Its a shame that China could not have worked with them to help increase the numbers they had instead of just letting this colony just die out!
Adelaide Zoo Adelaide Zoo News 2021
- Thread starter WhistlingKite24
- Start date
You are right about the financial aspect. I'm sure that is one of the reasons why all the zoos outside China only ever have 1.1. pairs. It wouldn't apply to Australia but in areas with several zoos holding pairs, like Europe, if one zoo was to just house a couple of 'spare' males, instead of a pair, then they could move them temporarily to another zoo at that pair's mating time. They aren't difficult to move and the zoos always know well in advance pretty exactly the timing of oestrus periods for their individual females. Of course this is probably 'pie in the sky' thinking
and I doubt China would comply or be interested in more successful breeding in zoos abroad anyway, which might reduce their 'trade' value.But I remember the ethologist George Schaller describing his observations of a 'mating gathering' in the wild- a quite complex process- and he later commented that the practise of zoo 'pairs' was detrimental to breeding chances. Of course there are exceptions and the occasional pair do prove compatable amd mate and reproduce naturally without stimulation from other males, but they are quite the rarity it seems.
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True. Several males compete for a receptive female and probably this is the key to breeding and mating success.You are right about the financial aspect. I'm sure that is one of the reasons why all the zoos outside China only ever have 1.1. pairs. It wouldn't apply to Australia but in areas with several zoos holding pairs, like Europe, if one zoo was to just house a couple of 'spare' males, instead of a pair, then they could move them temporarily to another zoo at that pair's mating time. They aren't difficult to move and the zoos always know well in advance pretty exactly the timing of oestrus periods for their individual females. Of course this is probably 'pie in the sky' thinking
But I remember the ethologist George Schaller describing his observations of a 'mating gathering' in the wild- a quite complex process- and he later commented that the practise of zoo 'pairs' was detrimental to breeding chances. Of course there are exceptions and the occasional pair do prove compatable amd mate and reproduce naturally without stimulation from other males, but they are quite the rarity it seems.
Adelaide Zoo Annual Report 2020-2021 – a Palm Cockatoo has hatched!!:
Zoos SA recently released their annual report and below I have collated the key information. Annual report [https://www.zoossa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Annual-Report-2020-2021.pdf]:
“Next up in the Master Plan is Adelaide's African Oasis and Aussie Icon projects, with concept designs already developed. Then, several smaller developments will be planned after these two major ones are funded and completed. This next phase of the Master Plan will provide opportunity to connect with Adelaide’s Riverfront precinct along 250 metres of river frontage by transforming the current site occupied by aging back of house infrastructure into valuable exhibit space-connecting directly with the public realm that will provide a point of destination from both inside and outside the Zoo and reinforce our goal to connect people with nature.”
Zoos SA recently released their annual report and below I have collated the key information. Annual report [https://www.zoossa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Annual-Report-2020-2021.pdf]:
- New arrivals have included two Giraffe calves from Monarto, two Dingo pups from Alice Springs. The zoo is also now home to three Fennec Foxes following the arrival of a new male a few months ago. The zoo also recently received in a young Common Wombat.
- Recent births and hatchings have included Red-tailed Phascogales, a Palm Cockatoo, Little Penguins, Quokkas, a Boyd’s Forest Dragon, Southern Forest Dragons, 14 Greater Stick-nest Rats, six Western Swamp Turtles and Southern Purple-spotted Gudgeons. Seven (!) Rose-crowned Fruit Doves also hatched in addition to four Swift Parrots, two Pied Stilts, two Bush Stone-curlews and three Regent Honeyeaters. Brilliant news about the Palm Cockatoo considering only two zoos have them in Australia and Adelaide has the only breeding pair.
- four Adelaide-bred Orange-bellied Parrots were released: “In May 2021, four critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrots born at Adelaide Zoo joined 32 others for release across three sites on the Victorian coast. The birds were released at theSpit Nature Conservation Reserve near Werribee, on the Bellarine Peninsula and on the northern shore of Western Port Bay.”
- Elevated platforms were added to the Giant Panda and Sumatran Tiger exhibits. They have also expanded their Orange-bellied Parrot breeding facilities.
“Next up in the Master Plan is Adelaide's African Oasis and Aussie Icon projects, with concept designs already developed. Then, several smaller developments will be planned after these two major ones are funded and completed. This next phase of the Master Plan will provide opportunity to connect with Adelaide’s Riverfront precinct along 250 metres of river frontage by transforming the current site occupied by aging back of house infrastructure into valuable exhibit space-connecting directly with the public realm that will provide a point of destination from both inside and outside the Zoo and reinforce our goal to connect people with nature.”
A new group of Nicobar Pigeons have moved into the South-east Asian aviary. The post mentions Adelaide Zoo currently has 112 bird species. Information from their social media.
Would Adelaide zoo be the main hub for the species in Australia?.
I would appreciate a collection inventory for the birds. Impressive breeding result with palm cockatoo. Which subspecies kept?
Also, nice about Nicobar pigeon. I thought not many ecotic species could be held!
There is an import ban but species already here are ok. This has led to a slow decline of species available over the last 70 years both in zoos and aviculture.
Palm Cockatoo Update:
Adelaide Zoo currently have four Palm Cockatoos. Their original breeding female, Mrs Ben and three of her offspring - females Seisia, Ruthy and male Bamaga. Ben, their original breeding male that was a wild-born rescue from Cape York has recently moved to Taronga as part of a breeding loan to be paired with their female (which should be female Hoppy). What the annual report didn't mention is that the recent cockatoo chick only survived for five weeks unfortunately due to health issues. There should be a total of six (2.4) Palm Cockatoos across both Australian zoos.
Adelaide Zoo currently have four Palm Cockatoos. Their original breeding female, Mrs Ben and three of her offspring - females Seisia, Ruthy and male Bamaga. Ben, their original breeding male that was a wild-born rescue from Cape York has recently moved to Taronga as part of a breeding loan to be paired with their female (which should be female Hoppy). What the annual report didn't mention is that the recent cockatoo chick only survived for five weeks unfortunately due to health issues. There should be a total of six (2.4) Palm Cockatoos across both Australian zoos.
Actually if I remember it correctly, the loan was the other way, from Taronga to Adelaide, a long time back. It was all but forgotten about till an old hand at I think Taronga mentioned it, so he moved back.
Adelaide have provided a bird-related update on their social media. Keepers have introduced Plum-headed Parakeets, Mandarin Ducks and the aforementioned breeding group of Nicobar Pigeons into the main South-east Asian aviary. Sacred Kingfisher recently moved into the Jewels of Asia aviary as well. The South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (C. b. graptogyne) and Blue-and-Gold Macaw are also now part of their bird show From their social media:
"Birds, birds and more birds. There's been a lot of movement and excitement in Adelaide Zoo’s bird's department. Keeper Chad gives us an update: "Where to start? We've moved birds around from one aviary to another for enrichment and to better mimic their natural habitat. "The South-East Asian Aviary is now home to a lovely breeding group of Nicobar Pigeons, Mandarin Ducks and Plum Headed Parakeets. The Nicobar Pigeon is the closest living relative to the Dodo with striking and shimmering feathers while the Plum Headed Parakeet has a noticeable flash of colour. "Additionally, the Sacred King Fisher has moved to the Jewels of Asia aviary," said Chad. Chad also told us about the two additions to the Flying Colours Bird Show: A South-eastern Red-tailed Black-cockatoo and Iguazu (Iggy) a Blue and Gold Macaw. Classified as endangered in the wild, South-eastern Red-tailed Black-cockatoo are sadly losing their habitats at a rapid rate. Feeding only on the fruit of native Stringybark and Buloke trees, these cockies are struggling to find food after over 62 per cent of their native habitat has been cleared, mostly for agricultural purposes. "The Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo is yet to be named and has joined the free flight team with Banks and Spence."
"Birds, birds and more birds. There's been a lot of movement and excitement in Adelaide Zoo’s bird's department. Keeper Chad gives us an update: "Where to start? We've moved birds around from one aviary to another for enrichment and to better mimic their natural habitat. "The South-East Asian Aviary is now home to a lovely breeding group of Nicobar Pigeons, Mandarin Ducks and Plum Headed Parakeets. The Nicobar Pigeon is the closest living relative to the Dodo with striking and shimmering feathers while the Plum Headed Parakeet has a noticeable flash of colour. "Additionally, the Sacred King Fisher has moved to the Jewels of Asia aviary," said Chad. Chad also told us about the two additions to the Flying Colours Bird Show: A South-eastern Red-tailed Black-cockatoo and Iguazu (Iggy) a Blue and Gold Macaw. Classified as endangered in the wild, South-eastern Red-tailed Black-cockatoo are sadly losing their habitats at a rapid rate. Feeding only on the fruit of native Stringybark and Buloke trees, these cockies are struggling to find food after over 62 per cent of their native habitat has been cleared, mostly for agricultural purposes. "The Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo is yet to be named and has joined the free flight team with Banks and Spence."
Adelaide Zoo have successfully hatched a Black-necked Stork! It seems like Australian zoos are slowly but steadily succeeding with captive breedings as Adelaide now joins Featherdale, Gorge and Wildlife Habitat being the other facilities that have bred this species. The stork chick is on-display next to the nocturnal house. The post also mentions six Swift Parrot chicks and a Tawny Frogmouth chick. Information from their social media.
Wonderful news
Unfortunately the black necked stork chick did not hatch at Adelaide zoo he came from gorge wildlife park
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXigZQmvUt2/?utm_medium=copy_link
Thanks for the correction. Looking back at the post, the wording was a bit ambiguous.
In other news, Adelaide Zoo have opened something novel today - a new aerial tunnel system for their Red Panda. The pathway will eventually allow the pandas to pass through an old fig tree: Log into Facebook | Facebook
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Adelaide Zoo have just finished an interesting livestream with a general tour of the zoo. News mentioned included that a second Pig-nosed Turtle will be displayed in the Envirodome soon (they already have one in the reptile house) and a new penguin exhibit will open soon: Log into Facebook | Facebook
I believe they mentioned they have plans import a mate for the pygmy hippo
They do plan to get a female once the new Pygmy Hippo enclosure opens. Melbourne do too, and have for years, but it’s an incredibly hard process to import one from overseas. It’ll be amazing if Adelaide could achieve this.
We’ll hopefully see a joint import from a few of our zoos as there’s currently four holders and at least another couple hopefully open to housing this species.
I really hope if/when this does occur that more thought is given to management of this species on a long term regional scale. Not just zoo management thinking about what will get their zoo by for the next decade.