Perth Zoo Species gained and/or lost at Perth Zoo since 1992

[tetrapod]

Yeah it is hey. Not sure where they were housed before their exhibit was built (well were old ungulate yards but my understanding is they were all demolished for the Savannah construction with the exception of Himalayan tahr exhibit for few years longer they remained and old Japanese macaque exhibit until 1999 nearby). Well either way their exhibit was never suitable for them being a hill exhibit it suited the hyenas much better. Was surprised that the Pearl Coast Zoo scimitar oryxes and Perth's oryxes besides both herds coming from the UK and many ending up at Tipperary or their descendants, were not connected imports besides the state and country of import origins.

Is possible the last few oryx did leave in May 1999 for Dubbo but they left that exhibit in mid 1998 for the hunting dogs to take over while their exhibit was renovated a bit for the lion trio 1.2. Then the surviving two 0.2 hunting dogs left the exhibit in early early '99 after being the only ones in their small pack not to eat the accidentally euthanasia formula laced horse meat in late '98 (was either 1.1 or 0.2, the two most dominant dogs in the pack who died from, and the pack of four became a duo of two surviving females believe), they those last two hunting dogs were then moved to the old lion exhibit (now Jaya's southmost yard), and the hyenas moved in as Zoofan15 mentioned.

Thing is wonder if the last few oryxes were kept at the zoo's food-growing site in Byford they had at the time perhaps, for a short while before being moved to Dubbo, if not then bts on site somewhere.

There was no enclosures at the Byford site (apart for the mohair goats and breed-for-feed mice), although I seem to recall the metal aviaries for the native species breeding program may have been down there for a while. Suspect that either the date for the oryx move is incorrect, or they were shuffled off-display. There were only the 5 females.

 

[steveroberts]

There was no enclosures at the Byford site (apart for the mohair goats and breed-for-feed mice), although I seem to recall the metal aviaries for the native species breeding program may have been down there for a while. Suspect that either the date for the oryx move is incorrect, or they were shuffled off-display. There were only the 5 females.

Yeah always thought was 1998 they left. On Internet Archive there was a newsfeed that was archived in 1999 or 2000 (I'm certain this specific news was 1999 but might of still been on news page which was archived in 2000); saying that the Australian military had volunteered help to the zoo: installing extra climbing ropes on the island the spider monkeys moved to from the other island (from when they replaced the b+w ruffed lemurs on that island and their previous island closer to the cassowary exhibit was then made home for Phillip & Vianne the nth wc gibbons right). The news mention did not go into all that detail of course: just said that the military had offered to install climbing ropes on an island in main lake for the spider monkeys (the wording implied was in preperation for them taking up residence of that particuarly lake island), and that they had previously helped transfer the zoo's oryx(es) to WPZ the year before.

Agree that think the 4/5/1999 transfers date in their international studbook is a typo for 4/5/1998 they left the zoo, as it lines up timewise with the changes and moves in the Savannah precinct around that time.

 

[steveroberts]

According to @Hix, Australian birds were once held there. The following account is from his August 2015 visit (where it’s implied they were no longer there):

Not recently (actually cant remember when 'World of Birds' officially closed as last visited PZ in Jan 2006), but that complex was such an impressive complex for bird enthusiasts. The collection was very considerable. Remember seeing blue-winged kookaburras there for first time ever in the '90s and among many species there was one or two species of whyallas (knowledgable bird expert members please note am definitely missing mentioning other impressive examples, did not personally appreciate this part of the zoo for what it was when it existed).

(As everyone knows just ruminating) 'Amazonia' precinct was what had been the southern most of three or four circuit/rings of aviaries, that following the entire path through the complex took one out back towards the main cafeteria and old zoo carousel. Guess now its a good area for (as has been mentioned by pretty much all of us in our discussions about) future xenarthras species and maybe return of some neotropical birds etc or an area for the lemurs; if its not used as further expansion area to enlarge the lions, hyenas, meerkats and porcupines side of the Savannah being its right behind it (albeit think there might be a service road between).

 

[Perth zoo blogs]

No more sumatran tigers red pandas or Asian elephants

 

[Zoofan15]

No more sumatran tigers red pandas or Asian elephants

The Asian elephants are a permanent phase out, with no possibility of this species returning to Perth Zoo.

Nepalese red pandas have reportedly been phased out due to their unsuitability to the Western Australian climate; though the source of that information was incorrect about two other things, so this requires further confirmation.

Sumatran tigers were stated to be returning to Perth Zoo in the future, though this will apparently be several years away.

 

[Perth zoo blogs]

no need to be saying that my information was wrong in the message I said I was told by a docent this information so I was just stating what I was told…

 

[steveroberts]

re Perth's warmer climate: if they have decided that it's not the right climate for Nepalese red pandas, particuarly in the warmer part of the year, while will miss them being at Perth Zoo (just gone thirty years last September with 0.1 Rani's arrival, from Adelaide Zoo in 1995), then the decision is for a welfare reason. If that actually is the case...very glad the binturongs are there still.

Didn't know that Perth could be hotter in summer than south-east Queensland - ex-resident of with no idea lol, just generally assumed most of Queensland got hotter even the south-east. S.E Qld as comparison in terms of red pandas being at Currumbin, Beerwah (Aus' Zoo) and Woombye (Wildlife HQ) also.

But climate decisions have happened at PZ in the past too; in late 1990s the zoo's Victorian koalas were relocated somewhere back in eastern Australia, and Queensland koalas were brought to the zoo (from Qld directly apparently), as they were believed, that they would adjust better to living at the zoo, during the hotter months of the year especially obviously. Was mentioned in a press release from the state minister for the environment (believe was the source) mentioning that the zoo had changed their koalas.

Surely the zoo will just survey the old tiger exhibits for the new renovations, and get them underway as soon as possible (maybe few years away from starting, was sad to hear might be the case. Financially almost certainly). Thought maybe an older Sumatran tiger considered for rehoming might be considered for having last years staying at PZ for ≈4-5 years and then start the renovation work when passed from old age, although does sound like just treating an individual tiger as 'a filler' which can see debate against too, and fair enough. JohnPaul mentioned though that the exhibit pools are broken and other things that make it uninhabitable without fixing, so demolished and new bigger and better exhibits in place of as soon as can be built is the best thing that can happen now, as soon as possible.

no need to be saying that my information was wrong in the message I said I was told by a docent this information so I was just stating what I was told…

Hey. Honestly, don't take things personally on Zoochat. Just that all scenarios or unconfirmed mentions are discussed and often if they seem very unlikely, someone will point out it's unlikely given a facility's planned trajectory. Then again sometimes very unlikely outcomes end up being the case once in a while. But first and foremost is, with respect, not feeling personally offended with disagreements in the discussions here. Speaking from experience of having felt that way too, not trying to piously tell you not be, without having had same feeling in past. Mentioning a docent may have misinformation is different from complete dismissing of information shared.

 

[tetrapod]

Nepalese red pandas have reportedly been phased out due to their unsuitability to the Western Australian climate; though the source of that information was incorrect about two other things, so this requires further confirmation.

Given how long Perth has maintained Red pandas and the number of offspring that has been produced, I find this point extremely unlikely.

 

[Jambo]

Given how long Perth has maintained Red pandas and the number of offspring that has been produced, I find this point extremely unlikely.

I do think it's more likely that the female in question simply received a breeding recommendation at Adelaide, hence the transfer. There isn't currently a lot of surplus regionally, so it would make sense if Perth weren't able to receive a replacement immediately.

 

[Zoofan15]

Given how long Perth has maintained Red pandas and the number of offspring that has been produced, I find this point extremely unlikely.

I do think it's more likely that the female in question simply received a breeding recommendation at Adelaide, hence the transfer. There isn't currently a lot of surplus regionally, so it would make sense if Perth weren't able to receive a replacement immediately.

The female in question (Maiya) is a full sibling of the (deceased) female she’s replacing, so I agree it was an obvious move in that regard. I had previously wondered if Daiyu (another full sister) was the intended mate of Adelaide’s male; but it would appear she’s being retained as one half of Taronga’s next breeding pair.

What’s interesting is the breeding season for this species in the Southern Hemisphere is June-August i.e. if this female didn’t arrive at Adelaide in time for that, they might as well have delayed the transfer until April 2026 (still allowing her a couple of months to settle in).

Unless new red pandas are to arrive at Perth imminently, it appears they’ve willing agreed to be without pandas. Whether that points to a permanent phase out or (equally likely) them taking the time to renovate their exhibits etc is anyone’s guess.

 

[Zoofan15]

Confirmation from Perth Zoo:

I contacted Perth Zoo for clarification on their red panda situation:

Perth Zoo have confirmed that Maiya was transferred out in October (i.e. after the breeding season for this year had concluded); though the intention is to breed her with Ravi.

Due to the climate of Western Australia and the suitability of red panda to cooler temperatures, Maiya’s move was considered a better outcome for her welfare. Perth Zoo advised they are unlikely to acquire red pandas again in the future.

Perth Zoo did not transfer out multiple red pandas as has been reported. Sombaar died in September 2025; followed by Maiya’s transfer the following month. They were the last two red pandas at the zoo.

 

[steveroberts]

Perth Zoo Orang-Utan (upgraded) Enclosures Architects page ...

Iph Architects link↑ to before stopped working. (As in upgrades from 2000 to 2007/2008, how is presently; not what they have planned for very soon). - Just adding here from PZ Orangutans thread for updated link.

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Was really grateful that one of the friendly staff members at the zoo was able to answer three queries asked about.

1.0 Goaty was the house name of the last De Brazza's guenon at the zoo (a name play on goatee no-doubt). He lived alone for a number of years in his exhibit in the Lesser Primates complex (believe now is one of exhibits the cotton-top tamarins inhabit, with an acess railing tunnel between the closest exhibit so they can move between, like some of the other exhibits now have). Goaty passed away 19 Aug 1995.

1.0 Zak the Tonkean macaque was moved off-display on 29 Aug 2004 apparently (had assumed had happened a lot earlier than that, wasn't sure about if his sire (don't know his name) had still been alive at the time. Unless @tetrapod was meant he was living in one of the old Gibbon Row enclosures until just before it was demolished? have no memory of seeing him or his sire or dam in the Lesser Primates in early 2000s. But doesn't mean they weren't there, might of just missed them or thought was looking at more crested mac's?

1.0 Mungo the serval (Mar 1983 - Mar 2003) was moved out of his exhibit in the Lesser Primates complex (south-eastern most exhibit) to his exhibit in the African Savannah on 22 Jan 1997 (now Radiated tortoises exhibit),

 

[tetrapod]

Iph Architects link↑ to before stopped working. (As in upgrades from 2000 to 2007/2008, how is presently; not what they have planned for very soon). - Just adding here from PZ Orangutans thread for updated link.

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Was really grateful that one of the friendly staff members at the zoo was able to answer three queries asked about.

1.0 Goaty was the house name of the last De Brazza's guenon at the zoo (a name play on goatee no-doubt). He lived alone for a number of years in his exhibit in the Lesser Primates complex (believe now is one of exhibits the cotton-top tamarins inhabit, with an acess railing tunnel between the closest exhibit so they can move between, like some of the other exhibits now have). Goaty passed away 19 Aug 1995.

1.0 Zak the Tonkean macaque was moved off-display on 29 Aug 2004 apparently (had assumed had happened a lot earlier than that, wasn't sure about if his sire (don't know his name) had still been alive at the time. Unless @tetrapod was meant he was living in one of the old Gibbon Row enclosures until just before it was demolished? have no memory of seeing him or his sire or dam in the Lesser Primates in early 2000s. But doesn't mean they weren't there, might of just missed them or thought was looking at more crested mac's?

1.0 Mungo the serval (Mar 1983 - Mar 2003) was moved out of his exhibit in the Lesser Primates complex (south-eastern most exhibit) to his exhibit in the African Savannah on 22 Jan 1997 (now Radiated tortoises exhibit),

Re: Tonkean macaques. Were kept in the Lesser Primate area following closure of Baboon Row, but were moved around several times including ending up in Gibbon Row. Unsure where they ended up early 00s.