed zoo and get the gorillas in like the previous master plans envisions.

One singular giraffe should not be carving the future for a capital city zoo, and forcing it to do something that Monarto already has perfected.
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I don’t think any of us understand the logic behind revising the masterplan to what is basically replicating Monarto on a smaller scale. There’s around an hour between Adelaide/Monarto and with urban sprawl, the two facilities are becoming increasingly linked.

The giraffe in question is a female (Kimya) and she’s 19 years old, so it’s likely she’ll pass within the next few years anyway (if she is untrainable as has been reported).

I appreciate visitors enjoy seeing giraffes; but the attraction of Western lowland gorilla would undoubtedly outweigh them. Sri Lankan leopard would similarly be a greater drawcard than a third Sumatran tiger exhibit. City zoos are generally better predisposed to cater to rainforest species than their open range counterparts, so it makes sense that they do so on every level.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I don’t think any of us understand the logic behind revising the masterplan to what is basically replicating Monarto on a smaller scale. There’s around an hour between Adelaide/Monarto and with urban sprawl, the two facilities are becoming increasingly linked.

The giraffe in question is a female (Kimya) and she’s 19 years old, so it’s likely she’ll pass within the next few years anyway (if she is untrainable as has been reported).

I appreciate visitors enjoy seeing giraffes; but the attraction of Western lowland gorilla would undoubtedly outweigh them. Sri Lankan leopard would similarly be a greater drawcard than a third Sumatran tiger exhibit. City zoos are generally better predisposed to cater to rainforest species than their open range counterparts, so it makes sense that they do so on every level.
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for real
 
Zoofan15 said:
I don’t think any of us understand the logic behind revising the masterplan to what is basically replicating Monarto on a smaller scale. There’s around an hour between Adelaide/Monarto and with urban sprawl, the two facilities are becoming increasingly linked.

The giraffe in question is a female (Kimya) and she’s 19 years old, so it’s likely she’ll pass within the next few years anyway (if she is untrainable as has been reported).

I appreciate visitors enjoy seeing giraffes; but the attraction of Western lowland gorilla would undoubtedly outweigh them. Sri Lankan leopard would similarly be a greater drawcard than a third Sumatran tiger exhibit. City zoos are generally better predisposed to cater to rainforest species than their open range counterparts, so it makes sense that they do so on every level.
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The old plan had a good African area with a mix of rainforest and savannah animals, so they can still have lions and gorillas, both popular species. I'd assume it's the small Aussie gorilla population that also scared them off their gorilla plans but it is definitely going to be worth it to import some. Perhaps a smaller savannah exhibit with spare hoofstock from Monarto would work, while leaving giraffes for Monarto. Sri Lankan leopards may be in only 2 zoos for now but they're hopefully due to have a good future in Aus compared to sun bears at least

Since the plan still lists animals that only have a few old individuals left like dusky langurs and Malayan tapir that I doubt they'll continue with, I'd guess it'll probably be prone to change but a more knowledgable Zoochatter can give their 2 cents on that
 
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