Brooklands Zoo Brooklands Zoo News

In an unexpected twist on the usual annual birthday update, the zoo's oldest capuchin, Crystal, has been found to be significantly younger (eight years) than previously thought, and is now aged 41 years (so possibly not the world's oldest...).

From Facebook:
Today is Crystal, our oldest female Tufted capuchins birthday. We originally thought Crystal to be in her late 40’s, however new information has come to our attention from some historical records found at the zoo where she was born and we now believe she is more likely to be slightly younger than that at 41. As those of you that have seen her can tell, she has some hair loss due to her age and she is a little slower than our other capuchins but overall her health is good. Happy birthday Crystal!
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An article from September:

Brooklands Zoo cotton-top tamarin euthanised

This week, cotton-top tamarin Nephrite was euthanised by vets after a health check diagnosed the small primate with an untreatable kidney illness.

Brooklands Zoo coordinator Eve Cozzi said the loss left the zoo with just two of the tiny monkeys; Nephrite's daughter, 5-year-old Inca, and Inca's father, 15-year-old Lorenzo.

Nephrite was born at the zoo in February 2002 and was popular with both staff and visitors, said Cozzi.

...
 
Asian small-clawed otter import:

http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/5/399483

Otters have returned to New Plymouth District Council (NPDC)’s Brooklands Zoo after a break of more than two years.

Five small-clawed otters have arrived from Dubbo Zoo, Australia to make a new home in New Plymouth. The female siblings are all aged one or two years old.

Katara, Rani, Suki, Luna and Akira have been off-display at Brooklands Zoo for a week as part of MPI requirements, but are now in their new home between the capuchin and cotton-top tamarin monkeys.
 
Future of Brooklands Zoo:

Proposed new exhibits include a $1.5 million exhibit for Asian small-clawed otter and a $2.9 million exhibit for Bolivian squirrel monkey; which due to the costs have led to the viability of operating the zoo being questioned:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/504664/council-debates-9m-for-new-plymouth-zoo
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/504664/council-debates-9m-for-new-plymouth-zoo

Just yesterday, council approved an ambitious seven-phase strategic vision for the boutique zoo, including new animal enclosures, a children's play area and a canopy walkway extending out into the native forest of Pukekura Park.

But today, councillor Gordon Brown wanted $9 million earmarked for zoo compliance costs removed from the draft pan, which would effectively mean closing it down.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Future of Brooklands Zoo:

Proposed new exhibits include a $1.5 million exhibit for Asian small-clawed otter and a $2.9 million exhibit for Bolivian squirrel monkey; which due to the costs have led to the viability of operating the zoo being questioned:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/504664/council-debates-9m-for-new-plymouth-zoo

Just yesterday, council approved an ambitious seven-phase strategic vision for the boutique zoo, including new animal enclosures, a children's play area and a canopy walkway extending out into the native forest of Pukekura Park.

But today, councillor Gordon Brown wanted $9 million earmarked for zoo compliance costs removed from the draft pan, which would effectively mean closing it down.
Click to expand...
Another article from a couple of days ago:
Do New Plymouth zoo's otters really need a new $1.5m home?
 
Chlidonias said:
Another article from a couple of days ago:
Do New Plymouth zoo's otters really need a new $1.5m home?
Click to expand...
What a rather populist and short-sighted vent a single councillor may do. I would rather hope the time the Brooklands Zoo has been around and its role in the community to play may take precedence.

I do think this calls for a more fundamental discourse on how to upgrade and modernise the zoo and give it more focus on a good mix of native species and some exotics appealing to the general public in attractive natural and immersive exhibits.
 
This is only domestics news, but online news about Brooklands Zoo's animals is scarce so I'm posting it anyway. Brooklands Zoo now has a pair of Campbell Island Sheep, which is a rare breed. The photo that is shown in this social media post suggests that the sheep have possibly replaced Brooklands' alpaca.

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On April 24th, 2025, it was announced that the zoo transferred their (1.0) capybara Fernando to Wellington Zoo. It was also mentioned that another (1.0) capybara either passed away or was transferred off-show/different facility, with the former capybara exhibit being renovated*.

6.2K views · 161 reactions | Can you hear the drums, Fernando?! The drumroll in question being to welcome in the newest addition to Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, Fernando the... | By Wellington Zoo Te Nukuao | Facebook

* Information provided by @Zoofan15 in the Current Mammals In New Zealand Zoos thread (Page 13 Post #252).
 
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