Causticjay
Member
Wow sorry, I totally misread that. I thought it said previously kept at Mt. Bruce but no longer kept in NZ.
Birds In New Zealand Zoos
- Thread starter Chlidonias
- Start date
Some comments about former holdings:
-If Brooklands Zoo's Mulloka is indeed still kept there, then he certainly isn't on display. In fact, I can't find anything online that suggests that he was still at Brooklands after 2018. This means that of the three or four Brolga in NZ that are still alive, only one of them can actually be seen by zoo visitors.
-Staglands certainly no longer has North Island Kākā. The last one that was held there, Monty, was 50 years old at the time of his death in September 2020, likely making him among the oldest of his subspecies (and species) at that time.
-Staglands certainly does not have any Weka on display and I think that it is very unlikely that there are any Weka off-display there either.
-Ngā Manu's ex-pet Western Weka, Russell, has died.
-I recently came across a claim that Siamese Fireback Pheasant existed in NZ aviculture in the recent past. The person who said this seemed to know what they were talking about, as they mentioned Kalij Pheasant as another species that is no longer kept here. And this was definitely about NZ; not Australia.
-If Brooklands Zoo's Mulloka is indeed still kept there, then he certainly isn't on display. In fact, I can't find anything online that suggests that he was still at Brooklands after 2018. This means that of the three or four Brolga in NZ that are still alive, only one of them can actually be seen by zoo visitors.
-Staglands certainly no longer has North Island Kākā. The last one that was held there, Monty, was 50 years old at the time of his death in September 2020, likely making him among the oldest of his subspecies (and species) at that time.
-Staglands certainly does not have any Weka on display and I think that it is very unlikely that there are any Weka off-display there either.
-Ngā Manu's ex-pet Western Weka, Russell, has died.
-I recently came across a claim that Siamese Fireback Pheasant existed in NZ aviculture in the recent past. The person who said this seemed to know what they were talking about, as they mentioned Kalij Pheasant as another species that is no longer kept here. And this was definitely about NZ; not Australia.
Hamilton Zoo - Himalayan monal update:
I enquired about Hamilton Zoo’s Himalayan monal on my visit this week. The male passed away due to old age, but the female is still alive and held off display. She’s since been joined by a male (I’m not sure if he came from Wellington Zoo or a private holder) for companionship purposes.
Willowbank have hatched a Takahē chick from the breeding pair they received in 2021: Log in to Facebook | Facebook
Kahurangi has died, meaning that the North Island Kōkako is now extinct in long-term captivity.
Pūkaha Mourn Loss Of Kahurangi, Famous Kōkako | Scoop News
Pūkaha Mourn Loss Of Kahurangi, Famous Kōkako | Scoop News
Mt. Bruce no longer holds Stitchbird. Confirmed via email.
Wellington Zoo currently does not hold kiwi:
From socials:
On Wednesday last week, Tūārangi the Kiwi left Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo for Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird Park where she will participate in a managed breeding programme to strengthen Kiwi populations.
On the same day that Tūārangi moved to Otorohanga, our Keepers noticed that Rāwhiti the Kiwi was showing signs of sickness after being off her food for 2-3 days. Rāwhiti was rushed to Te Kōhanga where our Veterinary team performed x-rays and found a small fragment of wire in her stomach. She was taken to Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital for surgery, where it was discovered that the metal fragment had caused a severe infection that had already spread around her body. Our Veterinary team made the difficult decision to euthanize her on medical grounds, rather than subject her to a very risky and painful recovery with a low chance of survival.
In light of this news, there aren’t any Kiwi living at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo for the moment. We’re waiting to hear when this will change, and we’ll let you know as soon as we can.
From socials:
On Wednesday last week, Tūārangi the Kiwi left Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo for Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird Park where she will participate in a managed breeding programme to strengthen Kiwi populations.
On the same day that Tūārangi moved to Otorohanga, our Keepers noticed that Rāwhiti the Kiwi was showing signs of sickness after being off her food for 2-3 days. Rāwhiti was rushed to Te Kōhanga where our Veterinary team performed x-rays and found a small fragment of wire in her stomach. She was taken to Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital for surgery, where it was discovered that the metal fragment had caused a severe infection that had already spread around her body. Our Veterinary team made the difficult decision to euthanize her on medical grounds, rather than subject her to a very risky and painful recovery with a low chance of survival.
In light of this news, there aren’t any Kiwi living at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo for the moment. We’re waiting to hear when this will change, and we’ll let you know as soon as we can.
Wellington Zoo has an Adélie penguin:
From socials:
Well, this is a first! Over the weekend this Adélie Penguin was found on Petone Beach by a Department of Conservation ranger and brought to Te Kōhanga The Nest for a health check. This feisty girl was spotted on an off-leash dog walking area of the beach, where she could have been at significant risk from curious or excitable pets.
For the time being, this gorgeous Adélie is staying in quarantine at Te Kōhanga due to the risk of new Antarctic pathogens that she could have brought in with her. Naturally, she isn’t thrilled to be so far from home and our Team at Te Kōhanga is doing an amazing job of keeping her calm and cool.
When she’s ready, our Vet team will carry out a full health check and develop a plan for treating her and getting her safely home.
From socials:
Well, this is a first! Over the weekend this Adélie Penguin was found on Petone Beach by a Department of Conservation ranger and brought to Te Kōhanga The Nest for a health check. This feisty girl was spotted on an off-leash dog walking area of the beach, where she could have been at significant risk from curious or excitable pets.
For the time being, this gorgeous Adélie is staying in quarantine at Te Kōhanga due to the risk of new Antarctic pathogens that she could have brought in with her. Naturally, she isn’t thrilled to be so far from home and our Team at Te Kōhanga is doing an amazing job of keeping her calm and cool.
When she’s ready, our Vet team will carry out a full health check and develop a plan for treating her and getting her safely home.
I can't comment as to how reliable this is, but this page says that the Brolga that was at Brooklands Zoo died in February 2020. Strangely the page also says that Brooklands received Red-crowned Kākāriki in 2021, though I definitely did not see that species (or anything indicating that they are kept at Brooklands) when I visited the zoo last year.
Pukekura park - brooklands zoo - Pukekura Park History
Pukekura park - brooklands zoo - Pukekura Park History
That sounds likely as it was my understanding the following are the only Brolga in the country:
1.0 Bolga (1982) - Auckland Zoo
1.0 Iraga (2005) - Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Kirra (2014) - Hamilton Zoo
Fingers crossed the Hamilton Zoo pair will successfully breed. They have a fantastic exhibit that they’ve recently moved into.
Hamilton now have North Island Saddleback in their walkthrough aviary - shown in a video on their FB page.
According to a recent online message (reply to a review) from the West Coast Wildlife Centre, the Department of Conservation are not currently removing Rowi eggs from the wild for them to be incubated in captivity. The centre's website and social media also say that the Kiwi that they currently hold are two North Island Brown Kiwi.
I also noticed that the website of the West Coast Wildlife Centre includes the following passage on this page:
This could mean that the West Coast Wildlife Centre will become a holder of Little Blue Penguin in the future.
I also noticed that the website of the West Coast Wildlife Centre includes the following passage on this page:
This could mean that the West Coast Wildlife Centre will become a holder of Little Blue Penguin in the future.
ElephasMaximus
Well-Known Member
I wonder what the legal status of the King and Gentoo penguins at Kelly Tarltons is? They aren't mentioned on the Live Import list or the EPA's list of Animals Present in NZ, and they have no valid IHS. Are they covered by any legislation surrounding native species, given that both species naturally occur around NZ coasts as vagrants? The colony at Kelly Tarltons is doing well, but given how long it's been since the last imports I imagine that they'd want to bring in some new blood at some point in the near-to-mid future.
There’s an interesting document about Kelly Tarlton’s penguins here:
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/site...ollectiondocuments/ba/memos/2008/2008_01a.pdf
The penguins are housed in what’s termed a ‘closed environment’. Staff undergo garment changes before working within the exhibit and foot baths are used at each entry point within the facility. The penguins are not exposed to other animals.
The founders were 20 Emperor penguins from Sea World San Antonio (1994); and 29 Gentoo penguins from Edinburgh Zoo (1995). Breeding records are on Page 27 and export records are on Page 28 (albeit only until 2007). The tables demonstrate sufficient numbers to maintain flock numbers, with surplus for export. A total of 110 penguins (11 King and 99 Gentoo) were exported between 2000-2007.
Given the lifespan of the King penguin is up to 40 years, it’s entirely possible some of the founders are still alive and breeding. There will be countless matches to be made from first, second and third generation birds over the coming decades before inbreeding becomes a concern (though it’s reasonable to assume a degree of relatedness between the founders).
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ElephasMaximus
Well-Known Member
Interesting! It's almost as if the penguins have been kept in continuous quarantine since they arrived in the 90s. And I didn't realise they started off with quite so much genetic diversity. It does look like they won't have to worry about inbreeding for a while.
I couldn't find any documentation about their original import into NZ, but I did find this: https://www.epa.govt.nz/database-search/hsno-application-register/view/PNZ1000207
The actual document doesn't seem to be there, but it looks like in 2014 Kelly Tarltons applied to the EPA to determine if Southern Rockhopper Penguins were a "new organism" - the technical term for species that were not present in the country before 29 July 1998. All zoo animals are legally considered new organisms even if they were present in the country before 1998. The EPA determined they were not new organisms, and had them added to the list of Animals Determined to be Present, possibly because rockhopper penguins occur as vagrants on our coasts semi-regularly.
This application was made more than 10 years ago, and nothing seems to have come of it for whatever reason, but it shows that Kelly Tarltons was looking into the possibility of importing yet another species of penguin into the country. It also suggests that if they ever want to bring new stocks of Kings and Gentoos into the country to replenish their existing colony, they are willing to apply to the government and the government is willing to listen, so I don't think we have to worry about the colony dwindling down to nothing. Interestingly, although not legally considered zoo animals, animals on the Determined to be Present list are legally allowed to be kept in captivity, so if Kelly Tarltons or any other institution in the country wanted to import rockhoppers, they would only need to apply for an IHS.
A captive holding for this thread that may have been overlooked is that Mt. Bruce received a pair of North Island Saddleback from Auckland Zoo in October 2019. A video that was posted to Mt. Bruce's Facebook page earlier this month showed that both of these birds were still alive.
Our Newest Arrival | Pūkaha Wildlife Centre
Our Newest Arrival | Pūkaha Wildlife Centre
I think that the time has come to consider the possibility that the Australian Shelduck may now be very rare in captivity in New Zealand.
Earlier in the 21st century, there were still at least a few animal collections in NZ that could be visited and which held at least one Australian Shelduck each. The ones that I know of are Hamilton Zoo, The Parrot Ranch (appointment only and now closed), Staglands, Wellington Zoo, and possibly Ōtorohanga Kiwi House.
Of the four of those places that are still open, none of them definitely still hold Australian Shelduck.
Wellington Zoo held at least one pair of Australian Shelduck in the late 2000s and even produced some ducklings from them during that time, but by 2014 (likely earlier), the Australian Shelduck was completely gone from Wellington Zoo. Presumably they were victims of the collection's dramatic expulsion of birds that Wellington Zoo had well underway by the mid-2010s.
Staglands had one pair of Australian Shelduck until at least 2014. The female was gone by early 2016, and the male was gone by early 2023. The Australian Shelduck was no longer signed anywhere within Staglands by March 2024.
I think that Hamilton Zoo is the most likely of the above zoos to still have Australian Shelduck. Hamilton Zoo still held one individual in 2021. The Australian Shelduck was also featured on Hamilton Zoo's website at that time, however, and this is no longer the case.
How common the Australian Shelduck is in private NZ aviculture is harder to gauge. For what it's worth, I have seen the Australian Shelduck being sold online from a New Zealand location just one time: someone on TradeMe was selling three adults (I think 2.1) approximately ten years ago.
The Australian Shelduck is a frequent vagrant to New Zealand; at least one is reported from the wild in most years. Perhaps one day, one of these vagrants will require rescuing, and will then receive medical treatment at a zoo here. Apart from that, I am unsure whether I can expect for the Australian Shelduck to be kept in a New Zealand zoo again.
Earlier in the 21st century, there were still at least a few animal collections in NZ that could be visited and which held at least one Australian Shelduck each. The ones that I know of are Hamilton Zoo, The Parrot Ranch (appointment only and now closed), Staglands, Wellington Zoo, and possibly Ōtorohanga Kiwi House.
Of the four of those places that are still open, none of them definitely still hold Australian Shelduck.
Wellington Zoo held at least one pair of Australian Shelduck in the late 2000s and even produced some ducklings from them during that time, but by 2014 (likely earlier), the Australian Shelduck was completely gone from Wellington Zoo. Presumably they were victims of the collection's dramatic expulsion of birds that Wellington Zoo had well underway by the mid-2010s.
Staglands had one pair of Australian Shelduck until at least 2014. The female was gone by early 2016, and the male was gone by early 2023. The Australian Shelduck was no longer signed anywhere within Staglands by March 2024.
I think that Hamilton Zoo is the most likely of the above zoos to still have Australian Shelduck. Hamilton Zoo still held one individual in 2021. The Australian Shelduck was also featured on Hamilton Zoo's website at that time, however, and this is no longer the case.
How common the Australian Shelduck is in private NZ aviculture is harder to gauge. For what it's worth, I have seen the Australian Shelduck being sold online from a New Zealand location just one time: someone on TradeMe was selling three adults (I think 2.1) approximately ten years ago.
The Australian Shelduck is a frequent vagrant to New Zealand; at least one is reported from the wild in most years. Perhaps one day, one of these vagrants will require rescuing, and will then receive medical treatment at a zoo here. Apart from that, I am unsure whether I can expect for the Australian Shelduck to be kept in a New Zealand zoo again.
According to social media, the New Zealand Raptor Trust in Timaru has been approved to hold New Zealand Falcon, and they have arranged to receive a pair of falcons from the Kārearea Falcon Trust in Blenheim. The transfer will go ahead once the Raptor Trust completes construction of an aviary for the two falcons, where it is hoped that the falcons will breed.