Hamilton Zoo Hamilton Zoo News 2023
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I think something larger like a possum is the most likely option; combined with either the ferrets already on site or a large colony of rats.
Yeah that makes sense having Possums and a colony of Rats considering their (feral) prevalence in New Zealand. Just thought maybe it might make sense to keep a couple of Stoats next to the Ferrera too considering theyre another feral mustelid carnivore feral in New Zealand too and thought visitors might find interesting to see them too.
I agree. It would also help visitors to see the difference between a stoat and a ferret. Throw weasels into the mix and the general public are as confused over which is which as they are with a Cheetah, a Jaguar and a Leopard!
Photo source: Waikato Regional Council
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Siamang introduction:
It’d be interesting to know if Itam and Peggy recognised each other. Peggy spent several years with her parents at Auckland Zoo before she and her sister transferred out.
Itam took a long time to bond to his previous companion (Kasih), who’d he never met prior to their introduction; but this pairing seems to have gone much better.
From socials:
Peggy is now living with her father, 38 year old Itam, in the Siamang enclosure at the bottom of the zoo. Introductions between the pair went exceptionally smoothly, with their relaxed demeanours complimenting each other nicely. The duo quickly becoming inseparable - you'll never find them too far apart from each other!
Itam isn't the only family connection for Peggy here at the Zoo, her 14 year old daughter Kasih lives in the rainforest Siamang enclosure with male Siamang, Lima. This means we now have three generations of Siamang at Hamilton Zoo, see if you can spot any family resemblances when you visit next.
It’d be interesting to know if Itam and Peggy recognised each other. Peggy spent several years with her parents at Auckland Zoo before she and her sister transferred out.
Itam took a long time to bond to his previous companion (Kasih), who’d he never met prior to their introduction; but this pairing seems to have gone much better.
From socials:
Peggy is now living with her father, 38 year old Itam, in the Siamang enclosure at the bottom of the zoo. Introductions between the pair went exceptionally smoothly, with their relaxed demeanours complimenting each other nicely. The duo quickly becoming inseparable - you'll never find them too far apart from each other!
Itam isn't the only family connection for Peggy here at the Zoo, her 14 year old daughter Kasih lives in the rainforest Siamang enclosure with male Siamang, Lima. This means we now have three generations of Siamang at Hamilton Zoo, see if you can spot any family resemblances when you visit next.
Michael Stace
Active Member
Hello, does anyone know if Hamilton Zoo plans to bring back animal encounters in the near future?
Hi there, I know they have ran some trial encounters, and as a frequent visitor I've regularly seen 'public' groups in encounters, but when I've inquired I've been told they are still on hold and there is no information on when they will return. I suspect the encounters I have seen have been educational or with VIPs. The trial encounters were with the ringtail lemurs I think.
Spotted hyena coming to Hamilton Zoo:
I visited Hamilton Zoo yesterday and was excited to hear from a volunteer that the zoo has plans to import Spotted hyena in the near future.
The plan is for hyena to replace African wild dog, which has been designated as phase out after repeated failed attempts to breed the species. The zoo currently holds an 11 year old male, which looked to be in excellent health on my visit; but is considered elderly for this species, which typically lives 8-12 years in zoos.
The exhibit is at the top of the zoo (opposite the Sumatran tigers):
I visited Hamilton Zoo yesterday and was excited to hear from a volunteer that the zoo has plans to import Spotted hyena in the near future.
The plan is for hyena to replace African wild dog, which has been designated as phase out after repeated failed attempts to breed the species. The zoo currently holds an 11 year old male, which looked to be in excellent health on my visit; but is considered elderly for this species, which typically lives 8-12 years in zoos.
The exhibit is at the top of the zoo (opposite the Sumatran tigers):
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A zebra foal has been born:
From socials:
If you've visited in the last week, you may have spotted a new arrival in our Savannah! We have a new Zebra foal, born last Friday night/early Saturday morning.
Gender is still to be determined, but Ungulate team leader Eddie said, "They're looking strong and healthy. Its mother, Marbles, is doing a great job caring for it."
From socials:
If you've visited in the last week, you may have spotted a new arrival in our Savannah! We have a new Zebra foal, born last Friday night/early Saturday morning.
Gender is still to be determined, but Ungulate team leader Eddie said, "They're looking strong and healthy. Its mother, Marbles, is doing a great job caring for it."
Plains Zebra Update
Hamilton Zoo zebras have been busy with 29th foal in 15 years
The breeding stallion, Malawi (2012) has been transferred to Orana Wildlife Park. Following the birth of a foal to Marbles last month; they believe the other mare, Zalika, is pregnant.
The zoo will now be taking a break from breeding.
The article states the zoo has a herd of seven zebras. It’s unclear whether Okavango and Zambia have transferred out; or whether they remain off display (@Matt_C may have a better idea); but the main herd would be as follows:
0.1 Marbles (2003) Shane x Maria
0.1 Zalika (2011) Bwana x Marbles - Pregnant
1.0 Pebbles (2021) Malawi x Marbles
0.1 Wednesday (2021) Malawi x Zalika
1.0 Nguvu (2022) Malawi x Marbles
1.0 Nyika (2022) Malawi x Zalika
0.0.1 Unnamed (2023) Malawi x Marbles
Hamilton Zoo zebras have been busy with 29th foal in 15 years
The breeding stallion, Malawi (2012) has been transferred to Orana Wildlife Park. Following the birth of a foal to Marbles last month; they believe the other mare, Zalika, is pregnant.
The zoo will now be taking a break from breeding.
The article states the zoo has a herd of seven zebras. It’s unclear whether Okavango and Zambia have transferred out; or whether they remain off display (@Matt_C may have a better idea); but the main herd would be as follows:
0.1 Marbles (2003) Shane x Maria
0.1 Zalika (2011) Bwana x Marbles - Pregnant
1.0 Pebbles (2021) Malawi x Marbles
0.1 Wednesday (2021) Malawi x Zalika
1.0 Nguvu (2022) Malawi x Marbles
1.0 Nyika (2022) Malawi x Zalika
0.0.1 Unnamed (2023) Malawi x Marbles
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Sumatran Tiger's, Scout and Kirana were successfully integrated for the first time in late September. Mating took place over the two days, but it's too early to confirm if she's conceived or not
Tigers' 15-times-a-day mating routine 'actually not that many'
Tigers' 15-times-a-day mating routine 'actually not that many'
T1ny.T1ger
New Member
Visiting the zoo yesterday there was some TV filming taking place at a number of enclosures - including the shared Meerkat/Porcupine one. Looks like there are two new additions with the latest birth of two porcupettes, bringing total number of cape porcupines at HZ to five. Unsure on date of birth and keeper declined to talk to me about it. They are on display and viewable.
That’s exciting news considering it’s just over six months since the birth of the zoo’s first Cape porcupine litter (a single female). Gestation is approximately three months in this species.
They’re genetically valuable additions to the region considering their mother is a US imported founder.
Twin Cottontop Tamarins have been born to female Yara and male Mishka. The twins were born on October 11: Log into Facebook | Facebook
Cotton top tamarin birth:
This is the first birth of this species at the zoo since 2019.
Father Mishka was the sire of the last infant (Luciana); while his mate, Yara, was born to Auckland Zoo’s highly successful breeding pair.
Hamilton Zoo now has 1.1.2 Cotton-top tamarins:
1.0 Mishka (25/11/2007)
0.1 Yara (08/05/2019)
0.0.1 Unnamed (11/10/2023) Mishka x Yara
0.0.1 Unnamed (11/10/2023) Mishka x Yara
T1ny.T1ger
New Member
Birth of twin cape porcupines confirmed on social media with a video: https://fb.watch/o4oD9DLxq3/
Hamilton Zoo Update
Update from my visit:
Hamilton Zoo has no immediate plans to receive Southern white rhinoceros from the upcoming Australian Rhino Project imports. They’re at capacity with five adult rhinoceros and a juvenile and no more rhinos will arrive until the young bull (Samburu) transfers out. Separation of Kito and her daughter Zahra has been identified as a priority long term (to avoid estrus suppression commonly seen in mother/daughters).
Construction work was going on around the tiger dens in the smaller exhibit. This is presumably to do with the anticipated litter of cubs.
Recent construction work undertaken on the giraffe yards gave me hope they could be preparing to undertake an import (now New Zealand’s Giraffe IRA is complete). However, it turns out this was to manage Masamba (the eldest male giraffe), who now lives separately from the other bulls due to a chronic foot injury. The current plan is for the three elderly bulls to pass on before looking at bringing in new giraffes.
The Blue duck aviary is now open and a pair have taken up residence in the exhibit.
Photos from my visit: Hamilton Zoo - ZooChat
Update from my visit:
Hamilton Zoo has no immediate plans to receive Southern white rhinoceros from the upcoming Australian Rhino Project imports. They’re at capacity with five adult rhinoceros and a juvenile and no more rhinos will arrive until the young bull (Samburu) transfers out. Separation of Kito and her daughter Zahra has been identified as a priority long term (to avoid estrus suppression commonly seen in mother/daughters).
Construction work was going on around the tiger dens in the smaller exhibit. This is presumably to do with the anticipated litter of cubs.
Recent construction work undertaken on the giraffe yards gave me hope they could be preparing to undertake an import (now New Zealand’s Giraffe IRA is complete). However, it turns out this was to manage Masamba (the eldest male giraffe), who now lives separately from the other bulls due to a chronic foot injury. The current plan is for the three elderly bulls to pass on before looking at bringing in new giraffes.
The Blue duck aviary is now open and a pair have taken up residence in the exhibit.
Photos from my visit: Hamilton Zoo - ZooChat
T1ny.T1ger
New Member
During my previous visit, I had a conversation with a member of the keeping staff in the savannah section who informed me about the future plans for giraffes. Apparently, the next stage involves constructing a new giraffe house in the savannah area where the species will be relocated. A natural move in my opinion instead of the wetlands. However, it seemed that this plan is still many years away. It's interesting to know that they plan to wait out the current herd and then introduce new ones. Do we know if they plan to continue holding a bachelor group?
That makes sense to have the giraffe house adjacent to the savannah. Their exisiting house is very basic, so it’ll be a good opportunity to have something purpose built to meet the future needs of the herd.
While I don’t believe anything has been decided on the future direction of the herd, it makes sense for Hamilton Zoo to continue to function as a bachelor facility. The other three main zoos in New Zealand are all breeding giraffes, so having Hamilton as a bachelor facility will avoid the need to export surplus bull calves to Australia.
Housing a bachelor herd of giraffe at Hamilton Zoo means they can cohabit with a breeding herd of zebra, which may be in Hamilton’s plans for the future. It’d also be nice to see some antelope imports.
Hamilton Zoo News
Update from my visit (11/12/2023):
Staff believe Kirana the Sumatran tigress is pregnant. After mating with the male, Kirana has gone two months without returning to season and has been showing pregnancy symptoms (lethargy, weight gain etc). The zoo are preparing for a potential birth in the first week of January (around the same time Zayana at Auckland Zoo is due).
Caracal are coming to Hamilton Zoo! One of the small cat cages in the rainforest is being renovated for them. The zoo plan is to import a Caracal from Australia in the first half of 2024. It’ll be great to see this species return to New Zealand!
The second small cat cage in the rainforest is being renovated for Black and white ruffed lemur in the short term. Long term, the plan is for this cage (which adjoins the upcoming Caracal exhibit) to house a second Caracal.
The Leopard tortoise have a new exhibit. A double cage in the entry precinct aviaries has been renovated for them.
Photos from my visit are here: Hamilton Zoo - ZooChat
Update from my visit (11/12/2023):
Staff believe Kirana the Sumatran tigress is pregnant. After mating with the male, Kirana has gone two months without returning to season and has been showing pregnancy symptoms (lethargy, weight gain etc). The zoo are preparing for a potential birth in the first week of January (around the same time Zayana at Auckland Zoo is due).
Caracal are coming to Hamilton Zoo! One of the small cat cages in the rainforest is being renovated for them. The zoo plan is to import a Caracal from Australia in the first half of 2024. It’ll be great to see this species return to New Zealand!
The second small cat cage in the rainforest is being renovated for Black and white ruffed lemur in the short term. Long term, the plan is for this cage (which adjoins the upcoming Caracal exhibit) to house a second Caracal.
The Leopard tortoise have a new exhibit. A double cage in the entry precinct aviaries has been renovated for them.
Photos from my visit are here: Hamilton Zoo - ZooChat