The ring-tailed lemurs are located just after the exit to 'The Tropics' Alligator enclosure, just opposite the new cotton-top enclosure so they are part of the trail as well. I dont think they are moving elsewhere
The ring-tailed lemurs are located just after the exit to 'The Tropics' Alligator enclosure, just opposite the new cotton-top enclosure so they are part of the trail as well. I dont think they are moving elsewhere
True, and they don't really have anywhere to move to either, theres no other Madagascan species that they could be relocated closer to. Maybe the zoo could relocate the meerkats and porcupine into the pridelands area, near the 'Lions Plaza' in front of the elephant exhibit, to complete that African area, and separate it from the elephants, forcing visitors to take the Hippo River trail after the Pridelands section. The African Greys and lovebirds could also be moved into this area.
The lemurs could then be moved into a new enclosure where the meerkats/old otter enclosure are, and they could get some B&W ruffed lemurs to go in the old bear pits where the tamarins are currently. This would create a nice little Madagascan area below Darwins, which could be complemented by some Madagascan Giant Day Geckos. Then, the trpics could be all South American!
They could then, im rambling rabidly here, link the tigers to the orangs, via the central lake, in a new Asian area. Willow Island could be used to hold siamangs or gibbons? While a nice sun bear exhibit can go between the lake and orangs, in the area of the old otter exhibit (now meerkats) to the old lace monitor exhibit (now meerkats). Put some aviaries up next to the red pandas behind the newer tiger enclosure, and some around the lake or orangs for Asian birds, eg. pheasants, and some of the others near the Aussie walkabout.
The challenge of course, will be linking this precinct to the new elephant exhibit, as it will need a link through the NZ section. Possibly a wide, open feeling tunnel, with Asian reptiles in tanks set in the wall? Not to sure what the species would be though. Alternatively, the tunnel could instead connect the NZ section, ie. the seals to the other side of the stream. This could have an underground kiwi house attached? Great use of space I think! Could also use some spare space (if any available) near the new elephants on the hillside for more asian exhibits, such as axis deer or dhole, both groups (deer and canines) the zoo lacks altogether. They could be displayed nicely on the hill, viewed from a path from below.
Then they just need to fix up the Aussie section to include the areas up to where the brolga are, with nice aviaries, and enclosures for wombats, tassie devils, echidna and koala. Theres certainly enough space down there.
And there you have it, Auckland Zoo's masrterplan which will make it perfect! Hey, its free to dream!
alligators are easier to keep than crocodiles (more tolerant of low temperatures), and there's no good reason I guess for thezoo to keep crocodiles when they've already got the alligators (from the average visitor's point of view they're the same animal anyway).
Koalas are expensive to feed unless you have an on-the-spot eucalyptus plantation for browse. Auckland did actually look into getting koalas many years ago but there would have been cost and quarantine issues with accessing the necessary amounts of leaves.
