It would be going to Night Safari, surprised they're bringing in another male to accompany the current one Houdini as the female Samantha died some time ago
Singapore Zoo Singapore Zoo News 2024
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Apologies - on re-reading the post it's actually a female that went to Singapore this week.
Male Thabo (as reported in the Taipei Zoo thread, news item #318).
honeybadger
Well-Known Member
Are the arapaimas back in Primate Kingdom? Saw an email of a new feeding session from this weekend and wondering whether it’s just a temporary thing or permanent one
There are several Arapaimas in the pond in front of Garden Pavilion. Feeding sessions are held there.
honeybadger
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Didn't realize there are still arapaimas - I thought the pond and the moats are connected and they've already transferred out from the area
PangolinLover0514
Well-Known Member
Have the Philippine crocodiles moved into the aviary? Would it be a temporary arrangement?
Zhao yun
Well-Known Member
It's not clear since the aviary is closed
Not yet. The crocs still need to undergo behavioural training before the herp curator deems it as safe for guests. The fate of how long they stay is dependant of how well they adjust in the aviary.
One of the Philippine Crocodiles has moved in (occupying the side closer to the viewing window). But the walk thru is still not open.
Had a great session with @Casuarius_casuarius , catching up with the herp team and their current curator today, a lot of major changes are planned for the department, but that will only be approved once 1) there is sufficient budget to cover all the proposed changes, 2) sufficient public feedback on continued support for the section to convince Mandai to pour more support for them.
As of today (24/12/2024), the male Philippine Croc has been released into the aviary. Continued monitoring will take place to ensure these animals are able to play nicely with one another before the aviary can even consider their cagemates being introduced and more foot traffic allowed to take place.
We've also been told that, actually, technically, the aviary has been open to guests, but you have to be lucky to be there are the right time as it only happens in very brief, 10-15 minute sessions. It does not happen all the time and typically only opens up when there're more than one staff in Reptopia and that there are little to no guests in Reptopia (usually when the zoo has multiple feeding sessions and shows happening so that guests are over there), so that they can manage guests and also see how the animals fare with unfamiliar faces.
The Philippines are NOT moving into the aviary permanently. Like Panjang, this is only a temporary placeholder before they move to Rainforest Park (a new species is expected to enter their old quarantine pens...), and the aviary, should the budget be approved, will turn into a very, very interesting, world-first enclosure, so fingers crossed! Likewise, many new enclosures are being built and revamped, so we are very much waiting on that.
Many more species are expected to join the roster by Q1 2025, and these are all species I believe make the cut on many a zoochatter's and herper's list of dream herptiles and inverts to spot. Likewise many (including some beloved favourites) will be leaving the collection, but it would make sense with the new theming that the Herpetology & Invertebrates section as a whole is turning to. I for one am personally excited for these new changes, and cannot wait for them to come to fruition.
I would also like to inform that the new male Nyala has also passed on during quarantine.
PangolinLover0514
Well-Known Member
The male Philippine crocodile is still quite shy and hides under the boardwalk.
We were lucky to spot him today, still in the water, but not under the bridge.
Really excited for the aviary news. Besides the departures of Panjang the saltwater crocodile and the Siamese crocodiles to Rainforest Wild, wonder what else would leave. Hopefully they keep most of the exotic reptiles, would be a bummer for them to phase them out. And assuming the new species in the quarantine would be a new crocodilian species?
A shame to hear about the nyala though, hope they can import a new one
Glad to hear ambitious new plans have been mooted for the herptile and invertebrate collections. When Reptopia opened 7 years ago, it was a major game changer for the Zoo's herptile section. Hopefully the planned changes will once again revolutionize the section.
I had heard about the male Nyala's passing. Do you know why it passed?
Let's just say I wholeheartedly agree with one of the decisions to cast the spotlight on species from within the region. Expect more rainforest, mangrove, swamp, tropical montane forest, cloud forest, etc species to fill the roster as "drier" species slowly leave the collection.
Was told it was due to stress. Not surprised, since I've worked with hoofstock (not in Mandai) that are really that fragile too.
While tragic, I suppose a male nyala is easy to replace!
I am quite excited about the upcoming herp change over at Singapore Zoo and the refocus on herps from the region (hopefully also a lot of fish/invert fauna .... too!).
I Will keep a look out when and where stuff will be communicated in greater detail!