Auckland Zoo Future Development of Auckland Zoo (Speculation)

[Zoofan15]

I agree about "the Americas" being a better name for the precinct. And I think they have swapped the alligators over this year - perhaps they rotate them - because earlier in the year I observed target training in the larger exhibit and the keeper identified that alligator as Tallulah. A volunteer also told me how to tell the alligators apart, as Dixie has a missing foot.

Do you have any idea what happened to Georgia to cause such an early death (assuming she was the same age as Dixie and Tallulah? I heard from a volunteer that they - and Dakota - all hatched from the same clutch of eggs).

Macaws would be a popular drawcard to the precinct. Parrots have always been quite the attraction at the zoo, macaws in particular as they're both attractive and very intelligent.

Yes that’s correct that Dixie is missing a hind foot and that they came from the same clutch of eggs (hatched 2002). The four females were initially housed with the older female Doris, but began fighting as they matured. I was told by a volunteer that this was the cause of Dixie losing her hind foot; and that Georgia died from her injuries.

The females were sent to Ti Point for breeding apparently, which would be exciting if they were able to successfully breed them.

I’m sure you remember the zoo’s old American alligator pool (near the Primate Trail). According to the zoo’s history book, it used to be a Humboldt penguin exhibit.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Yes that’s correct that Dixie is missing a hind foot and that they came from the same clutch of eggs (hatched 2002). The four females were initially housed with the older female Doris, but began fighting as they matured. I was told by a volunteer that this was the cause of Dixie losing her hind foot; and that Georgia died from her injuries.

The females were sent to Ti Point for breeding apparently, which would be exciting if they were able to successfully breed them.

I’m sure you remember the zoo’s old American alligator pool (near the Primate Trail). According to the zoo’s history book, it used to be a Humboldt penguin exhibit.

Thanks for that! The history of the alligators is fascinating to me, but there seems to be little information about them online. I do remember the old exhibit well. Doris and another alligator were housed there, another female - unfortunately I can't remember her name or whether she was a sibling of Doris. Volunteers told me that the two females co-existed for years and then aggression suddenly exploded between them; egg-laying behaviour from one or both and the resulting territoriality would have been the most likely cause.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for that! The history of the alligators is fascinating to me, but there seems to be little information about them online. I do remember the old exhibit well. Doris and another alligator were housed there, another female - unfortunately I can't remember her name or whether she was a sibling of Doris. Volunteers told me that the two females co-existed for years and then aggression suddenly exploded between them; egg-laying behaviour from one or both and the resulting territoriality would have been the most likely cause.

I did hear that the second female was a sister of Doris (likely from the same clutch). There’s a photo of two alligators in the zoo’s history book, which I assumed was them; but thinking about it, the last of the Humboldt penguins died in the 1960’s, so there was likely American alligators before those females. I too heard aggression between them led to one being sent away. The acquisition of the four females from Australia in 2010 was essentially history repeating itself, though I had hoped with a larger exhibit, they might have tolerated each other.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I did hear that the second female was a sister of Doris (likely from the same clutch). There’s a photo of two alligators in the zoo’s history book, which I assumed was them; but thinking about it, the last of the Humboldt penguins died in the 1960’s, so there was likely American alligators before those females. I too heard aggression between them led to one being sent away. The acquisition of the four females from Australia in 2010 was essentially history repeating itself, though I had hoped with a larger exhibit, they might have tolerated each other.

I remember when the new exhibit was first created, and it was very exciting to see the larger number of alligators - I do remember Doris being kept separate from the juveniles initially. A volunteer told me that egg-laying seems to have begun the tensions between the animals, leading to Doris being sent to Ti Point. The same volunteer also said that Dixie and Tallulah are still kept separate because of aggression towards Dixie from Tallulah when Tallulah lays eggs - apparently Dixie has never laid any so far.

 

[Osedax]

It's interesting that there have been all these problems with the alligators, seeing as Hunter Valley keeps a large group in what I imagine is not too much larger than Auckland's exhibit.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's interesting that there have been all these problems with the alligators, seeing as Hunter Valley keeps a large group in what I imagine is not too much larger than Auckland's exhibit.

I’m wondering if it’s to do with the presence of a male alligator at Hunter Valley and other facilities that successfully keep females together. The male mates with the female and then the female builds a nest that she lays eggs in. I don’t know how far Auckland’s females are allowed to go with regards to maintaining a nest of (unfertilised) eggs.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I’m wondering if it’s to do with the presence of a male alligator at Hunter Valley and other facilities that successfully keep females together. The male mates with the female and then the female builds a nest that she lays eggs in. I don’t know how far Auckland’s females are allowed to go with regards to maintaining a nest of (unfertilised) eggs.

I'm wondering if the presence of a male has something to do with it, too, as I've never heard of any such troubles occurring at Ti Point. Certainly the nest-guarding instinct seems to kick in early with Tallulah, given her aggression towards Dixie during these times. Probably the actual eggs would be removed pretty soon due to their eventual decomposition, but I often wonder if she's given a clutch of artificial eggs to guard, as zoos sometimes do this with non-breeding birds and reptiles. I heard one of our bird keepers mention that they do this with the non-breeding kea.

 

[Abbey]

Thanks for that! The history of the alligators is fascinating to me, but there seems to be little information about them online. I do remember the old exhibit well. Doris and another alligator were housed there, another female - unfortunately I can't remember her name or whether she was a sibling of Doris. Volunteers told me that the two females co-existed for years and then aggression suddenly exploded between them; egg-laying behaviour from one or both and the resulting territoriality would have been the most likely cause.

The alligator sisters were named by Auckland Zoo through a public naming competition upon their arrival - I remember this because I suggested the name Dakota, which was one then selected. I appreciated the connection to the American states, as well as being the name of the actress Dakota Fanning who was in the Charlotte's Web film.

I'm pleased to hear Dakota the alligator is still going well in New Zealand and fingers crossed will breed at Ti Point in the future.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm wondering if the presence of a male has something to do with it, too, as I've never heard of any such troubles occurring at Ti Point. Certainly the nest-guarding instinct seems to kick in early with Tallulah, given her aggression towards Dixie during these times. Probably the actual eggs would be removed pretty soon due to their eventual decomposition, but I often wonder if she's given a clutch of artificial eggs to guard, as zoos sometimes do this with non-breeding birds and reptiles. I heard one of our bird keepers mention that they do this with the non-breeding kea.

That all makes sense. It stands to reason that if she had a nest to guard, it’d gives her something to do versus if she was seeking to establish a nest site, which is probably where the aggression comes in.

The Greater flamingo flock are similarly given fake eggs while their real eggs are being artificially incubated. The real eggs are then returned 24 hours before they’re due to hatch. This enhances the success of hatching the eggs and allows the chicks to imprint on the flock and experience a natural raising. It’s been very successful.

 

[Zoofan15]

It looks like NZ has done well with lemur breeding, at least with ring-tailed lemurs. Auckland's current troop, as far as I know, are an all-female non-breeding group, and I'm not sure what Auckland intends to do with lemurs going forward.

Auckland Zoo holds 0.4 Ring-tailed lemur:

0.1 Bekily (2001) - born at Auckland Zoo
0.1 Esira (2004) - born at Auckland Zoo
0.1 Evatra (2004) - born at Auckland Zoo
0.1 Manukara (2004) - born at Auckland Zoo

They’ve held a non-breeding troop for several years now. The 2004 births may have even been the last births at Auckland Zoo; and as previously noted, weren’t sired by the original breeding male - Don (1983). The sire could have been the new male - Maarten (1991), who had been vasectomised prior to his transfer; unless Don still had sons in the troop (most were exported to Australia around this time).

I personally think the zoo’s old Sumatran tiger exhibit is a very poor fit for this species. The fact they regularly climb to the highest point of the exhibit (a tree) to sunbath indicates they’d be better suited to something more open plan. It’s a dark, well shaded exhibit better suited to the felids it was built to house. Visitor viewing opportunities are limited due to the inclination of the lemurs to climb the tree, rather than sunbath on the ground.

Instead of building a children’s playground, I’d rather the zoo built a walk through lemur exhibit (housing Ring-railed and Red ruffed lemur) and exhibit a Sri Lankan leopard in the old tiger exhibit. I couldn’t imagine a better suited exhibit for this species and it’s more than big enough for a single male.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Auckland Zoo holds 0.4 Ring-tailed lemur:

0.1 Bekily (2001) - born at Auckland Zoo
0.1 Esira (2004) - born at Auckland Zoo
0.1 Evatra (2004) - born at Auckland Zoo
0.1 Manukara (2004) - born at Auckland Zoo

They’ve held a non-breeding troop for several years now. The 2004 births may have even been the last births at Auckland Zoo; and as previously noted, weren’t sired by the original breeding male - Don (1983). The sire could have been the new male - Maarten (1991), who had been vasectomised prior to his transfer; unless Don still had sons in the troop (most were exported to Australia around this time).

I personally think the zoo’s old Sumatran tiger exhibit is a very poor fit for this species. The fact they regularly climb to the highest point of the exhibit (a tree) to sunbath indicates they’d be better suited to something more open plan. It’s a dark, well shaded exhibit better suited to the felids it was built to house. Visitor viewing opportunities are limited due to the inclination of the lemurs to climb the tree, rather than sunbath on the ground.

Instead of building a children’s playground, I’d rather the zoo built a walk through lemur exhibit (housing Ring-railed and Red ruffed lemur) and exhibit a Sri Lankan leopard in the old tiger exhibit. I couldn’t imagine a better suited exhibit for this species and it’s more than big enough for a single male.

Thanks for that! I remember seeing five lemurs a while back, but one must have passed on. I agree about the exhibit not being ideal for viewing the lemurs, too - the only halfway good thing about the current exhibit is that visitors have a chance to hear the lemurs utter the predator alert when they spot the tigers, as they can look right into the tiger habitat from where they are! It's quite something to hear!

A walk-through lemur exhibit would be amazing and a major drawcard for the zoo. My mind is still boggling as to why the zoo want to add yet another playground instead of adding animals that will enhance their collection. A Sri Lankan leopard would have been amazing!

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for that! I remember seeing five lemurs a while back, but one must have passed on. I agree about the exhibit not being ideal for viewing the lemurs, too - the only halfway good thing about the current exhibit is that visitors have a chance to hear the lemurs utter the predator alert when they spot the tigers, as they can look right into the tiger habitat from where they are! It's quite something to hear!

A walk-through lemur exhibit would be amazing and a major drawcard for the zoo. My mind is still boggling as to why the zoo want to add yet another playground instead of adding animals that will enhance their collection. A Sri Lankan leopard would have been amazing!

They had five lemurs in 2019. The fifth was a female named Toliara, who had been born at Auckland in the late 1990’s. It appears she died circa 2020. The original plan was for the lemurs to be exported to an Australian Zoo (likely Monarto), but the death of the last tiger in 2019 led to them being housed in his exhibit and they’ve remained their ever since.

I don’t know if the zoo plans to continue with plans for an entry precinct featuring lemurs. This was scheduled to take place once the South East Asian precinct was complete; but now all they’re talking about is the playground and they additionally have the elephant exhibit to redevelop for rhinoceros.

Fully agree re. the playground. I wasn’t aware the zoo was lacking in play areas and in any case, the goal of most parents visiting a zoo is to get their kids around the zoo seeing animals.

 

[Jambo]

A walk-through lemur exhibit would be amazing and a major drawcard for the zoo. My mind is still boggling as to why the zoo want to add yet another playground instead of adding animals that will enhance their collection. A Sri Lankan leopard would have been amazing!

Especially since there's already a childrens area as it is. To be fair, it is on the older side (being around since I was younger) but I see no reason why a new area would need to be added too.

Presumably there's been feedback by zoo visitors re. more play areas around the zoo, but the best way to incorporate this is to add small play areas around the zoo (instead of dedicating a whole area to one).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Especially since there's already a childrens area as it is. To be fair, it is on the older side (being around since I was younger) but I see no reason why a new area would need to be added too.

Presumably there's been feedback by zoo visitors re. more play areas around the zoo, but the best way to incorporate this is to add small play areas around the zoo (instead of dedicating a whole area to one).

I absolutely agree with this. I was looking to leave some feedback about the proposed playground, but they only seem to want to hear what features visitors would want in the play area and there's no real place to say, "no, actually, I don't want the dratted thing at all!"

If people want a "nature play area", Western Springs Park is right next door and provides pretty much what they're proposing for the zoo's new play area already. And if Auckland Zoo does want to do some non-animal related redevelopments, perhaps adding more litter receptacles might be a good idea?

 

[Zoofan15]

Especially since there's already a childrens area as it is. To be fair, it is on the older side (being around since I was younger) but I see no reason why a new area would need to be added too.

Presumably there's been feedback by zoo visitors re. more play areas around the zoo, but the best way to incorporate this is to add small play areas around the zoo (instead of dedicating a whole area to one).

I absolutely agree with this. I was looking to leave some feedback about the proposed playground, but they only seem to want to hear what features visitors would want in the play area and there's no real place to say, "no, actually, I don't want the dratted thing at all!"

If people want a "nature play area", Western Springs Park is right next door and provides pretty much what they're proposing for the zoo's new play area already. And if Auckland Zoo does want to do some non-animal related redevelopments, perhaps adding more litter receptacles might be a good idea?

I couldn’t agree more. It would also be nice if the zoo shared some information regarding what exhibits this project is going to wipe out. The masterplan suggests this will be Hamadryas baboon, Cheetah and Serval; but there was a comment on here about it being over towards the New Zealand precinct which makes me think the seal pool is gonna go (we know pinnipeds are being phased out either way).

With regards to play areas, Auckland Zoo has the following:

Large slide by the restaurant
Play area by the Hamadryas baboons
Play area in the Rainforest
Water feature in the elephant plaza

All of these serve a purpose, without detracting from the fact the zoo is a zoo. Two are situated by eating areas (adults can order food while the kids play etc); and three are adjacent to exhibits, so they filter out those more interested in playing on play equipment than seeing the animals.

 

[Jambo]

I couldn’t agree more. It would also be nice if the zoo shared some information regarding what exhibits this project is going to wipe out. The masterplan suggests this will be Hamadryas baboon, Cheetah and Serval; but there was a comment on here about it being over towards the New Zealand precinct which makes me think the seal pool is gonna go (we know pinnipeds are being phased out either way).

With regards to play areas, Auckland Zoo has the following:

Large slide by the restaurant
Play area by the Hamadryas baboons
Play area in the Rainforest
Water feature in the elephant plaza

All of these serve a purpose, without detracting from the fact the zoo is a zoo. Two are situated by eating areas (adults can order food while the kids play etc); and three are adjacent to exhibits, so they filter out those more interested in playing on play equipment than seeing the animals.

It would've been nice to have some sort of multi level climbing area or bamboo exploration trail in line with the South East Asian precinct (a lot of American zoos have done this with great success). Even to the point where viewing of the animals is also meshed with this idea, eg. a rope course may also offer unique viewpoints of the orangutans as well.

Ultimately this is the fine line between entertaining kids whilst avoiding detraction from the overall purpose of a zoo (to see animals). A complex that can do both at once is a success in my eyes.

 

[Zoofan15]

It was my hope that the zoo would incorporate a larger flamingo exhibit into a new African precinct when elephant Burma departs for Adelaide, instead of the larger rhino complex they now have planned.

Same here. If New Zealand had got an IHS approved for the importation of hippopotamus, the elephant exhibit could have been redeveloped into a complex housing Common hippopotamus and a large flock of Greater flamingo. That would have been phenomenal. A flamingo aviary was outlined in the 2014 masterplan, but was unfortunately canned

Predictably, the interest in the latest rhino calf has waned now she’s 17 months old and no longer the exuberant calf tearing around the exhibit. A rhino complex doesn’t appear to be the best investment, but if regular breeding can be achieved, I don’t doubt it’ll attract visitors. Burma is well loved, but the appeal of a lone elephant grazing in a paddock is limited; especially when the new normal will soon be seeing them housed in multigenerational herds at open range zoos.

 

[joe99]

I know I have already said this a couple times, but really if they are committed to breeding more flamingos and having a large breeding flock long term, some light renovations to the enclosures not going to cut it. it has been shown that non clipped flamingos in aviaries breed much better due to being better able to display and copulate. there is growing concern in the welfare issues of preventing birds like waterfowl to fly, so i hope its something high on the priority list

 

[Zoofan15]

I know I have already said this a couple times, but really if they are committed to breeding more flamingos and having a large breeding flock long term, some light renovations to the enclosures not going to cut it. it has been shown that non clipped flamingos in aviaries breed much better due to being better able to display and copulate. there is growing concern in the welfare issues of preventing birds like waterfowl to fly, so i hope its something high on the priority list

I’m open to correction, but I recall hearing the Auckland bred chicks have been allowed to retain their flight feathers for the purpose you describe; and indeed, appear to have demonstrated improved reproductive success. Again, if I remember correctly, the rationale was that flamingos need sufficient run up to achieve flight and the size of the exhibit prevents this. I’ll confirm on my next visit to make sure I’m reporting facts here.

I do agree however that a larger (contained) exhibit would be of benefit. The exhibit is adequate for the flock they have; but to accomodate a larger flock and breed in sustainable numbers, they have to plan for the future. The original import was that of 20 birds, so a net increase of five flamingos over 23 years is nothing to write home about.

Earlier articles claim the capacity of the exhibit is 40 birds and that surplus would be dispersed to other (New Zealand) zoos. I hope that one day that will become a reality.

 

[joe99]

I’m open to correction, but I recall hearing the Auckland bred chicks have been allowed to retain their flight feathers for the purpose you describe; and indeed, appear to have demonstrated improved reproductive success. Again, if I remember correctly, the rationale was that flamingos need sufficient run up to achieve flight and the size of the exhibit prevents this. I’ll confirm on my next visit to make sure I’m reporting facts here.

I do agree however that a larger (contained) exhibit would be of benefit. The exhibit is adequate for the flock they have; but to accomodate a larger flock and breed in sustainable numbers, they have to plan for the future. The original import was that of 20 birds, so a net increase of five flamingos over 23 years is nothing to write home about.

From what i have heard, they aren't pinioned now, which is great as that's considered now almost like de-clawing a cat. they do get their flight feathers cut to prevent them flying after each moult. the size of the enclosure is also a factor in that too.

Ill quote the EAZA Flamingo Husbandry Manual here

"Unfortunately, most current exhibits are open-air enclosures creating the need for the birds to be rendered flightless to prevent escape. Most common methods for restricting flight are pinioning and wing feather clipping. It has been shown that reproduction is severely hindered by pinioning, due to the male’s difficulty in balancing himself during copulation. The recommendation is to keep flamingos full-winged and design new exhibits to accommodate a full-winged flock. Sadly, there are very few exhibits that are designed for full-winged flocks. There are advantages to keeping full winged or pinioned birds in an aviary. These include minimal threat of predation, reduced food stealing by gulls and mallards (Crieighton & Stevens-Woods 1990) and increased fertility (Yoshitake, M. Suuki, T., Yasufuku, M. & Murata, K. 1988). The same basic principles of exhibit construction apply to aviaries. Special care is needed to reduce the risk of injury to flamingos attempting to fly in large aviaries. An exhibit of this type would be very educational, have considerable public appeal, and would increase the likelihood of reproduction within a flock. The zoos that are successfully exhibiting full-winged birds are Sacramento (U.S.), San Antonio (U.S.), Basel (Switzerland), Kobe (Japan) and Xcaret (Mexico)."

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