Darling Downs Zoo Darling Downs Zoo News 2021

WhistlingKite24

WhistlingKite24

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
A Darling Downs Zoo first to start the year. The zoo has successfully bred two Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) chicks; a species that seems to be relatively uncommon in captivity:
For several years the zoo has been trying to breed Nankeen Night Herons.Success at last! Did you know? In the wild the Nankeen Night Heron nests in large colonies of up to thousands of pairs. Most of these colonies are found in the Murray-Darling basin.
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ZooBest has a litter of 1.3 Sri Lankan leopard cubs that are around 18 months old now. People were speculating in the ZooBest thread back in 2019 that a couple would be exchanged for the wombats; however, I was under the impression Darling Downs Zoo would be receiving a breeding pair of Sri Lankan leopard.

Perhaps they will receive a sibling pair for now, with the view of receiving an unrelated mate from the National Zoo (when their pair breeds); or exchanging with either the National or Adelaide Zoo down the line.

While we’re an extension of the European breeding programme, it’d be better to receive at least two unrelated breeding pairs amongst the zoos, so that further imports aren’t immediately needed for the next generation.
 
Zoofan15 said:
ZooBest has a litter of 1.3 Sri Lankan leopard cubs that are around 18 months old now. People were speculating in the ZooBest thread back in 2019 that a couple would be exchanged for the wombats; however, I was under the impression Darling Downs Zoo would be receiving a breeding pair of Sri Lankan leopard.

Perhaps they will receive a sibling pair for now, with the view of receiving an unrelated mate from the National Zoo (when their pair breeds); or exchanging with either the National or Adelaide Zoo down the line.

While we’re an extension of the European breeding programme, it’d be better to receive at least two unrelated breeding pairs amongst the zoos, so that further imports aren’t immediately needed for the next generation.
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It is dependent on what EEP/EAZA is loaning out from the program. I think they make that evaluation before hand. I wonder if they will actually sent a pair to DDZ. Best Zoo might not be an EAZA zoo, not sure.
 
A quick list of species which have been bred at DDZ this year so far, including the birds which so often get overlooked in news threads:

Glossy Ibis
Purple Swamphen
Royal Spoonbill
Black-winged Stilt
Nankeen Night Heron
Blue-fronted Amazon

Spinifex Hopping Mouse
Blackbuck
Addax
Llama
Brazilian Agouti
Pigmy Marmoset
Emperor Tamarin
Hamadryas Baboon
 
Chlidonias said:
including the birds which so often get overlooked in news threads:
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I guess because most zoos release precious little information about their birds which is very much a shame. Also the general lack of attention most bird species seem to receive on the Australasian forums doesn’t help either.
Chlidonias said:
Pigmy Marmoset
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First time DDZ have bred Pygmy Marmosets.:)
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
I guess because most zoos release precious little information about their birds which is very much a shame. Also the general lack of attention most bird species seem to receive on the Australasian forums doesn’t help either.
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I meant the news threads in general (all countries) because they are typically mammalcentric, which is understandable because zoos mostly release news about mammal births over other animals. However, yes, I think the Australasian forums are likely much more mammal-heavy than the others because there are relatively few members for the region and most are fixated on a handful of species of exotic ABC mammals.
 
Darling Downs Zoo have hatched two Black Swan cygnets:
Check out our fluffy new arrivals! Our Black Swans missed the memo about fluffy chicks for Easter weekend and these gorgeous cygnets hatched yesterday. Swans are great parents, and both the male and female bird will incubate the eggs and attend to the cygnets as they grow.
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Darling Downs Zoo
 
Darling Downs Zoo Visit - 20/06/2021:

As always with Darling Downs Zoo, lots to be shared, lots to be excited for from today’s visit. The land around the giraffe is really starting to take shape with all the new developments that I will discuss below. Some news and observations from today’s visit:

*a new complex of four exhibits has been constructed next to the cheetah – two meshed enclosures on either side of a central area with a set of viewing windows. Some of exhibits have wooden climbing structures, nest boxes and light plantings. One of the enclosures also had some sturdy ropes. Signage indicated that these exhibits will be for Servals and a new species.:) The llamas/guanaco have now moved to a new paddock next to the maned wolves and near this new set of enclosures. Better photos of the new maned wolf enclosure are now in the gallery as well.

New Enclosures

New Enclosures

For servals and a new species coming soon

*a female cheetah recently arrived from Monarto Safari Park giving the zoo three (1.2) cheetah to maximise breeding opportunities. She was on display in the main enclosure. During the talk, the keeper discussed their intentions to start trialling artificial insemination with their female cheetah, Leela as mating attempts thus far with the Hamerton male have proven unsuccessful. The zoo will still continue trying to breed naturally from both females.

*today I got my first proper look at the new male Sumatran tiger and he is huge! He is still sharing the space with female Rani. He tried to approach her and his advances were met with a warning [Tiger Scuffle - ZooChat]. Very interesting to watch.

Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)

Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)

Male, Jalur

*lots of new avian delights. The zoo’s fifth pheasant species – a spectacular Reeve’s Pheasant is now in the aviary next to the tigers. Other new species include Diamond Doves in the same aviary, Cattle Egrets in the large waterbird aviary and Nepal Kalij Pheasants are back in the black cockatoo aviary. Several bird moves within the zoo have occurred as well – Australasian Figbirds are now in the kookaburra/bustard enclosure, Mandarin Ducks are now in the open-topped paddock next to the Ruddy Shelducks in the Asia precinct, female Eclectus Parrots are in one of the former amazon parrot aviaries and Cape Barren Geese are sharing with the whiptail wallabies.

Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti)

Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti)


*a pair of Black Swans were incubating three eggs in the enclosure near the front of the zoo. Another pair of swans were raising a cygnet in the tapir/capybara enclosure.

*Freshwater Crocodiles are now on display in the former boa constrictor enclosure. The Radiated Tortoises were not on display presumably due to the winter weather. I counted 16 Aldabra Giant Tortoises in the exhibit with the rhino iguanas, there might have been even more in the heated shed.

*in terms of wild birds – Australasian Grebes are currently raising their chicks on the dam near the hippo and I saw a Wedge-tailed Eagle soar over the zoo across from the giraffes. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and am already looking forward to the next one. More photos of the animals and their exhibits can be seen here: Darling Downs Zoo - ZooChat
 
I like how birdy DDZ's collection is! I'd really like to get there eventually. I've only been in Brisbane twice - and the first time was over a decade ago - but one day...
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Darling Downs Zoo Visit - 20/06/2021:

As always with Darling Downs Zoo, lots to be shared, lots to be excited for from today’s visit. The land around the giraffe is really starting to take shape with all the new developments that I will discuss below. Some news and observations from today’s visit:

*a new complex of four exhibits has been constructed next to the cheetah – two meshed enclosures on either side of a central area with a set of viewing windows. Some of exhibits have wooden climbing structures, nest boxes and light plantings. One of the enclosures also had some sturdy ropes. Signage indicated that these exhibits will be for Servals and a new species.:) The llamas/guanaco have now moved to a new paddock next to the maned wolves and near this new set of enclosures. Better photos of the new maned wolf enclosure are now in the gallery as well.

New Enclosures

New Enclosures

For servals and a new species coming soon

*a female cheetah recently arrived from Monarto Safari Park giving the zoo three (1.2) cheetah to maximise breeding opportunities. She was on display in the main enclosure. During the talk, the keeper discussed their intentions to start trialling artificial insemination with their female cheetah, Leela as mating attempts thus far with the Hamerton male have proven unsuccessful. The zoo will still continue trying to breed naturally from both females.

*today I got my first proper look at the new male Sumatran tiger and he is huge! He is still sharing the space with female Rani. He tried to approach her and his advances were met with a warning [Tiger Scuffle - ZooChat]. Very interesting to watch.

Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)

Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)

Male, Jalur

*lots of new avian delights. The zoo’s fifth pheasant species – a spectacular Reeve’s Pheasant is now in the aviary next to the tigers. Other new species include Diamond Doves in the same aviary, Cattle Egrets in the large waterbird aviary and Nepal Kalij Pheasants are back in the black cockatoo aviary. Several bird moves within the zoo have occurred as well – Australasian Figbirds are now in the kookaburra/bustard enclosure, Mandarin Ducks are now in the open-topped paddock next to the Ruddy Shelducks in the Asia precinct, female Eclectus Parrots are in one of the former amazon parrot aviaries and Cape Barren Geese are sharing with the whiptail wallabies.

Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti)

Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti)


*a pair of Black Swans were incubating three eggs in the enclosure near the front of the zoo. Another pair of swans were raising a cygnet in the tapir/capybara enclosure.

*Freshwater Crocodiles are now on display in the former boa constrictor enclosure. The Radiated Tortoises were not on display presumably due to the winter weather. I counted 16 Aldabra Giant Tortoises in the exhibit with the rhino iguanas, there might have been even more in the heated shed.

*in terms of wild birds – Australasian Grebes are currently raising their chicks on the dam near the hippo and I saw a Wedge-tailed Eagle soar over the zoo across from the giraffes. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and am already looking forward to the next one. More photos of the animals and their exhibits can be seen here: Darling Downs Zoo - ZooChat
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Glad you enjoyed your day there with perfect weather. Its amazing that the zoo makes so much progess and ever increasing species range. Theres always something different/happening there it is truly a work in progress. Nice to see the new male Tiger has settled down in a new home. Birds are always a highlight at Darling Downs zoo I hope its not long before I can visit again. Did you see the new male Lion?. Thank you for taking the time to take pics of all the new works and wonderful pics of the animals are great. :)
 
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Zorro said:
Did you see the new male Lion?. Thank you for taking the time to take pics of all the new works and wonderful pics of the animals are great. :)
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No worries. Yes, he briefly made an appearance in that back portion of the second enclosure that is currently sectioned off from the lionesses.
 
I had some friends visit the Darling Downs zoo for the first time last weekend, they were quite impressed with the zoo overall and spent half the day there. The cold blustery conditions on the day might have been the reason all the animals were very active with even the Giraffes having a good run around for 15 - 20 minutes.
They were impressed with all the new building work happening there and the fine condition of all the animals, Including the range of species being in the collection. The keeper talks were popular and informative so they got to see just about everything on the day, Going by the number of pics they sent me I got to see a number of updates including some wonderful shots of the stunning new male tiger, Komodo dragon, Pygmy Hippo and a range of other species on the day. I believe they intend to return again in the near future. :)
 
From the zoo's website [News - Darling Downs Zoo]:

"We are very pleased to announce that the Australian Government has granted us Deductible Gift Recipient [DGR] status from 6 July 2021. This means that all donations in excess of $2 made to the Darling Downs Zoo Species Preservation Foundation are tax deductible for the donor. Every cent of the income from this Foundation is used to fund our species preservation work here - particularly our back of house breeding and release to the wild work with Greater Bilbies and Bush-stone Curlews. We very much appreciate your support."
 
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