National Zoo and Aquarium National Zoo and Aquarium News 2025

Zoofan15

Zoofan15

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Update (January 2025)

Update from my friend’s visit:

No porcupines have arrived yet, work is continuing on the exhibit.

New species seen:

Eastern dwarf tree frog (Litoria fallax)
Zebra lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra)
Volitan lionfish (Pterois volitans)
Moon jelly (Aurelia aurita)
 
Interesting article on the zoo’s aquarium, including information on some of the new species:

National Zoo and Aquarium's new display designed around the fact jellyfish are actually 'really bad swimmers' | Riotact

Dora the Pale Octopus “really loves” her clay pots, according to aquarium curator Matt Bolland.

Dora is among several new marine attractions at the National Zoo and Aquarium, which also include a circular jellyfish tank and a temperate saltwater pond full of small sharks and rays.

A few steps away are the first jellyfish species to ever be displayed at the zoo, which also has Matt “really excited”. They’re from Sea World on the Gold Coast, and are now housed in a specially designed circular tank that cycles the water around to help keep the jellyfish moving.
 
Visited today and had a private tour. It has been a few years since my last visit. Some things looked amazing and some changes noted since my last visit (sorry if some things have already been noted)

I also have some questions below

1. No red pandas on display - 2 otters filled one red panda exhibit and a lace monitor filled the other red panda exhibit. A keeper said the otters are destined for Melbourne zoo

2. Blackbuck antelope moved to giraffe yard and llama now fill the old blackbuck yard.

3. Apparently both female zebra are pregnant - very exciting

4. Tree Kangaroos in together, possibly trying to breed them?

5. Didn’t see at agouti on display.

6. A newborn baby Colobus Monkey

I have a few questions however;

Was told their youngest capuchin “Mocha” came from Melbourne zoo as they didn’t have space for her and now lives with NZA capuchins Coco and Santana… but Melbourne zoo don’t have capuchins - does anyone know where she was rescued from?

Was told they rescued a baby eland a few years ago from another zoo as that zoo couldn’t look after the baby? A Desexed male raised with a Angus calf. Does anyone know what zoo he was rescued from?

Was also told a Pygmy marmoset was missing part of its tail, as it was stolen from another zoo and was found entering the illegal pet trade at an airport and then they rescued it… does anyone know more about this story?

To be honest I didn’t like all the “we rescued” this and that stories, some legitimate rescues have occurred such as Otay the Sun Bear in Asia and some dingoes…. But I don’t feel that some of these other animals are true “rescues” more likely trades between zoos…

overall the zoo looks great, a couple of new improvements and new species on the way!
 
scallywag2024 said:
Visited today and had a private tour. It has been a few years since my last visit. Some things looked amazing and some changes noted since my last visit (sorry if some things have already been noted)

I also have some questions below

1. No red pandas on display - 2 otters filled one red panda exhibit and a lace monitor filled the other red panda exhibit. A keeper said the otters are destined for Melbourne zoo

2. Blackbuck antelope moved to giraffe yard and llama now fill the old blackbuck yard.

3. Apparently both female zebra are pregnant - very exciting

4. Tree Kangaroos in together, possibly trying to breed them?

5. Didn’t see at agouti on display.

I have a few questions however;

Was told their youngest capuchin “Mocha” came from Melbourne zoo as they didn’t have space for her and now lives with NZA capuchins Coco and Santana… but Melbourne zoo don’t have capuchins - does anyone know where she was rescued from?

Was told they rescued a baby eland a few years ago from another zoo as that zoo couldn’t look after the baby? A Desexed male raised with a Angus calf. Does anyone know what zoo he was rescued from?

Was also told a Pygmy marmoset was missing part of its tail, as it was stolen from another zoo and was found entering the illegal pet trade at an airport and then they rescued it… does anyone know more about this story?

To be honest I didn’t like all the “we rescued” this and that stories, some legitimate rescues have occurred such as Otay the Sun Bear in Asia and some dingoes…. But I don’t feel that some of these other animals are true “rescues” more likely trades between zoos…

overall the zoo looks great, a couple of new improvements and new species on the way!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the updates!

1.0 Raj the Red Panda passed away in 2023. The zoo's female (Nasapati) lives off display.

Interesting to hear the two otters are destined for Melbourne - Melbourne currently have a group of 4.1 (pair and their three sons). Do you know the sexes of the two otters? I presume they may be the two brothers from the 2020 litter (Basil and Chester). Maybe Paula (2010) has passed and this transfer is to form a bachelor group with the other four boys at Melbourne.

Equally exciting to have two zebra calves expected. Kiva (2017) previously produced a filly last year whilst Johari (2016) last produced a colt in 2023.

Do you know how old 'Mocha' is? Melbourne last held capuchins around six or so years ago. Their last males were sent to Sydney but it's possible Mocha was also an infant born prior to the breeding group being disbanded around ten years ago.

In regards to the Pygmy Marmosets I believe it surrounds this story of a trio taken from Symbio Wildlife Park in 2016 (it was a father, mother and their single offspring);
Pygmy marmosets to be reunited after Australian zoo theft.
 
Jambo said:
Thanks for the updates!

1.0 Raj the Red Panda passed away in 2023. The zoo's female (Nasapati) lives off display.

Interesting to hear the two otters are destined for Melbourne - Melbourne currently have a group of 4.1 (pair and their three sons). Do you know the sexes of the two otters? I presume they may be the two brothers from the 2020 litter (Basil and Chester). Maybe Paula (2010) has passed and this transfer is to form a bachelor group with the other four boys at Melbourne.

Equally exciting to have two zebra calves expected. Kiva (2017) previously produced a filly last year whilst Johari (2016) last produced a colt in 2023.

Do you know how old 'Mocha' is? Melbourne last held capuchins around six or so years ago. Their last males were sent to Sydney but it's possible Mocha was also an infant born prior to the breeding group being disbanded around ten years ago.

In regards to the Pygmy Marmosets I believe it surrounds this story of a trio taken from Symbio Wildlife Park in 2016 (it was a father, mother and their single offspring);
Pygmy marmosets to be reunited after Australian zoo theft.
Click to expand...

the Capuchin was only quite small, not fully grown.. unsure on age… I wouldn’t think 5/6 years… but I’m also no expert.

interesting about the marmoset story!
 
scallywag2024 said:
Visited today and had a private tour. It has been a few years since my last visit. Some things looked amazing and some changes noted since my last visit (sorry if some things have already been noted)

I also have some questions below

1. No red pandas on display - 2 otters filled one red panda exhibit and a lace monitor filled the other red panda exhibit. A keeper said the otters are destined for Melbourne zoo

2. Blackbuck antelope moved to giraffe yard and llama now fill the old blackbuck yard.

3. Apparently both female zebra are pregnant - very exciting

4. Tree Kangaroos in together, possibly trying to breed them?

5. Didn’t see at agouti on display.

6. A newborn baby Colobus Monkey

I have a few questions however;

Was told their youngest capuchin “Mocha” came from Melbourne zoo as they didn’t have space for her and now lives with NZA capuchins Coco and Santana… but Melbourne zoo don’t have capuchins - does anyone know where she was rescued from?

Was told they rescued a baby eland a few years ago from another zoo as that zoo couldn’t look after the baby? A Desexed male raised with a Angus calf. Does anyone know what zoo he was rescued from?

Was also told a Pygmy marmoset was missing part of its tail, as it was stolen from another zoo and was found entering the illegal pet trade at an airport and then they rescued it… does anyone know more about this story?

To be honest I didn’t like all the “we rescued” this and that stories, some legitimate rescues have occurred such as Otay the Sun Bear in Asia and some dingoes…. But I don’t feel that some of these other animals are true “rescues” more likely trades between zoos…

overall the zoo looks great, a couple of new improvements and new species on the way!
Click to expand...

That’s great news to hear a baby colobus has been born - the first since 2023. Parents may the same as the previous infant, Colin and Halle; with a lesser possibility the mother is Halle’s mother, Safi.
Jambo said:
Thanks for the updates!

1.0 Raj the Red Panda passed away in 2023. The zoo's female (Nasapati) lives off display.

Interesting to hear the two otters are destined for Melbourne - Melbourne currently have a group of 4.1 (pair and their three sons). Do you know the sexes of the two otters? I presume they may be the two brothers from the 2020 litter (Basil and Chester). Maybe Paula (2010) has passed and this transfer is to form a bachelor group with the other four boys at Melbourne.

Equally exciting to have two zebra calves expected. Kiva (2017) previously produced a filly last year whilst Johari (2016) last produced a colt in 2023.

Do you know how old 'Mocha' is? Melbourne last held capuchins around six or so years ago. Their last males were sent to Sydney but it's possible Mocha was also an infant born prior to the breeding group being disbanded around ten years ago.

In regards to the Pygmy Marmosets I believe it surrounds this story of a trio taken from Symbio Wildlife Park in 2016 (it was a father, mother and their single offspring);
Pygmy marmosets to be reunited after Australian zoo theft.
Click to expand...

The young male otters transferring to Melbourne Zoo to form a bachelor group is a strong likelihood. Hamilton Zoo successfully introduced a lone male to a young male and female in the 2000’s, though introductions of unrelated males aren’t common.

At one point, Auckland Zoo ran a mother and daughter with a male (who impregnated both of them), so two females transferring to Melbourne is a possibility given the genetic value of Odie, with his family potentially transferring elsewhere (assuming Melbourne don’t wish to hold two groups).

The bachelor scenario is the most space efficient grouping, so that’s what my money is on.
 
True about Halls Gap Zoo for the Capuchin. That makes sense…

the baby colobus is less than 2 weeks old and was living with mum, dad and older sister? Hope that’s helps establishing who is who? Didn’t catch names. There was a seperate exhibit with 3 adults also. So all up we saw 7 colobus across 2 exhibits.
 
scallywag2024 said:
True about Halls Gap Zoo for the Capuchin. That makes sense…

the baby colobus is less than 2 weeks old and was living with mum, dad and older sister? Hope that’s helps establishing who is who? Didn’t catch names. There was a seperate exhibit with 3 adults also. So all up we saw 7 colobus across 2 exhibits.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. That confirms the parents are:

1.0 Colin (2011) Brodie x Clover
0.1 Halle (2015) Indi x Safi

They previously produced a daughter named Aida in October 2023.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Thanks for that. That confirms the parents are:

1.0 Colin (2011) Brodie x Clover
0.1 Halle (2015) Indi x Safi

They previously produced a daughter named Aida in October 2023.
Click to expand...

Tiger91 said:
It's good news to see colobus breeding more! they are a fantastic species and larger groupings always look much better!.
Click to expand...
It would indeed confirm this another offspring to Colin and Halle.

The breeding group apparently live in the Jamala enclosure with the three other Colobus in the on display exhibit next to the Langurs.

Additionally, I found mention of young Mocha arrived to the zoo in 2023 so this rules out her arriving from Melbourne Zoo. She is currently paired with male 'Coco'.
 
Jambo said:
It would indeed confirm this another offspring to Colin and Halle.

The breeding group apparently live in the Jamala enclosure with the three other Colobus in the on display exhibit next to the Langurs.

Additionally, I found mention of young Mocha arrived to the zoo in 2023 so this rules out her arriving from Melbourne Zoo. She is currently paired with male 'Coco'.
Click to expand...

there was Mocha, Santana and Coco all together next to the langurs… so still a bit of a mystery where she was rescued from?
 
scallywag2024 said:
Visited today and had a private tour. It has been a few years since my last visit. Some things looked amazing and some changes noted since my last visit (sorry if some things have already been noted)

I also have some questions below

1. No red pandas on display - 2 otters filled one red panda exhibit and a lace monitor filled the other red panda exhibit. A keeper said the otters are destined for Melbourne zoo

2. Blackbuck antelope moved to giraffe yard and llama now fill the old blackbuck yard.

3. Apparently both female zebra are pregnant - very exciting

4. Tree Kangaroos in together, possibly trying to breed them?

5. Didn’t see at agouti on display.

6. A newborn baby Colobus Monkey

I have a few questions however;

Was told their youngest capuchin “Mocha” came from Melbourne zoo as they didn’t have space for her and now lives with NZA capuchins Coco and Santana… but Melbourne zoo don’t have capuchins - does anyone know where she was rescued from?

Was told they rescued a baby eland a few years ago from another zoo as that zoo couldn’t look after the baby? A Desexed male raised with a Angus calf. Does anyone know what zoo he was rescued from?

Was also told a Pygmy marmoset was missing part of its tail, as it was stolen from another zoo and was found entering the illegal pet trade at an airport and then they rescued it… does anyone know more about this story?

To be honest I didn’t like all the “we rescued” this and that stories, some legitimate rescues have occurred such as Otay the Sun Bear in Asia and some dingoes…. But I don’t feel that some of these other animals are true “rescues” more likely trades between zoos…

overall the zoo looks great, a couple of new improvements and new species on the way!
Click to expand...

Questions answered -

Last agouti were transferred out a little while ago.

Otters are Basil and Josey (2020), and are destined for Billabong Zoo, not Melbourne. Not sure where that came from. Basil had several fights with his dad Bal, causing the split.

Tree Roos attempt breeding whenever possible, but no confirmed pregnancies with Simbu (2009, Currumbin) as the sire. Oumak (2009, Melbourne) previously had a joey with another male.

Mocha (2020) came from Shoalhaven Zoo, one of many babies there. Not sure where Melbourne came from again! Santana is from Perth, and none of them have future breeding plans in the trio.

Eland is Mkhulu (2020) from Altina, he was rejected due to a messy birth and indeed handraised with an Angus bull. Altina didn’t want to retain and handraise him themselves, to my knowledge.

Adora (2016) the Pygmy Marmoset is indeed the female stolen from Symbio and later rescued, although her tail was amputated due to being necrotic before the theft.

Hope this clears some up.
 
baekho100 said:
Otters are Basil and Josey (2020), and are destined for Billabong Zoo, not Melbourne. Not sure where that came from. Basil had several fights with his dad Bal, causing the split.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the confirmation. It's really good to also hear there will be another regional holder for Asian Short Clawed Otters - as Billabong don't currently have the species.

Presumably they intend to keep the brothers as a non breeding bachelor pair.

Do you know if there are any further breeding plans for their current pair (Bal and Pai)?
 
Jambo said:
Thanks for the confirmation. It's really good to also hear there will be another regional holder for Asian Short Clawed Otters - as Billabong don't currently have the species.

Presumably they intend to keep the brothers as a non breeding bachelor pair.
Click to expand...

The export has been in the works a while now, put down to Billabong constructing a purpose built enclosure. It is taking ridiculously long though. Basil is male with Josey being female, so they could pair with others in the future perhaps.
 
baekho100 said:
The export has been in the works a while now, put down to Billabong constructing a purpose built enclosure. It is taking ridiculously long though. Basil is male with Josey being female, so they could pair with others in the future perhaps.
Click to expand...
My mistake, I had thought it was the two males (Basil and Chester) that had been separated together.

Does this mean Chester is still in with his parents?
 
Jambo said:
My mistake, I had thought it was the two males (Basil and Chester) that had been separated together.

Does this mean Chester is still in with his parents?
Click to expand...

He is, and is doing quite well with them. There is no recommendation for another breeding between the parents, however, and Pai (F) is on 12 month contraception implants.
I believe Chester took his Dad’s side during the scraps with Basil.
 
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