Auckland Zoo Auckland Zoo News 2022

[Zoofan15]

Discussion on Plans for Burma’s Exhibit (Part 2)

Personally, I’ve never been in favour of extending the Savannah:

First of all, the expansion of the rhinoceros exhibit (into the old hippopotamus exhibit) has done nothing to enhance the visitor experience. The Nyala and Waterbuck seldom utilise this area and I’ve never seen the rhinos use it on any of my visits. The result is a stream of visitors complaining about never seeing anything from the waterhole viewing shelter.

Second of all, Southern white rhinoceros are are no longer considered crowd-pullers. This species had been at the zoo for 42 years and while the birth of the first calf in 2000 attracted significant visitation, the novelty has worn off -especially with Hamilton Zoo regularly breeding. Compare this to the birth of Bahmi the Bornean orangutan, which has attracted a level of interest like I’ve never seen before. Great apes and big cats are visitor favourites and the extended infant and juvenile phase of great apes means they remain an attraction for years versus a white rhino calf which by six months had matured into a sedate juvenile grazing alongside its mother.

An African forest exhibit could capitalise on the appeal of primates via a Western lowland gorilla or Mandrill troop; but if the African forest concept doesn’t progress beyond discussions, I’d additionally be in favour of a walk through flamingo aviary or expanding the lion facilities into a multi-exhibit complex (with overhead and underground tunnels) to accomodate a large pride.

View of rhinoceros exhibit extension (waterhole viewing shelter):

Savannah Exhibit

• Zoofan15
• 17 Jul 2020
• 1

Photo taken 12/07/2020.

 

[Matt_C]

While the African forest idea would be a neat addition to the zoo, I'd really value the Flamingo flock and then lion pride getting solid investment first. The flamingos are so unique and valuable while everyone loves lions.

Sucks we can't get pygmy hippos. That would almost make up for losing elephants.

 

[Zoofan15]

While the African forest idea would be a neat addition to the zoo, I'd really value the Flamingo flock and then lion pride getting solid investment first. The flamingos are so unique and valuable while everyone loves lions.

Sucks we can't get pygmy hippos. That would almost make up for losing elephants.

I agree the Greater flamingo flock is an asset to the zoo (and the region) and whether it’s in this space or somewhere else, they should definitely look at investing in improved facilities for them to allow for expansion of the flock. The current exhibit already looks cramped and certainly can’t accomodate the minimum 40 birds needed for optimum breeding.

I’ve always thought the current rhinoceros exhibit would be ideal for expanding the lion facilities with overhead tunnels and underground tunnels linking it to the existing Lion Hill exhibit and wondered if this could be an option when I heard the rhinos were moving to the elephant exhibit at the start of last year; and before I learned of the plans to convert the whole area into a integrated Savannah (now under reconsideration).

 

[Zorro]

While the African forest idea would be a neat addition to the zoo, I'd really value the Flamingo flock and then lion pride getting solid investment first. The flamingos are so unique and valuable while everyone loves lions.

Sucks we can't get pygmy hippos. That would almost make up for losing elephants.

Would there be any reason they could not get pygmy hippos when the IRA is completed

 

[Zorro]

I agree the Greater flamingo flock is an asset to the zoo (and the region) and whether it’s in this space or somewhere else, they should definitely look at investing in improved facilities for them to allow for expansion of the flock. The current exhibit already looks cramped and certainly can’t accomodate the minimum 40 birds needed for optimum breeding.

I’ve always thought the current rhinoceros exhibit would be ideal for expanding the lion facilities with overhead tunnels and underground tunnels linking it to the existing Lion Hill exhibit and wondered if this could be an option when I heard the rhinos were moving to the elephant exhibit at the start of last year; and before I learned of the plans to convert the whole area into a integrated Savannah (now under reconsideration).

I believe AZ should expand the flamingo exhibit and then import another batch to become the provider for other interested zoos within the region, its gone this far going the rest could pay dividends for supplying interested zoos

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe AZ should expand the flamingo exhibit and then import another batch to become the provider for other interested zoos within the region, its gone this far going the rest could pay dividends for supplying interested zoos

Interestingly, the number of founders that have gone on to breed has been relatively small and consequently the zoo bred chicks descend from just a few birds.

This could be a case for importing more unrelated birds so we don’t have an inbred population; but given the challenges involved, I suspect the zoo will keep on working with what they have with the hope that some of the non breeding founders are simply late to the party. Breeding success increases with flock size, so it’s possible the increases (albeit small) will inspire the non breeders to reproduce in years to come.

For a species that can reach 80 years of age, the 21 year old founders are comparatively young and should have long reproductive lives ahead of them.

 

[Zorro]

Interestingly, the number of founders that have gone on to breed has been relatively small and consequently the zoo bred chicks descend from just a few birds.

This could be a case for importing more unrelated birds so we don’t have an inbred population; but given the challenges involved, I suspect the zoo will keep on working with what they have with the hope that some of the non breeding founders are simply late to the party. Breeding success increases with flock size, so it’s possible the increases (albeit small) will inspire the non breeders to breed in years to come.

For a species that can reach 80 years of age, the 21 year old founders are comparatively young and should have long reproductive lives ahead of them.

True but with current numbers and the breeding rate it could be many years before they could supply a number of interested zoos also they could become quite inbred over time

 

[Zoofan15]

Would there be any reason they could not get pygmy hippos when the IRA is completed

New Zealand would need to develop an Import Health Standard in addition to the IRA Australia is working on in order to import hippopotamus.

True but with current numbers and the breeding rate it could be many years before they could supply a number of interested zoos also they could become quite inbred over time

Over the past eight years, ten chicks have hatched that have survived the critical first few months. This equates to 1.25 chicks a year. Assuming a similar rate of reproduction, this would see the flock size reach the optimum number of 40 in approximately 12 years time - allowing for deaths along the way.

Once the flock size is at 40, higher numbers of chicks will become commonplace and the zoo may even consider sending off eggs to be hatched and reared at other New Zealand facilities. The chicks would be peer raised (as the founders of this flock were) so imprinting shouldn’t be an issue; nor reproduction impaired.

 

[Matt_C]

I've got a few family members involved in aviculture in NZ and they claim importing standards get awkwardly caught between two lobbies, the conservationists and the commercial poultry lobby, both due to disease risk but also facility space.

Apparently there is some old story about a finch IHS that managed to get the animals here before they were destroyed due to a disease that was already widely circulating in NZ. Lack of interest by zoos and hobbiests have seen a number of finch species die out subsequently.

Which is a long way of saying I don't hold much hope for a greater flamingo IHS based on my very limited knowledge.

 

[joe99]

I've got a few family members involved in aviculture in NZ and they claim importing standards get awkwardly caught between two lobbies, the conservationists and the commercial poultry lobby, both due to disease risk but also facility space.

Apparently there is some old story about a finch IHS that managed to get the animals here before they were destroyed due to a disease that was already widely circulating in NZ. Lack of interest by zoos and hobbiests have seen a number of finch species die out subsequently.

Which is a long way of saying I don't hold much hope for a greater flamingo IHS based on my very limited knowledge.

We already have 2 IHS for Flamingos, since they were imported in 2001, infact they are the only "zoo" avian with one.

FLAMINGO HATCHING EGGS FOR ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS FROM SPECIFIED COUNTRIES
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/NZ Government

ZOO GREATER FLAMINGOS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/NZ Government

 

[Matt_C]

We already have 2 IHS for Flamingos, since they were imported in 2001, infact they are the only "zoo" avian with one.

FLAMINGO HATCHING EGGS FOR ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS FROM SPECIFIED COUNTRIES
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/NZ Government

ZOO GREATER FLAMINGOS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/NZ Government

My lack of knowledge demonstrated once again!

The 2001 import was around the time of the last finch import (1999 I think), are the IHS still current? I grew up listening to grumpy aviculturalists and also the worry of illegal imports bringing in disease in the absence of a legal import pathway, and had thought there was no pathway for bird imports other than fertilized poultry eggs.

 

[Jambo]

Kiraka the giraffe is pregnant. All going well, this will be the zoo’s first surviving giraffe calf since 2016. I will tag @WhistlingKite24 so he can update his population thread for this species.

Great news! Any news on Kabili too. She’s now about reproductive age. Rukiya won’t be bred from again yes?

 

[Zoofan15]

Great news! Any news on Kabili too. She’s now about reproductive age. Rukiya won’t be bred from again yes?

I was told Rukiya and Kabili weren’t pregnant and indeed Kabili didn’t look pregnant; but I thought Rukiya looked very round. It must have been my vivid imagination, as I was previously told due to her age, she wouldn’t be breeding again.

Rukiya is Billy’s paternal grandmother, so it wouldn’t be ideal from that perspective. Kiraka and Kabili are more distant relations.

 

[Jambo]

I agree the Greater flamingo flock is an asset to the zoo (and the region) and whether it’s in this space or somewhere else, they should definitely look at investing in improved facilities for them to allow for expansion of the flock. The current exhibit already looks cramped and certainly can’t accomodate the minimum 40 birds needed for optimum breeding.

I’ve always thought the current rhinoceros exhibit would be ideal for expanding the lion facilities with overhead tunnels and underground tunnels linking it to the existing Lion Hill exhibit and wondered if this could be an option when I heard the rhinos were moving to the elephant exhibit at the start of last year; and before I learned of the plans to convert the whole area into a integrated Savannah (now under reconsideration).

I’d like to see the Flamingos get access to the former Hippo pool; although it would have to be shallowed out. I still think this is a better use of the area, compared to a third Rhino viewing point.

Personally, I’m not sure Auckland will be in favour of building an African forest precinct mainly due to space limitations. They’d only be able to afford to import a few species of monkey, but I’d be largely in favour of them just repurposing the elephant enclosure for gorillas.


I also enjoy the idea of just moving the Rhinos over to the Elephant enclosure, and using the current Rhino enclosure as an extension for their Lion Pride. This would effectively allow them to resume breeding lions again, and would be much more of a crowd puller compared to rhinos which were planned to have three entire habitats.

 

[Zoofan15]

I’d like to see the Flamingos get access to the former Hippo pool; although it would have to be shallowed out. I still think this is a better use of the area, compared to a third Rhino viewing point.

Personally, I’m not sure Auckland will be in favour of building an African forest precinct mainly due to space limitations. They’d only be able to afford to import a few species of monkey, but I’d be largely in favour of them just repurposing the elephant enclosure for gorillas.


I also enjoy the idea of just moving the Rhinos over to the Elephant enclosure, and using the current Rhino enclosure as an extension for their Lion Pride. This would effectively allow them to resume breeding lions again, and would be much more of a crowd puller compared to rhinos which were planned to have three entire habitats.

I agree. Auckland Zoo need to consider visitor engagement in deciding how to utilise the space vacated by the elephants. To be blunt, no visitor will care that the ungulates on the Savannah have more leg room when it means they can’t see anything at half the viewing points (because they’ve all congregated down one end).

The infant orangutan is drawing in record crowds and gorillas would create a similar level of engagement (especially if they can exhibit a breeding troop). I hope the zoo take into account people are expecting a replacement for the elephants and that the general public will be unimpressed with an expanded Savannah.

 

[joe99]

My lack of knowledge demonstrated once again!

The 2001 import was around the time of the last finch import (1999 I think), are the IHS still current? I grew up listening to grumpy aviculturalists and also the worry of illegal imports bringing in disease in the absence of a legal import pathway, and had thought there was no pathway for bird imports other than fertilized poultry eggs.

From what I have seen it is not, finches are like pretty much all birds in aviculture are illegal to import, and these are the only IHS that have to do with importing birds into New Zealand, pretty much only restricted to commercial species (chickens, turkeys ect..) and Zoos (flamingos)
Requirement documents for importing avian hatching eggs

 

[joe99]

An African forest exhibit could capitalise on the appeal of primates via a Western lowland gorilla or Mandrill troop; but if the African forest concept doesn’t progress beyond discussions, I’d additionally be in favour of a walk through flamingo aviary or expanding the lion facilities into a multi-exhibit complex (with overhead and underground tunnels) to accommodate a large pride.

Personally i would rather see this happen, the lion, flamingo, cheetah, ring-tailed lemur (old tiger) and baboon enclosures i think all need a bit of an upgrade to better fit the more modern look of the rest of the zoo, as it almost sticks out like a sore thumb, plus i would really love to see the flamingos get an aviary they can fly in, as this would help with their reproduction and not require pinonating (which is imo pretty much the same as declawing a lion, and more zoos are trying to move away from it).

 

[Zoofan15]

Personally i would rather see this happen, the lion, flamingo, cheetah, ring-tailed lemur (old tiger) and baboon enclosures i think all need a bit of an upgrade to better fit the more modern look of the rest of the zoo, as it almost sticks out like a sore thumb, plus i would really love to see the flamingos get an aviary they can fly in, as this would help with their reproduction and not require pinonating (which is imo pretty much the same as declawing a lion, and more zoos are trying to move away from it).

The lion exhibit and the flamingo exhibit are definitely looking cramped and the former all but rules out the zoo housing a pride (which is a shame given the attraction this could be).

One option could be to renovate the space the lions currently occupy for flamingos. This would link nicely to the African aviary and would comprise a space around four times the size of the current flamingo exhibit.

Prior to this move, a large complex housing lions could be constructed on the site of the elephant exhibit once Burma is exported. This could consist of a large lion house and a series of interconnected outdoor exhibits.

I’m not sure what the zoo have planned for the old tiger exhibit, but the adjacent otter exhibit will soon be vacated once the otters are transferred to the new exhibit - leaving options open for this area too. Perhaps the potential for the requisite walk through lemur exhibit several zoos seem to be aspiring to in Australia.

 

[Jambo]

The lion exhibit and the flamingo exhibit are definitely looking cramped and the former all but rules out the zoo housing a pride (which is a shame given the attraction this could be).

One option could be to renovate the space the lions currently occupy for flamingos. This would link nicely to the African aviary and would comprise a space around four times the size of the current flamingo exhibit.

Prior to this move, a large complex housing lions could be constructed on the site of the elephant exhibit once Burma is exported. This could consist of a large lion house and a series of interconnected outdoor exhibits.

I’m not sure what the zoo have planned for the old tiger exhibit, but the adjacent otter exhibit will soon be vacated once the otters are transferred to the new exhibit - leaving options open for this area too. Perhaps the potential for the requisite walk through lemur exhibit several zoos seem to be aspiring to in Australia.

I think the easiest option is to renovate the former Hippo enclosure for Flamingos, and then just completely moving the Rhinos to the current elephant enclosure, which would allow the Lions to have an adjacent enclosure on the opposite side of the path. This could involve interconnected tunnels and overhead pathways and allow Auckland to hold a breeding pride once again.

I believe Auckland had plans to turn that Tiger/Otter area into a walkthrough Lemur enclosure. Not sure about the Red Pandas, but i'd imagine maybe they'll get a new home in this area as well.

It'll also be interesting to see what Auckland does with the former 'Rainforest' trail. With the Saimangs now gone, as with the Capybaras too this may be an area that could be used for future renovations. Simply adding some more South American species would be easy, but the area could also suit an African forest theme.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think the easiest option is to renovate the former Hippo enclosure for Flamingos, and then just completely moving the Rhinos to the current elephant enclosure, which would allow the Lions to have an adjacent enclosure on the opposite side of the path. This could involve interconnected tunnels and overhead pathways and allow Auckland to hold a breeding pride once again.

I believe Auckland had plans to turn that Tiger/Otter area into a walkthrough Lemur enclosure. Not sure about the Red Pandas, but i'd imagine maybe they'll get a new home in this area as well.

It'll also be interesting to see what Auckland does with the former 'Rainforest' trail. With the Saimangs now gone, as with the Capybaras too this may be an area that could be used for future renovations. Simply adding some more South American species would be easy, but the area could also suit an African forest theme.

A interconnected lion exhibit with tunnels linking to the existing rhino exhibit is an idea I’ve been proposing since last year; but a switch of lion exhibit to flamingo exhibit and elephant exhibit to lion exhibit would link the flamingos with the African aviary and make for a more concise use of the space the elephant exhibit occupies - similar to the Sumatran tiger complex they’ve recently built. Overhead tunnels could still link multiple exhibits and there’d be the capacity to build an impressive lion house.

Auckland Zoo are dedicated to their geographic zones, so I imagine the rainforest trail (supported by the Galapagos giant tortoise facilities and American alligator exhibits) will remain part of the Americas, but it’ll be interesting to see how they put the Siamang and Capybara exhibits to use.

They could easily acquire species like Brown capuchin; but what I’d personally like to see is a dedicated Golden lion tamarin breeding facility. The zoo has only ever maintained a single breeding pair over the years and had limited success; versus zoos like Adelaide who at times have held multiple pairs and functioned as a successful breeding hub for this endangered species.