Michael Stace
Active Member
I agree that the old tiger exhibit would suit a Sri Lankan leopard. Personally I think the zoo should rename the South East Asia Jungle Track to a generic name for all of the zoo's present and future Asian animals.
Auckland Zoo Future Development of Auckland Zoo (Speculation)
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
Michael Stace
Active Member
Here are the ten things that I think the zoo should do.
1. Put a South American animal in the old siamang exhibit
2. Get some new kangaroos and wallabies for the Aussie walkthrough exhibit
3. Put an Asian animal in the old tiger exhibit
4. Abandon the playground idea in the African area and replace baboon, serval and cheetah with another African primate and perhaps caracal
5. Keep exhibiting seals
6. Add a new antelope species after the rhinos move into the elephant exhibit
7. Build that lemur walk-through exhibit that was planned
8. Rename the South-East Asian Jungle Track to a more generic name
9. Build a wombat exhibit in the walk-through exhibit
10. Put some Asian turtles in the tropical dome
1. Put a South American animal in the old siamang exhibit
2. Get some new kangaroos and wallabies for the Aussie walkthrough exhibit
3. Put an Asian animal in the old tiger exhibit
4. Abandon the playground idea in the African area and replace baboon, serval and cheetah with another African primate and perhaps caracal
5. Keep exhibiting seals
6. Add a new antelope species after the rhinos move into the elephant exhibit
7. Build that lemur walk-through exhibit that was planned
8. Rename the South-East Asian Jungle Track to a more generic name
9. Build a wombat exhibit in the walk-through exhibit
10. Put some Asian turtles in the tropical dome
Most of us call it the South East Asian precinct on here. To be fair, aside from the Nepalese red panda from South Asia, all of the exhibits in this precinct are South East Asian; but the Sri Lankan leopard, which is also from South Asia, would compliment the red panda nicely and diversity the precinct to a generalised Asian precinct.
All good ideas. Eastern bongo would be my preferred replacement for the rhinos when they moved over to the elephant exhibit. Though they don’t fit the Savannah theme; they’re an ungulate species housed adjacent to other ungulates and given the range of species in this precinct, a representation of multiple biomes is no bad thing. They already have desert species such as the Slender-tailed meerkat and Leopard tortoise.
Replacing Hamadryas baboon with Black and white colobus (a rainforest species) could tie in nicely with Eastern bongo; while I agree replacing Cheetah/Serval with Caracal is a good idea.
If Auckland Zoo were to continue with pinnipeds, then an overhaul of supporting infrastructure would be required. I would be tempted to look into the availability of New Zealand sea lion via wild rescues, having observed the greater charisma of California and Australian sea lions versus fur seals.
Whereabouts would you want this to be built? The 2014 masterplan has it in the space where their current enclosure is; but it would be preferable if this was retained for a species like Sri Lankan Leopards.
Michael Stace
Active Member
Well the cheetah exhibit could become a caracal exhibit and after the serval and baboons pass away, the two exhibits could be demolished and that's where a possible walk-through lemur exhibit could go. I do want to see an African primate go in that area, if not ring-tailed lemur then black-and-white colobus, vervet monkey, patas monkey, red-ruffed lemur or De Brazza's monkey
Michael Stace
Active Member
I would love to see NZ sea lions at Auckland Zoo. I'm not sure if NZ sea lions have ever been in captivity and what with them only living in the South/Stewart/Subantarctic islands, there would be loads of people in Auckland that have never seen a NZ sea lion before.
Auckland Zoo has held pinnipeds since the beginning, with the seal pool that was built in 1922 being their exhibit until 2001. Initially they held fur seals; and received California sea lions in the decades that followed, but I don’t believe they’ve ever held New Zealand sea lion. The fur seals are more locally available (washing up on beaches and subsequently deemed unreleasable due to their age etc) so I feel it’s more likely they’ve resume holding them in this theoretical scenario.
There’s arguably space to build two or three walk through exhibits in this area. Red ruffed lemur, Black and white colobus and De Brazza’s would be my preference considering they’re upcoming or establishing breeding programmes within the region and each an impressive species in their own right.
Updates (2024/2025)
The Australian precinct is being revamped ahead of the arrival of frilled lizards and kangaroos. This is due for completion by the end of 2024 and will greatly enhance the precinct imo. A number of us have mentioned how underwhelming the walk through has been during the past couple of years, even more so now there are no macropods.
The South East Asia precinct will undergo a partial closure (tropical dome and parts of the boardwalk) until November. This is to install double doors on the entry and exit to the tropical dome. It’s a minor addition that while necessary, will not greatly alter what is arguably the zoo’s best precinct.
The seal pool has been reported to be the site of the future playground upon the phase out of pinnipeds from the zoo. There’s been no confirmation as of yet on whether other exhibits will be impacted by the construction of the playground (following initial reports it would be built on the sire of the baboon/cheetah/serval exhibit).
Burma (the zoo’s last elephant) will leave November 2024, ending the zoo’s 101 year association with elephants. The exhibit will be renovated for Southern white rhinoceros.
The Hamadryas baboon exhibit will be closed for maintenance in late August. The maintenance will only last three days, so it appears this is remedial work (e.g. draining the moat for annual cleaning) rather than significant alterations to the exhibit, which would indicate an intention to retain the species long term.
The Australian precinct is being revamped ahead of the arrival of frilled lizards and kangaroos. This is due for completion by the end of 2024 and will greatly enhance the precinct imo. A number of us have mentioned how underwhelming the walk through has been during the past couple of years, even more so now there are no macropods.
The South East Asia precinct will undergo a partial closure (tropical dome and parts of the boardwalk) until November. This is to install double doors on the entry and exit to the tropical dome. It’s a minor addition that while necessary, will not greatly alter what is arguably the zoo’s best precinct.
The seal pool has been reported to be the site of the future playground upon the phase out of pinnipeds from the zoo. There’s been no confirmation as of yet on whether other exhibits will be impacted by the construction of the playground (following initial reports it would be built on the sire of the baboon/cheetah/serval exhibit).
Burma (the zoo’s last elephant) will leave November 2024, ending the zoo’s 101 year association with elephants. The exhibit will be renovated for Southern white rhinoceros.
The Hamadryas baboon exhibit will be closed for maintenance in late August. The maintenance will only last three days, so it appears this is remedial work (e.g. draining the moat for annual cleaning) rather than significant alterations to the exhibit, which would indicate an intention to retain the species long term.
This will always sting a bit... But I suppose it's understandable if they don't have the resources to say build a new precinct (eg. African Rainforest) there from the ground up like many of us were hoping.
I agree. There was certainly an expectation (at least from a number of us) that the elephants would be replaced by something. To learn that was not a new species; but rather a species that has been at the zoo since 1980, was disappointing to say the least.
Many of us had dreams of a lion/hyena complex; or an African forest complex. Since Taronga once had ambitions to import Okapi, it would have been exciting if Auckland Zoo had considered this too. A complex featuring Okapi, Western lowland gorilla and Mandrill would have been phenomenal.
Nonetheless, I’m trying to be positive here. A large complex with double figures of rhinoceros will be exciting; and if there’s a way to add an additional antelope species, all the better. With the Australian Rhino Project seeing a number of new founders enter the region, Auckland Zoo will be well placed to establish themselves as a breeding hub.
As a side note, some zoos have housed rhinos with cheetah. Though there’s been every indication Auckland are phasing out Cheetah, wouldn’t it be incredible if they could exhibit them as a mixed species exhibit! Of course omitting the antelope in this scenario…
Michael Stace
Active Member
I am so excited with the arrival of frilled lizards and the return of kangaroos to Auckland Zoo. The Australian prescient is long over-due a revamp. Now it's the South American prescient that needs a revamp next. As for the seal pool, I'm gutted. As the only NZ zoo that holds pinnipeds, it would have been nice for the zoo to continue that. I still have my fingers crossed that the cheetah/baboon/serval exhibits won't be part of the playground but instead will be home to new African species. And as for the rhinos moving into the elephant exhibit, I can live that as long as there are plenty of rhino to look at, and if I had to pick an antelope species that could live with them, it would be eland. As the largest antelope species, this would make quite an interesting species to look at.
The South American precinct is certainly in need of a refurbishment and its lagged behind the other precincts for a number of years. Options for acquiring new species are limited; but long term, it would be nice to see the zoo aspire to acquire Brazilian tapir with the news Australian zoos are planning to acquire them. They’re well suited to mixed species exhibits with spider monkey; and the zoo could plan to expand into the area occupied by the vacant Siamang exhibit; or use it as a separation area/nursery for for either the spider monkeys or tapir (should births eventuate).
Pinnipeds have been held at Auckland Zoo since 1922, so like the elephants, it will be the end of an era. Part of the reason was attributed to the age/condition of the supporting infrastructure; but personally, I think it would be worth investing in renewal and continuing their valuable work in rescuing injured pinnipeds from New Zealand waters.
Births (2020’s versus 2000’s)
2000-2005 was a golden age for births at Auckland Zoo with four litters of African lion cubs, a Southern white rhinoceros calf, three Giraffe calves; a Bornean orangutan infant; two Siamang infants; a zebra foal; two litters of Serval; two litters of Temminck’s golden cat; two litters of Nepalese red panda; four litters of Asian small-clawed otters; and several Ring-tailed lemur infants among the first, second and third tier births (note: only surviving births are listed).
I thought it’d be interesting to see how this compares to the 2020-2025 period (again, only surviving births are listed):
Tier One Births:
Sumatran tiger - 2024
Bornean orangutan - 2022
Southern white rhinoceros - 2020, 2022, 2024
Giraffe - 2022, 2024
Tier Two Births:
Hamadryas baboon - 2020, 2022
Plains zebra - 2021
Galapagos giant tortoise - 2021, 2022
Greater flamingo - 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Tier Three Births:
Nepalese red panda - 2019 (emerged 2020)
Asian small-clawed otter - 2021
Cape porcupine - 2020, 2021
Golden lion tamarin - 2020
Capybara - 2020
Tier Four Births:
Lowland nyala, Cotton-top tamarin, Emperor tamarin, other birds/reptiles besides those listed above.
Conclusion:
Auckland Zoo has entered another golden age! Excitingly, in comparison to the 2000’s, where births tailed off after 2005 for the next 10-15 years; the second half of the 2020’s will hopefully be just as exciting with a reasonable expectation of Sumatran tiger, Bornean orangutan, Southern white rhinoceros and Giraffe births to continue over the coming years.
2000-2005 was a golden age for births at Auckland Zoo with four litters of African lion cubs, a Southern white rhinoceros calf, three Giraffe calves; a Bornean orangutan infant; two Siamang infants; a zebra foal; two litters of Serval; two litters of Temminck’s golden cat; two litters of Nepalese red panda; four litters of Asian small-clawed otters; and several Ring-tailed lemur infants among the first, second and third tier births (note: only surviving births are listed).
I thought it’d be interesting to see how this compares to the 2020-2025 period (again, only surviving births are listed):
Tier One Births:
Sumatran tiger - 2024
Bornean orangutan - 2022
Southern white rhinoceros - 2020, 2022, 2024
Giraffe - 2022, 2024
Tier Two Births:
Hamadryas baboon - 2020, 2022
Plains zebra - 2021
Galapagos giant tortoise - 2021, 2022
Greater flamingo - 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Tier Three Births:
Nepalese red panda - 2019 (emerged 2020)
Asian small-clawed otter - 2021
Cape porcupine - 2020, 2021
Golden lion tamarin - 2020
Capybara - 2020
Tier Four Births:
Lowland nyala, Cotton-top tamarin, Emperor tamarin, other birds/reptiles besides those listed above.
Conclusion:
Auckland Zoo has entered another golden age! Excitingly, in comparison to the 2000’s, where births tailed off after 2005 for the next 10-15 years; the second half of the 2020’s will hopefully be just as exciting with a reasonable expectation of Sumatran tiger, Bornean orangutan, Southern white rhinoceros and Giraffe births to continue over the coming years.
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
Thanks for this! We certainly have entered another golden age, and I am excited to see whether there will indeed be more births in the next few years - just a question, how are the tiers in terms of births worked out?
The tiers were ordered by myself based on public interest.
Tier One:
Elephants, lions and tigers, bears and great apes. A number of people would visit the zoo purely to see a new birth of these species.
Tier Two:
Second level of popularity. Baboons, zebras, leopards etc. Popular species, but not famous enough to draw people independently of a general zoo visit.
Tier Three:
Next step down in popularity. Most small mammals etc. Generate interest when there’s a birth; but again, nobody visits purely to see them.
Tier Four:
Births that go almost untouched. The nyala herd in the distance that has a new calf; the native gecko tank that contains a juvenile; the fifth litter of Cotton-top tamarins that have been born in two years.
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the explanation - it really makes sense when you put it that way!
Auckland Zoo’s Southern White Rhinoceros
Introduction:
With the birth of a new Southern white rhinoceros calf in November 2024, Auckland Zoo will soon have a population of five rhinos. The last time they had this number was in 2000-2003; and as detailed on The Zoo TV series, integrating them was a challenge.
Brief history:
When Auckland Zoo imported 1.2 Southern white rhinoceros from South Africa in 1999, they already has a 20 year old bull who had been imported from San Diego in 1980. The two bulls were kept seperate for obvious reasons; but the adult cow proved no more tolerant of the young bull, likely because she was pregnant upon import. The rhinos were kept in three groupings until immediately prior to the birth, when the adult female drove her previous offspring away. The rhinos were subsequently held in four groupings (with only the mother and her new calf cohabiting):
1.0 Mandala (1979)
1.0 Kruger (1989)
0.1 Mazithi (1986) and Kito (2000)
0.1 Mbili (1998)
After Kito’s birth, Mazithi was protective to the extent where it was close to a year before Mbili could be successfully reintegrated. There was unsuccessful attempts to integrate Madala with Mbili; but thanks to the perseverance of the keepers, a successful introduction of Kruger, Mazithi, Mbili and Kito was achieved by the end of 2001. They remained a cohesive grouping until the unfortunate deaths of Mazithi and Mbili in 2003; with the orphaned Kito transferred to Hamilton Zoo after she lost her mother’s protection and Kruger became intolerant of her.
Rhinoceros exhibit capacity:
In addition to the main paddock, Auckland Zoo has a medium sized off display yard and three smaller interconnected yards (also off display), which allowed them to manage the aforementioned multiple groupings of rhinos. Since the expansion of the rhinoceros exhibit into the hippopotamus exhibit, an additional double yard opened up; though I understand this is used to manage the Waterbuck and Lowland nyala, which share the exhibit.
The near future:
In anticipation of Jamila’s impending birth, Amali (two years old) has been spending time with her older sister, Nyah. Due to Nyah beginning to cycle, she’s had to be separated from her father to prevent inbreeding. It’s therefore apparent that once Jamila gives birth, the groupings will be as follows:
1.0 Zambezi (1992)
0.1 Jamila (2012) and calf (2024)
0.1 Nyah (2020) and 0.1 Amali (2022)
We can then likely expect a reintegration of Jamila with either Zambezi and Amali; or Nyah and Amali (see below).
The long term future:
It will be interesting to see what happens from here. The zoo have stated Nyah will be transferring out; with an Australian zoo appearing a likely destination since all three bulls currently in New Zealand are related to Nyah. My money would be on Taronga Western Plains Zoo. In the meantime, we can expect to see Nyah provide companionship to Amali, at least until the younger cow can be reintegrated with their mother and new sibling.
With Burma moving out, it’s a possibility that one of the above groupings could transfer across to her exhibit; though I imagine they’d want to fill in the dry moat first and in any case, there’s the capacity to manage three groupings of rhinos in the current exhibit. My prediction is that they’ll continue as they are, while carrying out extensive renovations on the elephant exhibit throughout 2025. Exciting times ahead!
Introduction:
With the birth of a new Southern white rhinoceros calf in November 2024, Auckland Zoo will soon have a population of five rhinos. The last time they had this number was in 2000-2003; and as detailed on The Zoo TV series, integrating them was a challenge.
Brief history:
When Auckland Zoo imported 1.2 Southern white rhinoceros from South Africa in 1999, they already has a 20 year old bull who had been imported from San Diego in 1980. The two bulls were kept seperate for obvious reasons; but the adult cow proved no more tolerant of the young bull, likely because she was pregnant upon import. The rhinos were kept in three groupings until immediately prior to the birth, when the adult female drove her previous offspring away. The rhinos were subsequently held in four groupings (with only the mother and her new calf cohabiting):
1.0 Mandala (1979)
1.0 Kruger (1989)
0.1 Mazithi (1986) and Kito (2000)
0.1 Mbili (1998)
After Kito’s birth, Mazithi was protective to the extent where it was close to a year before Mbili could be successfully reintegrated. There was unsuccessful attempts to integrate Madala with Mbili; but thanks to the perseverance of the keepers, a successful introduction of Kruger, Mazithi, Mbili and Kito was achieved by the end of 2001. They remained a cohesive grouping until the unfortunate deaths of Mazithi and Mbili in 2003; with the orphaned Kito transferred to Hamilton Zoo after she lost her mother’s protection and Kruger became intolerant of her.
Rhinoceros exhibit capacity:
In addition to the main paddock, Auckland Zoo has a medium sized off display yard and three smaller interconnected yards (also off display), which allowed them to manage the aforementioned multiple groupings of rhinos. Since the expansion of the rhinoceros exhibit into the hippopotamus exhibit, an additional double yard opened up; though I understand this is used to manage the Waterbuck and Lowland nyala, which share the exhibit.
The near future:
In anticipation of Jamila’s impending birth, Amali (two years old) has been spending time with her older sister, Nyah. Due to Nyah beginning to cycle, she’s had to be separated from her father to prevent inbreeding. It’s therefore apparent that once Jamila gives birth, the groupings will be as follows:
1.0 Zambezi (1992)
0.1 Jamila (2012) and calf (2024)
0.1 Nyah (2020) and 0.1 Amali (2022)
We can then likely expect a reintegration of Jamila with either Zambezi and Amali; or Nyah and Amali (see below).
The long term future:
It will be interesting to see what happens from here. The zoo have stated Nyah will be transferring out; with an Australian zoo appearing a likely destination since all three bulls currently in New Zealand are related to Nyah. My money would be on Taronga Western Plains Zoo. In the meantime, we can expect to see Nyah provide companionship to Amali, at least until the younger cow can be reintegrated with their mother and new sibling.
With Burma moving out, it’s a possibility that one of the above groupings could transfer across to her exhibit; though I imagine they’d want to fill in the dry moat first and in any case, there’s the capacity to manage three groupings of rhinos in the current exhibit. My prediction is that they’ll continue as they are, while carrying out extensive renovations on the elephant exhibit throughout 2025. Exciting times ahead!
Future Developments
Information:
I asked about future developments on my visit last week and was told at this point in time, the zoo have no plans to phase out Serval. Apparently the male was imported from Singapore Zoo with the intention of breeding, but the cats showed little interest in each other.
The keeper said he was only aware of plans to demolish two exhibits for the construction of the playground at this stage - stressing that nothing has been 100% confirmed at this stage and won’t be until next year.
Discussion/speculation:
Regarding the demolition of two exhibits for the playground - @ApeLadyNZ previously reported a comment on socials referred to the playground being situated on the site of the existing seal pool; and since we know the zoo has no plans to refurbish this exhibit, it’s reasonable to assume this is one of the two exhibits. The supporting infrastructure is in need of renewal, which will be extremely costly and the colony has dwindled to a single ageing seal. The obvious candidate for the second exhibit to be demolished would be the Little blue penguin pool, which adjoins the seal pool. It would provide additional space for the playground on a single site and the penguins would be a simple phase out, with the birds able to join another colony (such as the one at Wellington Zoo).
Regarding the masterplan implying Cheetah, Serval and Hamadryas baboon would be phased out (albeit for the playground, which may no longer be situated in that area):
I’m excited to hear the zoo has no confirmed plans to phase out Serval. Hopefully when the elderly cats inevitably pass, some new Serval will be imported. The zoo have a long history with this species and are the only New Zealand holder.
A number of city zoos have phased out Cheetah and it’s likely Qia and Quartz will be Auckland’s last. They’re eight years old, so senior cats; and there’s even the potential to transfer them to Orana Wildlife Park (who have the capacity). The exhibit could be suitable for a species like Caracal with renovations; or as a supporting exhibit to the Serval facilities, which only include one on display exhibit.
I really hope the zoo have reconsidered plans to phase out Hamadryas baboon. They’re immensely popular with the public and the exhibit is excellent - providing more than enough room for the 10 baboons. There’s a growing emphasis in zoos around providing females with the opportunity to observe the raising of young, ideally within a large continuously breeding troop. Though they’ve never held a large troop, Auckland Zoo have welcomed 4.4 infants since the arrival of the 2.2 founders in 2009 and all but one of the females have had the opportunity to witness infants being raised. The one that hasn’t has proven an excellent mother to her own two offspring. As the elderly members pass on, succession is required if the troop are to remain at the zoo - either through breeding or import of new females. Sydney Zoo have bred a succession of female infant in recent years and their troop are unrelated to Auckland’s.
If the zoo are committed to phasing out Hamadryas baboon, one alternative could be to house a large breeding troop of Ring-tailed lemur in this exhibit. There’s been talk of the region importing Red ruffed lemur (which is housed in small troops due to territoriality of females). At this point in time, I’d assess ruffed lemur as a better candidate for the old tiger exhibit than the more social Ring-tailed lemur.
Information:
I asked about future developments on my visit last week and was told at this point in time, the zoo have no plans to phase out Serval. Apparently the male was imported from Singapore Zoo with the intention of breeding, but the cats showed little interest in each other.
The keeper said he was only aware of plans to demolish two exhibits for the construction of the playground at this stage - stressing that nothing has been 100% confirmed at this stage and won’t be until next year.
Discussion/speculation:
Regarding the demolition of two exhibits for the playground - @ApeLadyNZ previously reported a comment on socials referred to the playground being situated on the site of the existing seal pool; and since we know the zoo has no plans to refurbish this exhibit, it’s reasonable to assume this is one of the two exhibits. The supporting infrastructure is in need of renewal, which will be extremely costly and the colony has dwindled to a single ageing seal. The obvious candidate for the second exhibit to be demolished would be the Little blue penguin pool, which adjoins the seal pool. It would provide additional space for the playground on a single site and the penguins would be a simple phase out, with the birds able to join another colony (such as the one at Wellington Zoo).
Regarding the masterplan implying Cheetah, Serval and Hamadryas baboon would be phased out (albeit for the playground, which may no longer be situated in that area):
I’m excited to hear the zoo has no confirmed plans to phase out Serval. Hopefully when the elderly cats inevitably pass, some new Serval will be imported. The zoo have a long history with this species and are the only New Zealand holder.
A number of city zoos have phased out Cheetah and it’s likely Qia and Quartz will be Auckland’s last. They’re eight years old, so senior cats; and there’s even the potential to transfer them to Orana Wildlife Park (who have the capacity). The exhibit could be suitable for a species like Caracal with renovations; or as a supporting exhibit to the Serval facilities, which only include one on display exhibit.
I really hope the zoo have reconsidered plans to phase out Hamadryas baboon. They’re immensely popular with the public and the exhibit is excellent - providing more than enough room for the 10 baboons. There’s a growing emphasis in zoos around providing females with the opportunity to observe the raising of young, ideally within a large continuously breeding troop. Though they’ve never held a large troop, Auckland Zoo have welcomed 4.4 infants since the arrival of the 2.2 founders in 2009 and all but one of the females have had the opportunity to witness infants being raised. The one that hasn’t has proven an excellent mother to her own two offspring. As the elderly members pass on, succession is required if the troop are to remain at the zoo - either through breeding or import of new females. Sydney Zoo have bred a succession of female infant in recent years and their troop are unrelated to Auckland’s.
If the zoo are committed to phasing out Hamadryas baboon, one alternative could be to house a large breeding troop of Ring-tailed lemur in this exhibit. There’s been talk of the region importing Red ruffed lemur (which is housed in small troops due to territoriality of females). At this point in time, I’d assess ruffed lemur as a better candidate for the old tiger exhibit than the more social Ring-tailed lemur.
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
Thanks for this update! That's very interesting, Auckland Zoo possibly reconsidering phasing out serval! Cat species are popular exhibits, so it would be encouraging to see them start over with a new breeding pair in the future.
It would make more sense to phase out the little blue penguins along with seals, as breeding success has been limited and it would, as you've suggested here, be easy to integrate the birds with another colony. As cute as they are, in my opinion they do little to enhance the zoo's collection, and they make very little use of the pool provided and are often frustratingly difficult for visitors to spot.
I too hope baboons are retained, although I do like your ideas for a breeding colony of ring-tailed lemur. Red ruffed lemurs would, I agree, be more suited to the current ring-tailed lemur group's current accommodation.
Serval:
I’m a huge fan of small felids in zoos. Temminck’s golden cat are a huge loss to the region in my opinion and it’d be a shame to see Auckland Zoo lose Serval as well.
Auckland Zoo first held Serval in 1983, with a pair imported from Taronga Zoo. The species was still at the zoo in 1992 (mentioned in A Tiger by the Tail) and it’d be interesting to know if they survived up until the the arrival of Izazi and Mazimba as kittens in 1997, as that would mean the zoo has held Serval continuously for 41 years!
The breeding male Indlozi was then imported from Germany in 2001 and Mazimba gave birth to Sika in 2002, who was celebrated as the birth in Australasia in five years and the first surviving kitten born at Auckland Zoo.
My memories of the old Serval cages are vague due to my young age; but there was a minimum of two interconnected cages (there may have been a third).
Shai was imported from South Africa in 2003 and produced triplets in 2004, which were the second surviving litter born at Auckland Zoo to date.