Billabong Zoo Billabong Zoo News
- Thread starter WhistlingKite24
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Was it clarified which species of Leopard this is?
That’s exciting.
We never got confirmation if that was Snow leopard or Sri Lankan leopard but with regards to the latter, it appears at least one is planned to be imported into our region this year.
From Zoo Ostrava‘s socials:
European zoos, including Zoo Ostrava, are helping to expand the breeding of the Sri Lankan leopard population in the region of Southeast Asia and Australia, in order to increase the number of opportunities for animal exchange between Europe and the mentioned regions in the future. Three leopards should leave Europe this year
Snow Leopards apparently!
Sorry I was writing my Australia Zoo thoughts up with wine!
~ E
sorry it was snow leopards. That news is very exciting however. I shall ask about that as well
Wow, really really exciting news if true considering at the moment Melbourne Zoo is effectively the only breeding facility regionally - with their breeding pair both imported from Europe as well (Kang Ju and Mishka).
Let's hope they are planning to acquire a breeding pair and not just a single animal; which would be a much needed addition to the regional breeding program.
That’s interesting. It surprises me they’re continuing with Snow leopard tbh given how Sri Lankan leopard have taken off in the region of late - and how much better suited to the Australian climate they are. Of course, permission would be required from the EEP to hold them.
Nonethelss, an additional Snow leopard holder (potentially even a breeding pair since Billabong once held two pairs) would be exciting given only Melbourne has a breeding pair at this point in time.
I believe Adelaide’s master plan includes plans for snow leoparea. Perhaps we may yet see a resurgence of them in the region.
It's good confirmation since I recall @Tigergal mentioned that Billabong were intending to continue with Snow Leopards in the Snow Leopard thread last year.
Billabong currently have two elderly males (Khumbu and Sabu). Considering they've held four in the past, hopefully they intend to acquire a breeding pair to hold alongside these two.
Adelaide's masterplan initially detailed plans for Sri Lankan Leopards however they were soon scrapped in favour of building an extension of the Sumatran Tiger complex following the birth of their cubs at the end of 2022.
It's a shame as an additional Sri Lankan Leopard holder would've been welcomed since we essentially only have two breeding holders and two non breeding holders.
Snow leopard were speculated as a replacement for Giant panda should negotiations fail to secure a new pair; but otherwise, it was Sri Lankan leopard that were originally intended to be housed at Adelaide Zoo.
The plan was to receive a 1.1 pair from first generation leopards bred in Australia. It’s a shame as this would have been a perfect destination for the female at DDZ and the male at Canberra.
Zoo Tour Australia
Active Member
Went to Billabong Zoo this morning and I have something’s to report.
I could only see one Fennec Fox, the enclosure is pretty visible and I don’t believe that there is really anywhere a Fox could be. So I think, not positive that they only have 1 Fennec Fox.
Construction on an enclosure has began. Not sure for what but appears to have a water feature.
Unsigned Iguana was seen in the little monkey building in between the Golden Lion Tamarins and Common Marmosets.
I enjoyed my trip to the Zoo.
I could only see one Fennec Fox, the enclosure is pretty visible and I don’t believe that there is really anywhere a Fox could be. So I think, not positive that they only have 1 Fennec Fox.
Construction on an enclosure has began. Not sure for what but appears to have a water feature.
Unsigned Iguana was seen in the little monkey building in between the Golden Lion Tamarins and Common Marmosets.
I enjoyed my trip to the Zoo.
Regarding Fennec fox, they had 1.1 born 2011: and 1.0 born 2020, so I’d say it’s likely the older two have passed, leaving behind the young male if Billabong only have one.
1.0 Akoke (17/10/2011)
0.1 Shendi (17/10/2011)
1.0 Dahni (23/10/2020)
That said, the younger male isn’t housed with the older pair. If they only have one exhibit, it might have been his turn on display.
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Zoo Tour Australia
Active Member
Yeah didn’t think about the last point but there was a gate in the middle of the enclosure which was left open. Which I suspect was a split between when they had the older pair in the bigger enclosure on the left and the younger male on his own in the enclosure on the right, although it was my first time at the zoo so they may have an enclosure which cannot be seen.
I am surprised they are not held in New Zealand zoos considering how well suited they would be to the climate!
Wellington Zoo recently acquired two female Snow leopard from Melbourne Zoo’s 2020 litter (Asha and Manju). It marked a return of the species to Wellington Zoo, who imported a pair of Snow leopards from the US in 1983 (the last of which died in 1996).
I agree they’re much better suited to the New Zealand climate. It’d be nice to see Hamilton Zoo acquire them too in the future, though I’m not aware of any plans for them to do so.
Dahni is defenitely still at Billabong - he's used in encounters, so it makes sense if he often has access to the on display enclosure where the encounters take place.
It's possible the older pair have passed considering average Fennec Fox lifespan is only about twelve years in captivity. Or, they might be being kept BTS for their twilight years.
Asian Small-clawed Otters have arrived at Billabong. A new species for the park - reported on their FB page.
The 1.1 sibling pair of Asian Small-clawed Otters from Canberra are now on-show at Billabong Zoo. Always pleasing to see a smaller zoo with this species - reported on their FB page.
Khumbu, the 21-year-old Snow Leopard has died at Billabong. He arrived from Mogo in 2011 and then was transferred to Taronga in 2012 before returning permanently in 2015: Vale Khumbu | Billabong Zoo | Port Macquarie Koala and Wildlife Park