is it true that Auckland has grey-headed flying foxes? The others in NZ (at Wellington and Hamilton) are all little red flying foxes.
Auckland Zoo flying foxes
- Thread starter Chlidonias
- Start date
thanks for that. Any idea why there is just a single grey-headed there, and where it came from?
Her name is Maggie and I used to work with her. She used to have a male with her years ago but I think he died (not entirely sure about that though!) Maggie was hand-raised at an Australian zoo before coming to Auckland many years ago. Therefore she's extremely friendly and people-oriented which is very sweet. She lives happily with the group of little reds.
actually, come to think of it, I seem to recall seeing a clip a couple of years ago on tv of a grey-headed flying fox interacting with people (visitors?) at Auckland
Maggies awesome!I saw her at the zoo in 2003 when I did the Night Safari. She came right up to the mesh to see us all
Maggie is always pleased to see people on the Safari Nights. Obviously the bats are at their most active at night and normally we are able to encourage Maggie to come down close the people on the Safari Night so that we can show just how cool and interesting bats are. They are a species that is often overlooked by day time visitors as they are not active when most people come to the Zoo.
Once Te Wai Nui opens, we'll be able to show people the Short Tailed Bats as well.
NZ Jeremy
Well-Known Member
That is going to be awesome, are they going to be fed on the ground as in the wild..?
I hope that there will be opportunity to show them foraging on the ground. This is unusual behavior for a bat (possibly one of the reasons why they seem so vulnerable to introduced predators). I think at this stage the detail about the habitat constructions is still to be finalized.
As with most multi-million dollar projects, things are moving slowly than originally planned. It is not helped by the funding package not being completely in place and relying on Auckland City Council for some of that funding. I suspect that you will see a phased approach as funding is secured to complete the sections of the project. I agree that it is not desirable to have entire sections of the Zoo closed for long periods but this is unavoidable given the nature of the project and the layout of the Zoo.
There will be some more obviously significant progress shortly as the next phase of demolition starts and plans are drawn up to relocate Snorkel to the back of eles. I understand that overall the project is still on schedule for completion 2011.
NZ Jeremy
Well-Known Member
Given Snorkel's advanced age (over 50 years!) is it wise to invest a lot of cash in a new off exhibit area (I very sorry if that seems insensitive as you sound as though you work there and may have a bond)..?
I always thought the area from the aussie walkthrough down to the tortoises could have done with a refurb (maybe himalayan; snow leopards, red panda and tahr or a tropical aviary) before extending into a new (and hilly) part of the zoo..? Is there the issue of what happens to Janie before any development happens to this area (again sorry for any offence)..?
I always thought the area from the aussie walkthrough down to the tortoises could have done with a refurb (maybe himalayan; snow leopards, red panda and tahr or a tropical aviary) before extending into a new (and hilly) part of the zoo..? Is there the issue of what happens to Janie before any development happens to this area (again sorry for any offence)..?
The main driver for the development of Te Wao Nui is to create a sense of Auckland Zoo being 'New Zealand's Zoo'. At present the native fauna and flora collection of Aotearoa is excellent and the staff do a fantastic job, but it lacks a sense of cohesion. Its dispersed around the Zoo. With the new mega natives area the Zoo will have a central integrated display of an Aotearoa biome that will act as a main a point of difference for overseas visitors and also create that sense that we are celebrating our own diverse and fascinating natural history. It will also act as an excellent conservation tool - being able to show visitors (local and overseas) just how incredible our natural history is should engender a desire to protect it better.
Once this area is completed the next project could be an Asian Precinct that will include the current Aussie Walkabout area and Janie. It will stretch from the Asiatic Small Clawed Otters and Red Pandas, through Tigers and onto to [possibly] Golden Cats (which are currently held off display) and a range of other Asian species. This was discussed several years ago but am not sure where those plans are now. I would need to check.
As for Snorkel - she is a much loved part of the Zoo and a really 'nice' hippo. I am not certain but my understanding is to move her to Ele's and allow her to live out her remaining time in comfort. I don't think the move will be too stressful (she is a pretty chilled hippo) but I'm am not sure if a final decision has been made. The are no plans for her to be put down as her quality of life is still very good. Indeed a move to new surroundings could be a good thing for her. Obviously the decision will be made my the curators/ life science manager and director, acting in her best interests. it is always problematic when you have areas of the zoo that need development but you have long standing animals in those areas - Janie and Snorkel are examples of this issue. Do you move them which could be stressful or do you not and either develop around them or wait for time to solve you problem. Janie and Snorkel (well perhaps not so much Snorkel) could have many years ahead of them so its a dilema.
Not sure if this rambling response is useful. Sorry.
NZ Jeremy
Well-Known Member
No its fanastic to have someone so in the know about the zoo on the forum (I'm guessing you work there..?)
Don't get me wrong Te Wao Nui is fanastic and I'm all for as large a zoo as possible... That Asian precinct sounds almost as good too, once that area is completed almost the entire zoo (ans certainly all the major areas) would have been renovated since 1987 and aligned into cohesive collections..! If only New Zealand as a whole had such a great master plan..!
Don't get me wrong Te Wao Nui is fanastic and I'm all for as large a zoo as possible... That Asian precinct sounds almost as good too, once that area is completed almost the entire zoo (ans certainly all the major areas) would have been renovated since 1987 and aligned into cohesive collections..! If only New Zealand as a whole had such a great master plan..!
The problem with master plans is turing them into reality. The precinct approach was actually first mooted in the late 1980's and again in the mid-1990's. I think the Asian Precinct will depend to a great extent on the success (or otherwise) of Te Wao Nui. Hopefully it will all go well and the zoo will be keen to start the next big project. It is also a case that rennovations and new developments is an on-going thing. No sonner have you finished TWN or an Asian Precinct then PrideLands will need refurbishment/ development. The demand is never ending but the resources (staff and energy as well as the more obvious financial) is often in short supply.
