Adelaide Zoo [Part 5]: Nocturnal House, Carnivores, Variety Children’s Zoo and Reptile House
On the final stretch for this review. The next section of the zoo leads onto a very old section with lots of mock rock and dated walls. On one side two exhibits have been opened to make a larger space for a new pair of Cape Porcupine from Monarto and on the other side was a larger former bear enclosure for Ring-tailed Lemurs. Their exhibit was a decent size for them and contained a thick hedge of plantings and a big shadecloth. Not the most attractive exhibits but they were fit for purpose for their inhabitants. Containing eleven enclosures and being the area where Australia’s last sloth was housed, the ageing nocturnal house was nearby and contained largely a standard mix of species (by Australian standards) with a few double-ups across enclosures. Most spaces were of a similar size and contained sandy substrate which was odd for a few of the woodland species but I think it largely reflects that this space is very flexible especially for an intensely managed species like Bilbies which were held across three enclosures and would require close management. Plenty of activity among hopping-mice, gliders and dunnarts but the stick nest-rats refused to emerged from their nests. Additional species like Ghost Bats and Northern Quolls used to be housed here as well and they definitely would have supported in diversity the line up further. Also, there is something I find odd about frogmouths or owls housed in nocturnal houses; while interesting behaviours can be observed, best keep them outdoors I think when the opportunity is possible. Like many older Aussie nocturnal houses, this one will be drastically reshaped in the masterplan.
Ring-tailed Lemur enclosure
Nocturnal house – centre yellow-lighted enclosure is empty
Opposite the nocturnal house, there is a complex of old but well-established aviaries with a wisteria growing over them that are unfortunately poorly stocked and are random mix of leftover birds mainly focussed around housing for free flight birds along with surplus stock. The front aviary in front of the nocturnal house was unfortunately empty and was for many years a smart little mix of African waxbills, Namaqua doves, lovebirds, weavers and Spur-thighed Tortoises. All gone now without a trace. The neighbouring aviary for Timneh Grey Parrots and a Congo Grey Parrot remains and it’s always good to see a zoo keep a flock of grey parrots. A few years ago, there were hardly any housed in Australasian zoos but there are now a few more holders. Along the aviary walk itself there was an aviary for Barking Owl, and Black-breasted Buzzard that were very thick with plants for an arid species that needs space. Opposite them a pair of Yellow-crowned Amazon Parrots mixed with Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, a single Sacred Kingfisher with seemingly no other species and additional housing for Cottontop Tamarins that backed onto the tamarin house. Very attractive aviaries but their occupants didn’t match the grandeur. A touch underwhelming. There was also the old enclosure for their breeding troop of Eastern Black-and-white Colobus which is drastically improved by the aerial pathway. Seeing colobus infants play around with the adults was a highlight.
Aviary walk
Another dead end towards the carnivores. There was a long row for four aviary-style enclosures for Binturong, Serval, Fennec Fox and Brown-nosed Coati to the left. Only the binturong was seen but the best exhibit of the lot was for the Serval I thought; nicely planted, plenty of height etc. I tried several times to see the coati but wasn’t successful. To the right was an old meshed (yet charming) enclosure for Adelaide’s old pair of lion that included several different spaces where the lions could be managed. The main space was grassed and had good tree coverage for shade. It was feeding time so the lions were up and about. It seemed fine for their elderly pair and Adelaide seem committed to keeping lion and will build a new enclosure for surplus males from Monarto. The former enclosures for Goodfellow’s Tree-Kangaroos which would have been excellent for tree-roos have been opened up into one space for Tammar Wallaby and Quokka. I would like to see the return of the species to Adelaide but there aren’t many surplus Goodfellows around currently.
Lion enclosure
Lioness Amani
Back towards the centre of the zoo are a set of larger exhibits that sit around the main South-east Asia. There are a pair of enclosures for Sumatran Tigers; a rather cramped enclosure viewed from a platform for a female resting on a top platform and three adult-sized cubs sheltering among the bamboo. The pathway led to a second tiger enclosure that was much nicer with a pool and expansive viewing areas for their male. This was connected thematically via a longhouse towards the enclosure for Sumatran Orangutan, enhanced by the recent addition of an aerial pathway for the orangutans and an additional shelter with new interpretative signage. Their male Kluet was a striking individual that came out with his blanket on the sunny afternoon collecting empty enrichment bottles around the exhibit in hopes of giving them back to keepers to receive a treat according to one passing volunteer.
Tiger enclosure #2 towards orangutan enclosure in distance
Orang enclosure
Sumatran Orangutan – Kluet
The mandrill enclosure was disappointing. A very small island that was moated with water, sacrificing valuable space, with hotwired palms and a sad pair of branches in the centre of the exhibit as the only real opportunity at reaching a higher vantage point from human stares. I’m glad they have access off-show during the day where they spent most of their time. All three of them – the last in Australia unfortunately – did emerge into full view once the crowds died down to feed. The neighbouring enclosure for Hamadryas Baboon was fenced off as the troop have had various management issues. Looking forward to seeing the baboons transferred out to Monarto hopefully. After seeing the topography of Monarto, couldn’t think of a better species.
Mandrill – male Jumoke
Mandrill enclosure
Second last was the Children’s Zoo as I made my way back to the front of the zoo which contained a large fenced off section with frontal exhibits for Quokkas in shady space. Then there were a set of three similar-sized aviaries; one contained an ambassador Black-footed Tree-Rat that was tucked away in its bag, followed by a Dollarbird which are Australia’s only rollers and one signed for Brush-tailed Bettong but it contained two active Long-nosed Potoroo when I visited. This was then followed by various domestics – goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens in a clean space even complete with a goat overhead walkway where the goats can sit over visitor’s heads. There is furthermore a large playground for children which is finished by another new aviary for a dynamic mix of exotic parrots including some rare ones like three Brown-throated Conures, two Red-bellied Parrots and a singleton each of Black-capped Caique and White-bellied Caique that were clearly bonded.
Two species of caique
Dollarbird and potoroo enclosure
Children’s zoo
Lucky last, the reptile house was definitely looking a touch dated but each exhibit was spacious for their occupants. There is definitely not much glass banging by visitors in the reptile house as their exhibits are framed by wood and seen from behind a barrier. It was odd to visit a reptile house and not see a single mixed exhibit anywhere; all species were housing singly with one enclosure currently under development for the new species. The highlight reptile if seen would have been Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard. It’s unfortunately a poor display animal living in burrows. It disappeared for many years and was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1992. Aruba Island Rattlesnake was another great species to see here at Adelaide as there are two left in Australia; a pale but striking species. With the recent importation of Western Diamondback and breeding of Eastern Diamondback, rattlesnakes have a relatively secure future in Australian zoos but the Aruba Island taxa is only kept at Adelaide.
Reptile house enclosures
Aruba Island Rattlesnake
Overall, it’s very easy to like Adelaide Zoo and I liked it so much I did squeeze in a second visit. It’s a charming zoo on a small footprint with some excellent parts that really shine through (panda complex, South-east Asian primates, walkthrough aviaries), gorgeous architecture (toilet aviaries) but there are still some poorer areas that required careful management especially for their megafauna and a clearer evaluation going forwards considering the expansive Monarto is far closer to Adelaide than Taronga is to Dubbo. Their masterplan promises clear designated sections with small changes already having been implemented towards this goal (orang aerial pathway, Komodos, kid’s zoo etc.). Time permitting, Gorge Wildlife Park is next; the Featherdale of South Australia with an exotic twist.
Adelaide Zoo masterplan
On the final stretch for this review. The next section of the zoo leads onto a very old section with lots of mock rock and dated walls. On one side two exhibits have been opened to make a larger space for a new pair of Cape Porcupine from Monarto and on the other side was a larger former bear enclosure for Ring-tailed Lemurs. Their exhibit was a decent size for them and contained a thick hedge of plantings and a big shadecloth. Not the most attractive exhibits but they were fit for purpose for their inhabitants. Containing eleven enclosures and being the area where Australia’s last sloth was housed, the ageing nocturnal house was nearby and contained largely a standard mix of species (by Australian standards) with a few double-ups across enclosures. Most spaces were of a similar size and contained sandy substrate which was odd for a few of the woodland species but I think it largely reflects that this space is very flexible especially for an intensely managed species like Bilbies which were held across three enclosures and would require close management. Plenty of activity among hopping-mice, gliders and dunnarts but the stick nest-rats refused to emerged from their nests. Additional species like Ghost Bats and Northern Quolls used to be housed here as well and they definitely would have supported in diversity the line up further. Also, there is something I find odd about frogmouths or owls housed in nocturnal houses; while interesting behaviours can be observed, best keep them outdoors I think when the opportunity is possible. Like many older Aussie nocturnal houses, this one will be drastically reshaped in the masterplan.
1. Spinifex Hopping-Mouse
2. Greater Stick-nest Rat
3. Squirrel Glider
4. Tawny Frogmouth
5. Fat-tailed Dunnart
6. Greater Bilby, Tawny Frogmouth
7. Greater Bilby
8. Brush-tailed Bettong, Common Ringtail Possum
9. Olive Python
10. Olive Python
11. Greater Bilby
2. Greater Stick-nest Rat
3. Squirrel Glider
4. Tawny Frogmouth
5. Fat-tailed Dunnart
6. Greater Bilby, Tawny Frogmouth
7. Greater Bilby
8. Brush-tailed Bettong, Common Ringtail Possum
9. Olive Python
10. Olive Python
11. Greater Bilby
Ring-tailed Lemur enclosure
Nocturnal house – centre yellow-lighted enclosure is empty
Opposite the nocturnal house, there is a complex of old but well-established aviaries with a wisteria growing over them that are unfortunately poorly stocked and are random mix of leftover birds mainly focussed around housing for free flight birds along with surplus stock. The front aviary in front of the nocturnal house was unfortunately empty and was for many years a smart little mix of African waxbills, Namaqua doves, lovebirds, weavers and Spur-thighed Tortoises. All gone now without a trace. The neighbouring aviary for Timneh Grey Parrots and a Congo Grey Parrot remains and it’s always good to see a zoo keep a flock of grey parrots. A few years ago, there were hardly any housed in Australasian zoos but there are now a few more holders. Along the aviary walk itself there was an aviary for Barking Owl, and Black-breasted Buzzard that were very thick with plants for an arid species that needs space. Opposite them a pair of Yellow-crowned Amazon Parrots mixed with Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, a single Sacred Kingfisher with seemingly no other species and additional housing for Cottontop Tamarins that backed onto the tamarin house. Very attractive aviaries but their occupants didn’t match the grandeur. A touch underwhelming. There was also the old enclosure for their breeding troop of Eastern Black-and-white Colobus which is drastically improved by the aerial pathway. Seeing colobus infants play around with the adults was a highlight.
Aviary walk
Another dead end towards the carnivores. There was a long row for four aviary-style enclosures for Binturong, Serval, Fennec Fox and Brown-nosed Coati to the left. Only the binturong was seen but the best exhibit of the lot was for the Serval I thought; nicely planted, plenty of height etc. I tried several times to see the coati but wasn’t successful. To the right was an old meshed (yet charming) enclosure for Adelaide’s old pair of lion that included several different spaces where the lions could be managed. The main space was grassed and had good tree coverage for shade. It was feeding time so the lions were up and about. It seemed fine for their elderly pair and Adelaide seem committed to keeping lion and will build a new enclosure for surplus males from Monarto. The former enclosures for Goodfellow’s Tree-Kangaroos which would have been excellent for tree-roos have been opened up into one space for Tammar Wallaby and Quokka. I would like to see the return of the species to Adelaide but there aren’t many surplus Goodfellows around currently.
Lion enclosure
Lioness Amani
Back towards the centre of the zoo are a set of larger exhibits that sit around the main South-east Asia. There are a pair of enclosures for Sumatran Tigers; a rather cramped enclosure viewed from a platform for a female resting on a top platform and three adult-sized cubs sheltering among the bamboo. The pathway led to a second tiger enclosure that was much nicer with a pool and expansive viewing areas for their male. This was connected thematically via a longhouse towards the enclosure for Sumatran Orangutan, enhanced by the recent addition of an aerial pathway for the orangutans and an additional shelter with new interpretative signage. Their male Kluet was a striking individual that came out with his blanket on the sunny afternoon collecting empty enrichment bottles around the exhibit in hopes of giving them back to keepers to receive a treat according to one passing volunteer.
Tiger enclosure #2 towards orangutan enclosure in distance
Orang enclosure
Sumatran Orangutan – Kluet
The mandrill enclosure was disappointing. A very small island that was moated with water, sacrificing valuable space, with hotwired palms and a sad pair of branches in the centre of the exhibit as the only real opportunity at reaching a higher vantage point from human stares. I’m glad they have access off-show during the day where they spent most of their time. All three of them – the last in Australia unfortunately – did emerge into full view once the crowds died down to feed. The neighbouring enclosure for Hamadryas Baboon was fenced off as the troop have had various management issues. Looking forward to seeing the baboons transferred out to Monarto hopefully. After seeing the topography of Monarto, couldn’t think of a better species.
Mandrill – male Jumoke
Mandrill enclosure
Second last was the Children’s Zoo as I made my way back to the front of the zoo which contained a large fenced off section with frontal exhibits for Quokkas in shady space. Then there were a set of three similar-sized aviaries; one contained an ambassador Black-footed Tree-Rat that was tucked away in its bag, followed by a Dollarbird which are Australia’s only rollers and one signed for Brush-tailed Bettong but it contained two active Long-nosed Potoroo when I visited. This was then followed by various domestics – goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens in a clean space even complete with a goat overhead walkway where the goats can sit over visitor’s heads. There is furthermore a large playground for children which is finished by another new aviary for a dynamic mix of exotic parrots including some rare ones like three Brown-throated Conures, two Red-bellied Parrots and a singleton each of Black-capped Caique and White-bellied Caique that were clearly bonded.
Two species of caique
Dollarbird and potoroo enclosure
Children’s zoo
Lucky last, the reptile house was definitely looking a touch dated but each exhibit was spacious for their occupants. There is definitely not much glass banging by visitors in the reptile house as their exhibits are framed by wood and seen from behind a barrier. It was odd to visit a reptile house and not see a single mixed exhibit anywhere; all species were housing singly with one enclosure currently under development for the new species. The highlight reptile if seen would have been Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard. It’s unfortunately a poor display animal living in burrows. It disappeared for many years and was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1992. Aruba Island Rattlesnake was another great species to see here at Adelaide as there are two left in Australia; a pale but striking species. With the recent importation of Western Diamondback and breeding of Eastern Diamondback, rattlesnakes have a relatively secure future in Australian zoos but the Aruba Island taxa is only kept at Adelaide.
1. Central Netted Dragon
2. Southern Angle-Headed Dragon
3. Rough-scaled Python
4. Broad-headed Snake
5. Centralian Knob-Tailed Gecko
6. Hosmer's Skink
7. Corn Snak
8. Woma Python
9. Green Anaconda
10. Pygmy Blue-Tongued Lizard
11. Aruba Island Rattlesnake
12. Gila Monster
13. Pig-nosed Turtle
14. under renovation
15. Common Death Adder
16. Inland Taipan
17. Boyd's Forest Dragon
18. Red-Bellied Black Snake
19. Aldabra Giant Tortoise (one juvenile)
2. Southern Angle-Headed Dragon
3. Rough-scaled Python
4. Broad-headed Snake
5. Centralian Knob-Tailed Gecko
6. Hosmer's Skink
7. Corn Snak
8. Woma Python
9. Green Anaconda
10. Pygmy Blue-Tongued Lizard
11. Aruba Island Rattlesnake
12. Gila Monster
13. Pig-nosed Turtle
14. under renovation
15. Common Death Adder
16. Inland Taipan
17. Boyd's Forest Dragon
18. Red-Bellied Black Snake
19. Aldabra Giant Tortoise (one juvenile)
Reptile house enclosures
Aruba Island Rattlesnake
Overall, it’s very easy to like Adelaide Zoo and I liked it so much I did squeeze in a second visit. It’s a charming zoo on a small footprint with some excellent parts that really shine through (panda complex, South-east Asian primates, walkthrough aviaries), gorgeous architecture (toilet aviaries) but there are still some poorer areas that required careful management especially for their megafauna and a clearer evaluation going forwards considering the expansive Monarto is far closer to Adelaide than Taronga is to Dubbo. Their masterplan promises clear designated sections with small changes already having been implemented towards this goal (orang aerial pathway, Komodos, kid’s zoo etc.). Time permitting, Gorge Wildlife Park is next; the Featherdale of South Australia with an exotic twist.
Adelaide Zoo masterplan
