Masterplan of my "absolute" Zoo - 2023 version

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

welcome to the South Asian Zone of my absolute Zoo, that completes the Asian part of the Zoo with many impressive species from the Indian subcontinent, Indochina and the Indonesian archipelago (plus a few species from Papua, Melanesia and even Polynesia, even if they aren't properly "Asian") in its 9,3 ha.

The map of this zone is released here :

I begin the description with the Indian Plain (1), a large flat enclosure of 1,2 ha.
It is sandy and grassy, and divided in 2 parts by a path, a tunnel allowing the moves of the various animals of the exhibit. All of them can be seen in the plains of Northern India.
Their night quarters are stables carved in the Himalayan Rock. All the species can be seen outside year-round.
Like in the Eurasian Plain, there are safe fenced quarters for the birds in order to avoid them to be scratched by the hoofstock.

In early 2023 we can see the following species :

• Sambar Rusa unicolor (2.0), back after one year of absence
• Common Hog Deer Axis porcinus porcinus (3.3)
• Indian Gaur Bos gaurus gaurus (0.3)
• Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus (4.6)
• Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (5.5)

We can notice the birth of 0.1 Gaur called YASMEEN in 2022.
Otherwise the 3 Gaur bulls and a cow have left the Zoo, as well as the Indian Swamp Deer, 0.2 Common Hog Deer (including the two females born in 2020) and 1.1 Bar-headed Geese.
1.0 Common Hog Deer arrived in the exhibit.

The Indian Plain :

(Credits : @Gil )

Sambar :

(Credits : @Dianamonkey )

Indian Hog Deer :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Indian Gaur :

(Credits : @Baringogiraffe12 )

Bar-headed Goose :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

The next enclosures (2-3-4-5) are a complex dedicated to the most popular species of the zone : the Asian Elephants.

More information about the Elephant quarters :

Name : Hathi's domain.
Year of building : 2009.
Inspiration : Elephant enclosures and house in Planckendael Zoo [Belgium] and Chester Zoo [England] (cf. Zoolex).

Capacity : 3.6 + offspring
Surface : three plains have respectively surfaces of 7.895 m² (2), 17.740 m² (3) and 13.960 m² (4). The night quarters are inside a building of 950 m² (5), functional but not especially aesthetical for the visitors.
Fencing : the plains are separated from the visiting paths by dry moats and an electric fence, there are bamboo plantations and elephant grass along too. Inside the Elephant house, there's a single corridor for the visitors, placed 3 m above the floor of the paddocks and separated from them by a double row of large steel fences and a security corridor.
Internal layout : the plains are sandy with large pools where the elephants can refresh themselves during the hottest days. Some trees and thickets are maintained inside the enclosures, with fences around to avoid the damage caused by the animals.
Enrichments are disposed in the outside enclosures : food and even water in tubes placed inside rock blocks, bales of hay placed on cranes...
Inside the night building there are individual boxes and a comunitarian enclosure (with a pool) for the main herd, in order to allow "fusion-fission" moves inside it. Every adult male has his own box, but all the boxes can be connected. All the boxes are sandy except 2 boxes with a rubber soil. Additionnally there are 2 "medical boxes" of 4x3 m each, used for medical care.
Webcams are disposed inside the Elephant house, filming the boxes 24/24.
Every pool has a maximal depth of 4 meters (allowing a complete immersion of the elephants) and gentle slopes on every side (except along the visiting path or corridor) to prevent the drowning of the youngest animals. The outside waterbeds can be used by the elephants during all the day, the inside waterbed can be used 24/24. The inside pool is frequently used by the "continental" herd, but sometimes it is open to the "Sri Lankan" one ; in this case there are thick wire cables to separate the two herds. Some zones of wet clay are maintained near each outside pool.
The Elephants can be seen outside year-round, but they aren't less prone to go outside during the winter months, preferring the heated night quarters.
Management : all the elephants can be seen together except during the musth period, in this case the males are separated from the remainder of the herds.
There's a stocking area for the food in a shed hidden from the visitors' sight.
The gardians (totalizing 6 people) can enter the elephant house by doors placed in behind the boxes, a corridor allow them the access to every box and enclosure.
Visitor facilities : several platforms are installed along the visiting path.
The night quarters can be visited.
There are daily feeding sessions with talks about the life of the Elephants ; they are very popular among the visitors.
Sustainable development : the water of the pools is locally filtrated by a phytoepuration station.
The sand and the rocks have a local origin.
Photovoltaic panels are installed on the Elephant house.

The complex is home of two subspecies of Asian Elephants :

• the Sri Lankan Elephants Elephas maximus maximus (2.3) : the three cows JAFFNA, KANDY and LANKA have been joined by two young bulls : TALI and TANGO
• the South-East Asian (Indian) Elephants Elephas maximus maximus (2.4) : the adult bull GANESHA, the adult cows HAMPI, INDILA and JAWA and the calves born in 2020 (the male KAILASH and the female LUDHIANA).

The Northern plain (2) is only occupied by the Sri Lankan, the Southern (4) by the Indian while the Central (3) is shared by the two herds that can be seen ther alternatively.

Along the Central and Southern plains the visitor path is dedicated to the discovery of the ecology of these animals in the South Asian ecosystems.
Real-size Elephant footprints cover the path, while statues of Ganesha and other zoomorphic Hindu divinities are placed along it. Many panels describe the evolution of Elephants, their biology, their range, the interest to keep and breed them in zoos, the conflicts with the humans and the solutions to preserve an harmonious coexistence (including a project led in Sri Lanka and supported by the Zoo itself). There's also information about other projects like the research against the herpesvirus, a deadly disease for these animals.

Near the picnic area (A) the Hathi Cafe (B) is additionnally decorated with many Indian items (road panels, rickshaw...)

Map of the Elephant pavilion (same as the 2022 version) :

A) Sri Lankan Elephant paddocks
B) Continental (Indian) Elephant paddocks
C) Comunitarian enclosure

Sri Lankan Elephant :

(Credits : @Zoofan15 )

Indian Elephant :

(Credits : @RatioTile )

Asian Elephants' enclosure :

(Credits : @felis silvestris )

Comunitarian enclosure of the Elephant house :

(Credits : @twilighter )

In the next days I'll describe other exhibits, this time dedicated to smaller species of mammals, that nonetheless remain very interesting.

Stay tuned !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

here's some other exhibits of the South Asian Zone, beginning with an aviary-type enclosure (6) of 1.045 m² for Indochinese Clouded Leopards Neofelis nebulosa nebulosa (3.2).
This pair of Leopards breeds successfully many times : in 2022, the Zoo has noticed the birth of 2.0 cubs, making the Zoo one of the best breeders for this rare species.
So the current group of Leopards includes the breeding pair, the newborn cubs and a young female born in 2021 (2.1 other young born in 2021 have been transferred to other facilities). Currently we can see in alternance the adult male, the adult female with her cubs or the young female. Otherwise they stay in the night enclosures (4 enclosures of 25 m² each, that can be connected together).
The enclosure is filled with dense vegetation, making the sight of the animals quite difficult. Sometimes they rest on wooden platforms disposed in the enclosure, appreciated by the cats.

Clouded Leopard enclosure :

(Credits : @felis silvestris )

Clouded Leopard :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Then we can see a Southeast Asian complex, designed for middle- to small-sized species, mainly mammals.

There's first an enclosure (7), made on the model of the Clouded Leopard, where we can see another cat species : the Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus (2.1).

Name : Fishing Cat enclosure.
Year of building : 2005.
Inspiration : Fishing Cat enclosure in Taronga Zoo [Australia] (cf. Zoolex).

Capacity : 1.1 + offspring
Surface : 600 m² for the main enclosure, 25+25 m² for the night quarters.
Fencing : the plains are separated from the visiting paths by dry moats and an electric fence, there are bamboo plantations and elephant grass along too. Inside the Elephant house, there's a single corridor for the visitors, placed 3 m above the floor of the paddocks and separated from them by a double row of large steel fences and a security corridor.
Internal layout : inside the enclosure there are plenty of lush vegetation and wooden platforms.
A pool has been made, sometimes living fish (Cyprinidae) are put inside as a behavioral enrichment and an additionnal food source.
The night quarters are made to make easier the transfer of the animals throughout crates.
Visitor facilities : the sighting points are limited, but the surroundings of the enclosure are decorated in order to give an "Asian" impression, with bamboo and various artefacts. There are a lot of informative panels about the wildlife conservation in this part of the world, and about the research projects supported by the Zoo on the rare species of cats in Borneo (including Bay Cat, Flat-headed Cat...).
Sustainable development : the water of the pools is locally filtrated by a phytoepuration station.
The materials and plants (bamboo) have sustainable sources.

This enclosure hosts now a breeding pair, and their son born in 2020.
This enclosure is enclosure previously described, in smaller size, with . There are also 2 night quarters of 25 m² for the cats : currently we can see the breeding pair or the young male in the main enclosure, the other individuals remaining in this night quarters.

Fishing Cat enclosure :

(Credits : @felis silvestris )

Fishing Cat :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

The following enclosure (8) has a surface of 420 m² is dedicated to a new species for the Zoo : the Toque Macaque Macaca sinica (1.1). These animals have been rescued from animal trafficking, while they are increasingly rare among European zoos despite their EN status in the wild. They have replaced the Lion-tailed Macaques shortly kept in this enclosure.

The soil of the enclosure is mainly grassy, with artificial climbing gear and zones filled with mulch.
The animals can be seen behind large glass panels in a semi-covered gallery where various vines are planted (it reduces the reflects of the sun across the glass, and also the risks of collision for the birds).

Toque Macaque :

(Credits : @Fallax )

Then there's a building partly covered with vines (9) and full of enclosures and terraria, with various species (plus the night quarters of the Toque Macaques and Fishing Cats, the latter closed to the public access).

Here's the map of the building (setting unchanged since 2020) :

The species displayed last year (Philippine Flying Lemurs, Common Treeshrews) have all left our collection.

After have seen the 50 m² night/winter quarters of the Toque Macaques (A), a single room with rough layout, limited to ropes and other climbing gear, plus a soil covered with mulch, the visitor sees a slightly smaller exhibit of 40 m² (B) occupied by a new species for the Zoo, also unique in Europe : the Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus brachyotis (6.10) that live in a small colony, we wait for the breeding of these animals. Several other species of Asian and African fruit bats are displayed in the Zoo, I'll describe them soon.
There's enough space inside the enclosure to allow them to fly. Fruit and other food are disposed on feeders disposed across the enclosure. The soil is primarily made of sawdust.
The bats can perch on branches, or in small cave-like holes carved in rock blocks.

Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat :

(Credits : @Giant Eland )

In the third exhibit that is smaller with a 20 m² surface (C), made on the model of the Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat exhibit, we can see another strange flying species, also new for the Zoo and extremely rare in Europe : the Red Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista (1.1).

Red Giant Flying Squirrel :

(Credits : @Giant Eland )

Finally the last exhibit, that is the smallest with a 15 m² surface (D), hosts a reptile species brought from the Vivarium, the Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko (2.4) in a setting that recreates a traditional Thai house, presenting the presence of some wildlife in the "humanized" environments.

Possible look of Tokay exhibit (with a larger size) :

(Credits @Coelacanth18 )

Tokay Gecko :

(Credits : @gulogulogulo )

Additionnally there's information signage about biomimetism, that is illustrated by the Geckos that have inspired many inventions and scientific discoveries from adhesives to robotics.

The other enclosures are the night quarters of the Fishing Cats (E-F) and of another Macaque species (G-H) that I'll describe later. None are open to the public access, only the staff has access to them by a corridor.

Stay tuned for the remainder of the South Asian Zone !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I describe a few other exhibits of the South Asian Zone, beginning with the last enclosure of the Small Asian Animal Complex (10), a netted aviary-like enclosure of 640 m², whose setting looks like the exhibit n° 8 but with a pool like in the exhibit n° 7. Here we can see a primate unique in Europe, the Philippine long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis philippensis (3.0). Just as the Toque Macaques previously described, these animals have been seized by the customs.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque :

(Credits : @devilfish )

Immediately after, a former lawn has just been converted into 2 enclosures (11-12) that form a mini-farm, in replacement of the former one that was near the Zoo entrance.

Both are plain farmyard-type enclosures with rough shelters and wooden fences.

The first enclosure (11) has a surface of 310 m², it's the home of a new species for the Zoo : the Vietnamese Potbelly Sus scrofa f. domestica (5.1) with a litter of young pigs.
The second (12) is slightly smaller with 311 m², here we can meet an other very common species, back to the Zoo after one year of absence : the Domestic Fowl Gallus gallus f. domestica (1.7).
The visitors can come into the Fowl enclosure but not in the Pigs' one.

The presence of these species, now present in practically all the countries on Earth, isn't incidental at all : both are native to South or South-East Asia.
There are accurately signage about the animal domestication (of all the species, from the Silk Worm to the Bactrian Camel) and the wild relatives of the Domestic Pigs and Chicken (the Wild Jungle Fowl being present in another place of the Zoo, that I'll describe soon).

Farm animals' yard :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Vietnamese Potbelly :

(Credits : @KevinB )

Domestic Fowl :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Immediately after the visitor comes into the Taman Negara House (13), a 855 m² pavilion initially dedicated to Orang-utans and Lar Gibbons, but that hosts now only 2 (other) species of Gibbons.
These primates have an access to islands (14-15).

Name : Taman Negara
Year of building : 2014 (as an Orang-utan and Gibbon complex).
Inspiration : Siamang exhibit of Tierpark Herberstein, Orang.erie of Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna (cf. Zoolex).

Taman Negara house (labelled as Orangutan house in 2022) :

Capacity : 0.0.3 Gibbons per species (2 Gibbon species displayed)
Surface : 855 m² for the building, that includes 2 main inner enclosures of 225 m² each (A and C) and a third off-exhibit of 80 m² (B), currently used for medical or behavioral purposes.
There are 4 islands (2 per species) that sum 1.510 + 290 m² (14) and 1.285 + 1.240 m² (15).
Fencing : along the islands there's a thin electrical fencing to prevent the fall and drowning of the primates ; on the side of the visiting path there are rosebushes that have an aesthetical interest but respond also to safety concerns, to prevent throwing of food or items (and drowning of the human primates).
The inner enclosures are fenced with soundproof glass for the acoustic comfort of the primates.
Internal layout : the islands are linked together by rope bridges (even avove the visiting path for the islands of the exhibit n° 15) ; there are many trees (oaks, beeches) on them, offering a natural environment to the primates, and artefacts like nets, poles and ropes, also dead trunks.
In the night quarters there are a lot of nets, ropes and trunks. The soil if covered of mulch that is maintained humid to prevent nasty smells, to regulate the inside temperature and the bacterial comunities.
The animals can stay inside or outside year-round.
Management : there's a special zone for the staff inside the night building, used for the technical installations (heating), the preparation of the food, the cleansing of the keeper's hands and the isolation of animals if needed.
Some cameras film the inside enclosures 24/24.
Visitor facilities : there's a visiting corridor inside the night building.
Sustainable development : there's information about the conservation projects (fight against poaching, rescueing of orphaned animals) in Malaysia and Vietnam on signage, and during the feeding sessions of the primates, that are popular.

The species currently present are both new for the Zoo :

• 14) Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus (0.2) called KINA and KAWAÏ - they have access to the C inside enclosure, and to the n° 14 islands
  
• 15) Moloch Gibbon Hylobates moloch (0.2) called SABI and LULUNGAN - they have access to the A inside enclosure, and to the n° 15 islands

Gibbon house :

(Credits : @RonBurrgundy )

Siamang island :

(Credits : @pachyderm pro )

Siamang in natural-like environment :

(Credits : @vogelcommando )

Moloch Gibbon :

(Credits : @Rhino00 )

Stay tuned for the further exhibits of this South Asian Zone !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today, there's the description of other exhibits of the South Asian Zone, with an area initially dedicated to birds.

Only one remaining aviary (16) is still dedicated to birds.
It's a large (865 m²), high (up to 16 m), barren and netted exhibit, where it's possible to see one species unique in Europe : the Indian Vulture Gyps indicus (2.3).
0.1 Indian Vulture hatched and has been successfully raised by her parents in 2022 : she has been called KARISHMA by the keepers (and she's the only raptor to have hatched last year in our collection). We hope she will be part to the breeding and reintroduction program of the species in the Indian subcontinent (the Zoo supports such projects in Northern India and Nepal) where it is CR in the wild.

Conversely the Greater Adjutants, once kept in the Zoo, have left our collection.

Look of the Indian Vulture aviary :

(Credits : @Mr Gharial )

The adjacent large walkthrough aviary has been put down, and its numerous inhabitants (Storks, Ibises...) have left our collection, except the Great-billed Herons that have ended in a further exhibit.

It has been replaced by several enclosures for Cats.

The two first ones (17-18) have both a surface of 190 m², plus a small building of 70 m² for the night shelters (4 individual boxes of 10 m², plus a corridor for the staff). Both host a new species for the Zoo that enriches its already important collection of cats (especially among the Asian species) : the Sri Lankan Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus phillipsi (2.1). The first enclosure hosts a pair, the second a single male.

These enclosures are planted with lush vegetation, that makes the cats difficult to spot (without any pun), and 2,5 m high, with wire fencing.
A path has been created along the Père David's Deer enclosure to allow the access to them.

Rusty-spotted Cat exhibit :

(Credits : @Gavial )

Sri Lankan Rusty-spotted Cat :

(Credits : @ro6ca66 )

On the opposite side there's a larger enclosure (19) of 585 m² plus a 70 m² building for the night quarters. They host a recognized glory of the Zoo, regularly breeding here : the Indochinese Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa nebulosa (1.4).
The animals currently present are one new breeding pair, and 0.3 cubs born in 2022 (the Zoo has completed the breeding of two different pairs of Clouded Leopards last year, that is a real success given the difficulty for the breeding of this species in some zoos).
The layout of this enclosure is made on the model of the other (numerous) South Asian Cat exhibits.

Next to the second Clouded Leopard enclosure there's an Indonesian restaurant (C) called "Le Kinabalu", with also separated restrooms.

The three next enclosures (20-21-22) have a surface of 3.000, 515 and 2.020 m².
They are forested and enclosed with wooden fences, and used to house Cassowaries, then Lowland Anoas. Currently they are empty, waiting for another species (I may give news of this complex in 2024...).

Former (empty) Anoa enclosures :

(Credits : @MagpieGoose )

I don't begin now the description of the next building ("Bird House"), given it would be too long and complex, with a main exhibit and a lot of annex enclosures and aviaries, including extremely rare species (both in zoos and in the wild).

I will describe it tomorrow or in the weekend.

Stay tuned !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I attack a tough part of the South Asian Zone of my Zoo, because it is the Bird House.

It is primarily a large greenhouse of 2.705 m² and 6 m high, with a main walkthrough exhibit plus annex exhibits for reptiles inside. Outside there are many aviaries along the building, some of them house extremely rare species, that take part to breeding programs.

The main exhibit has a surface of 1.700 m² (23), it includes wet and dry zones, with a little pond in the middle, many tropical plants (with signage indicating the species) and feeders filled fith fruits, seeds, nectar and insects throughout.

The bird collection is huge, mixing Asian and Oceanian birds, highlighting the uniqueness of this zoogeographical zone, where marsupials and cockatoos can meet monkeys, deer and pigs (there are information panels about it).

There's finally signage about the support given by the Zoo to captive breeding and reintroduction programs for rare bird species of Indonesia and of the Philippines.

About the birds displayed, the collection includes currently the following species, that live freely inside this main space :

• Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (8.11)
• Great Argus Argusianus argus (1.2)
• White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus (5.4), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus (3.1), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis (2.2), unique in Europe
• Victoria Crowned-pigeon Goura victoria (3.2)
• Coroneted Fruit-dove Ptilinopus coronulatus (3.2), unique in Europe
• Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis (5.2), unique in Europe
• Striated Babbler Argya earlei (1.1), unique in Europe
• Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea (8.5)
• Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus melanops (0.3), unique in Europe
• Purple-throated Sunbird Leptocoma sperata (2.3), unique in Europe
• Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps (5.4), unique in Europe
• Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus (1.1), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• Cardinal Honeyeater Myzomela cardinalis (5.0), back in the Zoo after one year of absence and unique in Europe
• White-headed Munia Lonchura maja (3.5), back in the Zoo after one year of absence
• Double-barred Finch Stizoptera bichenovii (9.2), new species for the Zoo
• Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata (3.2), new species for the Zoo

Many fledglings have been recorded last year : 2.0 Red Junglefowl, 2.2 Greater Painted-snipes, 2.1 Green Broadbills, 3.1 White-headed Munias and 1.5 Double-barred Finches.

Some species have left the collection : Indian Flying Foxes, Buff-banded Rails, Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeons, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrots, New Guinea Friarbirds and Red Avadavats.

We can notice the arrival of : 0.1 Red Junglefowl, 0.2 Greater Painted-snipes, 2.0 Green Broadbills ; and the departure of 2.0 Red Junglefowls (hatched in 2022), 5.2 Greater Painted-snipes (including 2.2 birds that have hatched in 2022), 1.0 Coroneted Fruit-dove (hatched in 2021), 0.1 Striated Babbler, 0.1 Grey-throated Babbler, 3.0 White-headed Munias (hatched in 2022) and 0.5 Double-barred Finches (hatched in 2022).

Bird House :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Red Junglefowl :

(Credits : @DaLilFishie )

Great Argus :

(Credits : @Daniel Sörensen )

White-breasted Waterhen :

(Credits : @LaughingDove )

Bronze-winged Jacana :

(Credits : @Chlidonias )

Greater Painted-Snipe :

(Credits : @ThylacineAlive )

Victoria Crowned-Pigeon :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Coroneted Fruit Dove :

(Credits : @Ding Lingwei )

Green Broadbill :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Red-billed Leiothrix :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Black-faced Woodswallow :

(Credits : @WhistlingKite24 )

Purple-throated Sunbird :

(Credits : @Chlidonias )

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo :

(Credits : @Goura )

White-headed Munia :

(Credits : @gentle lemur )

Double-barred Finches :

(Credits : @WhistlingKite24 )

Diamond Firetail :

(Credits : @Andrew_NZP )

In the coming days I will describe all the annex enclosures and aviaries of this Bird House.

Stay tuned !

 

[KevinB]

Hello,
About the birds displayed, the collection includes currently the following species, that live freely inside this main space :

• Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (8.11)
• Great Argus Argusianus argus (1.2)
• White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus (5.4), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus (3.1), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis (2.2), unique in Europe
• Victoria Crowned-pigeon Goura victoria (3.2)
• Coroneted Fruit-dove Ptilinopus coronulatus (3.2), unique in Europe
• Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis (5.2), unique in Europe
• Striated Babbler Argya earlei (1.1), unique in Europe
• Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea (8.5)
• Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus melanops (0.3), unique in Europe
• Purple-throated Sunbird Leptocoma sperata (2.3), unique in Europe
• Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps (5.4), unique in Europe
• Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus (1.1), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• Cardinal Honeyeater Myzomela cardinalis (5.0), back in the Zoo after one year of absence and unique in Europe
• White-headed Munia Lonchura maja (3.5), back in the Zoo after one year of absence
• Double-barred Finch Stizoptera bichenovii (9.2), new species for the Zoo
• Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata (3.2), new species for the Zoo

Many fledglings have been recorded last year : 2.0 Red Junglefowl, 2.2 Greater Painted-snipes, 2.1 Green Broadbills, 3.1 White-headed Munias and 1.5 Double-barred Finches.

Some species have left the collection : Indian Flying Foxes, Buff-banded Rails, Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeons, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrots, New Guinea Friarbirds and Red Avadavats.

We can notice the arrival of : 0.1 Red Junglefowl, 0.2 Greater Painted-snipes, 2.0 Green Broadbills ; and the departure of 2.0 Red Junglefowls (hatched in 2022), 5.2 Greater Painted-snipes (including 2.2 birds that have hatched in 2022), 1.0 Coroneted Fruit-dove (hatched in 2021), 0.1 Striated Babbler, 0.1 Grey-throated Babbler, 3.0 White-headed Munias (hatched in 2022) and 0.5 Double-barred Finches (hatched in 2022).

With regards to especially the "unique in Europe" species, do you imagine these would be able to be sourced from private trade, or would they have to be imported from zoos on other continents or even from the wild?

 

[Haliaeetus]

With regards to especially the "unique in Europe" species, do you imagine these would be able to be sourced from private trade, or would they have to be imported from zoos on other continents or even from the wild?

Hello,
I think mainly about imports from non-European zoos, then about private holders that breed the species (common case among the reptiles, many species are bred by private holders, while absent in conventional zoos).
Imports of wild animals would be very rare and limited to targeted conservation programs.
I would also add the seizures of animals by the police and customs.

 

[Van Beal]

Hello,

today I attack a tough part of the South Asian Zone of my Zoo, because it is the Bird House.

It is primarily a large greenhouse of 2.705 m² and 6 m high, with a main walkthrough exhibit plus annex exhibits for reptiles inside. Outside there are many aviaries along the building, some of them house extremely rare species, that take part to breeding programs.

The main exhibit has a surface of 1.700 m² (23), it includes wet and dry zones, with a little pond in the middle, many tropical plants (with signage indicating the species) and feeders filled fith fruits, seeds, nectar and insects throughout.

The bird collection is huge, mixing Asian and Oceanian birds, highlighting the uniqueness of this zoogeographical zone, where marsupials and cockatoos can meet monkeys, deer and pigs (there are information panels about it).

There's finally signage about the support given by the Zoo to captive breeding and reintroduction programs for rare bird species of Indonesia and of the Philippines.

About the birds displayed, the collection includes currently the following species, that live freely inside this main space :

• Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (8.11)
• Great Argus Argusianus argus (1.2)
• White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus (5.4), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus (3.1), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis (2.2), unique in Europe
• Victoria Crowned-pigeon Goura victoria (3.2)
• Coroneted Fruit-dove Ptilinopus coronulatus (3.2), unique in Europe
• Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis (5.2), unique in Europe
• Striated Babbler Argya earlei (1.1), unique in Europe
• Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea (8.5)
• Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus melanops (0.3), unique in Europe
• Purple-throated Sunbird Leptocoma sperata (2.3), unique in Europe
• Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps (5.4), unique in Europe
• Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus (1.1), new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe
• Cardinal Honeyeater Myzomela cardinalis (5.0), back in the Zoo after one year of absence and unique in Europe
• White-headed Munia Lonchura maja (3.5), back in the Zoo after one year of absence
• Double-barred Finch Stizoptera bichenovii (9.2), new species for the Zoo
• Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata (3.2), new species for the Zoo

Many fledglings have been recorded last year : 2.0 Red Junglefowl, 2.2 Greater Painted-snipes, 2.1 Green Broadbills, 3.1 White-headed Munias and 1.5 Double-barred Finches.

Some species have left the collection : Indian Flying Foxes, Buff-banded Rails, Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeons, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrots, New Guinea Friarbirds and Red Avadavats.

We can notice the arrival of : 0.1 Red Junglefowl, 0.2 Greater Painted-snipes, 2.0 Green Broadbills ; and the departure of 2.0 Red Junglefowls (hatched in 2022), 5.2 Greater Painted-snipes (including 2.2 birds that have hatched in 2022), 1.0 Coroneted Fruit-dove (hatched in 2021), 0.1 Striated Babbler, 0.1 Grey-throated Babbler, 3.0 White-headed Munias (hatched in 2022) and 0.5 Double-barred Finches (hatched in 2022).

Bird House :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Red Junglefowl :

(Credits : @DaLilFishie )

Great Argus :

(Credits : @Daniel Sörensen )

White-breasted Waterhen :

(Credits : @LaughingDove )

Bronze-winged Jacana :

(Credits : @Chlidonias )

Greater Painted-Snipe :

(Credits : @ThylacineAlive )

Victoria Crowned-Pigeon :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Coroneted Fruit Dove :

(Credits : @Ding Lingwei )

Green Broadbill :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Red-billed Leiothrix :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Black-faced Woodswallow :

(Credits : @WhistlingKite24 )

Purple-throated Sunbird :

(Credits : @Chlidonias )

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo :

(Credits : @Goura )

White-headed Munia :

(Credits : @gentle lemur )

Double-barred Finches :

(Credits : @WhistlingKite24 )

Diamond Firetail :

(Credits : @Andrew_NZP )

In the coming days I will describe all the annex enclosures and aviaries of this Bird House.

Stay tuned !

Wonderful variety! I do have a question, but not at all related to the species.
How did you get 16 pieces of media into your post? I’ve tried to get more than 10 but I can’t? Is there some manner of uploading media that I haven’t figured out?

 

[Haliaeetus]

Wonderful variety! I do have a question, but not at all related to the species.
How did you get 16 pieces of media into your post? I’ve tried to get more than 10 but I can’t? Is there some manner of uploading media that I haven’t figured out?

Hello,
I paste/copy the addresses of pictures from the Zoochat base (that include some of my images).
So I can get up to 20 images per post.

 

[Van Beal]

So just copy/paste the link is what I assume you mean? Apologies for sidetracking the thread but I’m curious

 

[Haliaeetus]

So just copy/paste the link is what I assume you mean? Apologies for sidetracking the thread but I’m curious

Yes.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I make a short description of the inside enclosures of the Bird House (24-25-26).

All these enclosures are dedicated to crocodilians and made on the same model : a large pool with glass panels to offer an underwater sight, and a bank with sand, a heated zone with a concrete ground, some vines and trees (fruit are cut to not attract the birds) and piles of leaves. The layout is completed by large stumps and rocks disposed in the water.
Above the enclosures there are nets (3 x 3 cm openings) to prevent deadly landings of the birds, especially every species larger than a dove, that should make a valuable prey.

The first ones (24-25) have a surface of 310 m² each.
The pool of the n° 24 enclosure has a depth of 4 m and a 150 m² surface.
It's the home of Saltwater Crocodiles Crocodylus porosus (1.2).
This trio is comprised of powerful adults : the male ZEPHYR and the females YARRA and ALICE, that have bred several times here.
In the n° 25 enclosure the pool is shallower (no more than 2 m depth) and smaller (100 m²) : here we can see a small group of young Saltwater Crocodiles (7.4) that hatched in 2021 (departure of 3.4 animals since last year, to other European facilities).

View towards the Saltwater Crocodile enclosure :

(Credits : @WhistlingKite24 )

Possible look of the Saltwater Crocodile pool :

(Credits : @Chlidonias )

Saltwater Crocodile (young) :

(Credits : @ZooElephantsMan )

The third enclosure (26), that has a surface of 350 m² and a depth up to 3 m, has hosted False Gharials, then young Saltwater Crocodiles.
Now we can see a new crocodilian species for the Zoo, that is very threatened (CR) in the wild : the Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis (0.5).
These five young females are sisters and have been sent by a Cambodian breeding and reintroduction centre ; the Zoo supports a reintroduction project of this reptile in this South Asian country.

Look of the Siamese Crocodile pool (with typical jungle vegetation) :

(Credits : @Nadchew_ )

Siamese Crocodiles :

(Credits : @Andrew_NZP )

Near these croc exhibits there's signage about the most threatened crocodilians throughout the world, but also about the conservation successes (recoveries of the Saltwater Crocodile, American Alligator, Black Caiman...).

Finally there are feeding sessions of the crocs along these 3 exhibits.
In these popular moments (the attendance of these sessions is always good) there are talks about the taxonomy of the crocs (closer to birds than to snakes and turtles...), the stages of their lives and their conservation.

Tomorrow I will describe the last exhibits of this South Asian Zone, corresponding to the numerous aviaries on the sides of the Bird House.

See you later !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

I describe now the last exhibits of the South Asian Zone, it's a row of aviaries dedicated to various Australasian species.

The first aviary (27) has a surface of 150 m² and 3 m high, it is planted with lush vegetation (bamboo, bushes...), with a lot of space on the ground, made of mulch, sand and pebbles where the birds can roam and peck their food.
Behind the main aviary there are quarters conceived to isolate one or more birds : single males and/or females with newly hatched chicks.
Once there were Green Peafowl, but the last birds have left the Zoo in late 2022. They have been replaced by a new species : the Malay Crested Fireback Lophura rufa (0.2).

Malay Crested Fireback (female) :

(Credits : @MagpieGoose )

The second (28) has the same surface and is made on the same model. It used to house Great Hornbills, these ones also replaced by another species : the Grey Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum (4.2).

2.0 chicks of this species have hatched in 2022, they live currently with their parents.

Grey Peacock-Pheasant aviary :

(Credits : @ralph )

Grey Peacock-Pheasant :

(Credits : @Julio C Castro )

The next aviary (29) has a surface of 80 m², a height of 2,5 m but it is planted with a even more dense vegetation.
Formerly a Bird-of-Paradise exhibit (there were Red Birds-of-Paradise), it hosts a new species : the Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus (2.2) with two young pairs, that go outside in alternance, otherwise they remain in their night quarters, out of the sight of the public.

Malabar Pied Hornbill :

(Credits : @Himimomi )

In the next aviary (30), has 135 m² and hosted also birds of paradise (Wilson's Birds of Paradise), there's a new species for the Zoo, unique in Europe : the Malkoha Phoenicophaeus sp. (0.1), from an undetermined species.

The following aviaries (31) sign a transition between the South Asian and the Oceanian Zones, they house two rare species of birds of the French Overseas.

These twin aviaries have a surface of 75 and 80 m² and a height of 2,5 m.
Even if their dwellers are colourful and noisy, they can be difficult to see in the lush vegetation where they live.
2 nest boxes have been placed in each aviary.

Here we can see Ultramarine Lorikeets Vini ultramarina (5.4), a CR bird native from the Marquesas Islands ; the birds are sourced from a Tahitian breeding center (arrival of 3.2 birds in 2022 after the initial group of 2.0 birds).
The aviaries host respectively 2.3 and 2.2 birds.

There's signage about bird conservation in the Pacific, and the projects that are supported by the Zoo in the islands of French Polynesia : captive breeding and reintroduction of rare passerine/parrot species, rodent eradication on islands and atolls.

The last aviaries (32) have a surface of 60 m² each and a height of 2,5 m, the vegetation is more bushy with open areas, and a wooden platform for feeding during public sessions.
They are the home of another bird, EN in the wild and successfully breeding here : the Kagu Rhynochetos jubatus (2.2).
Currently the first aviary hosts the breeding pair and their daughter MAËVA that hatched in 2021, that second a male "KOUAKOUE" that hatched in 2020.

There's also signage about the wildlife conservation in New Caledonia, both in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Some of these projects (research on Kagu, Uvea Parrot...) are supported by the Zoo.

Kagu aviary :

(Credits : @TheoV )

Kagu :

(Credits : @Hix)

It's now the end of the South Asian Zone of my Zoo, that has proven to be full of rare species, successfully breeding here (Gaur, Clouded Leopard, Indian Vulture and many other birds).

Next step : the Oceanian Zone !

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

welcome to the Oceanian Zone of my Zoo !

This 3,66 ha sector encompasses many exhibits including a row of spacious aviaries along a sinuous path called "The Dreamtime Walkway", a small mammal house with indoor and outdoor exhibits, several plains for large marsupials and birds, and a wetland exhibit with a mix of birds called "The Billabong".
The species displayed come mainly from Australia, with a few other species typical of New Guinea and smaller Oceanian islands.

Complete map of the Oceanian Zone :

We begin the visit with the Dreamtime Walkway, named after the "Dreamtime" of the Aboriginal mythology. Here several aviaries are disposed along a path, that is decorated with Aboriginal traditional artcraft.
Here we can see genuinely rare species, as well as common ones (both in the wild and in zoos). Some birds have been given by private breeders and even owners that wanted to get rid of them.

Special animations and talks are led there every weekend to display the life history of Australian birds, and their place in the symbolics of this unique country in the Ancient and the Modern Ages.

The first unit of aviaries is made of two large and 2,5 m high exhibits, with a night building that is used when the weather is too cold.
Into the first aviary (1), that has a 310 m² surface, there are only a few perches, it is dedicated to a species that likes to have enough space to fly : the Eastern Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita galerita (1.2). The birds currently displayed are the 0.2 young females that have hatched in 2020, plus 1.0 bird sent by a private breeder. As they are young birds, they don't need a nest box for now. It isn't clear if they will remain or not in the Zoo in the coming years.
While common in the wild, these parrots remain a popular species in the Zoo, with their colours and their consipicuous behaviour.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo aviary :

(Credits : @LaughingDove )

Eastern Sulphur-crested Cockatoo :

(Credits : @Therabu )

The second aviary (2) is slightly smaller but filled with dense vegetation that offers shelter to a new species for the Zoo, that is also unique in Europe : the Brown Sicklebill Epimachus meyeri (1.2).
The trio currently displayed is the only Bird of Paradise species to be present now in the Zoo.
We hope these birds will breed in the future.

Bird of Paradise aviary :

(Credits : @snowleopard )

Since last year, the Palm Cockatoos and Gang-gangs have left our collection.
Their comeback isn't excluded, especially to replace the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos if their departure is confirmed.

The following aviary (3) has a surface of 210 m². As in last years, it hosts Eastern Sulphur-crested Cockatoos Cacatua galerita galerita (4.1).
The current group is composed of our breeding pair with 3.0 young birds that have hatched in 2022 (while their sisters have been transferred in the exhibit n° 1).

It's indeed a double aviary with a central night building with two indoor enclosures ; the birds can always go in every aviary (except when the temperature is below zero, in this case they are maintained indoor).

The two following aviaries (4-5) are much smaller (75 m² each) with a basical layout (a sandy ground and a few perches), and a height that doesn't exceed 2 meters.
They are designed for small to medium parrot species.
For now they host only Crimson Rosellas Platycercus elegans (3.2).
In the first aviary (4) there's only 1.0 bird (given by private owners who get rid of him, he will probably join the main group in the near future), and 2.2 birds in the second one (5).

Crimson Rosella aviary :

(Credits : @Sipmark )

Crimson Rosella :

(Credits : @Hix )

The Bourke's Parrot family has left out collection in late 2022.

The next aviary (6), of a surface of 240 m² and 2,5 m high, was previously dedicated to Laughing Kookaburras.
It has been entirely revamped in late 2022 to host a new species for the Zoo (albeit common both in the wild and in captivity), with many breeding forms : the Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus (1.9).

These birds (as the Rose-ringed Parrots described in the North Asian Zone) source from a nearby petting zoo that has closed its doors recently.

Cockatiel aviary :

(Credits : @vogelcommando )

Cockatiel :

(Credits : @WhistlingKite24 )

The next aviary (7) is quite large (250 m²) and has a quite simple layout : sand and pebbles on the ground, trunks, wooden platforms and perches. But it contains many hides filled with food or other enrichments, to stimulate the behaviour of extremely intelligent birds, also unique in Europe : the Magpie Lark Grallina cyanoleuca (0.3).
The three females are called MAGGIE, MAY and MATILDA, in reference to traditional Australian folksongs.

Magpie Lark :

(Credits : @WhistlingKite24 )

The next aviary (8) has also a surface of 250 m² and a height of 2,2 m and is inhabited by Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii (2.1), a close cousin of the more common Laughing Kookaburra.
This trio included our breeding pair, plus 1.0 bird from the recently closed petting zoo.
It is a quite popular birds, even if it doesn't reach the popularity of the more known cockatoos or even of the parakeets and cockatiels.

Blue-winged Kookaburra exhibit :

(Credits : @akasha )

Blue-winged Kookaburra :

The last aviary (9) has a surface of 160 m² and is partially hidden by vegetation.
Once occupied by Owls, it is now empty, with works in progress to house a new species.

In the following days I will describe the first open enclosures of the Oceanian Zone, and perhaps even the Australian Vivarium and its multiple rarities.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

I carry on the description of the Oceanian Zone with some medium-sized enclosures, for birds and also our first mammals.

At its left, the visitor can see a 1.375 m² grassy plain with a few bunches of Pampa grass and willows (yes, they aren't Australian nor Oceanian native plants) and a small pond (10).
Once it was the exhibit of the Cape Barren Geese.
After the death of the last male Goose, a new species for the Zoo and also (maybe ?) unique in Europe arrived here : the Dwarf Cassowary Casuarius bennetti (2.1). This trio is composed of young birds.

Dwarf Cassowary exhibit :

(Credits : @snowleopard )

Dwarf Cassowary :

(Credits : @Kaelio )

The next enclosure (11) is a 1.490 m² rocky plain. The rocky mound that stood in the centre of the exhibit has been removed with the departure of the Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby mob. A few trees remain in the enclosure, they provide some shade to its inhabitants.
The other species displayed remains in our collection ; it's a genuine rarity, unique in Europe : the Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis (1.2).

Australian Bustard :

(Credits : @Hix )

With the following enclosure (12) we can see the first mammals of the Australian Zone.
This exhibit isn't very large (475 m²) but it looks like a small gully and provides numerous shelters and a lot of vegetation where the animals can hide themselves.
A small creek with trunk bridges above crosses the enclosure.
There are trapdoors for the access of the animals in their night quarters.

It is the home of a rare species (even if the imports from Australia and perhaps other countries look more frequent than before) : the Tasmanian Devil Sarcophilus harrisii (3.3).
The group includes an old breeding pair (HOBART and HORTENSE) and their 2.2 (now adult) offspring born in 2020, but it's a real challenge to place the animals for this short-lived and demanding species. We hope to place them in other zoos (except perhaps 1 or 2 animals) before the end of the year.

At least these animals are used as "ambassadors" of their natural habitat and of their species.
Many panels and talks explain the biology of this strange mammal (that is the biggest carnivory marsupial living on Earth, after the presumed extinction of the Thylacine), the threat it faces in the wild and the conservation projects it benefits (including its successful reintroduction in mainland Australia, few years ago !).

Tasmanian Devil's enclosure :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Tasmanian Devil :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

The next exhibit is the Australasian House (13), a long building that can be visited.

I give you the 2021 map, as it hasn't changed since this date.

Map of the Australasian House :

It is divided in three sections, the first is a kind of entrance hall with natural light and 3 boxes (A-B-C) that have respectively surfaces of 18, 18 and 30 m² and that are the night quarters of the Tasmanian Devils.
The ground is covered with a thick layer of mulch, and many logs provide hides for the animals (that are often difficult to see there). For now each box is occupied by 2 animals (the parents, the brothers or the sisters, all of them going outside alternatively).
The exhibits are separated from the visitor path by large glass windows.

One of the boxes for the Tasmanian Devils :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

In the coming days I will describe the other exhibits of the Australasian House, with properly nocturnal animals including real rarities (at least at the European level).

I let you comment these first exhibits (= described since yesterday) of the Oceanian Zone, and eventually give me some suggestions to improve them for next year.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

I describe today the inside exhibits of the Australasian House, which a large section is designed to house small to medium nocturnal mammals (and even once Kiwis).

After have passed the doors of this section, the visitor comes in a dark corridor, with some exhibits fenced with glass panels on each side. They are faintly lighted with red light spots, it may take several minutes to see every species, and it is even harder to take pictures.

The first of these exhibits (D) has a surface of 20 m², with plenty of branches and nest boxes for a typical nocturnal inhabitant of this section, also unique in Europe : the Common Striped Possum Dactylopsila trivirgata (2.5).

Common Striped Possum :

(Credits : @Giant Eland )

At its left the visitor can see a long enclosure (E) with a surface of 50 m² and a flat sandy ground with straw bales, crevices and hollow stumps. It hosted a Tasmanian Echidna for many years, but after its death, it has been replaced by a new species, that is present in a dozen of European zoos : the Rufous Rat Kangaroo Aepyprymnus rufescens (0.2). These two females are called LUCY and LINDA, they may be future breeders in the following years.

Rat Kangaroo enclosure :

(Credits : @Ricky Hans )

Rufous Rat Kangaroo :

(Credits : @Fat-tailed dwarf lemur )

The next enclosure (F) has a surface of 20 m², it is designed on the model of the Striped Possum enclosure and keeps holding a critically endangered species, currently unique in Europe : the Leadbeater's Possum Gymnobelideus leadbeateri (5.3).
The group is part of a breeding program led by the Australian Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA).

Leadbeater's Possums' enclosure :

(Credits : @Najade )

Leadbeater's Possum :

(Credits : @Najade )

The following enclosure (G) is much smaller (15 m²) and used to house Honey Possums, but the small breeding group has been sent back to Australia few months ago. Now the exhibit is empty.

There's another long enclosure of 50 m² (H) for terrestrial species, that has been empty for a year after the departure of the Kiwis.
Its layout is now sandy and "desertic".
Here we can see a new species for the Zoo and unique in Europe : the Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotis (1.3).
We hope this small group will breed in the following years.

Bilby enclosure :

(Credits : @Najade )

Greater Bilby :

(Credits : @WhistlingKite24 )

Now the visitor comes out of the nocturnal section of the Australasian House, to see the last part of the building. I will describe it in the coming days.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

I describe now the last animal exhibit of the Australasian House (I).
It's a 45 m² indoor enclosure, with a wooden circuit made of trunks and wooden poles.
The ground is covered with mulch.
After having housed Tree Kangaroos and Fruit Bats, it houses a new species, that is also among the most popular Australian species (but rare within the European zoos) : the Koala Phascolarctos cinereus (4.5).
This colony lives indeed in 2 separate enclosures, one for the males (GEELONG, HOBART, INDIGO and JOEY) and one for the females (KARINA, LINDA, MOURA, NARACOORTE and OCTAVIA).
They are fed several times a day with eucalyptus, disposed in bouquets in several feeders into the enclosure.

Koala enclosure :

(Credits : @felis silvestris )

Koala :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

The former Outback Cafe (J) remains unoccupied till now.

With these exhibits we end the visit of the Australasian House, to see an exhibit of 495 m² (14) made of a semicircular rocky slope surrounded by a pool, called the Hauraki Bay.
The slope includes holes, burrows and even a steeper zone with a small artificial cliff.
Around the enclosure there are poles and wooden statues decorated in the Maori style.

It is dedicated to Australasian Seabird species, both being unique in Europe :

• Yellow-eyed Penguin Megadyptes antipodes (1.4), new species for the Zoo
• Australasian Gannet Morus serrator (5.2)

All the entrant birds are injured ones, unable to be brought back in the wild.

In 2022 the Zoo has welcomed the hatching of 0.2 Yellow-eyed Penguins and 1.0 Australasian Gannet.

The flock of Snares Penguins, also a rarity within zoos, has left our collection for other zoos.

Yellow-eyed Penguin :

(Credits : @Chlidonias )

Australasian Gannet :

(Credits : @Chlidonias )

Near this enclosure there's signage about the nature conservation in the Subantarctic waters, and the projects supported by the Zoo to reduce the threats linked to the invasive species (rats, mice...) on the islands where the birds breed, and to the over- and non-selective fishing that is harmful to the birds and marine mammals.

The visit continues with a 540 m² aviary (15) that is the outdoor exhibit of the Koalas.
These marsupials have access to this enclosure when the air temperature is above 10°C, they can directly go in this exhibit with trapdoors linked to wooden circuits, identical as those in the indoor enclosure of the Australasian House.
The top is covered by a net to prevent the attacks of crows or other predators, also because it has been once an outdoor enclosure for a Fruitbat flock.

Koala bridge between the indoor and the outdoor enclosure :

(Credits : @TheoV )

Outdoor Koala exhibit :

(Credits : @aardvark250 )

Immediately after the visitor can see a rocky plain of 730 m² (16), inhabited by another flock of Australian Bustards Ardeotis australis (2.4).
2.2 birds arrived there since 2021.
Nothing special to say about this rarity, except that the Zoo plans the breeding of them.

The next enclosure (17) is a large 5.000 m² plain for an iconic Australian animal : the Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus (1.3).
The small mob includes the breeding male SAM, two adult females called TAMARA and ULURU, and a young female born in 2021 called VINA.
Even if the mob remains small, these animals are among the most popular inhabitants of the Oceanian Zone, with the recently arrived Koalas.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo :

(Credits : @Prochilodus246 )

Eastern Grey Kangaroo enclosure :

(Credits : @Maguari )

Then the visitor passes quickly (or not) in front of the Outback Restaurant (A) that is designed like a ranch of the famous Australian outback, toilet blocks (B), a large picnic area (C) and an Australian-themed kid playground (D).

It reaches now the Billabong (18), that is a 2.260 m² plain that recreates wetland habitats, with especially a large shallow pond with islands, and reedbeds.
It has been recently covered with a net to protect the birds against avian flu, that has been a growing threat in the recent years (I must notice that all our birds that are displayed in outdoor enclosures and aviaries are vaccinated).

Its names is a tribute to the "billabongs", permanent wetlands that are a refuge for wildlife during the dry seasons, and that have a special place in the folklore of the Australian people :

"Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree"
(traditional Australian song)

Currently it hosts three bird species :

• Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus (1.2)
• White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae (8.3)
• Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides (2.3)

The Zoo has welcomed the fledging of 3.1 White-faced Herons in 2022.
The Little Pied Cormorants have left the Zoo, as well as 0.2 Australian Pelicans, while 2.2 Australian Shelducks arrived in this exhibits last year.

The Billabong :

(Credits : @WhistlingKite24 )

Australian Pelicans :

(Credits : @Gavial )

White-faced Heron :

(Credits : @Gavial )

Australian Shelduck :

(Credits : @Therabu )

The last exhibit (19) is a large aviary of 1.235 m² and 15 m high.
It has been primarily designed for Eagles but its former dwellers, a duet of 2 White-bellied Sea Eagle sisters, have been sent to other zoos and currently replaced by a species that was previously displayed in the South Asian Zone : the Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana (3.4).
1.2 birds have joined the Zoo since 2021.

Many trees were already planted in this aviary but two nesting platforms have been built in order to make successful breeding happen.
A small, shallow pond partly covered with swampy vegetation completes this layout.

Great-billed Heron :

(Credits : @Zooish ).

The visit of the Oceanian Zone concludes now.

In the coming days we'll visit another big chunk of the Zoo : the African Zone, that is the largest one with many exhibits representating of the various biozones of this continent.

I let you now post your comments and suggestions about the Oceanian Zone.

Stay tuned for the next stage !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

welcome to the African Zone of my speculative Zoo !

It's the largest zone of my zoo, with a surface of 10,17 ha. This zone is divided in several subzones that represent many ecoregions of this continent : especially the arid North, the Horn of Africa, the Equatorial zone, the savannas of Eastern/Southern Africa and Madagascar.

The map of the African Zone can be seen below :

The first sub-zone corresponds to the Northern Africa (Mediterranean countries, Sahara and also Arabia, often included in the Afrotropical bioregion).

Several enclosures and aviaries are disposed around a large rock (this one has hosted Barbary Sheep and Magots in the past, but now they have left the Zoo).

First, two enclosures filled with sand and pebbles, planted with olive trees and succulent plants host small carnivores. The fencing is made with large glass panels on the sides, and mesh on the top.

One of these enclosures (1) has a surface of 510 m² and houses a lovely species, popular among the visitors : the Sand Cat Felis margarita (2.2). Our males GHADAMES and HAIFA have been joined by the females BELLA and SHEHERAZADE.
This enclosure has been divided in two parts, each for a pair of cats. There are rear pre-enclosures, off the public view, that can be used for every behavioral or health need of the cats, also is there are litters.
Behind there are the night quarters of the cats.

Near the enclosure there are panels about the research programs led by the Zoo, that consist in monitoring of the lifecycle and ecology of the Sand Cats in Southern Morocco.

Sand Cat enclosure :

(Credits : @Paul Kalisch )

Sand Cat :

(Credits : @Prochilodus246 )

The other enclosure (2) is a bit smaller (490 m²) and hosts a new species, that is very rare within European zoos : the Rueppell's Sand Fox Vulpes rueppellii (1.0).
This animal has replaced the Porcupine family that lived once here.
The layout of the Fox enclosure is made on the model of the Sand Cat enclosure.

Sand Fox enclosure :

(Credits : @Hix )

Rueppell's Sand Fox :

(Credits : @Giant Eland )

Then we can see a smaller aviary (3) of 190 m², that is dedicated to desert birds.
The ground is quite barren, with only rocks, sand and dead trees that mimic an environment of a Saharan or Middle Eastern desert. The fencing is made of mesh.

Currently we can see the following species :

• Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus (1.2), new species for the Zoo, unique in Europe
• White-crowned Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga (5.2)
• Four-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus (0.4), new species for the Zoo.

In 2022 some birds hatched and fledged from this aviary : 2.3 Yellow-throated Longclaws (from 2 different pairs) and 0.2 Four-banded Sandgrouses.

First the Zoo received 2 pairs of Longclaws and 1.2 Sandgrouses, but 1.0 Longclaw and 1.0 Sandgrouse died few months after (even if these birds have successfully bred). The young Longclaws (that were interesting because coming from two unrelated pairs) have eventually been sent to other collections.

Desert bird aviary :

(Credits : @16217 )

Yellow-throated Longclaw :

(Credits : @Hix )

White-crowned Wheatear :

(Credits : @vogelcommando )

Four-banded Sandgrouse :

(Credits : @Jakub )

Immediately after we can see the Gazelle complex (4-5) made of two flat, sandy enclosures.

I make a special focus on these exhibits.

Name : Gazelle complex
Year of building : 2012.
Inspiration : Gazelle enclosures of Landau Zoo (cf. Zoolex).

Surface : two enclosures of 2.325 and 1.720 m². The night quarters include boxes carved in the rock. There are 3 boxes of 8, 8 and 12 m² per enclosure, plus an area for food storage.
Fencing : along the visiting path there's a dry moat with a gentle slope, plus a low fence (1,20 m) that allow to see directly the gazelles, without a heavy fence.
Internal layout : in the enclosures the soil is primarily sandy, with a bit of clay ground and grass. Some trees (whose trunks are protected by palisades) provide shade to the gazelles, and rocks, dead wood piles and branches offer them some hiding places.
Large branches are hung above the ground, permitting the males to rub their horns.
The indoor boxes are covered with straw ; on their sides there are racks for the food, drinking troughs and salt blocks ; they are heated with lamps in the winter months. They can be opened or closed with mechanical sliding doors.
Mirrors are placed above the enclosures, in order to allow the keepers seeing the animals without disturbing them.
Management : the animals are trained to get inside the boxes before the keepers go in the main enclosures or at night, with a bell and a food reward. They are also trained to go into the transport crates with the same methods.
Visitor facilities : there are panels along the enclosures, that inform the public about the adaptations of the desert animals (not the sole gazelles) and the reintroduction project led in Southern Morocco for the Dama Gazelles (a very rare species that is kept here).
Sustainable development : dung are collected every day and sent to a recycling centre close to the Zoo (that runs it).
The wood products are collected or bought from local sources.
In case of demolition or removing the materials (metals, plastics...) will be recycled.

The first enclosure (4) has a 1.720 m² surface and is indeed the home of the Dama Gazelles Nanger dama (4.5).

Dama Gazelle exhibit :

(Credits : @snowleopard )

Dama Gazelle :

(Credits : @amur leopard )

The other enclosure (5) is larger (2.325 m²). Once the home of a small Arabian Gazelle herd, it hosts now a new species that isn't properly a Saharan or desert species (it prefer the dry bushes), but that is currently unique in European zoos : the Oribi Ourebia ourebi (2.2).

Oribi enclosure :

(Credits : @Giant Eland )

Oribi :

(Credits : @Giant Eland )

With this species I would make the transition with the properly tropical parts of Africa, and especially the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, Northern Kenya...) that will be the next stage of my African Zone.

Stay tuned !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

after the Mediterranean / Saharan sub-zone there are other exhibits dedicated to the arid parts of the continent, especially the Horn of Africa.

Here the main exhibit (6) is made of large rocky terraces, encompassing a surface of 3.065 m².
It is made on the model of the Himalayan terraces (see the North Asian Zone).

There's a special focus on this exhibit :

Name : City of Thot
Year of building : 2000.
Inspiration : Baboon exhibit in Amersfoort / Netherlands (cf. Zoolex).

Capacity : up to 25.25 animals.
Surface : 3.065 m² of large rocky terraces.
Fencing : the enclosure is separated from the visitors with a 4 meters deep dry moat, a concrete wall and electrified fence on the path side.
Internal layout : the soil is entirely covered with sand and rocks, the plants being damaged by the monkeys except low, scarce grass. Dead trees are disposed into the enclosure as climbing gear.
The primates have night shelters in a covered gallery in the rocks (only accessible to the staff). Some boxes can isolate monkeys for health or behavioral reasons.
Management : food is disposed in numerous places, that vary in the time in order to give an enrichment to the primates, that change their feeding plans everyday.
Visitor facilities : panels explain the place of animals in the antique Egyptian culture, and the various zoomorphic divinities of this civilization.

As said, the enclosure is dedicated to one emblematic species : the Hamadryas Baboon Papio hamadryas (3.8).
The monkey troop includes an adult breeding male, two younger non-breeding males, a harem of six females and two young females born in 2021 (PERLE and OPALE).

Hamadryas Rock :

(Credits : @Moebelle )

Hamadryas Baboon :

(Credits : @Astrotom3000 )

The next enclosure (7) looks like a miniature version (290 m²) of the Hamadryas Rock.

It is, more modestly, the habitat of Banded Mongooses Mungos mungo (1.4).
The small troop of mongooses remains popular among the visitors, because they are very active during all the day, except if the weather is intensely hot, cold or wet.
These animals can hide themselves in stumps or in burrows, while a few trees give them some shade (appreciated in the hottest summer days).

Banded Mongoose den :

(Credits : @Tiger )

Banded Mongooses :

(Credits : @gulogulogulo )

After having passed, on the other side of the rock, a (refreshing) ice cream parlour (A), the visitor can see the last exhibit of this arid part of Africa, that I will describe in the coming days.

Stay tuned !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,


I describe today another exhibit of the African Zone, the last to be dedicated to the "arid" part of Africa (8), with a detailed description.
It isn't dedicated to the Horn of Africa but to the Sahelian-Sudanese savannahs, a part of Africa where wildlife is especially imperiled (in my opinion more than elsewhere on the continent).

Name : Nubian Plain
Year of building : 2021 (as a Giraffe / Antelope exhibit).
Inspiration : Rhino Plain in North Carolina Zoo / USA (cf. Zoolex), Parc Zoologique de Paris / France.

Surface : 1,11 ha.
Fencing : the enclosure is separated from the visitors with a dry moat, and wooden poles.
Internal layout : large grassy plain, accessible to the animals during all the year.
There's a large pool and a muddy wallow.
Some large trees are dispersed in the enclosure to offer shade to the animals, the trunks are protected with palisades.
A "punching-bag" is disposed in the enclosure as a behavioral enrichment for the Rhinos, as well as dead trunks for the Antelopes.
There are off-exhibit, boma-style paddocks near the barn.
The barn is hidden inside a large rock, it includes several boxes, not visible by the public. There's an underfloor heating.
Visitor facilities : the information panels (and daily talks) are centered on the perilous situation of the wildlife in Sahel, linked to the difficult economical conditions of this part of Africa, poor enforcement of the laws, and not omitting the political instability of the region (special thought for @Aardwolf ). There's also information about the projects supported by the Zoo, about the reintroduction of the Scimitar-horned Oryx in Chad, and in the more stable Southern Morocco.
Sustainable development : the animal droppings are turned into compost in a centre located near the Zoo (see the Gazelle complex above).
The wooden artefacts (fencing...) are made of local sourced wood, the materials (metals...) are reused or recycled.
Vegetal oil is used in the hydraulic systems of the inside boxes.
The underfloor heating is powered by a thermical solar system.

Currently two species are kept here :

• Scimitar-horned Oryx Oryx dammah (2.4)
• Southern White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum simum (3.1)

0.2 Oryxes arrived in 2022, while 2.0 (adult) animals of the same species have left the collection, as well as the Nubian Giraffes and the single Lesser Kudu.
A small herd of young Southern White Rhinos arrived in 2022 (the female VANDA and the males JOHNNY, DEREK and MANFRED), as a proxy for the near-extinct Northern White Rhino.
To avoid cohabitation problems, the animals go alternatively in the main enclosure and in the boma : either the Oryxes and the Rhino cow, or the sole Rhino bulls.

Nubian Plain :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Southern White Rhino bull :

(Credits : @Haliaeetus )

Scimitar-horned Oryx :

(Credits : @Prochilodus246 )

We'll come now into the wetter Equatorial part of Africa, with a lot of exhibits that house more iconic species.
I will describe them in the coming days.

Stay in touch !