Brooklands Zoo Brooklands Zoo News

[zooboy28]

I visited Brooklands Zoo today, and theres a couple of minor updates, and of course the biggest animal news in the country this year (thus far):

-The Asiatic Small-clawed Otter enclosure has been renovated, and given a somewhat beach-theme, with a broken dingy and painted pool. Compare before (http://www.zoochat.com/990/brooklands-zoo-asian-small-clawed-otter-200275/) and after (http://www.zoochat.com/990/brooklands-zoo-asiatic-otter-enclosure-267766/).

-The Cotton-top Tamarin enclosure has a temporary stand-off barrier around it, with a sign saying the family need some quiet time, maybe for breeding?

-And the big news: the Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys are on display in the old Ring-tailed Lemur exhibit, which has been greatly enlarged with a new indoor accommodation block built at one end (http://www.zoochat.com/990/brooklands-zoo-bolivian-squirrel-monkey-enclosure-267768/). The five males were energetic and great to watch (http://www.zoochat.com/990/brooklands-zoo-bolivian-squirrel-monkey-267767/). These are the first Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys to be displayed in NZ (at least in recent times).

 

[Steve Robinson]

-The Cotton-top Tamarin enclosure has a temporary stand-off barrier around it, with a sign saying the family need some quiet time, maybe for breeding?

Triplets born March 26 - one surviving.

 

[Arvicola]

These are the first Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys to be displayed in NZ (at least in recent times).

Hi Zooboy28. The ones at Wellington Zoo have been on display for a while now, so the Brooklands ones would have been the second group to go on display

 

[zooboy28]

Triplets born March 26 - one surviving.

Well I hope the remaining baby does well, found an article here:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/6727775/Tamarin-baby-only-surviving-triplet

At just three weeks old, Brooklands Zoo's baby cotton-top tamarin already knows how fragile life can be.

On March 26 the zoo's two adult cotton-top tamarin monkeys Lorenzo and Nephrite became the proud new parents of tamarin triplets.

Two of the siblings didn't make it past the first week – a fairly common calamity tamarin triplets are dealt, said Brooklands Zoo assistant curator Eve Cozzi.

Even though the unnamed survivor has now made it through its first few tentative weeks, the chances of survival were still touch-and-go, she said.

"It's still not certain that it will survive," Ms Cozzi said.

The baby's sex will not be known for some time as the zoo keepers will try remain hands-off for as long as possible, she said.

If it does defy the odds, the new addition will stay at the zoo for at least two years to "learn how to be a real tamarin".

So far the baby monkey appeared to be right as rain and was seen clinging to mum's coat during an outside meal in a Taranaki downpour yesterday, she said.

"The baby's looking really happy from what we can see and mum and dad are doing a great job."

Raising a baby tamarin required a real group effort from the primates, she said.

"When babies are born everybody helps out.

"We've seen the baby clinging on dad a little bit. They share the work load."

Tamarin are critically endangered in the wild and the Brooklands Zoo birth gives a much needed boost to the captive population and Australasian breeding programme, she said.

Nephrite was born at Brooklands Zoo in 2002 while Lorenzo was born in Hamilton Zoo in 2001.

He was transferred to Brooklands in 2010 especially to breed with Nephrite.

Nephrite and Lorenzo are apparently quite the couple, indicating this baby may not be the last addition to the Brooklands tamarin clan.

"There could be more next year. We're just going to let nature take its course," Ms Cozzi said.

 

[zooboy28]

Hi Zooboy28. The ones at Wellington Zoo have been on display for a while now, so the Brooklands ones would have been the second group to go on display

Oh, I didn't realise they were already on display - should have re-read the proper threads!

 

[zooboy28]

The surviving Cotton-top Tamarin baby has been sexed as female and named Inca.

 

[zooboy28]

There hasn't been much news from this small zoo so far this year, the major items being:

-Fire-bellied Newts joined the collection in April.
-The otter enclosure was extended and a new window installed in April.
-A capuchin was born on May 28, to three-time mother Dixie.
-Their oldest capuchin turned 47 on June 10.
-A male Eastern Blue-tongue Skink joined the collection in June.

All news items taken from the zoo's facebook page.

 

[zooboy28]

New Species for Brooklands

A Brolga from Auckland Zoo will be joining the Brooklands collection tomorrow. Brooklands will become the fourth NZ zoo holding this species, with Auckland maintaining a breeding pair, and surplus males also held at Wellington and Hamilton.

Story here: New Species Comes to Brooklands Zoo

Tue 25 Jun 2013

Brooklands Zoo is saying ‘welcome’ to a new Aussie inhabitant.


Mulloka the brolga will arrive from Auckland Zoo tomorrow (Wednesday) and make his home in a newly renovated enclosure near the farmyard.

The juvenile bird, which is part of the crane family, is 1.3m tall and has been ousted by his flock as his parents are breeding again.

“Brolga live quite happily alone but if a pair mate, they will stay together for life,” says Assistant Curator Brooklands Zoo Eve Cozzi.

“They are a common wetland species in tropical and eastern Australia and they’re the official emblem of Queensland.

“We’re very happy to get Mulloka as he’s a new species for zoo visitors and we can use his presence to talk about the loss of wetland habitats, which is one of the biggest threats to cranes in the wild.”

Mulloka, which is aboriginal for ‘water spirit’, was hatched at Auckland Zoo in August last year.

 

[Chlidonias]

A Brolga from Auckland Zoo will be joining the Brooklands collection tomorrow.

now also added to the Birds In New Zealand Zoos thread

 

[zooboy28]

Mulloka the Brolga has arrived and apparently settled in to his new home at Brooklands Zoo. The most interesting point of this story is that the zoo expects a sibling to join him next year, which makes sense as there's little room anywhere else for another brolga. It would be nice if a zoo set up a small flock of this species, although I don't know how well that would work.

Story here: No 'gidday mate' coming from this Aussie | Stuff.co.nz

Mulloka, the Australian brolga, was none too impressed when he arrived at Brooklands Zoo yesterday, but he didn't take too long to settle in.

The 10-month-old bird, which has its wings clipped, was hatched at Auckland Zoo but ousted from the brolga flock there when his parents began breeding again, assistant curator Eve Cozzi said.

"He was hissing inside his crate when he arrived, but we're thrilled with how he's settled in so quickly," she said.

Brolga are part of the crane family and Mulloka, whose name means "water spirit" in Aborigine, already stands 1.3 metres tall and could reach up to 1.5m.

Ms Cozzi said Brooklands Zoo hoped the somewhat "regal -looking" Mulloka would be an "ambassador" and help to educate people about the loss of wetlands, which is the blue-grey crane's natural habitat.

Mulloka has taken over a portion of the farmyard area at the zoo, which has been transformed to replicate a wetland.

Alterations have included installing a 1.9m fence, adding a small concrete pond and planting a variety of greenery.

Ms Cozzi said planting was not yet finished because zoo staff were waiting to see which plants Mulloka would try to rip out first.

"They have really powerful beaks designed to dig up roots and tubers, and look for bugs," she said.

"We're expecting he'll have some fun ripping out some of the plants we've put in.

"In the meantime, it'll be excellent enrichment for him."

Ms Cozzi said brolga were considered fairly easy to keep and Mulloka, who was an omnivore, would be fed on a variety of food including raw meat, dead mice, live insects, vegetables, corn and maize.

"Auckland Zoo staff said he liked to play with twigs and flick them up in the air.

"He seems very easy-going so far," she said.

Brolga, which are not considered at risk in the wild, are well known for their interesting mating dance that involves jumping and leaping around and flapping their wings, while calling out and bowing to each other.

But at this stage there are no plans to find a mate for Mulloka, who may be joined by one of his siblings next year.

 

[zooboy28]

The history of Charlie the Cockatoo at Brooklands, and plans for a new home for him.

Story and photo here: Cockatoo Comes Out Of Hiding | Stuff.co.nz

Many thought Charlie the cockatoo had flown the coop, but New Plymouth's most famous bird has been in exile.

For years he hung out in a small cage by the Pukekura Park tea rooms, chatted to tourists and enjoyed tidbits from passersby.

While "Hello Charlie" was his most common quip, he may also have mastered a few naughty words.

About a decade ago Charlie disappeared from the park. Many people thought he was dead.

But photographer Rob Tucker has found Charlie tucked away at the back of Brooklands Zoo.

"I've got a photo of him swearing at a keeper. He's been exiled because the little kids taught him how to swear.

"He's serving a life sentence, but they are trying to rehabilitate him," he said.

Yesterday the Daily News took a trip to the zoo to interview Charlie, and the bird was on his best, most polite behaviour.

No profanity escaped his beak and Louise McKenna, acting assistant curator of the zoo said Charlie was a good boy.

"Sometimes he mumbles under his breath when he's in a bad mood. And he's got a laugh that sounds like an elderly gentleman," she said.

She would not bite on the claim that he has been exiled. Charlie is housed behind closed doors at the zoo but that was not because of bad language, she said.

The zoo did not have a public aviary big enough for him.

He exercised daily in the public part of the zoo and often chatted with children, she said.

The 35-year-old cockatoo is set to be back in the public arena very soon and an aviary has been designed for Charlie, who could live to be more than 100 years old.

He is a social bird and needs to interact with people so the aviary was a must and the zoo would be fundraising, Mrs McKenna said.

In the meantime staff at the zoo are trying to piece together Charlie's history. Anyone with any information about him is asked to contact Mrs McKenna.

 

[zooboy28]

Finally some news about Brooklands Zoo for 2014! As far as I can tell the zoo is ticking over nicely, with no developments though, possibly due to budget issues in the city council. I haven't visited this year, nor will I, but maybe I'll get back there next year.

Anyway, actual news time: Brooklands Zoo is to recieve a female otter, Jem, from Wellington Zoo after Jem's mate was put to sleep. Jem will join Brooklands two otters (1.1).

 

[Chlidonias]

article about the otter from Wellington:
https://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/local/25616237/third-otter-for-brooklands-zoo/

A new otter is coming to New Plymouth to keep Brooklands Zoo’s male otter company.

Jemima is being flown up from Wellington Zoo tomorrow (Thursday) and will be gradually introduced to Jala and his female mate Aqua.

"Jemima is coming here because her mate Bud had to be euthanised this week due to illness, and as otters are social animals they need to be with other otters," says Assistant Curator Brooklands Zoo Eve Cozzi.

"Her arrival is great timing because our male Jala is going to be in a similar situation soon as Aqua is 18 years old, which is extremely old for otters and basically every new day with her is a gift. But when she finally goes, we’ll have Jemima already in place to be with Jala."

The otters will not be on display for a few weeks as planned maintenance will be taking place in their enclosure.

Bud was originally imported to New Zealand from Mooloolaba, Australia by Brooklands Zoo six years ago, and was later sent to Wellington Zoo for breeding.

"It’s wonderful that we’re now able to look after Bud’s mate after having had Bud at Brooklands just a few years ago," says Ms Cozzi.

 

[zooboy28]

Hopefully this will be a more exciting year for Brooklands Zoo, after a very quiet 2014.

One of the upcoming highlights will be a celebration of the zoo's opening, 50 years ago!

In other news, Crystal (a capuchin), the zoo's oldest resident, turned 47 today:

Full story here: Crystal reaches ripe old age of 47 | Stuff.co.nz

he eldest resident at Brooklands Zoo has lived to a ripe old age thanks to access to excellent medical care and an array of tasty treats.

Crystal the capuchin is 47, making her the eldest animal at the zoo but also a marvel among her species, in which the life expectancy is about 30.

Brooklands Zoo is also celebrating its own longevity later this month with its 50th birthday on January 24. In conjunction with the TSB Bank Festival of Lights the zoo is putting on a day of activities and storytelling from 11am-2pm, inviting children to attend dressed as their favourite animal.

Crystal is understood to have communicated to zookeepers there was no way she'd have reached her 40s in the wild. "They get excellent medical care and they're waited on hand and foot," assistant curator of Brooklands Zoo, Eve Cozzi, explained.

Birthdays, Christmas and Halloween are celebrated. "We make animal-friendly cakes for certain individuals."

Cozzi described Crystal as "the grandma". "Crystal is a pretty clued on for her age. She stands back and she knows to be patient to wait her turn before she's fed."

Although she copes well in the hierachy, Crystal hasn't escaped a couple of pesky ailments that can plague the elderly. "She's got alopecia, especially on her tail, and patches of hair on her back."

Like many women of her vintage, Crystal was camera shy when the Taranaki Daily News called, but dominant male Boo fronted a photo.

Enriching the animals' lives and trying to encourage natural behaviours is a priority for keepers, Cozzi said.

Brooklands Zoo has housed capuchin monkeys since 1981. Despite operating within a strict hierachy, the capuchins each have their own individual personalities and are full of mischief, Cozzi said. "They're constantly busy."

She said they are proficient in using tools and when given a coconut they would spend time locating its weak point, then methodically strike it against a rock until it cracks, when they quickly slurp the water before breaking it open to extract the flesh.

The capuchins have been caught trying to unlock padlocks with sticks and keepers keep tap handles in their pockets to prevent fiddling from small hands. "They will turn the water on and leave it running, or they'll bite the hoses and turn them into sprinkler systems."

Brooklands Zoo was officially opened in 1965, mainly as an aviary facility before becoming a regular zoo in 1970 and beginning to introduce mammals. Roughly 120,000 people come through the gates every year.

 

[Chlidonias]

one of the zoo's elderly small-clawed otters died on 31 March. From their Facebook page:

Brooklands Zoo staff are saddened today after the loss of one of our female Asian Small-Clawed Otters, Aqua.

Aqua was almost 19 years old (the average expected lifespan is 14) and had age related medical conditions which were being treated by the Zoo’s vet team. After her condition worsened, and pain relief was no longer effective, the choice was made to humanely euthanise her.

Aqua shared her habitat with one male named Jala and another female named Jemima.

 

[zooboy28]

A new Capuchin has been born at Brooklands Zoo:

Story here: Capuchin monkey born at Brooklands zoo | Stuff.co.nz

Brooklands Zoo has a new attraction in the form of an as-yet unnamed baby capuchin monkey.

Brooklands Zoo assistant curator Eve Cozzi said mum Dixie was being protective of her baby.

"The baby appears to be doing well and zoo keepers say it's strong, alert, and feeding well," she said.

The wee bundle of monkey joy was born during last week's cold snap so the fur coat was most handy.

"Dixie's being very protective and nurturing and Dixie has a record of giving birth during bad weather or cold snaps."

Cozzi said the gender of the newborn is unknown.

"The new capuchin was welcomed on Wednesday last week with it being Dixie's fourth baby at the zoo," she said.

Cozzi said zoo keepers will remain hands-off to let the mother and baby bond.

"The zoo keepers will leave the job of raising the baby up to Dixie," she said.

"It'll be sometime before we know if the baby is a girl or boy and Dixie has been showing the baby off a lot in front of the viewing window, which is great for visitors."

 

[zooboy28]

Sadly, the baby Capuchin has been euthanised after being injured in a fight.

Story here: Sad Death at Brooklands Zoo

A fight in the capuchin monkey enclosure at Booklands Zoo has required a newborn monkey to be euthanized.

The baby was born on 15 April and was doing well, but during a fight between adult monkeys an injury was sustained to the infant’s arm.

“Fights happen occasionally but unfortunately the mother, Dixie, got mixed up in this one and her baby’s arm was severely fractured – likely caused by a bite from another capuchin,” says Manager Parks Mark Bruhn.

“Unfortunately given the baby’s age, the complexity of the injury and that the baby wouldn’t be accepted back into the troop, euthanasia was necessary.”

Zoo staff are looking out for Dixie and report that she is behaving normally after the loss of her unnamed baby.

 

[zooboy28]

I visited Brooklands on 28 November, my first visit for almost three years. Not much has changed really, although it was looking very tidy. A number of small additions have been made, including some new elephant sculptures (http://www.zoochat.com/990/brooklands-zoo-elephant-sculptures-432782/) and signs about native plants and animals.

The only new exhibit is one for the Zoo's Sulfur-crested Cockatoo, who is a long-term resident of Pukekura Park and previously (not recently) lived in a small cage in the kiosk. It is a small triangular enclosure with rope and perches for this bird that is unable to fly. He is only displayed here during the day, when the weather is good (http://www.zoochat.com/990/brooklands-zoo-cockatoo-exhibit-432781/).

I have also put a photo of the Brolga exhibit in the gallery (http://www.zoochat.com/990/brooklands-zoo-brolga-enclosure-432780/), and one of a sign on that exhibit too (http://www.zoochat.com/990/brooklands-zoo-brolga-sign-432779/), which explains why the Zoo just have the one Brolga.

 

[kiwimuzz]

A recent news article about Brooklands Zoo.

"Brooklands Zoo prepares animals for a chilly winter
Just like humans can get colds, monkeys can too, so Brooklands Zoo has been preparing our primate cousins for the winter.
Adapting their living areas and diets while in captivity is important to ensure they survive the colder months.
Pukekura Park curator Chris Connolly said the general rule for getting the park and all the animals ready was making sure their sleeping areas were well heated.
"It's not so much about changing things up too much, but about making warmer areas available"
"That way they can sort of self manage their own temperature by moving to the UV lamp when they're cold."
Connolly said the zoo staff also altered the animal's diet slightly in some cases to account for a seasonal change they would have in the wild.
"Our three tamarin monkeys for example receive more vitamin C, because they get colds like humans do," he said.
"The UV light is also there because they don't produce vitamin D, which they normally get from sunlight, on their own, which is good for their coats."
With tamarins now critically endangered, keeping them happy and well enough to breed was a big concern for the zoo.
Other animals such as the blue-tongued lizards, otters, six capuchin and five squirrel monkeys all received either heated dens, or UV lamps to ride out the winter.
One blue-tongued lizard at the zoo, named Kaawa, received a 60 watt upgrade in his sun lamp for the winter as well as being allowed his UV light on all night.
"We still offer him the same amount of food but he tends to eat less in winter anyway," Connolly said.
The two short-clawed South China otters the zoo houses also received a UV lamp as well as some extra straw to cuddle up in for those extra cold nights.
"Although the otters weren't born in China, they were born here, we still need the option for them if they do get cold."
"Mostly though they just use it in the morning or huddle up together."

link to full article here
Brooklands Zoo prepares animals for a chilly winter | Stuff.co.nz

I have only been to Brooklands Zoo once as an adult, about 5 years ago. It is located in Pukekura Park and is run by the local Council. Free Entry.
It is a nice little Zoo.
I recall going there several times as a child, and seeing several Chimps in a barren concrete cage. (this was in the early 1970's.)
Does anyone know where these chimps originated or what happened to them?

 

[kiwimuzz]

It is wet and cold today, so I have been doing some internet searching on Brooklands Zoo and found some more news about this little known zoo.

Animal Welfare Accreditation for Brooklands Zoo


Wed 29 Jun 2016

Brooklands Zoo’s high standard of care for its animals has been confirmed with a new accreditation.


The zoo is one of a handful in the country to complete the Zoo and Aquarium Association’s (ZAA) Animal Welfare Accreditation Programme, which takes a new approach to the health and welfare of captive animals.

Says Brooklands Zoo Coordinator Eve Cozzi: “We still work on the broad principles of good welfare, such as making sure the animals can choose their food, move around and express their natural behaviours.

“But this new accreditation builds on those principles by delivering positive welfare outcomes based on five welfare domains: nutrition, environment, health, behaviour and mental affective state.

“The accreditation is quite detailed and I’m proud that Brooklands Zoo has been confirmed as meeting that high standard of care.”

Among the accreditation notes were particular praise for the variety of environments provided to the animals and how they have choice over microclimates (e.g. sun or shade, being at height or on the ground) and their diet.

ZAA New Zealand Representative and Immediate Past-President Karen Fifield says with a focus on delivering positive animal welfare rather than just eliminating negative factors, the new accreditation programme is a world first for the zoo industry.

“The wider community can be certain that ZAA member institutions provide the best level of care for their animals, not just a minimum standard,” she says.

Brooklands Zoo’s accreditation lasts for three years.
•ZAA represents the zoo and aquarium community throughout Australasia. The association has 91 member organisations, 86 of which are zoos, aquariums and museums, with the remainder comprising universities, TAFEs (technical and further education institutions) and government departments.

Link to article here Animal Welfare Accreditation for Brooklands Zoo

Well done to the team at the zoo.