Future of New Zealand Zoos (speculation / fantasy)

[ElephasMaximus]

Auckland zoo plans to export their last fur seal and get rid of its pool, which would see pinnipeds phased out of the country entirely. Imports of exotic pinniped species seem unlikely: the only pinnipeds on the Live Import list are California Sea Lions, and not only does this species lack an IHS, the Carnivora IHS released in 2022 did not cover any pinniped species, suggesting that either the government doesn't want them imported or NZ zoos aren't interested.

Taking all this into account, it seems the only way for pinnipeds to reenter NZ zoos would be for a zoo, wildife park, aquarium or even one of the wildlife hospitals scattered around the country to build a facility to rehabilitate injured seals after medical treatment. I imagine it'd be similar to Kelly Tarltons' turtle rehab facility, but of course on a much larger scale. There's a seal hospital in Cornwall that operates under similar principles.

What I want to know is: 1) would such a facility be economically viable, building a massive enclosure solely for animals that are meant to eventually be released back into the wild? 2) Are there any government regulations preventing such a facility from being built? There are many wildlife rescue facilities around the country, but since Marineland closed none of them have treated pinnipeds or tried to build new infrastructure that would allow them to do so. Does this absence come solely from lack of funding, or are there policies preventing it?

I ask this question partly out of curiousity, but mostly because I'm designing a new fictional New Zealand zoo, and I'm trying to work under existing legal constraints. I'd like to include seals in my zoo, but if it's financially or legally impossible I'd have to find an alternative.

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland zoo plans to export their last fur seal and get rid of its pool, which would see pinnipeds phased out of the country entirely. Imports of exotic pinniped species seem unlikely: the only pinnipeds on the Live Import list are California Sea Lions, and not only does this species lack an IHS, the Carnivora IHS released in 2022 did not cover any pinniped species, suggesting that either the government doesn't want them imported or NZ zoos aren't interested.

Taking all this into account, it seems the only way for pinnipeds to reenter NZ zoos would be for a zoo, wildife park, aquarium or even one of the wildlife hospitals scattered around the country to build a facility to rehabilitate injured seals after medical treatment. I imagine it'd be similar to Kelly Tarltons' turtle rehab facility, but of course on a much larger scale. There's a seal hospital in Cornwall that operates under similar principles.

What I want to know is: 1) would such a facility be economically viable, building a massive enclosure solely for animals that are meant to eventually be released back into the wild? 2) Are there any government regulations preventing such a facility from being built? There are many wildlife rescue facilities around the country, but since Marineland closed none of them have treated pinnipeds or tried to build new infrastructure that would allow them to do so. Does this absence come solely from lack of funding, or are there policies preventing it?

I ask this question partly out of curiousity, but mostly because I'm designing a new fictional New Zealand zoo, and I'm trying to work under existing legal constraints. I'd like to include seals in my zoo, but if it's financially or legally impossible I'd have to find an alternative.

Auckland Zoo’s keepers advised me a couple of years ago that the intention was to export their elderly male fur seal overseas (presumably to Sea World, who hold the species). Given his age, I struggle to see this happening at this point in time; but either way, the days of pinnipeds at Auckland Zoo are numbered.

$1.5 million of the $5 million construction costs for the complex were allocated to the life support system (filtration, pumps etc). This is the part at the end of its lifespan and it would appear they don’t see value in paying to upgrade it; though given the value this species brings to the zoo, I’d consider it a worthy investment.

With regards to your idea, I see two potential issues:

1. The appeal it would have for the general public. It’s undeniable that fur seals lack the charisma of sea lions. Auckland’s exhibit has lacked something ever since the California sea lions died. Marineland (which held both sea lions and fur seals) genuinely believed their facility was no longer viable as a tourist attraction once the last dolphin died (leaving them with pinnipeds and penguins). Dolphins are a non-starter, so my concern would be whether there would be sufficient interest in a marine zoo that lacked cetaceans (or even sea lions).

2. The supply of fur seals could be intermittent. I don’t doubt there would be rescue seals coming in (Auckland acquired four within the space of three years), but if the intention/expectation is to release them, the numbers will fluctuate for obvious reasons. Occasionally rescue seals will be deemed unreleasable (Marineland had a few of these). Breeding of these was permitted at Marineland in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, so unless this has changed, that may be an avenue towards expanding numbers/establishing a permanent population. Auckland never bred, but I understand this was due to being at capacity initially (six pinnipeds); and then in recent years, working towards a phase out.

 

[ElephasMaximus]

Auckland Zoo’s keepers advised me a couple of years ago that the intention was to export their elderly male fur seal overseas (presumably to Sea World, who hold the species). Given his age, I struggle to see this happening at this point in time; but either way, the days of pinnipeds at Auckland Zoo are numbered.

$1.5 million of the $5 million construction costs for the complex were allocated to the life support system (filtration, pumps etc). This is the part at the end of its lifespan and it would appear they don’t see value in paying to upgrade it; though given the value this species brings to the zoo, I’d consider it a worthy investment.

With regards to your idea, I see two potential issues:

1. The appeal it would have for the general public. It’s undeniable that fur seals lack the charisma of sea lions. Auckland’s exhibit has lacked something ever since the California sea lions died. Marineland (which held both sea lions and fur seals) genuinely believed their facility was no longer viable as a tourist attraction once the last dolphin died (leaving them with pinnipeds and penguins). Dolphins are a non-starter, so my concern would be whether there would be sufficient interest in a marine zoo that lacked cetaceans (or even sea lions).

2. The supply of fur seals could be intermittent. I don’t doubt there would be rescue seals coming in (Auckland acquired four within the space of three years), but if the intention/expectation is to release them, the numbers will fluctuate for obvious reasons. Occasionally rescue seals will be deemed unreleasable (Marineland had a few of these). Breeding of these was permitted at Marineland in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, so unless this has changed, that may be an avenue towards expanding numbers/establishing a permanent population. Auckland never bred, but I understand this was due to being at capacity initially (six pinnipeds); and then in recent years, working towards a phase out.

I agree with your first point. It's worth noting that the one facility that doesn't rely solely on marine mammals to draw visitors and revenue, Auckland Zoo, still doesn't see upkeep on the enclosure as being worth it financially, so it'd probably be even harder for a smaller wildlife park or a wildlife hospital.

Your second point makes me wonder how zoos and aquariums in Australia source their pinnipeds. I vaguely remember hearing that Melbourne and Taronga mostly take on rescues these days, rather than importing. It may be significant that when it was being set up Sydney Zoo chose Bull Sharks as their marine megafauna of choice, rather than seals, which maybe speaks to reduced availability from rescues.

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree with your first point. It's worth noting that the one facility that doesn't rely solely on marine mammals to draw visitors and revenue, Auckland Zoo, still doesn't see upkeep on the enclosure as being worth it financially, so it'd probably be even harder for a smaller wildlife park or a wildlife hospital.

Your second point makes me wonder how zoos and aquariums in Australia source their pinnipeds. I vaguely remember hearing that Melbourne and Taronga mostly take on rescues these days, rather than importing. It may be significant that when it was being set up Sydney Zoo chose Bull Sharks as their marine megafauna of choice, rather than seals, which maybe speaks to reduced availability from rescues.

Yes, unless there was a reason for people to visit beyond seeing some fur seal exhibits, then I just couldn’t see it being financially viable. Auckland’s fur seal compliments a large collection of exotics; the pinnipeds at Sea World Gold Coast are complimented by dolphins, polar bears etc. within a theme park setting. If space allowed, it could potentially work complimenting an aquarium like Kelly Tarlton’s.

Melbourne have 0.3 fur seals. One was a wild rescue; two came from Marineland Napier (one rescue; one captive bred).

Taronga Zoo have 4.0 California sea lions (imported); 1.5 Australian sea lion; and 3.3 New Zealand fur seal. The latter are mostly captive bred (with a handful of wild rescues). Four New Zealand fur seals have been bred at Taronga within the last five years; while they’ve bred eight Australian sea lions, including two in the past five years.