Auckland Zoo Auckland Zoo News 2021

[Zoofan15]

What. WHAT. After extending the white rhino and nyala enclosure to the former hippo area, (which arguably is more space than the entire elephant complex), they decide to move the rhinos to the former elephant area anyways? That makes... ZERO sense!

Perhaps a cheap easy simple solution for them

On social media, they said their ‘family group’ of Southern white rhinoceros will be moving into the elephant exhibit. Since they also have a solitary bull rhino (who rotates use of their current exhibit), I hope this was either a throwaway comment or a reference to the lone bull leaving (replacing his recently deceased brother at Altina is an obvious move); as oppose to having two rhino exhibits.

I’m still clinging onto hope that the elephant exhibit being replaced by a rhino exhibit means the rhino exhibit will be replaced by a....(insert anything decent) exhibit. Though the more I think about it, that sounds like double handling. I can see them whacking in a overhead bridge, connecting the two exhibits and calling it Rhino Gorge. You heard it here first.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

1.0 Cape Porcupine has been born to female Alika: Log into Facebook | Facebook

 

[Zoofan15]

1.0 Cape Porcupine has been born to female Alika: Log into Facebook | Facebook

Great news! The second birth to this pair, who welcomed twins last year:

1.0 Ayanfe (18/01/2020) Bruce x Alika
0.1 Arewa (18/01/2020) Bruce x Alika

 

[WhistlingKite24]

A detailed, well-justified video on the elephant move by Auckland's elephant team leader.

Source: Auckland's Zoo Youtube

 

[WhistlingKite24]

A Cotton-top Tamarin was born at Auckland four weeks ago. This gives the zoo a group of nine (1.7.1) tamarins. Auckland's breeding pair were originally imported from Europe (male from Germany and female from Italy):

"Exciting news – there’s a new baby on the block! This wee one was born nearly four weeks ago to parents Mr and Mrs Nuri, who have had a total of seven offspring (that’s three lots of twins as well as this newest baby). Here the family are enjoying some frozen berry enrichment – strawberries and boysenberries are their favourites. We’re not sure of the sex of this mini-monkey yet, but so far these parents have only produced daughters. We’re pleased to say the baby is healthy, strong and moving around a lot. All of the family – mum, dad and siblings - will help to raise the baby and protect it. See if you can catch a glimpse of our family of nine this week!"

 

[Zoofan15]

A Cotton-top Tamarin was born at Auckland four weeks ago. This gives the zoo a group of nine (1.7.1) tamarins. Auckland's breeding pair were originally imported from Europe (male from Germany and female from Italy):

"Exciting news – there’s a new baby on the block! This wee one was born nearly four weeks ago to parents Mr and Mrs Nuri, who have had a total of seven offspring (that’s three lots of twins as well as this newest baby). Here the family are enjoying some frozen berry enrichment – strawberries and boysenberries are their favourites. We’re not sure of the sex of this mini-monkey yet, but so far these parents have only produced daughters. We’re pleased to say the baby is healthy, strong and moving around a lot. All of the family – mum, dad and siblings - will help to raise the baby and protect it. See if you can catch a glimpse of our family of nine this week!"

It’d great to see a thriving breeding colony of this species once again at Auckland Zoo. They have a great exhibit.

Cotton-top tamarins:

1.0 Nuri (07/08/2013)
0.1 Mrs Nuri (15/12/2013)
0.1 Tito (01/06/2018) Nuri x Mrs Nuri
0.1 Monito (01/06/2018) Nuri x Mrs Nuri
0.1 Yara (07/05/2019) Nuri x Mrs Nuri
0.1 Cali (07/05/2019) Nuri x Mrs Nuri
0.1 Nomi (03/12/2019) Nuri x Mrs Nuri
0.1 Sofia (03/12/2019) Nuri x Mrs Nuri
0.0.1 Unnamed (00/07/2021) Nuri x Mrs Nuri

Cotton-top Tamarin Exhibit

• Zoofan15
• 16 Jul 2020
• 2

Photo taken 12/07/2020.

 

[WalkingAgnatha]

Here's the zoo's statement for why the nocturnal house's pest information displays and the majority of the invertebrate enclosures were removed in case anyone was wondering:
"We have moved these pieces out in order to give more space for our visitors. We are working on other ways we can educate our communities on pest control, and as you may have seen, we’ve recently added educational zoo video content to this area that provides great info about our kiwi programme and work with invertebrates in Aotearoa."

 

[ZooNZ]

Auckland Zoo has updated its South East Asia page with expected dates of opening for the Lowlands (December 2021) and Swamp Forest (April 2022). New drone footage also shows the progress of the South East Asia Jungle Track with probably our best looks at the tiger habitat. Excited for this to be finally all done!

 

[Zoofan15]

Vets are trying to save an Olive Ridley sea turtle that washed up on New Zealand shores:

Auckland Zoo vets try new treatment in desperate attempt to save critically ill Olive Ridley sea turtle

 

[Zoofan15]

Galapagos giant tortoises hatchlings on display:

The four Galapagos giant tortoise hatchlings have been moved to their public display crèche and can be viewed when the zoo reopens.

The hatchlings are now eight months old and weigh 130-134 grams each.

 

[Zorro]

Galapagos giant tortoises hatchlings on display:

The four Galapagos giant tortoise hatchlings have been moved to their public display crèche and can be viewed when the zoo reopens.

The hatchlings are now eight months old and weigh 130-134 grams each.

@Kifaru Bwana

 

[Zoofan15]

Tasmanian devil update:

According to the zoo’s social media, three new Tasmanian devils have arrived:

1.0 Nita
0.1 Nawnta
0.1 Luna

In Tasmanian Aboriginal language, Nita means brother; Nawnta means sister.

The zoo’s previous pair, Smiley and Dash, have apparently died or been transferred to either Wellington Zoo or Orana Wildlife Park. Smiley was getting on in years, but Dash was only three years old on her arrival earlier this year from Wellington Zoo.

 

[Zoofan15]

Asian small-clawed otter update:

The father of their all male group (Kanan) has died; while his three youngest sons have now been named - Agus, Hendra and Ika.

The zoo’s current population of this species is 7.0 otters:

1.0 Arif (May 2019) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Ketut (May 2019) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Panuta (Dec 2019) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Budi (Dec 2019) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Agus (Sep 2020) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Hendra (Sep 2020) Kanan x Takumi
1.0 Ika (Sep 2020) Kanan x Takumi

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Three lionesses have been transferred from Werribee Open Range Zoo. Sisters Aziza, Kibibi and Ilola arrived on Tuesday evening giving Auckland Zoo lions once more: Haere mai to Auckland Zoo’s new lions! | Auckland Zoo News

Video:

 

[Zoofan15]

Nepalese red panda update:

Khela and her 21 month old daughter, Dalha, have come into conflict and as a result, Dalha has been given her own territory in the old Nepalese red panda exhibit (a renovated bear pit built in 1922). The zoo advises she may be seen in the trees from the entrance to the South East Asia precinct.

Khela has the upper exhibit (by the otters and vacant tiger exhibit) to herself; with the males (Ramesh and Tashi) presumably sharing or rotating use of the older exhibit (which is divided into two).

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Jamila, the female Southern White Rhino is pregnant. From their social media:

"This #WorldRhinoDay we’ve saved the best news till last – Jamila is pregnant! Our keepers are always observing the animals in our care, making sure they’re healthy and in tip-top shape. Our ungulates keepers watch for specific behavioural signs from both Jamila and Zambezi which indicate that Jamila is going through normal oestrous (reproductive hormone) cycles, though these behaviours can be very subtle. If there is a change to the pattern of behaviours, our keepers know that there is a chance that Jamila has become pregnant however, further investigations are required for confirmation.

Our keepers and veterinarians work closely with NZ-based researcher Dr. Catherine Morrow, who has 20 years of experience performing endocrinology (hormone analysis) on rhino faecal samples. We submit rhino faecal samples over several months and Dr. Morrow can then detect whether Jamila is pregnant, which causes a large increase in progestagens as you can see on the graph below. Once confirmed pregnant, we continue this monitoring to track the baby’s progress through the 16-month gestation (length of pregnancy). We’ll keep you updated as the pregnancy progresses, so please stay tuned!"

 

[Zoofan15]

Jamila, the female Southern White Rhino is pregnant. From their social media:

"This #WorldRhinoDay we’ve saved the best news till last – Jamila is pregnant! Our keepers are always observing the animals in our care, making sure they’re healthy and in tip-top shape. Our ungulates keepers watch for specific behavioural signs from both Jamila and Zambezi which indicate that Jamila is going through normal oestrous (reproductive hormone) cycles, though these behaviours can be very subtle. If there is a change to the pattern of behaviours, our keepers know that there is a chance that Jamila has become pregnant however, further investigations are required for confirmation.

Our keepers and veterinarians work closely with NZ-based researcher Dr. Catherine Morrow, who has 20 years of experience performing endocrinology (hormone analysis) on rhino faecal samples. We submit rhino faecal samples over several months and Dr. Morrow can then detect whether Jamila is pregnant, which causes a large increase in progestagens as you can see on the graph below. Once confirmed pregnant, we continue this monitoring to track the baby’s progress through the 16-month gestation (length of pregnancy). We’ll keep you updated as the pregnancy progresses, so please stay tuned!"

Awesome news! It sounds like she’s in the earlier stages of pregnancy, so the zoo should be welcoming this calf in the second half of 2023.

This will be only the third calf born at Auckland Zoo since this species first arrived from the San Diego Zoo in 1980:

0.1 Kito (26/06/2000) Wild x Mazithi
0.1 Nyah (14/08/2020) Zambezi x Jamila

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland Zoo Updates

Lion pride will be non breeding:

The zoo have confirmed they have no breeding recommendation to obtain a male lion and therefore will be maintaining a pride of three females. A little disappointing, though it explains the decision to import three females.

Lowlands habitat delayed until 2022:

The opening of the next phase of the South East Asia precinct (tigers and otters) has been delayed as construction had to stop during lockdown. They will now be looking at a date in the new year (probably February). The two tiger aerial walkways are now installed, and their mesh covering is close to completion. The tiger walkways are three metres above ground.

Elephant export delayed:

The elephant export has been delayed. No dates have been announced yet for their departure.

 

[WalkingAgnatha]

Lowlands habitat delayed until 2022:

The opening of the next phase of the South East Asia precinct (tigers and otters) has been delayed as construction had to stop during lockdown. They will now be looking at a date in the new year (probably February). The two tiger aerial walkways are now installed, and their mesh covering is close to completion. The tiger walkways are three metres above ground.

What about the dome, will that be delayed even further?

 

[Zoofan15]

What about the dome, will that be delayed even further?

I expect so. It was scheduled for April 2022 (four months after the tigers and otters), so assume next August and you won’t be disappointed. Any more lockdowns and you’ll be looking at next Christmas.

For perspective, here’s the original timeline from 2018: