Australia Zoo Australia Zoo News 2021

Aus Zoo Visit 8/05/21

Colours for sections taken from the most recent map, which will be referred to quite a bit.

Pink Section (Entrance/Main Zoo)

- The Elongated Tortoise sign in the Rhinoceros Iguana Enclosure has been removed.
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- The otter enclosure is being renovated, likely just giving it a bit of TLC.
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- The third American Alligator enclosure in the row of enclosures at the 'American Alligator' section of the map is also being renovated, as is a currently undesignated Alligator enclosure around where 'Mossman' is located on the map.
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- I don't know for sure, but I believe that new signs have been added at the komodo dragon enclosures. Nothing special if new, probably just a biproduct of the breeding program.
20210508_103623.jpg

- The saltie enclosure previously dedicated to 'Casper' (their leucistic crocodile) and his mate now houses a lone 'Bosco'. Don't know what happened to Casper and his mate, as they weren't in any other on-display enclosures.
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- Didn't see any chicks at the Cassowaries, despite the area being open for a while now after being closed for nesting.

- The Green Anaconda vivarium that I posted was being constructed in late 2020 is now open (as has already been posted). As far as I can tell it houses 1 Green Anaconda and 2 Red-Tailed Boa.
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Purple Section

- Aviary still under construction, it and area around it are completely blocked off so you have to take a detour around the 'Birds of Prey' aviary.

- I believe there are various differences in the reptile house, but I don't know which is which so I can't list them (and didn't take photos of them).

No real changes in either the Yellow or Orange areas (Wetlands or Asia/Africa), including Elephantasia, which looks the exact same way it did in 2020.
 

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Tricoart said:
Aus Zoo Visit 8/05/21

Colours for sections taken from the most recent map, which will be referred to quite a bit.

Pink Section (Entrance/Main Zoo)

- The Elongated Tortoise sign in the Rhinoceros Iguana Enclosure has been removed.
View attachment 484953
- The otter enclosure is being renovated, likely just giving it a bit of TLC.
View attachment 484954

- The third American Alligator enclosure in the row of enclosures at the 'American Alligator' section of the map is also being renovated, as is a currently undesignated Alligator enclosure around where 'Mossman' is located on the map.
View attachment 484955
View attachment 484956

- I don't know for sure, but I believe that new signs have been added at the komodo dragon enclosures. Nothing special if new, probably just a biproduct of the breeding program.
View attachment 484957

- The saltie enclosure previously dedicated to 'Casper' (their leucistic crocodile) and his mate now houses a lone 'Bosco'. Don't know what happened to Casper and his mate, as they weren't in any other on-display enclosures.
View attachment 484958

- Didn't see any chicks at the Cassowaries, despite the area being open for a while now after being closed for nesting.

- The Green Anaconda vivarium that I posted was being constructed in late 2020 is now open (as has already been posted). As far as I can tell it houses 1 Green Anaconda and 2 Red-Tailed Boa.
View attachment 484959

Purple Section

- Aviary still under construction, it and area around it are completely blocked off so you have to take a detour around the 'Birds of Prey' aviary.

- I believe there are various differences in the reptile house, but I don't know which is which so I can't list them (and didn't take photos of them).

No real changes in either the Yellow or Orange areas (Wetlands or Asia/Africa), including Elephantasia, which looks the exact same way it did in 2020.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the update. Some nice pics there. :)
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
I somehow forgot to post the most interesting piece of news from their magazine...the zoo recently took in an endangered White-throated Snapping Turtle (Elseya albagula). She was not able to be released due to blindness and was sent to Alexandra Park Zoo to be paired with the only other individual (a male) of this species in captivity. They hope to set up a captive population.
Click to expand...
A nice video about this White-throated Snapping Turtle. She also produced several hatchlings when she was at the wildlife hospital. Her offspring were released into the wild.

Source: Australia Zoo’s YouTube
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
A nice video about this White-throated Snapping Turtle. She also produced several hatchlings when she was at the wildlife hospital. Her offspring were released into the wild.

Source: Australia Zoo’s YouTube
Click to expand...
Not sure if I am understanding this properly, If they are the only two in captivity and the offspring are going to be released into the wild how is this going to set up a captive population?.
 
Zorro said:
Not sure if I am understanding this properly, If they are the only two in captivity and the offspring are going to be released into the wild how is this going to set up a captive population?.
Click to expand...
I was thinking the same thing. Aside, I would hope they would raise the hatchlings to a stage that they would be big enough to avoid immediate predation by other wildlife.
 
Visit to Australia Zoo – 29/05/2021:

*I was surprised to see that the Elongated Tortoises are actually on display in the rhino iguana enclosure. Only took almost a year to see one! :p I saw one individual tucked away in a rocky crevice a few inches off the ground. Several members of the public were trying to find the tortoises as they are signed so prominently so I showed them were to look.

Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata)

Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata)


*a female King Cobra has been transferred from the Australian Reptile Park. She is currently on display with a barrier around her exhibit to let her settle in. I had a good chat with a reptile keeper – they plan on introducing her to their resident male around September in the hope to breed some King Cobras for the region.

*two Blue Poison Dart Frogs have been added on show with the existing group of Dyeings. The zoo now has eleven dart frogs on display. According to an old thread located deep within the bowels of ZooChat, only 5 (3.2) individuals were originally imported in 2006 by Melbourne so it’s good to see this morph is still persisting in Australia.

Blue Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius "azureus")

Blue Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius "azureus")


*also in the Reptile House, the scrub python enclosure has received a renovation – new substrate mainly [Renovated Scrub Python Enclosure - ZooChat].

*as @Tricoart already mentioned above in their report from early May, the new anaconda exhibit has opened in the Crocoseum building with a female Green Anaconda and three Boa Constrictors sharing the space. The enclosure epitomises a trend I have noticed with Australia Zoo’s more recent enclosures – lots of mock rock paired with live plants and printed murals. It’s a good improvement from the former enclosure and is overall much brighter. The pool is great as well. There are not enough anacondas around in Australia so it’s always noteworthy when one goes on public display.

Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)

Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)


*renovations are still ongoing for the otter, alligator and rainforest aviary exhibits. I was pleased to see that the rainforest aviary will be taller and the new netting looks excellent. In the photo attached you can see the previous height of the aviary which was exactly where the top few trees were [Rainforest Aviary Renovation - ZooChat]. There was also a new alligator enclosure that has opened opposite the shingleback/Tasmanian devil complex.

*a few other general observations. The first two Sumatran Tigers on display seemed to be their original ones – much older looking individuals. Keepers were walking around 25-year-old Minibus the Common Wombat – glad to see that the old girl is still around.

25-year-old Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

25-year-old Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

Female, Minibus

More photos see here: Australia Zoo - ZooChat
 
Australia Zoo has released a video of the rainforest aviary (pre-renovation) which I thought would be interesting to share. It discusses a few of the species that live in the aviary and shows the morning feed/checklist process that you can see at the zoo if you arrive there at 9:30. The video mentions they have five Rose-crowned Fruit Doves and shows their very elusive kingfisher.

Source: Australia Zoo's Youtube channel
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Australia Zoo has released a video of the rainforest aviary (pre-renovation) which I thought would be interesting to share. It discusses a few of the species that live in the aviary and shows the morning feed/checklist process that you can see at the zoo if you arrive there at 9:30. The video mentions they have five Rose-crowned Fruit Doves and shows their very elusive kingfisher.

Source: Australia Zoo's Youtube channel
Click to expand...
@WhistlingKite24 . Would you know the new height of the aviary now?
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
I will ask someone or approximate the height on my next visit. I do know that the aviary is about 60 metres long and 20 metres wide from measuring it on Google maps.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I guess they will not be trimming the trees as often with the extra height! :)
 
Zoofan15 said:
I know they also contribute a ton of money to conservation projects in Indonesia, so this may have stood them in good stead. Let’s not forget that in 2007 they imported the first Sumatran tigers out of Indonesia in decades. This was a notable achievement and a huge benefit to the breeding programme.
Click to expand...
I have it on good authority that AZ do plan to import a few bull Sumatran elephants. What has transpired further is that they seem somehow well involved in setting up a studbook for the Indonesian Sumatran elephant population (both in zoos, elephant training camps and other locations) with other institutions also involved.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I have it on good authority that AZ do plan to import a few bull Sumatran elephants. What has transpired further is that they seem somehow well involved in setting up a studbook for the Indonesian Sumatran elephant population (both in zoos, elephant training camps and other locations) with other institutions also involved.
Click to expand...
That is good news. But I would hope since I believe one or two of the older cows there are 20+ that it does not take years for this to happen. Another thing would be housing, As far as I am aware there is only one barn which has two holding yards next to it. If one or more bulls are imported it would be safe to assume that these bulls will need their own yards and barn where they can contain them. It was mentioned here some time ago that they were going to build a raceway from the current barn/yards to the exhibit area "Elephantaisa". As I see it one solution would be to build a barn right next to the exhibit area (they have lots of space) and house the cows there. The bulls can be placed into the current barn!
 
Chlidonias said:
Australia Zoo always has "plans" for exotic species, relatively few of which eventuate.
Click to expand...
Shall I say: I have been able to check into the permit application document complete with the Governments' authorisation and the judicial document describing the nature of the transfer (which does not only cite animal transfers under CITES, but knowledge transfer and technical input and support in species management and studbook operation).
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Shall I say: I have been able to check into the permit application document complete with the Governments' authorisation and the judicial document describing the nature of the transfer (which does not only cite animal transfers under CITES, but knowledge transfer and technical input and support in species management and studbook operation).
Click to expand...
And with Australia Zoo, you only believe it when it happens.
 
Visit to Australia Zoo – 28/06/2021:

*the long-overdue rainforest aviary redevelopment has now been completed and it reopened on the weekend in time for the school holidays. The walkthrough exhibit is now approximately seven metres tall complete with the new mesh. The space feels much more open now that the canopy doesn’t touch the roof. New substrates and more native plantings have been added as well. Most of the species have returned including the more elusive ones like the group of Regent Honeyeaters and Noisy Pitta.

Renovated Rainforest Aviary

Renovated Rainforest Aviary


*Bird keepers actually released some of the smaller doves and pitta from their pet packs during my second lap of the aviary so I was able to actually see the pitta (only the second time I have ever caught a glimpse of it). All in all, I was impressed with this development and is certainly my favourite change I have seen the zoo complete in recent times.

Noisy Pitta (Pitta versicolor)

Noisy Pitta (Pitta versicolor)


*the shingleback enclosure is currently closed for renovation/redevelopment. I am not sure if the shinglebacks will be returning to the exhibit or a new species is moving in. All the sandy substrate and furnishings have been removed. The Elongated Tortoises were again seen in a clump of grass near some Pandanus trees with patience and a keen eye.

Shingleback Enclosure - Under Renovation

Shingleback Enclosure - Under Renovation


*there was some construction work around the wombat enclosure between the reptile house and aviary: Wombat Enclosure - Under Construction - ZooChat

*a new alligator enclosure has been opened near the crocodile environmental park as I mentioned above [New Alligator Enclosure - ZooChat]. The other alligator enclosure under renovation near the entrance is still empty currently.

*a Brahminy Kite was on-display in the raptor aviary that traditionally houses a Wedge-tailed Eagle. I assume the zoo rotates their raptors for display space as they have a few species that have appeared on public show in the past.

*the juvenile Freshwater Crocodile has been removed from the tank on Bindi’s Island presumably due to it needing new accommodation because of its growing size. The exhibit continues to house native turtles and fish (gudgeons, rainbowfish).

Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi)

Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi)


*the wildlife highlight for my visit today; a flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos flew over the rhino paddock. I haven’t seen a decent sized group of them in a while so always a delight. More photos of the animals and exhibits can be seen here. I made a greater effort to photograph some of the enclosures that are underrepresented in the zoo’s gallery: Australia Zoo - ZooChat
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Visit to Australia Zoo – 28/06/2021:

*the long-overdue rainforest aviary redevelopment has now been completed and it reopened on the weekend in time for the school holidays. The walkthrough exhibit is now approximately seven metres tall complete with the new mesh. The space feels much more open now that the canopy doesn’t touch the roof. New substrates and more native plantings have been added as well. Most of the species have returned including the more elusive ones like the group of Regent Honeyeaters and Noisy Pitta.

Renovated Rainforest Aviary

Renovated Rainforest Aviary


*Bird keepers actually released some of the smaller doves and pitta from their pet packs during my second lap of the aviary so I was able to actually see the pitta (only the second time I have ever caught a glimpse of it). All in all, I was impressed with this development and is certainly my favourite change I have seen the zoo complete in recent times.

Noisy Pitta (Pitta versicolor)

Noisy Pitta (Pitta versicolor)


*the shingleback enclosure is currently closed for renovation/redevelopment. I am not sure if the shinglebacks will be returning to the exhibit or a new species is moving in. All the sandy substrate and furnishings have been removed. The Elongated Tortoises were again seen in a clump of grass near some Pandanus trees with patience and a keen eye.

Shingleback Enclosure - Under Renovation

Shingleback Enclosure - Under Renovation


*there was some construction work around the wombat enclosure between the reptile house and aviary: Wombat Enclosure - Under Construction - ZooChat

*a new alligator enclosure has been opened near the crocodile environmental park as I mentioned above [New Alligator Enclosure - ZooChat]. The other alligator enclosure under renovation near the entrance is still empty currently.

*a Brahminy Kite was on-display in the raptor aviary that traditionally houses a Wedge-tailed Eagle. I assume the zoo rotates their raptors for display space as they have a few species that have appeared on public show in the past.

*the juvenile Freshwater Crocodile has been removed from the tank on Bindi’s Island presumably due to it needing new accommodation because of its growing size. The exhibit continues to house native turtles and fish (gudgeons, rainbowfish).

Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi)

Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi)


*the wildlife highlight for my visit today; a flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos flew over the rhino paddock. I haven’t seen a decent sized group of them in a while so always a delight. More photos of the animals and exhibits can be seen here. I made a greater effort to photograph some of the enclosures that are underrepresented in the zoo’s gallery: Australia Zoo - ZooChat
Click to expand...
Thank you for the latest update and pics. Very happy to see the upgrade and the extra height given. I have never been keen on the straight pathway where one can see end to end also a water feature would of been nice to see in there but hey its improved. :)
 
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