Auckland Zoo Auckland Zoo News 2014

exciting news!! It will be interesting to see/hear about the surrounding area (if there are any aviaries, wallabies, etc).
 
Chlidonias said:
exciting news!! It will be interesting to see/hear about the surrounding area (if there are any aviaries, wallabies, etc).
Click to expand...

I'm fairly sure there won't be any wallabies (except in the existing walkthrough), but hopefully there will be an aviary or two, and the brolgas will be back.
 
The zoo map has been updated online to show the newly opened Tasmanian Devil enclosure - see here: http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/media/56804/auckland-zoo-map.pdf

It shows the path through the Aussie Walkabout and Lorikeet Aviary continuing through the Tasmanian Devil enclosure and joining back up to the Band Rotunda area, with the Brolgas still in their corner enclosure, although it is unclear whether they can be viewed from the path along the stream as they used to be - perhaps a new viewing area has been created? It appears that all the aviaries have been removed, although it is possible that the aviaries nearest the Lorikeet Aviary are still there (but I wouldn't count on it).

It looks like there is just a gap where the Chimpanzee cage was, so perhaps this will be used for Australian bird aviaries in the future? As it stands now, the number of on-display bird species at Auckland Zoo has been significantly reduced, and hopefully some more aviaries are built to remedy this.
 
Auckland Zoo has announced the arrival of a new serval in their newsletter:

Last Saturday our newest family member arrived, 1-year-old female serval Shani came from Boise Zoo in America, and arrived at Auckland Zoo Saturday morning.

She is in quarantine for the next week, and will be given time to settle in - so keep an eye on our social media for updates.
Click to expand...

Also, recent editions of the zoo magazine, including the current issue (with stories on the flamingo and bat babies, among others) are available to read online here: ISSUU - Auckland Zoo
 
does anyone know where (and when) Auckland's male golden lion tamarin Janeiro came from? I'm guessing he was a surplus "retired" animal from Adelaide Zoo because that's where the two females had originated. I haven't been able to find a year of arrival at Auckland for him.

EDIT: found the info: he came from Adelaide Zoo in 2010.
 
Last edited:
Auckland Zoo is closed today due to storm damage overnight.
All of our animals are safe and contained. However trees and branches of trees have come down throughout the Zoo and repair work is currently taking place.
Click to expand...

Source: Auckland Zoo - Auckland Zoo is closed

One of the tall trees by Pridelands has fallen over and seems to of done some damage.
 
Chlidonias said:
was this an extremely bad storm? Apparently the hides at Miranda were destroyed by the wind!
Click to expand...

Quite bad. A truck was blown over on the Harbour Bridge and there was talk about it being closed down. The wind was so loud, kept me awake til about 5 in the morning. Windows smashed at the Henderson train station and trees have fallen onto roads all over Auckland.

I have found another article, which includes a video - Auckland Zoo closed by storm - Story - NZ News - 3 News
 
Annual Review of Zoo 2013-14

An overview of the successes at Auckland Zoo over the last year - nothing hugely exciting, growth in visitors pretty minimal. Perhaps the zoo should open something big soon to boost numbers....

Story here: Zoo numbers continue to grow | Stuff.co.nz

A record number of visitors descended on Auckland Zoo in the past year keeping its volunteers extra busy.

For the third year in a row the zoo increased visitor numbers with more than 717,000 overseas and local visitors recorded between July 2013 and June 30 this year.

This was a growth of 1000 from the previous financial year and 6000 since 2012.

There was also a 20 per cent increase in the number of children going through the gates with 60,000 school children visiting during that time.

Overall visitor satisfaction was 95 per cent, the zoo said.

Volunteer hours also increased by 18 per cent with the team of 253 working more than 42,000 hours.

Acting director Kevin Buley said the increased visitor support would allow them to grow their conservation efforts.

Since it began in 2001 the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund has raised $2.4 million towards saving endangered wildlife and habitats in New Zealand and overseas, it said.

"A lot can happen in a year. We are very proud of what has been achieved and inspired to continue to achieve more in the years to come," Buley said.

Auckland Zoo's annual highlights:

-738 wētā punga were released to Hauraki Gulf sanctuary islands

-The first wildlife species - 40 tīeke (saddleback) and 40 pōpokotea (whitehead), were translocated from Hauturu (Little Barrier Island) to Rotoroa Island as part of the Zoo's partnership with Rotoroa Island Trust to create a unique wildlife reserve on this island

-More than 1500 wētā punga, short-tailed bat twins (a world-first), kaka chicks, and Antipodes Island parakeet chicks were bred

-Successful treatment of two sick kakapo adults and the hand-rearing a kakapo chick

-Notable exotic births included red panda cubs, otter pups, meerkat kits, giraffe, squirrel monkeys, and flamingo chicks- a world first

-A pair of takahe were welcomed from Tiritiri Matangi Island, as well as four Tasmanian devils from Healesville Sanctuary (Australia), a new tiger from Hamilton Zoo, two servals, and endemic Grand skinks and jewelled geckos

-Gained accreditation from the organisation, Be Accessible

-The Zoo-fari initiative continued with more than $100,000 presented to Auckland Zoo to date. The three-year initiative enables more than 10,000 students from Auckland to access a free Auckland Zoo education experience
Click to expand...
 
Male Lion, Ngala has been PTS at the age of 12 following unsuccessful treatment for a ruptured ligament

Auckland Zoo staff are mourning the loss of their only male African lion, who was euthanized this morning.

Twelve-year-old Ngala suffered from a ruptured ligament in his hind quarters 18 months ago and was struggling to recover. Surgery was not an option, due to the type of care that would be required afterwards.
"Ngala also developed arthritis as a result of the instability in this leg," says zoo spokesperson Kate Orgias.

"In addition, his recent lameness further complicated efforts to aid his recovery."

Ngala's weakened state also meant he was more vulnerable to attacks from the zoo's female lions.

"The decision to euthanize Ngala was therefore made in the knowledge that his physical condition would not improve, and his overall welfare and quality of life could not be maintained," says Ms Orgias.

Ngala was one of four African lions at the zoo, and the only male in the pride.

He was one of two males to arrive at Auckland Zoo in 2003 from the Cango Wildlife Ranch in South Africa. The other lion, Lazarus, was transferred to Australia's Taronga Zoo in 2012.
Auckland Zoo does not currently have any plans to import a new male, but may consider it in the future.

Auckland Zoo's male lion euthanized - Story - Environment/Sci - 3 News
 
zooboy28 said:
Just a snippet on the future of the Japanese Garden.

Push for new friendship garden - national | Stuff.co.nz

For previous information on this topic see here: https://www.zoochat.com/community/posts/728887
Click to expand...

The gardens will be rebuilt in Western Springs park, which borders Auckland Zoo.

Story here: Western Springs home to Japanese Garden | Stuff.co.nz

The Fukuoka Friendship Garden controversially removed from Auckland Zoo will be reinstated at a cost of just over $1 million at Western Springs Park - not far from its original location.

The garden was a gift from Auckland's sister city, Japan's Fukuoka 25 years ago.

It was placed inside Auckland Zoo but demolished late last year to make way for a breeding programme for endangered Tasmanian devils.

Auckland's Japanese community strongly opposed the removal.

Mayor Len Brown apologised to the city at a council meeting in January and again at Japan Day on February 23.

Stephanie Hay of the Friends of Fukuoka Friendship Garden group welcomes the decision.

Nine sites were looked at and three were shortlisted - the original zoo site, a section at the top of Old Mill Rd and the Western Springs Park option.

Free entry, foot traffic and the vibe of Western Springs made it the obvious choice, Hay says.

She says the council and its parks department "really stepped up" to the challenge.

"This could've been a disaster," she says.

Hay labelled the garden removal as a "huge insult to Japan" in March.

The garden was originally designed and built by volunteers who travelled from Fukuoka.

It cost between $359,999 and $400,000 and most of the material was gifted by Fukuoka City.

The cost of the new garden is about $1,042,000 and it will be rebuilt over two years, according to council staff.

It will cost $75,000 a year to maintain, including security, rubbish collection and upkeep of bonsai trees.

The Fukuoka Friendship Garden Steering Committee is leading the garden project and will seek funding from the council's strategy and finance group on August 21.

The garden was originally gifted to the former Auckland City Council so alternative sites outside of historic boundaries were not explored.

Auckland will celebrate its 30th year of being a sister city to Fukuoka in 2016.
Click to expand...

Its hard to imagine why they shortlisted the original Auckland Zoo site, now that it is within the new Tasmanian Devil enclosure. Perhaps they more generally shortlisted the Zoo, but the Park is a better place for it I think.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
baby leopard tortoises have been busy hatching at the zoo. Facebook says six have hatched (doesn't say how many eggs total or if there are any still yet unhatched).

Auckland has the only breeders in the country, but offspring from those are found in several other zoos.
 
Auckland Zoo, in conjunction with Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium, is currently caring for three Sea Turtles (one green, two Hawksbill's):

Story here: Team effort for turtle trio in trouble

Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium and Auckland Zoo are hoping three sea turtles that came into their care in critically ill conditions after being rescued off Northland’s west coast in late September will get the second chance at life they deserve.

The ingestion of plastic is the suspected cause of gut impaction in a young male Hawksbill turtle, who today makes a trip from Kelly Tarlton’s to Auckland Zoo for further x-rays and health checks. A second Hawksbill and a green sea turtle have been at the Zoo for initial treatment and support. The second hawksbill will today move to Kelly Tarlton’s now its condition has stabilised. The green sea turtle remains critically ill and its future hangs in the balance.

“When Department of Conservation (DOC) staff brought these turtles down from Dargaville and Kaitaia, they were in a seriously bad way. While they had varying individual problems, they were all severely emaciated, dehydrated, suffering from bacterial infections and covered in algae and barnacles,” says Auckland Zoo senior vet, Dr James Chatterton.

“It’s been a real team effort to get them to where they are now, and we just hope that they’ll make it. Through our work with the Kelly Tarlton’s team last year, we also treated turtles that had ingested plastic.

“It’s pretty distressing to see the impact we humans are having on marine life like this. A recent WWF report suggests 50% of aquatic species have been lost in the past 40 years, with sea turtles one of the most affected, and significantly impacted by plastic in the ocean. Reducing our use of plastic and disposing of it safely is vital,” says Dr Chatterton.

Hawksbill and green sea turtles (both endangered species) are generally found in warmer, tropical waters, but can be washed up onto New Zealand’s shores during colder periods if they are weak and suffering from injury or illness.

Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium curator, Andrew Christie says these turtles often mistake plastics and other rubbish for staple food items like jellyfish and sponges.

“Once they swallow them - this causes a blockage, and begins a slow agonising death.

“These amazing animals are under threat globally. Kelly Tarlton’s and the SEA LIFE Trust take our responsibility to marine wildlife seriously, and are committed to playing our part in their ongoing survival’,” says Mr Christie

Provided the health and rehabilitation of the three sea turtles progresses successfully, Kelly Tarlton’s and the Zoo say they could be released back to the wild later this summer.

The initial triage and ongoing rehabilitation of the turtles is generously supported by the Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Trust.

How you can help sea turtles:
•If you come across a marine turtle on a beach anywhere in New Zealand, contact your local DOC office on 0800 HOT DOC (0800 362 468)
•Get involved: help with a local beach clean-up. Visit Sustainable Coastlines: We love our coasts
•Choose wisely: Use re-usable eco-shopping bags to reduce your use of plastic​
Click to expand...
 
Auckland Zoo's Brolga pair have hatched another chick (this one a female!), according to the Zoo's Facebook page:

Our brolga pair have had a healthy female chick hatch! This little one is very precious as she is (besides her mother) the only female brolga in New Zealand.
Click to expand...
 
I visited Auckland Zoo earlier this week, for the first time in around 14 months. The only major development was the construction of the Tasmanian devil enclosures, but there are a few other changes too:

-The exhibits by the nocturnal house were largely empty, with the only species on display being the flying-foxes and the snake-necked turtle. No exotic birds at all.
-I didn't really notice any change in the newer otter exhibit, the pool doesn't loo any larger to me.
-The tuatara emerging from egg sculpture has disappeared from the Kid's Zoo, and that area seems duller than ever, although there has been an upgrade to the slides.
-The lorikeet aviary looked good, still the same species as always I think, but good numbers of both species and individuals.
-The Tasmanian devil enclosure looks brilliant. I saw a couple of devils in different areas, although views were obscured by the animals sleeping out of direct view. Impressively, the largest sign has the species scientific name in very large letters!
-Unfortunately, all the aviaries in this area are now gone. All of them. The ones that lead out from the lorikeet aviary, the large cockatoo aviary, the lovebird aviary, all have gone. The very old aviary adjacent to the boundary wall, which had small finches & doves in it recently is still there, but totally off-display, and so I don't know if there are any birds left.
-In total, there are now just a handful of exotic birds on display at Auckland Zoo - ostrich, emu, brolga, flamingo, eclectus parrot, sulphur-crested cockatoo, blue & yellow macaw, and the birds in the lorikeet aviary (rainbow lorikeet, musk lorikeet, zebra finch, masked lapwing, crested pigeon, king parrot, ringneck - I think). There was also a sign for North American wood duck, but I didn't see any. Extremely disappointing. That's probably a loss of half the exotic bird species in the last year or two. :(
-The area where the aviaries were (except the cockatoo one) aren't actually within the footprint of the Tasmanian devil enclosure, and with the removal of the Japanese Garden there is now quite a heap of spare space, but its hard to see how that could ever go back on display.
-The brolga chick is on display and looking well.
-The Lizard Lane exhibits have been tidied up and look very good.
-The meerkat exhibit walls have been extended, not sure if they have had issues there?
-Te Wao Nui looked good, and there have been a few additions! In Islands, there are now Moko skinks on display, while the High Country reptiles now include Grand Skinks and Jewelled Gecko alongside the Otago Skinks. The area next to the Forest that used to be used for native species displays is now an interpretive centre for the zoo's conservation work on Rotoroa Island. There are also now Banded Rail in the Forest, while the Blue Ducks were off-display for breeding.
-The hippo pool was completely drained for cleaning, its a good size really, although a mission to clean out - lots of wheelbarrows of muck in there!
-The flamingo chick hatched this year was on display with the rest of the flock, visibly different and standing by itself.
-There is now only one white rhino on display at a time, its a shame they haven't got the bachelor herd to work - means two males must be off-display always.
-The giraffe paddock looks good, five giraffes plus zebra and ostrich!

So mostly good, although the losses in the exotic birds section is very sad.
 
zooboy28 said:
-The meerkat exhibit walls have been extended, not sure if they have had issues there?
Click to expand...

It turns out they have!

Zoo subjected to escapes galore | Stuff.co.nz

Twice in December last year, meerkats scaled a wall to get to a roof they were not supposed to be on, a spokeswoman said.

"Meerkats naturally seek high vantage points in areas where they live to enable them to carry out sentry duty for the rest of their family group."

The zoo made improvements and was planning a new enclosure.
Click to expand...

I wonder if the new enclosure will see the meerkats relocated to Pridelands? I very much hope so!
 
RIP Scuttles

Sad news from Auckland Zoo, Scuttles, the male California Sea Lion, has been PTS. This just leaves Auckland with one California Sea Lion, the only one in the country.

Today we are all feeling the loss of our elderly California sea lion Scuttles, who was euthanased on Friday.

The 23-year-old Scuttles had developing health issues, meaning his welfare and quality of life could not have been maintained. This made humane euthanasia the only decision.

Born at Auckland Zoo in 1991, Scuttles was a great advocacy animal, who engaged visitors to care about his species and the marine environment.

His graceful underwater gymnastics were always a favourite at the viewing window, and will be missed.
Click to expand...
 
zooboy28 said:
Sad news from Auckland Zoo, Scuttles, the male California Sea Lion, has been PTS. This just leaves Auckland with one California Sea Lion, the only one in the country.
Click to expand...
I wonder how long before there are none? The female Kipper was born in 1993 so she's not much younger than Scuttles.
 
Chlidonias said:
I wonder how long before there are none? The female Kipper was born in 1993 so she's not much younger than Scuttles.
Click to expand...

Yes, it will really change the impact of the exhibit when Kipper goes. The Sea Lions are so much bigger and more interesting to watch underwater than the fur seals, so I think the popularity of the exhibit will decline. They should get some Hooker's in. Rescue ones of course.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top