Auckland Zoo Auckland Zoo News 2023

Zoofan15 said:
Intruder enters rhinoceros exhibit:

Watch: Man breaks into Auckland Zoo rhino enclosure

A man entered the Southern white rhinoceros exhibit they share with Waterbuck and Lowland nyala this morning. He entered from the waterhole expansion side (former Common hippopotamus exhibit) and waded in the water before walking up the hill towards the ungulates.

There was no injury reported to the intruder or the animals, which avoided him. He was subsequently removed and arrested.

While this will no doubt go down on record as the first and last time man or beast is observed utilising the waterhole section of the exhibit :p; in all seriousness, I’m relieved it ended without incident for the zoo’s sake and commend them for taking quick action to protect the visitor and the animals.
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Did he ask if there are plans to import waterbuck?
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
Did he ask if there are plans to import waterbuck?
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It doesn’t appear they got much sense out of him. They mention in the article that white rhinoceros are comparatively docile compared to black rhinoceros as a species (which is true), but I’ve known of plenty of white rhinos that would have reacted very differently to an intruder. He had a lucky escape, especially considering the cow has a young calf and would have been naturally protective.

With regards to Waterbuck, Auckland Zoo previously received 1.3 Waterbuck but soon after, got rid of the male. There were integration issues with other Savannah species (males being notoriously territorial), so I was told Auckland Zoo will only hold females going forward. I wasn’t told what happened to the male, but assume her returned to Orana (which are breeding them).
 
Zoofan15 said:
It doesn’t appear they got much sense out of him. They mention in the article that white rhinoceros are comparatively docile compared to black rhinoceros as a species (which is true), but I’ve known of plenty of white rhinos that would have reacted very differently to an intruder. He had a lucky escape, especially considering the cow has a young calf and would have been naturally protective.

With regards to Waterbuck, Auckland Zoo previously received 1.3 Waterbuck but soon after, got rid of the male. There were integration issues with other Savannah species (males being notoriously territorial), so I was told Auckland Zoo will only hold females going forward. I wasn’t told what happened to the male, but assume her returned to Orana (which are breeding them).
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I mean I was joking but thanks for the information
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
I mean I was joking but thanks for the information
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Haha I know, but thought it was a good question nonetheless. :)

The biggest question however (that remains unanswered) is what will replace the elephants at Auckland Zoo. I really hope the African forest concept comes to life as it’s a massive improvement on prior threats to expand the Savannah. I’m not sure who thought that would attract more visitors. :rolleyes:
 
Zoofan15 said:
While this will no doubt go down on record as the first and last time man or beast is observed utilising the waterhole section of the exhibit :p;
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They should get Sitatunga. They love water and would no doubt use it properly, even swimming if its deep enough. But too many zoos don't give them adequate, or even any, chance to swim/wade. It makes for an interesting and unusual behavioural exhibit too.

This news about the man in the pool even made the UK news today. Its another in that long line of 'forced entries' to zoo enclosures by apparently unstable people. There was a lady who jumped in the water with Polar bears in Berlin (she was attacked but rescued), I've seen video of a man in with a White tiger in Delhi- he was not so lucky. Then some years ago a man got into the Lion enclosure at London and there was a biblical link made by the press i.e 'Daniel in the Lions Den'. They got him out okay. These sorts of incidents are repeated through zoo history. Often the animals seem non-plussed at first at the intrusion and take some time to begin to react aggressively, which allows a valuable window for rescue. He is lucky he didn't meet the mother rhino with her calf perhaps.
 
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Pertinax said:
They should get Sitatunga. They love water and would no doubt use it properly, even swimming if its deep enough. But too many zoos don't give them adequate, or even any, chance to swim/wade. It makes for an interesting and unusual behavioural exhibit too.

This news about the man in the pool even made the UK news today. Its another in that long line of 'forced entries' to zoo enclosures by apparently unstable people. There was a lady who jumped in the water with Polar bears in Berlin (she was attacked but rescued), I've seen video of a man in with a White tiger in Delhi- he was not so lucky. Then some years ago a man got into the Lion enclosure at London and there was a biblical link made by the press i.e 'Daniel in the Lions Den'. They got him out okay. These sorts of incidents are repeated through zoo history. Often the animals seem non-plussed at first at the intrusion and take some time to begin to react aggressively, which allows a valuable window for rescue. He is lucky he didn't meet the mother rhino with her calf perhaps.
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I’d love to see Sitatunga return to New Zealand zoos. The last one died at Hamilton Zoo, where they had an exhibit in the wetlands precinct. Auckland Zoo favour savannah species for their African precinct, which is why I’m excited about the possibility of an African forest precinct. There’s so many directions they could go with this - from the forests of Central Africa to Madagascar.

There hasn’t been a huge number of these incidents in New Zealand zoos. The last such incident at Auckland Zoo was in 1994, when the intruder was attacked by an elephant (and survived). Prior to that in 1985, a man scaled the wall of the lion pit and was badly mauled by the lions.

A mentally unstable man climbed into the tiger exhibit at Wellington Zoo in 2003 and was subsequently attacked by the male tiger. It was said at the time, if he’d accessed the female’s exhibit, he wouldn’t have survived.
 
Pertinax said:
They should get Sitatunga. They love water and would no doubt use it properly, even swimming if its deep enough. But too many zoos don't give them adequate, or even any, chance to swim/wade. It makes for an interesting and unusual behavioural exhibit too.

This news about the man in the pool even made the UK news today. Its another in that long line of 'forced entries' to zoo enclosures by apparently unstable people. There was a lady who jumped in the water with Polar bears in Berlin (she was attacked but rescued), I've seen video of a man in with a White tiger in Delhi- he was not so lucky. Then some years ago a man got into the Lion enclosure at London and there was a biblical link made by the press i.e 'Daniel in the Lions Den'. They got him out okay. These sorts of incidents are repeated through zoo history. Often the animals seem non-plussed at first at the intrusion and take some time to begin to react aggressively, which allows a valuable window for rescue. He is lucky he didn't meet the mother rhino with her calf perhaps.
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I believe Sitatunga would be a great direction for the region. I’ve had prior conversations about Sitatunga regarding WORZ and its new waterhole precinct, but Auckland is another great location. I’d love to see a group import between both zoos, and then potentially the other open range zoos. A great complement to the waterbuck
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
I believe Sitatunga would be a great direction for the region. I’ve had prior conversations about Sitatunga regarding WORZ and its new waterhole precinct, but Auckland is another great location. I’d love to see a group import between both zoos, and then potentially the other open range zoos. A great complement to the waterbuck
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Sitatunga are approved via the Bovid IRA and on the live import list for both countries. They’re also a CITES III species (no special restrictions), so they couldn’t be easier to import.

A mass import similar to the Lowland nyala import could be undertaken with first and second generation offspring transferred to other zoos. The bulls are comparatively docile compared to other antelope species. I imagine Hamilton Zoo would have an interest in them also, having still got their exhibit in place.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Sitatunga are approved via the Bovid IRA and on the live import list for both countries. They’re also a CITES III species (no special restrictions), so they couldn’t be easier to import.
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I think the difference between Sitatunga and Waterbuck is that the former really would use the water. In zoos that have them I've seen them wading several times. At Chester they used to have a herd in a 'dry' paddock with no open water, yet even the artwork signage board accurately depicted them bounding through a marshland lake..!.to be fair the zoo talked about giving them a water area but it never happened unfortunately -to my knowledge anyway.
 
Pertinax said:
I think the difference between Sitatunga and Waterbuck is that the former really would use the water. In zoos that have them I've seen them wading several times. At Chester they used to have a herd in a 'dry' paddock with no open water, yet even the artwork signage board accurately depicted them bounding through a marshland lake..!.to be fair the zoo talked about giving them a water area but it never happened unfortunately -to my knowledge anyway.
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In fairness every time I visit Werribee the waterbuck are in the marshes, and we’re in the lake in their previous exhibit
 
Pertinax said:
I think the difference between Sitatunga and Waterbuck is that the former really would use the water. In zoos that have them I've seen them wading several times. At Chester they used to have a herd in a 'dry' paddock with no open water, yet even the artwork signage board accurately depicted them bounding through a marshland lake..!.to be fair the zoo talked about giving them a water area but it never happened unfortunately -to my knowledge anyway.
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Yes, I recall seeing Hamilton’s Sitatunga wading in the large pond in the exhibit. They certainly make good use of the water area.

Auckland Zoo have primarily Southern African species, but with Central African species being considered for the elephant complex, they could certainly diversify their African precinct to include wetlands species such as Sitatunga. Flamingos are a wetlands species, so it’d compliment them nicely.
 
Three Lowland nyala calves have been born:

From socials:

We’re pleased to announce the birth of three healthy nyala calves!

These three calves were all born a week apart from one another – and if you visited on Good Friday you might’ve been lucky enough to witness one of the births in our African Safari habitat!

Our ungulates team have named the calves Victoria (for Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe), Panya (meaning mouse or small baby) and Binta (meaning beautiful).
 
Greater flamingo chick update:

From socials:

Now three-months-old, our flamingo chick has been named Baishe, thanks to the winners of our recent auction raising funds for conservation.

It takes 1-2 years for flamingo chicks to reach their full adult size which is roughly between 30 – 50 inches tall. Baishe’s feathers are now waterproof, so next time you visit you might see them swimming with the flock.
 
Zoo successfully rears eight New Zealand fairy terns:

From socials:

This summer’s inclement weather meant just three New Zealand fairy tern chicks hatched and fledged in the wild this breeding season, and two of these chicks were subsequently lost to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Fortunately, working closely with the Department of Conservation for the second consecutive year, our skilled bird keepers were able to hatch and rear a further eight chicks at the Zoo, with seven of these eventually being released in the Kaipara Harbour, in an effort to boost the population of this critically threatened bird.

The New Zealand fairy tern has teetered on the brink of extinction since the 1970s and fewer than 40 birds survive today. Of this tiny population, just ten breeding are females, two of which bred for the first time this season.
 
Sumatran tigers successfully introduced for breeding:

Auckland Zoo have released a comprehensive article on the introduction:

Sumatran tigers successfully introduced for breeding | Auckland Zoo

We’re excited to share that Auckland Zoo’s Sumatran tigers Zayana and Ramah have successfully come together to mate over the past week and have demonstrated that they like each other a lot!

Their introduction comes after months of planning, and intensive monitoring and management by our Carnivore keepers to ensure it happened at the optimal time in Zayana’s cycle, and when both cats’ behaviours indicated they were very keen to be together. (Tigers are primarily solitary and in the wild normally only come together to breed).

The pairing of Zayana (4) and Ramah (5) to breed is part of a zoos’ international breeding and conservation advocacy programme for this Critically Endangered big cat that today numbers fewer than 400 animals in the wild.

Reviewing night camera footage each morning has been a key tool in monitoring and informing the steps to their introduction – initially indoors, then out in their Lowlands habitat. Senior Carnivore keeper Nick says classic positive signs from Zayana have been lots of chuffing and calling, increased face pressing up against the mesh barrier that separated the two tigers, and a desire to sleep as near as possible to Ramah.

“Zayana’s also been doing lots of playful rolling around in Ramah’s presence at night, something she never does outside of oestrous – when she doesn’t want a bar of him! Ramah has also called, would face press, and been keen to sleep near Zayana.

“Observing these behaviours and those before, during and after mating are informing when it’s been best for us to separate them and when to reintroduce them outside again for mating over this past week.

“It’s a super exciting and positive step in Zayana and Ramah’s journey to breed. Everything has gone incredibly well, and we’ve seen plenty of mating action, which is great, but we’re mindful that this is their first time together and they’re learning, so it’s early days,” says Nick.

Zayana’s oestrous period should be trailing off soon, and as their behaviour changes due to this, they’ll be happy to be separated. Nick and the team will continue to observe and monitor Zayana over the coming weeks, and we look forward to sharing more updates as things progress.
 
Kiwi breeding season has finished:

From socials:

We’ve finished up this kiwi breeding season with two special latecomers!

It's been a very successful breeding season for Coromandel brown kiwi and the recent arrival of two Operation Nest Egg kiwi eggs has been an unexpected autumn surprise for our bird team.

Both eggs have since hatched and are being cared for at our dedicated Kiwi incubation and rearing facility at Auckland Zoo. This first chick hatched mid April and once it reaches the right age and weight, it will travel to a beautiful predator-free island to continue growing before being released in the Coromandel.

Natalie says, "After a tough summer for us all weather-wise, it's nice to have a positive outcome. This bumper breeding season means we still have kiwi eggs and chicks on site in late April which is extremely rare!
 
A very informative video about the vison, development, construction and opening of Auckland Zoo’s tropical dome. Interesting to note the six Asian Arowana that went on-show were bred and imported from a specialist facility in Singapore.

Source: Auckland Zoo’s YouTube channel
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
A very informative video about the vison, development, construction and opening of Auckland Zoo’s tropical dome. Interesting to note the six Asian Arowana that went on-show were bred and imported from a specialist facility in Singapore.

Source: Auckland Zoo’s YouTube channel
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The Asian arowana came from a facility in Taranaki (New Zealand) in 2019. It appears they import and quarantine them:

Video of Asian arowana arriving at Auckland Zoo:

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Male Serval imported from Singapore Zoo:

Auckland Zoo have mentioned on their socials they imported a 10 year old male Serval from Singapore Zoo in July 2022.

He’s a companion for the zoo’s 10 year old female Serval, Shani.

The latest masterplan implies they plan to phase this species out and the fact they’re a same age non breeding pair sadly supports this.
 
Conservation News

Reported on socials:

Giant weta release:

Senior ectotherm keeper Ben and keeper Nic journeyed to Motuihe Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf last week to release 31 adult Giant weta (transported in individual bamboo homes which are then tied to specifically chosen trees) as part of a wider strategy to release Giant weta of different ages to this restored native sanctuary.

This marks the fourth occasion that we’ve released Zoo-bred Giant weta to the island (that’s an incredible 1200+ animals).

Green sea turtle release:

Recently this green sea turtle, given the name Te Ahuru which means to ‘protect and nurture’, was released off the shore of Te Tai Tokerau after months of dedicated care and rehabilitation.

Our incredible vet team were able to carry out a full assessment which revealed that it was suffering from mild dehydration and buoyancy issues.

After nine days care at the Zoo, Te Ahuru was able to be moved to SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium where a comprehensive care plan was implemented. During its nine-month stay, Te Ahuru’s weight increased from 13 kilograms to a healthy 19.1 kilograms – the desired weight for a green turtle to be released back into the wild!
 
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