I do have a few questions;
- The timeline of their future projects (Africa Oasis and Jewels of Asia more specifically)
- And whether there are plans to import a mate for Obi, and any additional Brazilian Tapirs
Adelaide Zoo Adelaide Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter WhistlingKite24
- Start date
That Aussie Guy
Well-Known Member
Besides what everyone else has mentioned, I'd like to know what the plans are for the animals in the "Small Carnivore Row" and the opposite big cat cages once the servals and fennec foxes pass, and the dingoes are returned to their renovated home.
Though the masterplan indicates a lemur habitat on the site of the small carnivore cages and an expansion of the tiger habitat (via an addition exhibit) onto the site of the old lion exhibit, I’d be interested to know if this is still in the plans.
One of Adelaide’s male tigers is heading overseas and I struggle to see the point of them building a third Sumatran tiger exhibit when the female cubs from the 2022 litter could be transferred to one of the numerous holders with ageing tigers (Sydney Zoo - 1.2 born 2007; Tasmania Zoo - 0.1 born 2008; Perth Zoo - 1.0 born 2008). This would leave Adelaide Zoo with 1.1, which could then be housed in the two existing exhibits.
Female Nepalese red panda dies:
Some very sad news, especially given Mishry’s age.
Staff have advised there was no clear cause of death, suggesting this wasn’t linked to a birth event. I mention this as the zoo had previously announced plans to breed Ravi and Mishry (with cubs in Australasian zoos born December/January).
Beloved red panda dies in Adelaide Zoo | 7NEWS
Adelaide Zoo is in mourning after its only female red panda died after a short illness.
The zoo said five-year-old Mishry’s health “took an unexpected turn” over the weekend and she died on February 2, leaving behind male red panda Ravi.
Some very sad news, especially given Mishry’s age.
Staff have advised there was no clear cause of death, suggesting this wasn’t linked to a birth event. I mention this as the zoo had previously announced plans to breed Ravi and Mishry (with cubs in Australasian zoos born December/January).
Beloved red panda dies in Adelaide Zoo | 7NEWS
Adelaide Zoo is in mourning after its only female red panda died after a short illness.
The zoo said five-year-old Mishry’s health “took an unexpected turn” over the weekend and she died on February 2, leaving behind male red panda Ravi.
One of these young females at Taronga would appear to be the obvious choice given they’re full siblings of Mishry and neither are currently paired with mates:
0.1 Zeya (08/12/2021)
0.1 Daiyu (08/12/2021)
Daiyu previously had an unplanned mating with her sire - resulting in 1.1 cubs born December 2023, who are also expected to transfer out in the near future (presumably to a non-breeding holder).
Mishry, Daiyu and Zeya are the granddaughters of Sagar, a founder imported from India.
Red panda breeding season runs from June to August in the Southern Hemisphere, so they have a few months to arrange a transfer.
I'd presume they'd likely be looking at transferring over one of those two females you mention - Zeya and Daiyu, the younger siblings of Mishry.
There's really no other options regionally, besides maybe 'Hari' at Mogo - who is now three years of age. Her parents recently welcomed another female cub at the end of 2023 so it's possible they'd be looking to move her on soon too.
SpoonieSafari
Member
Seems like at least once a month there’s a big death going on at Adelaide zoo, it’s getting very sad. Mishry was very much a surprise given her age, I hope she didn’t suffer. It would be nice of Adelaide to get another to pair with Ravi but I think their enclosure needs some work first, anytime I see them they’re always pacing the same lines, and the whole aerial walk connection was a fail with one of them escaping.
They’ve had an unfortunate but largely circumstantial run with some high profile older animals such as the African lions - the female of which was the oldest of her species in Australia; in addition to other elderly animals such as their coati.
I personally applaud Zoos SA for their openness in discussing deaths - which are a natural occurrence in zoos and life in general. It’s refreshing to see such transparency from a zoo.
The zoo have an excellent red panda set up (with multiple spaces), which were used to manage the breeding intros last year. The zoo were hoping for cubs this season just been.
Swanson02
Well-Known Member
Adelaide Zoo Visit – 07/02/2025
I visited Adelaide Zoo today with my girlfriend and had a fantastic experience. We arrived at 10:30 AM and stayed until roughly 4:20 PM, easily covering the entire zoo and visiting some exhibits multiple times. It was a relatively warm and very sunny day, with temperatures reaching 28°C and no wind.
We began our visit with the Komodo dragons and reptile house before ambling around the zoo. The zoo was lively, though some areas are starting to look quite tired, with several empty exhibits—particularly the old "Carnivore Row." Additionally, Adelaide has lost a fair number of its aviaries, which is especially noticeable near the giraffe enclosure. The Envirodome also felt quite empty, with four exhibits under renovation.
We attended only one keeper talk, which was for the pandas at around 1:20 PM. It was informative, though the new panda pair were quite inactive due to the heat. The keeper mentioned that adjusting to their personalities compared to Wang Wang and Funi has been a challenge. Yi Lan is apparently a bit of a princess and prefers the leaves over the stalks of bamboo, while Xing Qiu dislikes the heat.
The new capybara enclosure felt very temporary and makeshift, combining the old little penguin exhibit and the former walk-through petting zoo area. Additionally, the absence of lions made the zoo feel a little empty.
Despite these drawbacks, there were plenty of highlights throughout the day:
Overall, Adelaide Zoo remains a lush and beautiful place, but certain areas are in need of refurbishment. Despite this, we had a fantastic day!
Link to Adelaide Zoo Map -
https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Map-of-Adelaide-Zoo.pdf
Otherwise, I visited Adelaide Zoo today with several key questions in mind. Below is all the information I gathered. Any speculation—whether mine or the keepers'—is marked with an (*).
I didn’t ask the questions exactly as listed below, as I didn’t want to overwhelm the keepers with complex or probing inquiries right away. Instead, I tried to gradually draw information from them. For privacy reasons, I have not included any keepers' names. That said, many still asked if I worked with animals or knew another keeper, to which I had to sheepishly reply, "No, I’m just a zoo nerd."
1. Which Sumatran tiger will be exported to the US—Ketambe (2022) or Kembali (2014)?
I received confirmation that young Ketambe (2022) is being sent to the US in 4-5 months. Additionally, one of his sisters is also planned to be transferred regionally in the coming year or so (unsure if for breeding). Therefore I was told Adelaide Zoo will retain 1.2 tigers, which will be housed across three exhibits.
2. A new male colobus following the transfer of their breeding male to Melbourne Zoo?
I was unable to get any information on Colobus transfers/breeding, as I forgot to ask this question! Sorry!
3. Any plans to bring in new female baboons given the tensions between the two adult males?
Adelaide has a troop of seven Hamadryas Baboons. The baboon keeper confirmed that there are no plans to bring in new females.
Tommy, the alpha male, is very aggressive and prone to attacking his females. The birth of infants Jabali and Lily has flipped the troop dynamics, making Tommy highly defensive and protective of them. Djibouti is apparently not as aggressive and has now settled into his role beneath Tommy.
Tommy is easily agitated by guests and frequently throws objects at the glass when visitors make eye contact or shout at him. This behavior has caused repeated cracks in the glass, leading to the enclosure being cordoned off until it can be replaced with a one-way mesh. Additionally, new climbing frames are being constructed to help distract the troop from interactions with the public.
The keeper confirmed that the troop’s move to Monarto is still a couple of years away.
4. The timeline for future projects: African Oasis and Jewels of Asia
African Oasis has been confirmed as the first project to begin construction. The first step will be clearing out the sheds behind the giraffe exhibit, which will then be used to house Giraffes, Ostriches, and Nyala in an expanded space. It will supposedly be one of the largest city-habitats for Giraffe in the country.
The next phase will focus on the lion exhibit, which will include an aerial rock walkway for the lions. The lions for the new exhibit will come from Monarto, which is why the two mature brothers at Adelaide Zoo aren’t being sent elsewhere. All other projects will follow after these two developments.
5. Any plans to import a mate for Obi, and any additional Tapirs? Any other imports/exports?
The keepers were very excited about Hippo IRA being lifted (they mentioned this to me first thing!), but there are no plans for a mate for Obi at this current stage. I was told they may even have to wait for a birth.
However, Adelaide Zoo has already secured a male Brazilian Tapir from Europe, expected to arrive in approximately 6-12 months. They are currently searching for a female Brazilian Tapir to pair with him. This could result in a 2.1 breeding setup with Arturo (*), but if a female is not found, Arturo may be sent elsewhere in the region for breeding (*). Adelaide keepers Additionally confirmed Melbournes plans to import Brazilian Tapir (although they said the same thing about Mandrills to me two years ago)
Additionally, there are discussions about housing the remaining elderly female Tapirs, Malayan Jelita (2000), and Brazilian Chiquita (2002) together for companionship. Both are reportedly lonely and highly anxious following the deaths of their mothers. However, keepers still remain unsure of this idea (*). Have both species ever been housed together?
In the immediate future, Adelaide plans to bring in a 7-8 month-old male Maned Wolf from interstate in the coming weeks. He will hopefully be introduced and housed with 0.1 Ninka (2012). The zoo will continue to hold Maned Wolves but will remain non-breeding. Elderly Ninka was sedated and implanted with a contraceptive this morning (07/02).
Finally, big news! Theoretical talks are happening currently of a collective Giant Anteater import across multiple Australasian city zoos, including Adelaide! That was all I could get but explains the Xenarthran IRA!
6. Any intentions to bring in a female Sumatran Orangutan as a companion or breeding partner for Kluet?
No, unfortunately, any plans to import a female for Kluet were all scrapped a couple of years ago.
Instead, current plans indicate that Kluet will most likely be transferred to Perth for breeding in exchange for another Orangutan (either female or male) (*). I assume ZoosSA feels like they owe Perth a favor after the transfer of Permai (*).
7. Plans for the animals in "Small Carnivore Row" and the opposite big cat cages once the servals and fennec foxes pass?
I received confirmation that the Coatis are being phased out.
However, there was no confirmation on the future of the Fennec Foxes or Servals at Adelaide. However, the Maned Wolf keeper did mention that Monarto might in the future be interested in holding both species. I did receive confirmation that Adelaide Zoo would like to continue to house Binturongs.
Currently, only four of the eight enclosures on "Carnivore Row" are occupied. The whole area, particularly following the passing of the lions, is beginning to look quite tired and run down—similar to the old petting zoo before it was removed.
Sorry for no pictures being present in this post they'll be uploaded later
I visited Adelaide Zoo today with my girlfriend and had a fantastic experience. We arrived at 10:30 AM and stayed until roughly 4:20 PM, easily covering the entire zoo and visiting some exhibits multiple times. It was a relatively warm and very sunny day, with temperatures reaching 28°C and no wind.
We began our visit with the Komodo dragons and reptile house before ambling around the zoo. The zoo was lively, though some areas are starting to look quite tired, with several empty exhibits—particularly the old "Carnivore Row." Additionally, Adelaide has lost a fair number of its aviaries, which is especially noticeable near the giraffe enclosure. The Envirodome also felt quite empty, with four exhibits under renovation.
We attended only one keeper talk, which was for the pandas at around 1:20 PM. It was informative, though the new panda pair were quite inactive due to the heat. The keeper mentioned that adjusting to their personalities compared to Wang Wang and Funi has been a challenge. Yi Lan is apparently a bit of a princess and prefers the leaves over the stalks of bamboo, while Xing Qiu dislikes the heat.
The new capybara enclosure felt very temporary and makeshift, combining the old little penguin exhibit and the former walk-through petting zoo area. Additionally, the absence of lions made the zoo feel a little empty.
Despite these drawbacks, there were plenty of highlights throughout the day:
- Watching Obi and Arturo swim.
- Observing the tamarins being very active in the aerial walkways.
- Seeing how Adelaide's little penguin colony has expanded to an impressive 25-30 individuals.
- Witnessing my first ever active Cape porcupine.
Overall, Adelaide Zoo remains a lush and beautiful place, but certain areas are in need of refurbishment. Despite this, we had a fantastic day!
Link to Adelaide Zoo Map -
https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Map-of-Adelaide-Zoo.pdf
Otherwise, I visited Adelaide Zoo today with several key questions in mind. Below is all the information I gathered. Any speculation—whether mine or the keepers'—is marked with an (*).
I didn’t ask the questions exactly as listed below, as I didn’t want to overwhelm the keepers with complex or probing inquiries right away. Instead, I tried to gradually draw information from them. For privacy reasons, I have not included any keepers' names. That said, many still asked if I worked with animals or knew another keeper, to which I had to sheepishly reply, "No, I’m just a zoo nerd."
1. Which Sumatran tiger will be exported to the US—Ketambe (2022) or Kembali (2014)?
I received confirmation that young Ketambe (2022) is being sent to the US in 4-5 months. Additionally, one of his sisters is also planned to be transferred regionally in the coming year or so (unsure if for breeding). Therefore I was told Adelaide Zoo will retain 1.2 tigers, which will be housed across three exhibits.
2. A new male colobus following the transfer of their breeding male to Melbourne Zoo?
I was unable to get any information on Colobus transfers/breeding, as I forgot to ask this question! Sorry!
3. Any plans to bring in new female baboons given the tensions between the two adult males?
Adelaide has a troop of seven Hamadryas Baboons. The baboon keeper confirmed that there are no plans to bring in new females.
Tommy, the alpha male, is very aggressive and prone to attacking his females. The birth of infants Jabali and Lily has flipped the troop dynamics, making Tommy highly defensive and protective of them. Djibouti is apparently not as aggressive and has now settled into his role beneath Tommy.
Tommy is easily agitated by guests and frequently throws objects at the glass when visitors make eye contact or shout at him. This behavior has caused repeated cracks in the glass, leading to the enclosure being cordoned off until it can be replaced with a one-way mesh. Additionally, new climbing frames are being constructed to help distract the troop from interactions with the public.
The keeper confirmed that the troop’s move to Monarto is still a couple of years away.
4. The timeline for future projects: African Oasis and Jewels of Asia
African Oasis has been confirmed as the first project to begin construction. The first step will be clearing out the sheds behind the giraffe exhibit, which will then be used to house Giraffes, Ostriches, and Nyala in an expanded space. It will supposedly be one of the largest city-habitats for Giraffe in the country.
The next phase will focus on the lion exhibit, which will include an aerial rock walkway for the lions. The lions for the new exhibit will come from Monarto, which is why the two mature brothers at Adelaide Zoo aren’t being sent elsewhere. All other projects will follow after these two developments.
5. Any plans to import a mate for Obi, and any additional Tapirs? Any other imports/exports?
The keepers were very excited about Hippo IRA being lifted (they mentioned this to me first thing!), but there are no plans for a mate for Obi at this current stage. I was told they may even have to wait for a birth.
However, Adelaide Zoo has already secured a male Brazilian Tapir from Europe, expected to arrive in approximately 6-12 months. They are currently searching for a female Brazilian Tapir to pair with him. This could result in a 2.1 breeding setup with Arturo (*), but if a female is not found, Arturo may be sent elsewhere in the region for breeding (*). Adelaide keepers Additionally confirmed Melbournes plans to import Brazilian Tapir (although they said the same thing about Mandrills to me two years ago)
Additionally, there are discussions about housing the remaining elderly female Tapirs, Malayan Jelita (2000), and Brazilian Chiquita (2002) together for companionship. Both are reportedly lonely and highly anxious following the deaths of their mothers. However, keepers still remain unsure of this idea (*). Have both species ever been housed together?
In the immediate future, Adelaide plans to bring in a 7-8 month-old male Maned Wolf from interstate in the coming weeks. He will hopefully be introduced and housed with 0.1 Ninka (2012). The zoo will continue to hold Maned Wolves but will remain non-breeding. Elderly Ninka was sedated and implanted with a contraceptive this morning (07/02).
Finally, big news! Theoretical talks are happening currently of a collective Giant Anteater import across multiple Australasian city zoos, including Adelaide! That was all I could get but explains the Xenarthran IRA!
6. Any intentions to bring in a female Sumatran Orangutan as a companion or breeding partner for Kluet?
No, unfortunately, any plans to import a female for Kluet were all scrapped a couple of years ago.
Instead, current plans indicate that Kluet will most likely be transferred to Perth for breeding in exchange for another Orangutan (either female or male) (*). I assume ZoosSA feels like they owe Perth a favor after the transfer of Permai (*).
7. Plans for the animals in "Small Carnivore Row" and the opposite big cat cages once the servals and fennec foxes pass?
I received confirmation that the Coatis are being phased out.
However, there was no confirmation on the future of the Fennec Foxes or Servals at Adelaide. However, the Maned Wolf keeper did mention that Monarto might in the future be interested in holding both species. I did receive confirmation that Adelaide Zoo would like to continue to house Binturongs.
Currently, only four of the eight enclosures on "Carnivore Row" are occupied. The whole area, particularly following the passing of the lions, is beginning to look quite tired and run down—similar to the old petting zoo before it was removed.
Sorry for no pictures being present in this post they'll be uploaded later
That's a little disappointing that they are not going to import a female Pygmy HippoAdelaide Zoo Visit – 07/02/2025
I visited Adelaide Zoo today with my girlfriend and had a fantastic experience. We arrived at 10:30 AM and stayed until roughly 4:20 PM, easily covering the entire zoo and visiting some exhibits multiple times. It was a relatively warm and very sunny day, with temperatures reaching 28°C and no wind.
We began our visit with the Komodo dragons and reptile house before ambling around the zoo. The zoo was lively, though some areas are starting to look quite tired, with several empty exhibits—particularly the old "Carnivore Row." Additionally, Adelaide has lost a fair number of its aviaries, which is especially noticeable near the giraffe enclosure. The Envirodome also felt quite empty, with four exhibits under renovation.
We attended only one keeper talk, which was for the pandas at around 1:20 PM. It was informative, though the new panda pair were quite inactive due to the heat. The keeper mentioned that adjusting to their personalities compared to Wang Wang and Funi has been a challenge. Yi Lan is apparently a bit of a princess and prefers the leaves over the stalks of bamboo, while Xing Qiu dislikes the heat.
The new capybara enclosure felt very temporary and makeshift, combining the old little penguin exhibit and the former walk-through petting zoo area. Additionally, the absence of lions made the zoo feel a little empty.
Despite these drawbacks, there were plenty of highlights throughout the day:
During my visit, I spoke to four keepers and two volunteers, thoroughly drilling them with questions. The keepers I spoke to primarily worked with maned wolves, baboons/mandrills, tapirs, and tigers. They were very knowledgeable and passionate about their animals.
- Watching Obi and Arturo swim.
- Observing the tamarins being very active in the aerial walkways.
- Seeing how Adelaide's little penguin colony has expanded to an impressive 25-30 individuals.
- Witnessing my first ever active Cape porcupine.
Overall, Adelaide Zoo remains a lush and beautiful place, but certain areas are in need of refurbishment. Despite this, we had a fantastic day!
Link to Adelaide Zoo Map -
https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Map-of-Adelaide-Zoo.pdf
Otherwise, I visited Adelaide Zoo today with several key questions in mind. Below is all the information I gathered. Any speculation—whether mine or the keepers'—is marked with an (*).
I didn’t ask the questions exactly as listed below, as I didn’t want to overwhelm the keepers with complex or probing inquiries right away. Instead, I tried to gradually draw information from them. For privacy reasons, I have not included any keepers' names. That said, many still asked if I worked with animals or knew another keeper, to which I had to sheepishly reply, "No, I’m just a zoo nerd."
1. Which Sumatran tiger will be exported to the US—Ketambe (2022) or Kembali (2014)?
I received confirmation that young Ketambe (2022) is being sent to the US in 4-5 months. Additionally, one of his sisters is also planned to be transferred regionally in the coming year or so (unsure if for breeding). Therefore I was told Adelaide Zoo will retain 1.2 tigers, which will be housed across three exhibits.
2. A new male colobus following the transfer of their breeding male to Melbourne Zoo?
I was unable to get any information on Colobus transfers/breeding, as I forgot to ask this question! Sorry!
3. Any plans to bring in new female baboons given the tensions between the two adult males?
Adelaide has a troop of seven Hamadryas Baboons. The baboon keeper confirmed that there are no plans to bring in new females.
Tommy, the alpha male, is very aggressive and prone to attacking his females. The birth of infants Jabali and Lily has flipped the troop dynamics, making Tommy highly defensive and protective of them. Djibouti is apparently not as aggressive and has now settled into his role beneath Tommy.
Tommy is easily agitated by guests and frequently throws objects at the glass when visitors make eye contact or shout at him. This behavior has caused repeated cracks in the glass, leading to the enclosure being cordoned off until it can be replaced with a one-way mesh. Additionally, new climbing frames are being constructed to help distract the troop from interactions with the public.
The keeper confirmed that the troop’s move to Monarto is still a couple of years away.
4. The timeline for future projects: African Oasis and Jewels of Asia
African Oasis has been confirmed as the first project to begin construction. The first step will be clearing out the sheds behind the giraffe exhibit, which will then be used to house Giraffes, Ostriches, and Nyala in an expanded space. It will supposedly be one of the largest city-habitats for Giraffe in the country.
The next phase will focus on the lion exhibit, which will include an aerial rock walkway for the lions. The lions for the new exhibit will come from Monarto, which is why the two mature brothers at Adelaide Zoo aren’t being sent elsewhere. All other projects will follow after these two developments.
5. Any plans to import a mate for Obi, and any additional Tapirs? Any other imports/exports?
The keepers were very excited about Hippo IRA being lifted (they mentioned this to me first thing!), but there are no plans for a mate for Obi at this current stage. I was told they may even have to wait for a birth.
However, Adelaide Zoo has already secured a male Brazilian Tapir from Europe, expected to arrive in approximately 6-12 months. They are currently searching for a female Brazilian Tapir to pair with him. This could result in a 2.1 breeding setup with Arturo (*), but if a female is not found, Arturo may be sent elsewhere in the region for breeding (*). Adelaide keepers Additionally confirmed Melbournes plans to import Brazilian Tapir (although they said the same thing about Mandrills to me two years ago)
Additionally, there are discussions about housing the remaining elderly female Tapirs, Malayan Jelita (2000), and Brazilian Chiquita (2002) together for companionship. Both are reportedly lonely and highly anxious following the deaths of their mothers. However, keepers still remain unsure of this idea (*). Have both species ever been housed together?
In the immediate future, Adelaide plans to bring in a 7-8 month-old male Maned Wolf from interstate in the coming weeks. He will hopefully be introduced and housed with 0.1 Ninka (2012). The zoo will continue to hold Maned Wolves but will remain non-breeding. Elderly Ninka was sedated and implanted with a contraceptive this morning (07/02).
Finally, big news! Theoretical talks are happening currently of a collective Giant Anteater import across multiple Australasian city zoos, including Adelaide! That was all I could get but explains the Xenarthran IRA!
6. Any intentions to bring in a female Sumatran Orangutan as a companion or breeding partner for Kluet?
No, unfortunately, any plans to import a female for Kluet were all scrapped a couple of years ago.
Instead, current plans indicate that Kluet will most likely be transferred to Perth for breeding in exchange for another Orangutan (either female or male) (*). I assume ZoosSA feels like they owe Perth a favor after the transfer of Permai (*).
7. Plans for the animals in "Small Carnivore Row" and the opposite big cat cages once the servals and fennec foxes pass?
I received confirmation that the Coatis are being phased out.
However, there was no confirmation on the future of the Fennec Foxes or Servals at Adelaide. However, the Maned Wolf keeper did mention that Monarto might in the future be interested in holding both species. I did receive confirmation that Adelaide Zoo would like to continue to house Binturongs.
Currently, only four of the eight enclosures on "Carnivore Row" are occupied. The whole area, particularly following the passing of the lions, is beginning to look quite tired and run down—similar to the old petting zoo before it was removed.
Sorry for no pictures being present in this post they'll be uploaded later
@Swanson02 Thanks so much for all the updates and info for questions everyone wanted to know.
Read online somewhere late last year that area of the zoo was constructed in the late 1970s, so is now over 45 years old and personally havent visited Adelaide Zoo yet unfortunately, but not surprised to hear that the 'Carnivore Row' section is looking tired and run down now.
Read online somewhere late last year that area of the zoo was constructed in the late 1970s, so is now over 45 years old and personally havent visited Adelaide Zoo yet unfortunately, but not surprised to hear that the 'Carnivore Row' section is looking tired and run down now.
Adelaide Zoo Visit – 07/02/2025
I visited Adelaide Zoo today with my girlfriend and had a fantastic experience. We arrived at 10:30 AM and stayed until roughly 4:20 PM, easily covering the entire zoo and visiting some exhibits multiple times. It was a relatively warm and very sunny day, with temperatures reaching 28°C and no wind.
We began our visit with the Komodo dragons and reptile house before ambling around the zoo. The zoo was lively, though some areas are starting to look quite tired, with several empty exhibits—particularly the old "Carnivore Row." Additionally, Adelaide has lost a fair number of its aviaries, which is especially noticeable near the giraffe enclosure. The Envirodome also felt quite empty, with four exhibits under renovation.
We attended only one keeper talk, which was for the pandas at around 1:20 PM. It was informative, though the new panda pair were quite inactive due to the heat. The keeper mentioned that adjusting to their personalities compared to Wang Wang and Funi has been a challenge. Yi Lan is apparently a bit of a princess and prefers the leaves over the stalks of bamboo, while Xing Qiu dislikes the heat.
The new capybara enclosure felt very temporary and makeshift, combining the old little penguin exhibit and the former walk-through petting zoo area. Additionally, the absence of lions made the zoo feel a little empty.
Despite these drawbacks, there were plenty of highlights throughout the day:
During my visit, I spoke to four keepers and two volunteers, thoroughly drilling them with questions. The keepers I spoke to primarily worked with maned wolves, baboons/mandrills, tapirs, and tigers. They were very knowledgeable and passionate about their animals.
- Watching Obi and Arturo swim.
- Observing the tamarins being very active in the aerial walkways.
- Seeing how Adelaide's little penguin colony has expanded to an impressive 25-30 individuals.
- Witnessing my first ever active Cape porcupine.
Overall, Adelaide Zoo remains a lush and beautiful place, but certain areas are in need of refurbishment. Despite this, we had a fantastic day!
Link to Adelaide Zoo Map -
https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Map-of-Adelaide-Zoo.pdf
Otherwise, I visited Adelaide Zoo today with several key questions in mind. Below is all the information I gathered. Any speculation—whether mine or the keepers'—is marked with an (*).
I didn’t ask the questions exactly as listed below, as I didn’t want to overwhelm the keepers with complex or probing inquiries right away. Instead, I tried to gradually draw information from them. For privacy reasons, I have not included any keepers' names. That said, many still asked if I worked with animals or knew another keeper, to which I had to sheepishly reply, "No, I’m just a zoo nerd."
1. Which Sumatran tiger will be exported to the US—Ketambe (2022) or Kembali (2014)?
I received confirmation that young Ketambe (2022) is being sent to the US in 4-5 months. Additionally, one of his sisters is also planned to be transferred regionally in the coming year or so (unsure if for breeding). Therefore I was told Adelaide Zoo will retain 1.2 tigers, which will be housed across three exhibits.
2. A new male colobus following the transfer of their breeding male to Melbourne Zoo?
I was unable to get any information on Colobus transfers/breeding, as I forgot to ask this question! Sorry!
3. Any plans to bring in new female baboons given the tensions between the two adult males?
Adelaide has a troop of seven Hamadryas Baboons. The baboon keeper confirmed that there are no plans to bring in new females.
Tommy, the alpha male, is very aggressive and prone to attacking his females. The birth of infants Jabali and Lily has flipped the troop dynamics, making Tommy highly defensive and protective of them. Djibouti is apparently not as aggressive and has now settled into his role beneath Tommy.
Tommy is easily agitated by guests and frequently throws objects at the glass when visitors make eye contact or shout at him. This behavior has caused repeated cracks in the glass, leading to the enclosure being cordoned off until it can be replaced with a one-way mesh. Additionally, new climbing frames are being constructed to help distract the troop from interactions with the public.
The keeper confirmed that the troop’s move to Monarto is still a couple of years away.
4. The timeline for future projects: African Oasis and Jewels of Asia
African Oasis has been confirmed as the first project to begin construction. The first step will be clearing out the sheds behind the giraffe exhibit, which will then be used to house Giraffes, Ostriches, and Nyala in an expanded space. It will supposedly be one of the largest city-habitats for Giraffe in the country.
The next phase will focus on the lion exhibit, which will include an aerial rock walkway for the lions. The lions for the new exhibit will come from Monarto, which is why the two mature brothers at Adelaide Zoo aren’t being sent elsewhere. All other projects will follow after these two developments.
5. Any plans to import a mate for Obi, and any additional Tapirs? Any other imports/exports?
The keepers were very excited about Hippo IRA being lifted (they mentioned this to me first thing!), but there are no plans for a mate for Obi at this current stage. I was told they may even have to wait for a birth.
However, Adelaide Zoo has already secured a male Brazilian Tapir from Europe, expected to arrive in approximately 6-12 months. They are currently searching for a female Brazilian Tapir to pair with him. This could result in a 2.1 breeding setup with Arturo (*), but if a female is not found, Arturo may be sent elsewhere in the region for breeding (*). Adelaide keepers Additionally confirmed Melbournes plans to import Brazilian Tapir (although they said the same thing about Mandrills to me two years ago)
Additionally, there are discussions about housing the remaining elderly female Tapirs, Malayan Jelita (2000), and Brazilian Chiquita (2002) together for companionship. Both are reportedly lonely and highly anxious following the deaths of their mothers. However, keepers still remain unsure of this idea (*). Have both species ever been housed together?
In the immediate future, Adelaide plans to bring in a 7-8 month-old male Maned Wolf from interstate in the coming weeks. He will hopefully be introduced and housed with 0.1 Ninka (2012). The zoo will continue to hold Maned Wolves but will remain non-breeding. Elderly Ninka was sedated and implanted with a contraceptive this morning (07/02).
Finally, big news! Theoretical talks are happening currently of a collective Giant Anteater import across multiple Australasian city zoos, including Adelaide! That was all I could get but explains the Xenarthran IRA!
6. Any intentions to bring in a female Sumatran Orangutan as a companion or breeding partner for Kluet?
No, unfortunately, any plans to import a female for Kluet were all scrapped a couple of years ago.
Instead, current plans indicate that Kluet will most likely be transferred to Perth for breeding in exchange for another Orangutan (either female or male) (*). I assume ZoosSA feels like they owe Perth a favor after the transfer of Permai (*).
7. Plans for the animals in "Small Carnivore Row" and the opposite big cat cages once the servals and fennec foxes pass?
I received confirmation that the Coatis are being phased out.
However, there was no confirmation on the future of the Fennec Foxes or Servals at Adelaide. However, the Maned Wolf keeper did mention that Monarto might in the future be interested in holding both species. I did receive confirmation that Adelaide Zoo would like to continue to house Binturongs.
Currently, only four of the eight enclosures on "Carnivore Row" are occupied. The whole area, particularly following the passing of the lions, is beginning to look quite tired and run down—similar to the old petting zoo before it was removed.
Sorry for no pictures being present in this post they'll be uploaded later
Thank you for this fantastic comprehensive update @Swanson02. You truly excel at finding out all the information and as with Monarto, I greatly appreciate you taking the time during your visit to find out the answers to our many questions.
It sadly comes as no surprise that Adelaide have no imminent plans to import a female Pygmy hippopotamus. I’ve long been of the opinion it was unlikely given their capacity; and remain of the opinion that waiting for offspring (possibly from a Melbourne import/pairing) would be a better option for the zoo’s long term planning.
That’s a shame Tomkay the baboon continues to show aggression to females (a problem that developed with him as a juvenile). It was theorised it was due his sire’s lack of discipline.
That’s interesting to hear Adelaide could combine their female Brazilian/Malayan tapir. Melbourne previously held them in adjacent exhibits, but I’m not aware of the species previously cohabiting in an Australian zoo.
It appears the male lions Adelaide will be bringing in are Chad and Ruka, who are now four years old. Last I heard the plan was to reintegrate one of the male groups (either them or their father/uncles) with the main pride of lionesses.
Although it’s disappointing Adleade Zoo don’t plan to import a female Sumatran orangutan, I’m thrilled Kluet may get chance to breed at Perth Zoo in the future. It’s been mentioned before he’s a genetically valuable male and sadly has no surviving offspring following Karta’s s losses.
Adelaide Zoo Visit – 07/02/2025
I visited Adelaide Zoo today with my girlfriend and had a fantastic experience. We arrived at 10:30 AM and stayed until roughly 4:20 PM, easily covering the entire zoo and visiting some exhibits multiple times. It was a relatively warm and very sunny day, with temperatures reaching 28°C and no wind.
We began our visit with the Komodo dragons and reptile house before ambling around the zoo. The zoo was lively, though some areas are starting to look quite tired, with several empty exhibits—particularly the old "Carnivore Row." Additionally, Adelaide has lost a fair number of its aviaries, which is especially noticeable near the giraffe enclosure. The Envirodome also felt quite empty, with four exhibits under renovation.
We attended only one keeper talk, which was for the pandas at around 1:20 PM. It was informative, though the new panda pair were quite inactive due to the heat. The keeper mentioned that adjusting to their personalities compared to Wang Wang and Funi has been a challenge. Yi Lan is apparently a bit of a princess and prefers the leaves over the stalks of bamboo, while Xing Qiu dislikes the heat.
The new capybara enclosure felt very temporary and makeshift, combining the old little penguin exhibit and the former walk-through petting zoo area. Additionally, the absence of lions made the zoo feel a little empty.
Despite these drawbacks, there were plenty of highlights throughout the day:
During my visit, I spoke to four keepers and two volunteers, thoroughly drilling them with questions. The keepers I spoke to primarily worked with maned wolves, baboons/mandrills, tapirs, and tigers. They were very knowledgeable and passionate about their animals.
- Watching Obi and Arturo swim.
- Observing the tamarins being very active in the aerial walkways.
- Seeing how Adelaide's little penguin colony has expanded to an impressive 25-30 individuals.
- Witnessing my first ever active Cape porcupine.
Overall, Adelaide Zoo remains a lush and beautiful place, but certain areas are in need of refurbishment. Despite this, we had a fantastic day!
Link to Adelaide Zoo Map -
https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Map-of-Adelaide-Zoo.pdf
Otherwise, I visited Adelaide Zoo today with several key questions in mind. Below is all the information I gathered. Any speculation—whether mine or the keepers'—is marked with an (*).
I didn’t ask the questions exactly as listed below, as I didn’t want to overwhelm the keepers with complex or probing inquiries right away. Instead, I tried to gradually draw information from them. For privacy reasons, I have not included any keepers' names. That said, many still asked if I worked with animals or knew another keeper, to which I had to sheepishly reply, "No, I’m just a zoo nerd."
1. Which Sumatran tiger will be exported to the US—Ketambe (2022) or Kembali (2014)?
I received confirmation that young Ketambe (2022) is being sent to the US in 4-5 months. Additionally, one of his sisters is also planned to be transferred regionally in the coming year or so (unsure if for breeding). Therefore I was told Adelaide Zoo will retain 1.2 tigers, which will be housed across three exhibits.
2. A new male colobus following the transfer of their breeding male to Melbourne Zoo?
I was unable to get any information on Colobus transfers/breeding, as I forgot to ask this question! Sorry!
3. Any plans to bring in new female baboons given the tensions between the two adult males?
Adelaide has a troop of seven Hamadryas Baboons. The baboon keeper confirmed that there are no plans to bring in new females.
Tommy, the alpha male, is very aggressive and prone to attacking his females. The birth of infants Jabali and Lily has flipped the troop dynamics, making Tommy highly defensive and protective of them. Djibouti is apparently not as aggressive and has now settled into his role beneath Tommy.
Tommy is easily agitated by guests and frequently throws objects at the glass when visitors make eye contact or shout at him. This behavior has caused repeated cracks in the glass, leading to the enclosure being cordoned off until it can be replaced with a one-way mesh. Additionally, new climbing frames are being constructed to help distract the troop from interactions with the public.
The keeper confirmed that the troop’s move to Monarto is still a couple of years away.
4. The timeline for future projects: African Oasis and Jewels of Asia
African Oasis has been confirmed as the first project to begin construction. The first step will be clearing out the sheds behind the giraffe exhibit, which will then be used to house Giraffes, Ostriches, and Nyala in an expanded space. It will supposedly be one of the largest city-habitats for Giraffe in the country.
The next phase will focus on the lion exhibit, which will include an aerial rock walkway for the lions. The lions for the new exhibit will come from Monarto, which is why the two mature brothers at Adelaide Zoo aren’t being sent elsewhere. All other projects will follow after these two developments.
5. Any plans to import a mate for Obi, and any additional Tapirs? Any other imports/exports?
The keepers were very excited about Hippo IRA being lifted (they mentioned this to me first thing!), but there are no plans for a mate for Obi at this current stage. I was told they may even have to wait for a birth.
However, Adelaide Zoo has already secured a male Brazilian Tapir from Europe, expected to arrive in approximately 6-12 months. They are currently searching for a female Brazilian Tapir to pair with him. This could result in a 2.1 breeding setup with Arturo (*), but if a female is not found, Arturo may be sent elsewhere in the region for breeding (*). Adelaide keepers Additionally confirmed Melbournes plans to import Brazilian Tapir (although they said the same thing about Mandrills to me two years ago)
Additionally, there are discussions about housing the remaining elderly female Tapirs, Malayan Jelita (2000), and Brazilian Chiquita (2002) together for companionship. Both are reportedly lonely and highly anxious following the deaths of their mothers. However, keepers still remain unsure of this idea (*). Have both species ever been housed together?
In the immediate future, Adelaide plans to bring in a 7-8 month-old male Maned Wolf from interstate in the coming weeks. He will hopefully be introduced and housed with 0.1 Ninka (2012). The zoo will continue to hold Maned Wolves but will remain non-breeding. Elderly Ninka was sedated and implanted with a contraceptive this morning (07/02).
Finally, big news! Theoretical talks are happening currently of a collective Giant Anteater import across multiple Australasian city zoos, including Adelaide! That was all I could get but explains the Xenarthran IRA!
6. Any intentions to bring in a female Sumatran Orangutan as a companion or breeding partner for Kluet?
No, unfortunately, any plans to import a female for Kluet were all scrapped a couple of years ago.
Instead, current plans indicate that Kluet will most likely be transferred to Perth for breeding in exchange for another Orangutan (either female or male) (*). I assume ZoosSA feels like they owe Perth a favor after the transfer of Permai (*).
7. Plans for the animals in "Small Carnivore Row" and the opposite big cat cages once the servals and fennec foxes pass?
I received confirmation that the Coatis are being phased out.
However, there was no confirmation on the future of the Fennec Foxes or Servals at Adelaide. However, the Maned Wolf keeper did mention that Monarto might in the future be interested in holding both species. I did receive confirmation that Adelaide Zoo would like to continue to house Binturongs.
Currently, only four of the eight enclosures on "Carnivore Row" are occupied. The whole area, particularly following the passing of the lions, is beginning to look quite tired and run down—similar to the old petting zoo before it was removed.
Sorry for no pictures being present in this post they'll be uploaded later
Regarding the male Maned wolf that will be coming from an inter-state zoo, these are the following candidates:
1.0 Muchacho - born circa August 2024 at Altina
3.0 Nico, Toco and Rocco - born circa July 2024 at Wildlife HQ
It appears the Wildlife HQ are slightly older, so assuming the 7-8 months statement is correct that could refer to one of the male triplets transferring in either this month (seven months) or next month (eight months).
Again, great inquiring @Swanson02!
The transfer of only one of the daughters seems to indicate breeding. Otherwise I don't see whether they wouldn't transfer both daughters together if they're still compatible. The intention could be to breed from the female remaining at Adelaide in the future or breed from the female being sent to elsewhere. However it's difficult to pinpoint a facility that would be suitable for either of the sisters (even if they weren't to breed). Realistically, if the intention was to breed from the female being sent out, the only option would be to pair her with 'Reggie' (2016) at Orana.
The development of the Giraffe Savannah shouldn't really impact the zoo so I can foresee them beginning work on it this year. Conversely, the Lion complex will involve a lot of moving. All of the native species plus Arturo and the Mara will have to be relocated.
It will be also be interesting to know how many individuals Melbourne are planning to import. If it's say, just a single female, they could theoretically have Arturo return to pair with her. Or a new breeding pair could present opportunities to then a pair a calf of theirs with either Arturo or the new male back at Adelaide.
I haven't heard of those two tapir species ever being held together. It's possible it could be trialed. Tapirs are usually solitary though so not sure how well this would go; even if they are feeling anxious without their mothers. Would be very intriguing if they chose to trial this nonetheless.
Small note, but I always appreciated seeing Arturo swimming in his pool when he was back at Melbourne. He does love swimming so it's no surprise you got to see him doing the same today. It's really fascinating to see how they manage to swim!
That makes sense. I had thought they'd look at breeding from Leeloo who will soon be fourteen but perhaps the plan is to instead pair Ketambe up with Lealoo's young daughter, Lani, who's currently seventeen months old.
The transfer of only one of the daughters seems to indicate breeding. Otherwise I don't see whether they wouldn't transfer both daughters together if they're still compatible. The intention could be to breed from the female remaining at Adelaide in the future or breed from the female being sent to elsewhere. However it's difficult to pinpoint a facility that would be suitable for either of the sisters (even if they weren't to breed). Realistically, if the intention was to breed from the female being sent out, the only option would be to pair her with 'Reggie' (2016) at Orana.
Thanks for the update! I was curious as the masterplan details part of Jewels of Asia as coming beforehand but obviously the loss of the Lions will have impacted on plans. I wonder whether there will still be a phase three of this with habitats for the Colubus, Lemur and Pygmy Hippo as there masterplan also outlines. Or whether this has been scrapped.
The development of the Giraffe Savannah shouldn't really impact the zoo so I can foresee them beginning work on it this year. Conversely, the Lion complex will involve a lot of moving. All of the native species plus Arturo and the Mara will have to be relocated.
That's really good news to hear they've managed to secure a male! I guess when there aren't many options to chose from you just take what you can get and then work from there. It's been almost two decades since the birth of the last Brazilian Tapir in the region (being Arturo in 2006).
It will be also be interesting to know how many individuals Melbourne are planning to import. If it's say, just a single female, they could theoretically have Arturo return to pair with her. Or a new breeding pair could present opportunities to then a pair a calf of theirs with either Arturo or the new male back at Adelaide.
I haven't heard of those two tapir species ever being held together. It's possible it could be trialed. Tapirs are usually solitary though so not sure how well this would go; even if they are feeling anxious without their mothers. Would be very intriguing if they chose to trial this nonetheless.
I think we'll see a lot of the region's zoos taking advantage of the IRA being completed sooner rather than later. Giant Anteaters (and Sloths) are both the most appealing cards out of the draw.
I was able to receive confirmation they do intend to continue with Fennec Foxes but I did wonder whether it was just until their current pair based on the way the answer I received was phrased. They aren't mentioned in the masterplan. It would boost Monarto's collection if they looked at holding both these carnivore species in the future.
I too am at a loss where one of Adelaide’s female Sumatran tiger cubs could be transferred to for breeding. Although Reggie (2016) is her best match, the genetic equivalent of the Adelaide cubs can be found in Hamilton’s female twins, who are only 13 months younger, so I’m tempted to say not Reggie. I was also advised by Auckland’s keepers that Ramah and Zayana could be paired with new mates for their next breeding (with Ramah likely to remain at Auckland). It wouldn’t surprise me if from there that Zayana or Cahya was transferred to Orana for breeding.
Breeding wise, one of Mogo’s males could be a consideration. They’re distantly related and it would be advantageous to see the founder Soraya’s genes continue.
Another possibility is an Adelaide female could be designated for Perth Zoo. When Jaya had an operation in 2018, the prognosis was that he had nine months to live. The staff expressed their gratitude in January 2022 he’d made another four years; and now here we are in 2025! It’s clear he won’t have much longer, so perhaps after a redevelopment of his exhibit, Perth will receive a female from Adelaide. Unless tensions arise in the 0.3 grouping after the export of Ketambe, they will hopefully be able to remain together until this point.
I have never understood why for a small species fennec foxes are so heavily debated. They are equally as popular as meerkats and the exhibit size is of similar sizing. Yet we have zoos with no fennecs and multiple meerkat exhibits.
It would be silly for Adelaide to phase them out, when there is no reason Adelaide and monarto can't hold them. Especially since there is plenty of other cross over species, same goes for serval.
It would be silly for Adelaide to phase them out, when there is no reason Adelaide and monarto can't hold them. Especially since there is plenty of other cross over species, same goes for serval.