Last Wednesday all zoos in The Netherlands were allowed to reopen, so I had to go to Artis.
Quite a lot had changed since my last visit; new species, new animals (of already present species), species that sadly left the collection and a lot of construction sites.
Here is a brief overview of what I saw.
New species:
Atleast two new species have arrived at Artis since my last visit.
- In the Apenhuis/forest house a group of Brazilian tanagers (Ramphocelus bresilius) can be found in a separate quarantine aviary. Eventually they will be released into the walkthrough area.
- In the Vogelhuis/Bird house 2.1 Greater hill mynas (Gracula religiosa intermedia) are kept in one of the separate aviaries in the tropical part.
New animals:
- A male Lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) has arrived to accompany the already present female! Hopefully this will lead to offspring, last birth was in 2014...
Currently they are kept in the former Malayan tapir enclosure (next to the gorilla's), their old enclosure is getting a few upgrades.
- Also a male Malaysian Great Argus (Argusianus argus argus) has arrived to accompany the lone female, both can be found in the large (walkthrough) area of tropical part of the Vogelhuis/bird house.
- In the Apenhuis/forest house 3 Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) moved in, Artis already had 1 animal and received one pair. According to a volunteer I talked to, They are currently experimenting with different species in the Apenhuis to see which can actually thrive there.
Disappeared species:
- Sadly the last Pontianak Prevost's squirrel (Callosciurus prevostii borneoensis) passed away, this has both been confirmed by a zookeeper and ZTL.
- As Vogelcommando already mentioned, the last Bactrian camel passed away, I could still see here during a walk by last Friday.
- Not sure if it was mentioned already, but the last (probably of Europe as well) Northern sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps ariel) passed away last year.
- The enclosure of the Mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila) empty and the sign was removed, so I am afraid that this species is no-longer in the collection.
- Lastly I didn't see the Sulawesi black macaques (Macaca nigra) and one of the signs appeared to be missing. Either they were inside or are really gone, but I am not sure (will come back to this)
Construction sites;
- Both the tropical greenhouse (Metzelaarskas) and lemur island were closed, the plants were getting pruned in the greenhouse and it seemed like new trees were getting planted on the lemur island.
- In the reptile house the round terrarium with the gecko species was completly empty and partially demolished. According to a sign the former residences are currently kept behind the scenes. I am very interested in the renovated/reconstructed terrarium, whether they are going to keep the small terrariums or replace it by a large one.
- De Volharding, white building against which the vulture aviary is built, is getting renovated. Therefore the Bennett's wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus) have moved to the Vicuna
(Vicugna vicugna) enclosure, they in return have been moved to the pampa enclosure.
Other news;
- The Pacus (Colossoma macropomum) have indeed moved to the former manatee tank and I also saw 3 Banded Leporinus (Leporinus fasciatus) in the same tank.
- The new insect species in the insectarium, which have been there since before the last lockdown, have received singage. The following species now have signs: Thorny devil stick insects (Eurycantha calcarata) and Halloween hissers (Elliptorhina javanica). I couldn't find the brown rhinoceros beetles (Xylotrupes gideon) anymore and they weren't signed either.
- The Red-legged seriemas (Cariama cristata) have been moved to the large outside aviary at the Apenhuis.