Auckland Zoo Auckland Zoo News 2025

[Zoofan15]

Southern white rhinoceros calf update:

From socials:

At just 27 days old, this male calf is thriving and growing stronger every day. Recently he met his two older sisters, four-year-old Nyah and two-year-old Amali, for the first time. This meeting was full of curiosity and playful bonding – just as our keepers had hoped – and next week he’ll be introduced to his father Zambezi.

This morning marked an exciting milestone as he stepped into the outdoor habitat for the first time! Initially cautious under the watchful eye of his mother Jamila, he gradually grew more confident. Before long, he fully embraced this new space – enjoying his first mud wallow, and lots of zoomies.

For now, his time outdoors will be limited to a few hours each day without a fixed schedule, allowing him to explore at his own pace. As his confidence grows, he’ll gradually meet other species in the habitat, including the nyala and waterbuck, and eventually, he’ll work up to spending full days outdoors.

 

[Zoofan15]

Giraffe calf update:

From socials:

Over the past year, Enzi has grown into a strong and healthy young giraffe. Born at 65kgs, she now weighs an impressive 443kgs and stands about 11–12 feet tall. Her development is right on track for a one-year-old giraffe.

Enzi has a calm yet curious nature, she is happy to interact with our ungulates keepers and fits right in with the whole tower of giraffe.

Enzi has also formed a special bond with the zebra herd, especially with Muroki, the male zebra. You will often see them relaxing together side by side, or interacting playfully with one another.

 

[Zoofan15]

Zoo releases 148 Cobble skinks into the wild:

From socials:

We’re excited to share that 148 precious endemic cobble skinks - cared for and bred at the Zoo since 2016, have just been returned to the wild!

The Zoo’s ectotherm specialists Richard, Julie and Sonja joined our Department of Conservation colleagues and representatives of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae to safely release them to the wild – just north of Westport on the South Island’s West Coast.

Back in 2016, 35 of these skinks were part of an emergency rescue salvage by DOC after their only known habitat was severely impacted by coastal erosion. They were believed to be in severe decline and occupying less than one hectare of coastline habitat and based on this information were classified as Nationally Critical. Six more animals were transferred to us in 2022. Thanks to the great mahi of our ectotherm keepers, they successfully bred.

 

[Zoofan15]

Eastern blue tongued skink on display in Australian precinct:

From socials:

This eastern blue-tongued skink has joined our Australia Bush Track! The goliath stick insect habitat has had a makeover—with a larger ectotherm moving in. Both species can coexist in this habitat, as stick insects are arboreal meaning they live in trees and blue tongued skinks aren’t great climbers.

This habitat has been carefully designed to mimic natural conditions, with a temperature gradient ranging from 24–29°C and a basking spot that reaches 35°C.

 

[Zoofan15]

Naming competition for male rhino calf:

Voting is now open to name the male Southern white rhinoceros calf. Zuka is my preferred option. We already have a Bakari (born 2005 at Perth in the region) and it’s an overused name in general; while Pembe sounds too feminine for a female calf in my opinion.

From socials:

Just like his whānau from around the Zoo, we’re looking to give this newborn a name that relates to where his counterparts are from in the wild.

Our ungulates team have picked out the following names – pick the name you think suits this calf best and let us know in the comments below!

Pembe - means purity/clarity

Bakari - promise or noble promise

Zuka - comes with the dawn/the morning.

Voting closes this Sunday at 11pm and we’ll be announcing the chosen name the following week – so make sure to have your say today.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Naming competition for male rhino calf:

Voting is now open to name the male Southern white rhinoceros calf. Zuka is my preferred option. We already have a Bakari (born 2005 at Perth in the region) and it’s an overused name in general; while Pembe sounds too feminine for a female calf in my opinion.

From socials:

Just like his whānau from around the Zoo, we’re looking to give this newborn a name that relates to where his counterparts are from in the wild.

Our ungulates team have picked out the following names – pick the name you think suits this calf best and let us know in the comments below!

Pembe - means purity/clarity

Bakari - promise or noble promise

Zuka - comes with the dawn/the morning.

Voting closes this Sunday at 11pm and we’ll be announcing the chosen name the following week – so make sure to have your say today.

I agree with your choice of Zuka and also voted for this name. I remembered there was a Bakari elsewhere - thank you @Zoofan15 for clarifying where - and Bakari sounds too similar to some of the other names that have been used at the zoo. And yes, Pembe would have been more appropriate for a female. It would also be nice for the new calf to have a Z-name to match Zambezi, and for him to have a one-of-a-kind name since he's the sole male calf and the only surviving son of Zambezi.

 

[Zoofan15]

Greater flamingo chick hatches:

From socials:

The first chick of the season hatched just four days ago on 26th January, under flamingo foster parents Sharon and Gabriel.

This is the second year where our bird team have taken a novel approach in clutch management. This approach involves moving eggs from fertile flamingo pairs to be hatched by those without fertile eggs. Allowing the original pair to lay again. — helping the flamboyance of flamingo to grow!

The chicks' biological parents are Baishe and Sullivan, and this is Baishe’s first season as he has just reached breeding age at two-years-old.

 

[Zoofan15]

Naming competition for male rhino calf:

Voting is now open to name the male Southern white rhinoceros calf. Zuka is my preferred option. We already have a Bakari (born 2005 at Perth in the region) and it’s an overused name in general; while Pembe sounds too feminine for a female calf in my opinion.

From socials:

Just like his whānau from around the Zoo, we’re looking to give this newborn a name that relates to where his counterparts are from in the wild.

Our ungulates team have picked out the following names – pick the name you think suits this calf best and let us know in the comments below!

Pembe - means purity/clarity

Bakari - promise or noble promise

Zuka - comes with the dawn/the morning.

Voting closes this Sunday at 11pm and we’ll be announcing the chosen name the following week – so make sure to have your say today.

Male rhino calf named Zuka:

I’m thrilled this name won. It ticks so many boxes considering it’s a unique name within the region; it sounds nice; and it has an appropriate meaning. As @ApeLadyNZ says, it’s also a nice reference to his sire’s name, which is also a Z name.

From socials:

Introducing Zuka – the name for this male rhino calf, as chosen by you! Thank you to everyone that helped us by voting on our shortlist.

We’re pleased to have such a meaningful name for the calf, as Zuka is Zulu for ‘comes with the dawn/the morning.

Our ungulates team have recently weighed the calf and he’s now – at eight weeks old – coming in at a healthy 169kgs! Our keepers say that Jamila, sisters Amali and Nyah, and Zuka are going out into the habitat more frequently together. Zuka particularly enjoys interacting with ‘gentle giant’ Zambezi. Come and visit the herd this weekend!

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Male rhino calf named Zuka:

I’m thrilled this name won. It ticks so many boxes considering it’s a unique name within the region; it sounds nice; and it has an appropriate meaning. As @ApeLadyNZ says, it’s also a nice reference to his sire’s name, which is also a Z name.

From socials:

Introducing Zuka – the name for this male rhino calf, as chosen by you! Thank you to everyone that helped us by voting on our shortlist.

We’re pleased to have such a meaningful name for the calf, as Zuka is Zulu for ‘comes with the dawn/the morning.

Our ungulates team have recently weighed the calf and he’s now – at eight weeks old – coming in at a healthy 169kgs! Our keepers say that Jamila, sisters Amali and Nyah, and Zuka are going out into the habitat more frequently together. Zuka particularly enjoys interacting with ‘gentle giant’ Zambezi. Come and visit the herd this weekend!

This is indeed wonderful news, and I am glad Zuka turned out to be the most popular choice. I did wonder if they had planned to choose Bakari, since there are quite a few similar sounding names at Auckland Zoo, but I think having another Bakari in the Australasian region put people off the idea. Zuka is a beautiful and meaningful name, and I think it suits our male calf perfectly!

 

[Zoofan15]

This is indeed wonderful news, and I am glad Zuka turned out to be the most popular choice. I did wonder if they had planned to choose Bakari, since there are quite a few similar sounding names at Auckland Zoo, but I think having another Bakari in the Australasian region put people off the idea. Zuka is a beautiful and meaningful name, and I think it suits our male calf perfectly!

In all honesty, I don’t think the majority of people voting would have been aware of Perth Zoo having a Southern white rhinoceros named Bakari. People tend to vote on names that sound nice and are short and snappy, so putting Bakari against two names that were five syllables would have ensured its victory. It was clear from early on Zuka was a favourite with the public, which pleased me as I like to see original names.

Auckland Zoo also had a Grant’s zebra colt (their first surviving foal in 13 years); and a male Slender-tailed meerkat named Bakari back in the 2000’s. Bakari is an also a very overused name regionally. We currently have two lions called Bakari in the region; as well as a chimpanzee, a giraffe and of course, the rhino at Perth Zoo.

The most overused African names seem to be Jabari, Melako, Zuri, Bahati, Bakari, Zalika and Zahara; while for Indonesian names, I’d say Berani, Jaya and Melati.

———————————————

Auckland’s Southern white rhinoceros crash is therefore:

1.0 Zambezi (1992)
0.1 Jamila (2012)
0.1 Nyah (2020) Zambezi x Jamila
0.1 Amali (2022) Zambezi x Jamila
1.0 Zuka (2024) Zambezi x Jamila

I wonder if there will be a breeding recommendation for a fourth calf - this pair are on fire!

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

In all honesty, I don’t think the majority of people voting would have been aware of Perth Zoo having a Southern white rhinoceros named Bakari. People tend to vote on names that sound nice and are short and snappy, so putting Bakari against two names that were five syllables would have ensured its victory. It was clear from early on Zuka was a favourite with the public, which pleased me as I like to see original names.

Auckland Zoo also had a Grant’s zebra colt (their first surviving foal in 13 years); and a male Slender-tailed meerkat named Bakari back in the 2000’s. Bakari is an also a very overused name regionally. We currently have two lions called Bakari in the region; as well as a chimpanzee, a giraffe and of course, the rhino at Perth Zoo.

The most overused African names seem to be Jabari, Melako, Zuri, Bahati, Bakari, Zalika and Zahara; while for Indonesian names, I’d say Berani, Jaya and Melati.

———————————————

Auckland’s Southern white rhinoceros crash is therefore:

1.0 Zambezi (1992)
0.1 Jamila (2012)
0.1 Nyah (2020) Zambezi x Jamila
0.1 Amali (2022) Zambezi x Jamila
1.0 Zuka (2024) Zambezi x Jamila

I wonder if there will be a breeding recommendation for a fourth calf - this pair are on fire!

Yes - that's true - a short and snappy name is indeed very appealing! I wasn't aware that Bakari was such an overused name - that is very interesting, thank you for that information! It's certainly been a frequently used name in this part of the world. (And for Indonesian overused names, I'd add Cinta to that list - it seems to crop up fairly regularly in zoos, for orangutans, tigers and gibbons!)

Looking at our rhino crash's names got me wondering how frequently any of these are used - I've seen Amali and Jamila used for zoo animals before, but I have no idea on how common (or not) they are.

And yes, the Zambezi x Jamila pairing seems to be a very successful and productive combination! I think a fourth breeding recommendation could be possible - I hope so, anyhow!

 

[Zoofan15]

Looking at our rhino crash's names got me wondering how frequently any of these are used - I've seen Amali and Jamila used for zoo animals before, but I have no idea on how common (or not) they are.

And yes, the Zambezi x Jamila pairing seems to be a very successful and productive combination! I think a fourth breeding recommendation could be possible - I hope so, anyhow!

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Zambezi and Jamila have a fourth calf, which going by their previous birth intervals could be as soon as late 2026/early 2027. Zambezi previously sired four calves to Caballe, three of which are deceased (with the two that survived to adulthood never siring offspring) and the fourth is an 18 year old cow who has never bred, is no longer in a breeding situation and will likely never breed. His 1.2 offspring with Jamila will therefore be his sole representation.

With uncertainty around whether the Australian Rhino Project will happen, it wouldn’t be surprising to see increased breeding recommendations given within the existing population since the placements designated to the South African imports may never be filled. Nyah will presumably be exported to an Australian zoo in the near future since she’s now of reproductive age and related to all four male rhinos in New Zealand; while the expansion of Auckland’s facilities will enable them to receive additional rhino long term. One keeper I spoke to said they could potentially hold double figures once the expansion is complete.

Regarding popularity of Auckland Zoo’s rhino names - Auckland Zoo named a lion cub Amali in 2001 (renamed Yizi by Adelaide Zoo, where she was later sent). There’s also a lioness named Amali at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Jamila is the name of a Black and white colobus at Adelaide Zoo; and a Spotted hyena at Darling Downs Zoo; but like Amali, isn’t as overused as some of the other names. Zambezi is a popular name, especially with zebras (where Z names are favoured anyway).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Zambezi and Jamila have a fourth calf, which going by their previous birth intervals could be as soon as late 2026/early 2027. Zambezi previously sired four calves to Caballe, three of which are deceased (with the two that survived to adulthood never siring offspring) and the fourth is an 18 year old cow who has never bred, is no longer in a breeding situation and will likely never breed. His 1.2 offspring with Jamila will therefore be his sole representation.

With uncertainty around whether the Australian Rhino Project will happen, it wouldn’t be surprising to see increased breeding recommendations given within the existing population since the placements designated to the South African imports may never be filled. Nyah will presumably be exported to an Australian zoo in the near future since she’s now of reproductive age and related to all four male rhinos in New Zealand; while the expansion of Auckland’s facilities will enable them to receive additional rhino long term. One keeper I spoke to said they could potentially hold double figures once the expansion is complete.

Regarding popularity of Auckland Zoo’s rhino names - Auckland Zoo named a lion cub Amali in 2001 (renamed Yizi by Adelaide Zoo, where she was later sent). There’s also a lioness named Amali at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Jamila is the name of a Black and white colobus at Adelaide Zoo; and a Spotted hyena at Darling Downs Zoo; but like Amali, isn’t as overused as some of the other names. Zambezi is a popular name, especially with zebras (where Z names are favoured anyway).

Thanks for that information - fascinating to know, especially about name popularity and Zambezi's previous offspring! The non-breeding cow aged 18 - is that Imani at Hamilton Zoo? I always did wonder about her perhaps being a behavioural non-breeder. Hopefully there will be better luck with Nyah - and later Amali - in the future in that regard. And of course, Zuka going on to sire calves in the future.

Is Jamila the daughter of Hamilton Zoo's Kruger?

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for that information - fascinating to know, especially about name popularity and Zambezi's previous offspring! The non-breeding cow aged 18 - is that Imani at Hamilton Zoo? I always did wonder about her perhaps being a behavioural non-breeder. Hopefully there will be better luck with Nyah - and later Amali - in the future in that regard. And of course, Zuka going on to sire calves in the future.

Is Jamila the daughter of Hamilton Zoo's Kruger?

Yes, Jamila is the daughter of Kruger, who has sired seven offspring:

1.0 Kifaru (2009) to Moesha
1.0 Ubuntu (2010) to Kito
0.1 Savannah (2011) to Caballe
0.1 Jamila (2012) to Moesha
0.1 Stillborn (2013) to Kito
1.0 Samburu (2016) to Kito
0.1 Zahra (2020) to Kito

Only Kifaru (one surviving offspring) and Jamila have bred.

I had assumed Imani was a behavioural non-breeder. The keeper said she doesn’t like Kruger, but considering he’s the only adult bull she’s had the opportunity to breed with, it’s unclear which is the case. Cows which haven’t bred by their late teens invariably fail to conceive later in life (same for cows who don’t breed for extended periods), so I doubt Imani will ever breed to be honest.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Yes, Jamila is the daughter of Kruger, who has sired seven offspring:

1.0 Kifaru (2009) to Moesha
1.0 Ubuntu (2010) to Kito
0.1 Savannah (2011) to Caballe
0.1 Jamila (2012) to Moesha
0.1 Stillborn (2013) to Kito
1.0 Samburu (2016) to Kito
0.1 Zahra (2020) to Kito

Only Kifaru (one surviving offspring) and Jamila have bred.

I had assumed Imani was a behavioural non-breeder. The keeper said she doesn’t like Kruger, but considering he’s the only adult bull she’s had the opportunity to breed with, it’s unclear which is the case. Cows which haven’t bred by their late teens invariably fail to conceive later in life (same for cows who don’t breed for extended periods), so I doubt Imani will ever breed to be honest.

Mind you ..., rhinos are fairly selective over their mates (like some other pachyderm species ... too!) and require a compatible pairing. Now it is quite clear this is not the case, hence the solution is fairly simple, yet highly effective: Either animal/collection-curatorial management move out the current breeding bull Kruger and/or allow cow Imani to be paired with another more suitable / compatible bull (either here or at another collection)!

 

[Jaiden]

@Zoofan15
Hi does anyone know what redeveloped is going to be happening to Burmas past exhibit?

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15
Hi does anyone know what redeveloped is going to be happening to Burmas past exhibit?

I was told by keepers (and it’s additionally been confirmed via socials) that it will be redeveloped for Southern white rhinoceros, with the zoo’s population of the species potentially expanding to double digits.

They already have a decent sized rhino exhibit, with off display yards allowing multiple groupings to be held (at one stage they held five rhinos in four groups); but expanding their capacity will allow a greater number of rhinos to be held on site and enable more frequent breeding.

Conversion of elephant exhibits into rhino exhibit seems to be common theme worldwide, due to the suitability of the infrastructure used to house elephants.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I was told by keepers (and it’s additionally been confirmed via socials) that it will be redeveloped for Southern white rhinoceros, with the zoo’s population of the species potentially expanding to double digits.

They already have a decent sized rhino exhibit, with off display yards allowing multiple groupings to be held (at one stage they held five rhinos in four groups); but expanding their capacity will allow a greater number of rhinos to be held on site and enable more frequent breeding.

Conversion of elephant exhibits into rhino exhibit seems to be common theme worldwide, due to the suitability of the infrastructure used to house elephants.

On my Saturday visit to the zoo, I saw a sign in the former elephant habitat saying, "something big is coming" and a footprint that seemed bird or reptile-like and wondered if there would be some kind of temporary display or exhibit there while they readied the space for rhinos. A volunteer said something about the zoo getting some sort of statues, so wondered if they might be showing those in there.

 

[Zoofan15]

On my Saturday visit to the zoo, I saw a sign in the former elephant habitat saying, "something big is coming" and a footprint that seemed bird or reptile-like and wondered if there would be some kind of temporary display or exhibit there while they readied the space for rhinos. A volunteer said something about the zoo getting some sort of statues, so wondered if they might be showing those in there.

I’m sorry to say this has animatronic dinosaurs written all over it. They’ve been doing the rounds across several zoos in the region of late, with them also set to fill in for Permai at Perth Zoo until something better comes along.

On the plus side, it was exciting going into Burma’s exhibit many years ago to do an encounter. If said experience sees the visitors undertake a lap of the exhibit (and back paddock), I won’t be complaining at an another chance to enter one of the zoo’s most iconic exhibits.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I’m sorry to say this has animatronic dinosaurs written all over it. They’ve been doing the rounds across several zoos in the region of late, with them also set to fill in for Permai at Perth Zoo until something better comes along.

On the plus side, it was exciting going into Burma’s exhibit many years ago to do an encounter. If said experience sees the visitors undertake a lap of the exhibit (and back paddock), I won’t be complaining at an another chance to enter one of the zoo’s most iconic exhibits.

I did wonder about animatronic dinosaurs! Although I did hope it'd be something like moa statues, which would have been of greater local interest.

It must have been amazing to do an elephant encounter! Sadly, I never got the opportunity to do one, although I was very lucky to get into one of the behind-the-scenes primate encounters during the 90s (and this included the chimpanzees which was very exciting! This was when Luka was still an infant.) If we will be allowed to go into the area to see the dinosaurs, I would definitely take advantage of the opportunity just to go in there!