Part IV: Tapir Enclosure and Parrot Aviaries
As we did not have much time before we wanted to return to the Marbled Polecat enclosure, we decided we would investigate the parrot and callitrichid enclosures which were opposite the Tapir House. As we made our way to the enclosures, we passed one side of the large outdoor paddock for the
South American Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), which was also signposted as holding
Ring-tailed Coati (
Nasua nasua). Neither of the species in question were visible from where the four of us were viewing the enclosure, but as we intended to view both the enclosure and the adjoining house at length later this was of little concern to us.
The enclosure was rather large and very thickly planted, and much like many of the enclosures we had seen thus far at Magdeburg contained a number of mature trees which may well have been in-situ when the zoo was originally constructed. This high level of vegetation, of course, would be very good for the coati living within the enclosure. Moreover, the portion of the enclosure closest to the border fencing and walls descended down steps into a concrete area which - although dry when we visited - looked like it was used as a pool for the tapirs. Overall, my first impression of the enclosure was that it was of a high standard, likely achieved at a relatively low cost, and one which would suit both of the species it held.
The parrot and callitrichid area opposite the Tapir House itself comprised a small cul-de-sac with a row of parrot aviaries and a row of callitrichid enclosures facing one another, with a small landscaped stream dividing the two. All the parrot aviaries appeared to include substantial offshow sleeping quarters for the animals found within. The first, and largest, of the parrot aviaries held a pair of
Hyacinth Macaw (
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), a species which i have always been rather fond of. The cage contained many logs and other potential perches for the parrots, along with a small amount of rockwork, and at an estimate was approximately 12' x 20' x 8' - not the largest enclosure I have seen for Hyacinth Macaw, but certainly large enough to suit the species in my opinion; the following aviaries were each approximately half the size.
The next enclosure held
Scarlet Macaw (
Ara macao) and
Greenish Acouchy (
Myoprocta pratti), and was somewhat similar in design to the Hyacinth Macaw enclosure with one notable difference; the rockwork and vegetation on the ground was somewhat thicker, presumably for the benefit of the Acouchy, with hollow logs provided for shelter. The latter species is one which had until very recently been entirely new to me, as I had first seen it at Zoo Berlin only a day prior, and as such was of some interest to me.
The neighbouring enclosure was again very similar, albeit even more thickly planted, and held a combination of
Blue-throated Macaw (
Ara glaucogularis) and
Giant Wood Rail (
Aramides ypecaha). Both of these enclosures, although holding species which barring the acouchy are commonplace in the UK and thus very familiar to me, were nonetheless enjoyed due to their attractive, neat and well-presented format.
The next enclosure was of great interest to all four of us due to the species held within; a combination of
Blue-headed Macaw (Primolius couloni) and
Tataupa Tinamou (
Crypturellus tataupa). The former species, although not entirely new to us, was one which we had seldom been able to see as a result of the animals at Chester Zoo being held offshow, visible only at a distance with some luck. The latter taxon, however, was indeed entirely new to all four of us and, in point of fact, marked the first tinamou that myself and Hel had ever seen. This rather pleased us, as we had hoped to see a member of this unusual paleognath group for some time, all such species having disappeared from public collections in the UK over the course of the last decade. The enclosure itself was rather akin to its neighbours, albeit with the inclusion of a small rock-lined pond for the use of the tinamou.
The final enclosure in this row was again similar in design, but with more focus given to terrestrial design, with small logs and tree trunks laid on the ground, and another small pond in among rockwork. Naturally, a large amount of higher perching points were also provided. This enclosure held a mix of
Guira Cuckoo (
Guira guira),
Lilacine Amazon (
Amazona autumnalis lilacina) and
Gambel's Quail (Lophortyx gambelii), the lattermost of which represented a rather attractive and active lifetick.
This mix, as with all the species combinations in this row of enclosures, seemed to work rather well, with all species appearing to interact well and without conflict.
(
Attached are images of the Tapir enclosure, the Hyacinth Macaw enclosure, the Scarlet Macaw and Acouchy enclosure, the Blue-headed Macaw and Tataupa Tinamou enclosure, the Guira Cuckoo, Lilacine Amazon and Gambel's Quail enclosure, and a photo of a Gambel's Quail)
