Auckland Zoo Auckland Zoo News 2023

A Rough gecko has been born:

From socials:

We’re celebrating the birth of a beautiful rough gecko!

Previously, the last rough gecko to be born at our Zoo was in 2021 and our ectotherm experts were very keen to expand on this success.

Based on their research, they trailed a new approach - mimicking the cooler temperatures that would naturally be found in their South Island alpine landscapes. This meant cooling the lizards habitat to around 4 degrees at night and 11-13 degrees during the day, as well as limiting their opportunities to bask in the sun – all of which imitates the rough gecko's experience of cooler and drier weather in the wild.

Ectotherm keeper Nick says, "Implementing this research has created an ideal environment for the geckos during their mating season. The birth of this healthy young gecko is awesome encouragement for all the hard work the team has put into the species care.”
 
Auckland Zoo Update

An update from my visit (31/05/2023):

The Sumatran tigers were being introduced for breeding. They had access to the small exhibit (which had a visitor barrier up) as well as the night dens; with staff observing them while they were together. This is the second month of introductions. The first was basically a write-off due to the inexperience of the cats; but several matings have been observed this time around.

Heaters are being installed at the viewing window to the Siamang exhibit, which is closed while the maintenance work take place. Introductions between the Bornean orangutan and Siamang have been ceased until this is complete. The Siamang had access to the orangutan exhibit on my visit.

Kabili the giraffe is not (known to be) pregnant. She’s not on contraception either, so given she’s now six and half years old, it’s possible she’s been subject to freemartinism (sterility of a female ungulate caused by the presence of a male twin). Freemartins are typically masculinised in appearance, but Kabili doesn’t exhibit these traits - so for now, it’s a wait and see scenario.

The Greater flamingo exhibit is being rennovated. The pool has been drained and a temporary exhibit has been created with a screen at the far end of the exhibit. The chick (hatched February 2023) has been named Baishe and is thriving. It was the only chick this year.

The Night Forest and Reptile Row both remain closed due to flooding. There appears to be minor damage to the panelling of the latter.

Photos from my visit are here: Auckland Zoo - ZooChat

Redevelopment update: I will be posting an update on redevelopment plans in the corresponding thread this afternoon.
 
Sumatran Tiger - Breeding Update

Auckland Zoo have posted a comprehensive update on the Sumatran tiger breeding introductions (briefly mentioned in my post above).

If this month’s introduction is successful, the cubs would be due in September and the zoo’s first litter since 2008!

You’ll likely hear more roars and chuffs from our Sumatran tigers if you’re visiting us over the next few days!

Zayana, who was introduced to mate with male Ramah for the first time last month, came back into oestrus (or ‘season’) early this week. This is the optimal, most receptive, and safe period for her to mate with Ramah.

Indicative behaviours of Zayana being in season have included lots of calling (especially from Ramah), both tigers chuffing and face-rubbing (up against the mesh of their separated inside areas) and Zayana rolling around in front of Ramah.

All going well, in time Zayana will conceive and we hope, go on to contribute to the international breeding programme for her critically endangered species, but successful mating takes time and practice!

“Female Sumatran tigers are ‘induced ovulators,’ which means they need multiple stimulation for ovulation (the release of eggs) to occur, so need to mate many times. Last month Zayana and Ramah mated 95 times, but as this was their first time together, we’re not sure how accurate Ramah was,” says carnivore keeper Nick.

“This month, Ramah has a lot more confidence, and both tigers’ courtship behaviours are much stronger towards one another, and we think Ramah is definitely hitting the mark more this time around! As well as mating outside in their habitat, they’ve also chosen to mate in their inside area. One thing we’ve really noticed and been impressed by is how respectful Ramah has been towards Zayana.”

Our team will continue to monitor their behaviour closely during her period of receptivity (4–7 days). Once this period is over, these primarily solitary big cats will return to their separate habitats.
Aaaaa
 
2 Pieces of April 2023 News Not Mentioned:

On April 4th, the zoo announced they released a (0.1) kakapo named Roha back onto Anchor Island after she was being treated at the facility for aspergillosis.

Auckland Zoo

On April 6th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) cotton-top tamarin named Cali to the Altina Wildlife Park in New South Wales, Australia.

Altina Wildlife Park
 
Two Little blue penguin chicks have hatched:

It’s great to see the zoo experience continuing success in building up a colony of this species, which is planned to replace the pinnipeds in the near future.

From socials:

The first little penguin chick hatched on Saturday 24, with the second arriving on Sunday 25 June.

Both chicks are the offspring of Snapper and Roimata – the same parents of little penguin Tamāroa who hatched in September last year.

We’re stepping in to care for these chicks as the Zoo’s rescue colony, in a large part due to their disabilities, have not successfully reared their own offspring in the past. Our ultimate goal is to have a self-sustainable colony of little penguins hatched at the Zoo.

All going well, these penguin chicks will be integrated into the colony in future, just like their older sibling Tamāroa.
 
New Female Orangutan!!!

Auckland Zoo welcomes female orangutan Daya | Auckland Zoo News

From socials:

Earlier today we welcomed beautiful 11-year-old female Bornean orangutan Daya from Ouwehands Dierenpark Rhenen in The Netherlands.

Once matured, Daya (whose name means power, energy, and strength in Indonesian), will have the opportunity to breed with the Zoo’s male Charlie – recognised as very genetically valuable to the international programme.

It’ll be a little while before you see Daya in our high canopy habitat. Once her 30-day international quarantine is completed, her integration with the rest of the Zoo’s orangutan group will be guided by both Daya and the group's behaviours. We’ll keep you updated on when you’ll be able to meet her!
 
Upgrade to flamingo habitat:

Though the footprint of the exhibit hasn’t changed, the upgrade will encourage better use of the water area and is hoped to promote breeding.

With breeding season just a few months away, fingers crossed we’ll see some results!

From socials:

We’ve recently refreshed our flamingo habitat!

Just before the start of the school holidays, the Zoo’s flamboyance of flamingo were welcomed into their spruced up space which included upgrades to their inside area, tidying up the mud-flat (where the flamingos build their nests) and a total re-imagining of the flamingo pond.

This included the creation of different layers inside the flamingo water body – a shallow feeding pool for filter feeding, a salt flat beach and a deeper area for swimming – to encourage their natural behaviours and improve their welfare.
 
Video of Sumatran tiger complex:

Auckland Zoo have posted a comprehensive video on their socials detailing the construction of their Sumatran tiger complex, which includes three outdoor exhibits and discusses the care of their tigers.

Fingers crossed for cubs later this year!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1016605892827511

From socials:

We’re giving you a behind the scenes look at the design of the Zoo’s new Sumatran tiger habitat!

Follow along with our experts to learn more about this complex and unique build that sees the creation of two tiger bridges that link to three separate habitat areas – allowing us flexibility to manage Sumatran tigers Ramah and Zayana, and any offspring they may have in the future!

Their stunning habitat includes a climbing tree for enriching feeds, a bespoke wall that enables behavioural training for health checks, themed tiger dens, as well as a cascading waterfall, beach area and bamboo thickets for the tigers to rest in. Their warm indoor area features an incredible ‘bio-floor’ made from a naturalistic substrate that is soft on their paws.

Our senior curator of mammals Warren explains, “We've packed through the entire area with complexity, the reason that we've provided so much of this is we want to give the tigers choice. It's their habitat, they decide where they want to be.”
 
Sumatran tiger Zayana is pregnant!

Ramah and Zayana are expecting a litter of cubs in September.

This will be the zoo’s first litter of Sumatran tiger cubs in 15 years!

Ultrasound reveals ultra good news for tiger Zayana | Auckland Zoo News

On the eve of #InternationalTigerDay, we’re delighted to share that an ultrasound has confirmed that Sumatran tiger Zayana is now six-weeks pregnant.

While we're incredibly excited about the pregnancy, Zayana still has to achieve carrying to term, have no birthing difficulties, and then rise to challenge and all the demands that come with being a first-time mum.

All going well, Zayana would give birth in September, however it wouldn’t be until closer to Christmas before she would bring her cub(s) into our Lowlands habitat.
 
Last edited:
Plans to export Burma to Monarto Safari Park:

Not confirmed, but an exciting possibility!

From Auckland Zoo’s socials:

Today, our colleagues at Zoos South Australia begin a fundraising campaign to build a habitat at Monarto Safari Park for Asian elephants within the Australasian region.

If their fundraising efforts are successful, the open range zoo would initially provide a forever home for three Asian elephants, one of which could be Auckland Zoo’s elephant Burma.

“We are very excited about the possibility of Monarto Safari Park developing this new 14ha (35 acre) habitat for the Australasian regional elephant programme - and really hope that this fundraising effort can become a reality,” says our director, Kevin Buley.

As this option is not yet confirmed, we’re continuing to work with the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) programme to explore other accredited back-up zoo options for Burma.
 
Breeding success with endemic Cobble skink:

From socials:

In 2016, 37 cobble skinks were brought to Auckland Zoo by our conservation partners Department of Conservation – and since then, we’ve managed to increase their numbers by more than 300%!

Of the skinks that arrived, which included four already gravid females, 34 have successfully bred and contributed their genetics to the population - that’s an amazing 83%! To ensure as many of these important genetics are represented, our ectotherm team have paired up the few original ‘founders’ that are not well represented genetically, which has resulted in six breeding pairs this year.

It is still too early to tell if any of these females are gravid (pregnant), but we’ll know more this November once the breeding season has come to a close. So far, an incredible 132 of these skinks have been bred at the Zoo and we’re working with DOC to create a suitable predator-free release site in the wild.
 
Auckland Zoo Update

Update from my visit (19/08/2023):

The Servals are a non-breeding pair as expected. The zoo does unfortunately plan to phase them out (they’re the last Servals in New Zealand). It hasn’t been confirmed if another species will take their place (Caracal seem the obvious choice); though as we know, the masterplan saw the zoo threatening to build a play area in place of the Hamadryas baboon, Serval and Cheetah exhibits.

The zoo has one male Brolga on display; with the other two (a breeding pair) currently housed off display. Hopefully this will promote breeding as they’re the last three in the country!

Sumatran tigress, Zayana, was resting up as she prepares to deliver her first litter of cubs next month. She’s increased greatly in confidence since her arrival in November - either as a result of her pregnancy hormones or adjusting to the exhibit.

The Greater flamingos were making good use of their renovated exhibit (photos in gallery), which was nice to see. They particularly enjoy the shallow water area.

Daya (female Bornean orangutan) is still not on display, following her recent import from the Netherlands. The zoo plan to delay breeding until she’s well assimilated into the group.

The Bornean orangutan/Siamang introduction has been delayed due to Intan (male Siamang) antagonising the orangutans. Presumably they will look at introducing Daya to the other orangutans and going from there; as well as waiting until Bahmi is at the juvenile stage.

I had a really good conversation with a regular visitor to the zoo, who’s highly knowledgeable on Australasia’s apes. She told me a number of interesting things about the history of Auckland Zoo’s chimpanzee colony, which I will report in the chimpanzee population thread later today.

Photos from my visit are here:

https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/categories/auckland-zoo.502/
Ddddd
 
It’s official - Burma is going to Monarto!

From socials:

We're excited to share that our colleagues at Zoos South Australia have reached their fundraising target to build an elephant habitat at Monarto Safari Park.

This means that ZSA can progress the construction of phase one of its proposed Asian elephant habitat – and with this comes greater certainty of a forever home for Auckland Zoo’s Asian elephant, Burma.

Burma and two other elephants from Perth Zoo in similar circumstances, would be the first elephants at the new 14ha open range habitat – one of the largest of its kind in the region – that will provide invaluable support for the Australasian regional elephant breeding and advocacy programme.

“This is an amazing effort from Zoos South Australia and their incredibly supportive community and of course, excellent news for Burma,” says our director, Kevin Buley. “It’s still early days but growing certainty over Burma’s future means we can start planning now for a move some time in the next 12-18 months to a new home who are extremely excited to receive her.”

We'll keep you updated as we have more news.
 
Orangutan sets off fire alarm/sprinklers:

Not to be outdone by Burma’s big announcement today, Daya the zoo’s new Bornean orangutan set off the fire alarm.

As noted in the article, she’s now housed in the orangutan building following her quarantine at the zoo’s veterinary hospital.

Cheeky orangutan sets off fire alarm at Auckland Zoo

In a statement, Auckland Zoo said one of its female orangutans, Daya, set off the sprinklers inside the South East Asia Jungle Track high canopy habitat.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand arrived at the zoo within minutes and disabled the alarm and sprinklers.
 
Some sad news regarding Auckland Zoo’s tigers:

Sumatran tiger Zayana update | Auckland Zoo News

Our female tiger Zayana, a first-time mother, gave birth last Friday afternoon - but unfortunately, one of the cubs was stillborn and the other did not survive.

Having a larger litter size offers Sumatran tigers the best chance of successfully rearing young, so when only one cub is born – a vulnerable situation, it’s not unusual for a tiger mother to kill the remaining cub, which is what has happened here.

Zayana will shortly come back into oestrus and will once again have the opportunity to mate with male Ramah. All going well, we hope she will go on to produce a litter of healthy cubs. Importantly, Zayana’s own health and wellbeing is good. After an exhausting couple of days, she has had plenty of rest and care from the carnivore team.
 
Five Brown teal ducklings have hatched:

From socials:

Hatched just over two weeks ago, these five healthy Brown teal ducklings are growing fast and strong!

“They are keeping close to mum and are very camouflaged within the forest aviary, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for them" bird keeper Jas explains.

Brown teal are New Zealand's rarest waterfowl and with an estimated population of around 2,000-2,500 individuals.

When the ducklings are around eight weeks old, they'll head to The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust in Christchurch, where they'll join other ducklings and gain the skills they need before being released to the wild.
 
New Bornean orangutan goes on display:

Orangutan Daya takes to the trees! | Auckland Zoo News

This week orangutan Daya explored our incredible high canopy habitat for the first time!

Now out of quarantine, this very sensitive, smart, and lovely natured orangutan is slowly learning to navigate all of the different inside areas of the habitat and from a safely separated physical distance, gradually getting to know her new orangutan family.

“It’s really important that Daya feels completely comfortable and confident in all of the inside and outside areas of the habitat before she’s integrated with Charlie, Melur and Melur’s son Bahmi,” says primate keeper Grace.

In the coming days, weather permitting, Daya will continue to have the choice to venture outside, so if you’re visiting us, you may be lucky enough to see her! (Occasionally, this may mean that the siamang could be back of house and unable to be visited).
 
Zoofan15 said:
New Bornean orangutan goes on display:

Orangutan Daya takes to the trees! | Auckland Zoo News

This week orangutan Daya explored our incredible high canopy habitat for the first time!

Now out of quarantine, this very sensitive, smart, and lovely natured orangutan is slowly learning to navigate all of the different inside areas of the habitat and from a safely separated physical distance, gradually getting to know her new orangutan family.

“It’s really important that Daya feels completely comfortable and confident in all of the inside and outside areas of the habitat before she’s integrated with Charlie, Melur and Melur’s son Bahmi,” says primate keeper Grace.

In the coming days, weather permitting, Daya will continue to have the choice to venture outside, so if you’re visiting us, you may be lucky enough to see her! (Occasionally, this may mean that the siamang could be back of house and unable to be visited).
Click to expand...
Welcome news indeed.
 
Zorro said:
Welcome news indeed.
Click to expand...

Imo it’s the region’s most exciting import of the year, representing the zoo’s intention to rebuild their Bornean orangutan colony.

The move towards phasing this species out began in the 2000’s and saw six of the zoo’s colony of nine exported, before the decision was reversed in the late 2010’s. I can only imagine what great use this colony would have made of the existing complex; and look forward to seeing the numbers grow, as they look to pair Charlie and Daya in the future.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top