@That Aussie Guy Thanks for the update. I’m sad to hear yet another row of aviaries are gone at Adelaide. Your fish is a Southern Purple-spotted Gudgeon.
Adelaide Zoo Adelaide Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter WhistlingKite24
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That Aussie Guy
Well-Known Member
It does indeed appear that Adelaide is getting rid of quite a few aviaries, however it does seem that at least there will be aviaries rebuilt here that are bigger and better for their occupants, rather than the garden supposedly going to replace the old Malleefowl aviaries. I think it would be nice to see the OBP get an upgrade though, as those last aviaries did look quite sad next to the huge aviaries for Palm Cockatoos and other Asian birds a few steps away.
Thank you! If I remember correctly these used to be signed, and once the signage was updated to only show Banded Archerfish I assumed the Purple-Spotted Gudgeons had left, although apparently there are still a few of them hiding in the bottom of the tank.
I hope that is the case. Did the Banded Lapwing, Striped Honeyeater and Superb Fairywren join the other birds in the move?
That Aussie Guy
Well-Known Member
I didn't see any of them, so I'm not sure where they went sorry
Farewell to Elaine Bensted:
It’s clear Elaine has done a fantastic job leading Zoos South Australia during her 12 year tenure. Her leadership and drive has been inspirational and see Monarto especially continue to evolve into one of the world’s best open range zoos. I wish Elaine all the best in her retirement.
From socials:
Today marks the end of an era and a new beginning at Zoos SA, as Elaine Bensted finishes up her 12-year tenure as Zoos SA Chief Executive and Dr Phil Ainsley steps into the role.
Elaine has been an incredible leader since joining us in 2012, and has been the passionate driving force behind extraordinary growth and development at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park, including:
- Doubling Zoos SA membership
- Construction of Adelaide Zoo’s Nature’s Playground and Variety Children’s Zoo
- Lions 360
- Adelaide Zoo’s success as the first ever South Australian winner of the National Tourism Awards – Major Tourist Attraction
- Construction of the Monarto Safari Park Visitor Centre Return of elephants to South Australia for the first time in more than three decades
- Continuing Adelaide Zoo’s contribution to global Giant Panda conservation and research
- 20-year Master Plans for both Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park, and much more
Elaine leaves Zoos SA in a far stronger position than she found it, and passes our iconic brand into safe hands for the future.
Phil has been a part of the Zoos SA story for many years, with his father having worked at Adelaide Zoo as a reptile keeper for nearly 20 years. Phil returned to Zoos SA in 2013 as Conservation Programs Manager, before taking up a Curator role overseeing conservation, birds, reptiles and native species before becoming Director, Adelaide Zoo in 2021.
We wish Elaine all the best in her very well-earned retirement and look forward to continuing the Zoos SA story with Phil at the helm, serving as only the 12th Chief Executive in our 142-year history!"
It’s clear Elaine has done a fantastic job leading Zoos South Australia during her 12 year tenure. Her leadership and drive has been inspirational and see Monarto especially continue to evolve into one of the world’s best open range zoos. I wish Elaine all the best in her retirement.
From socials:
Today marks the end of an era and a new beginning at Zoos SA, as Elaine Bensted finishes up her 12-year tenure as Zoos SA Chief Executive and Dr Phil Ainsley steps into the role.
Elaine has been an incredible leader since joining us in 2012, and has been the passionate driving force behind extraordinary growth and development at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park, including:
- Doubling Zoos SA membership
- Construction of Adelaide Zoo’s Nature’s Playground and Variety Children’s Zoo
- Lions 360
- Adelaide Zoo’s success as the first ever South Australian winner of the National Tourism Awards – Major Tourist Attraction
- Construction of the Monarto Safari Park Visitor Centre Return of elephants to South Australia for the first time in more than three decades
- Continuing Adelaide Zoo’s contribution to global Giant Panda conservation and research
- 20-year Master Plans for both Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park, and much more
Elaine leaves Zoos SA in a far stronger position than she found it, and passes our iconic brand into safe hands for the future.
Phil has been a part of the Zoos SA story for many years, with his father having worked at Adelaide Zoo as a reptile keeper for nearly 20 years. Phil returned to Zoos SA in 2013 as Conservation Programs Manager, before taking up a Curator role overseeing conservation, birds, reptiles and native species before becoming Director, Adelaide Zoo in 2021.
We wish Elaine all the best in her very well-earned retirement and look forward to continuing the Zoos SA story with Phil at the helm, serving as only the 12th Chief Executive in our 142-year history!"
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Brazilian tapir incoming:
The Schmiding Zoo has announced the imminent export of a male Brazilian tapir to Australia (currently scheduled for June 2025).
The male in question is named Lupo and was born October 2022. Lupo will be joined by a female tapir from the Cologne Zoo.
It appears this is the male tapir being imported from Europe you refer to @Swanson02; though acknowledging Melbourne Zoo also intend to import the species in the future.
Absolutely amazing news for the future of this species regionally. These individuals will be the first tapirs to arrive into the region this century, and the first Brazilians in over thirty years!
It would be great for other zoos within the region to also come on board. Melbourne and Darling Downs have both expressed interest so hopefully they jump on the boat. This is a really good start for the resurgence of this species regionally.
Cologne haven't bred this species recently to my knowledge, so it will be interesting to see who the female is and her age (although I doubt they'd acquire a much older female).
Source: https://www.vienna.at/farewell-lupo-tapir-from-zoo-schmiding-moves-to-australia/9365324
Swanson02
Well-Known Member
Fantastic News!!!
I'm very excited
I'd wager Melbourne will be his destination, they currently have a huge vacant elephant complex that isn't making them any money!
Adelaide still has a pair and probably can wait. Either way, I'm fairly convinced we'll have three facilities with new Brazilian imports within the next year or two
I could certainly see that happening! Melbourne Zoo aren’t short on space and are intending to import a pair.
In February you mentioned there was talk of Adelaide Zoo integrating Jelita (2000) the Malayan tapir with Chiquita (2002) the Brazilian tapir, so I wonder whether this would be an option for freeing up one of Adelaide’s three exhibits.
If so, that would allow them to accomodate the male at least - either Lupo; or another male if Lupo is destined for Melbourne Zoo.
That Aussie Guy
Well-Known Member
I spoke to Chiquita's keeper when I visited Adelaide Zoo a few months ago asking about this, and was told that one of the species of tapir (I can't remember which one, sorry!) can carry a disease that is harmless to them, but could be very dangerous for the other species of tapir, so cohabitation is not an option unfortunately
Thanks for sharing, that’s really interesting. I’ve been able to find realms of diseases each species can transmit (most of which you wouldn’t expect to find in Australia however), but not the specific disease that one is an asymptomatic carrier for (but not the other).
The long term health of the zoo’s Brazilian tapir population would be a consideration with new tapir due to be imported; though of course the zoo wouldn’t want to unduly subject their elderly Malayan tapir to any risk either.
Tapir herpesvirus? (Tapirus terrestris gammaherpesvirus) Tapirus terrestris gammaherpesvirus Overview
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Swanson02
Well-Known Member
That's very interesting because I spoke to Arturo's keeper in early Feb and he said this was something they were looking into with Jelita and Chiquita.
maybe they discovered the disease later on?
I do know the keeper teams are different for both species of Tapir. I believe that Jelita's keepers are SE Asia, while Arturo and Chiquita's keepers are South America and Aviaries. Odd because although both species have virtually the same care requirements, the teams that care for them are not the same.
Could be a testable, with testing showing which way they should go, possibly.
In which case it's ironically like elephants.
The Malayan tapir is an elderly animal that won’t be around much longer, so they might as well just let her live out her life. She’s the last of her species in the region, so the potential for spread of disease between Brazilian/Malayan tapirs isn’t an issue Adelaide (or any zoo) will have to worry about in the future.
It may however explain why the keeping teams are different as @Swanson02 notes.
I spend a great deal of the time at AZ, on Wednesday 21st May, Delilah was feeding first thing in the smaller exhibit with the 'hut'. At 10.45am, she was joined by Susu and Marni. All three were soon a sleep on the roof of said hut. Ketambe was in the larger exhibit, entertaining the visitors at the 11am Tiger feed....
That’s interesting as following reports all five of Adelaide’s tigers were living separately earlier this year, Delilah has now been see with first one and now both of her daughters.
It’s possible Delilah has been put on contraception to prolong her tolerance of her daughters into young adulthood. This would tie in with our assumptions she won’t be breeding again. One of her daughters is reportedly scheduled to transfer out in the future; and there’s the long term option to breed from her remaining daughter at Adelaide should capacity allow (third exhibit pending).
Adelaide Zoo no longer has Australia sea lion:
Farewell Ady. I’m grateful to have seen her before her passing last November. Her exhibit was extremely dated, as the zoo have acknowledged; but it was obvious she was well cared for and loved by the zoo’s team. She reached an impressive age!
From socials:
It’s with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Ady, Adelaide Zoo’s beloved Australian Sea Lion. As one of the oldest Australian Sea Lion in the region at 28 years old, and having well surpassed the average lifespan of her species at 15 in the wild and 20 in human care, Ady’s health has been closely monitored for some time.
On Monday, Ady’s dedicated keepers observed signs of discomfort, and our expert veterinary team conducted a thorough health check under anaesthetic which identified significant gastrointestinal and abdominal issues. Adelaide Zoo’s expert animal management team agreed that it was time to let Ady pass gently. She was euthanised late on Monday afternoon.
Ady will be missed greatly by her keepers, who have enjoyed a beautiful relationship with this playful, cheeky and highly intelligent girl. Her joyful spirit has made her a favourite of Adelaide Zoo staff, volunteers and visitors for many years.
Ady - short for Adelaide – was born at Adelaide Zoo in 1997, and after a few years at Sea World she returned home in 2009 and quickly made her way back into the hearts of many across the zoo community.
There will now be some consideration around future plans for Seal Bay. Adelaide Zoo has long said that it would not introduce new sea lions into the Seal Bay habitat in its current form, and this position has not changed. These discussions will take place in the future but for now, the priority is supporting our people through the loss of one of Adelaide Zoo’s most beloved residents. This news is very difficult for Ady’s keepers and all those in our zoo community who loved her. It is particularly hard after saying farewell to our male sea lion, Tasko, in March last year. We ask that you show only kindness and respect for the passing of Ady, and for our keepers, staff and volunteers who are feeling her loss deeply.
Farewell Ady. I’m grateful to have seen her before her passing last November. Her exhibit was extremely dated, as the zoo have acknowledged; but it was obvious she was well cared for and loved by the zoo’s team. She reached an impressive age!
From socials:
It’s with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Ady, Adelaide Zoo’s beloved Australian Sea Lion. As one of the oldest Australian Sea Lion in the region at 28 years old, and having well surpassed the average lifespan of her species at 15 in the wild and 20 in human care, Ady’s health has been closely monitored for some time.
On Monday, Ady’s dedicated keepers observed signs of discomfort, and our expert veterinary team conducted a thorough health check under anaesthetic which identified significant gastrointestinal and abdominal issues. Adelaide Zoo’s expert animal management team agreed that it was time to let Ady pass gently. She was euthanised late on Monday afternoon.
Ady will be missed greatly by her keepers, who have enjoyed a beautiful relationship with this playful, cheeky and highly intelligent girl. Her joyful spirit has made her a favourite of Adelaide Zoo staff, volunteers and visitors for many years.
Ady - short for Adelaide – was born at Adelaide Zoo in 1997, and after a few years at Sea World she returned home in 2009 and quickly made her way back into the hearts of many across the zoo community.
There will now be some consideration around future plans for Seal Bay. Adelaide Zoo has long said that it would not introduce new sea lions into the Seal Bay habitat in its current form, and this position has not changed. These discussions will take place in the future but for now, the priority is supporting our people through the loss of one of Adelaide Zoo’s most beloved residents. This news is very difficult for Ady’s keepers and all those in our zoo community who loved her. It is particularly hard after saying farewell to our male sea lion, Tasko, in March last year. We ask that you show only kindness and respect for the passing of Ady, and for our keepers, staff and volunteers who are feeling her loss deeply.
Very sad news - but she did reach a wonderful age, with the average lifespan of an Australian Sea Lion being only about 20. To my knowledge, this would be a regional record!
It's interesting they specifically mention not introducing Sea Lions to the current habitat, so I'm glad they haven't ruled out holding Sea Lions in the future; perhaps in a new habitat. Although it is important to note that the 'Tropical North' precinct is planned for the site of the current habitat.