Category: Auckland Zoo

A Speedy Giraffe Delivery at Auckland Zoo

August 8, 2013

Auckland Zoo, Giraffe

Auckland Zoo is celebrating the arrival of its 31st giraffe calf: a 5.5 foot (1.7 m) female, delivered in record time to 12-year-old giraffe mum, Rukiya. The fifth offspring for Rukiya and 13-year-old dad Zabulu was born at 11:10 am on August 3, following a labour of less than three hours – Rukiya's fastest delivery to date.

The yet-to-named calf was standing within half an hour, with experienced mum Rukiya taking it all in her stride as she demonstrated her exceptional mothering skills. This included having her newborn successfully suckle from her the minute it could stand, something keeping staff have not seen at any other giraffe birth.

"Rukiya really took us by surprise this time. She was incredibly relaxed the day before the birth and right up until she started going into labour, and gave us none of the usual and obvious signs she was ready for action. She also stayed amazingly calm throughout the labour – which was significantly shorter than her others and by far the easiest and most relaxed," says Pridelands keeper, Kathryn McKee, who has been present for all five of Rukiya's births.

Photo credits: Kathrin Simon / Auckland Zoo

Watch a video of the birth below:

See the rest of the story after the fold.

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UPDATE! Auckland Zoo’s Baby Red Panda Gets a Name

March 20, 2013

Auckland Zoo, Red Panda

You may have first read about this baby Red Panda from Auckland Zoo HERE on ZooBorns. As a result of a vet check, it was determined that they had a little boy! Born on Christmas Eve, he is the first offspring of three-year-old mom Bo and 12-year-old dad Sagar. He has been healthy and growing at a normal rate.

The Zoo just wrapped up a naming contest for the cub through Facebook, and the results are in: By an overwhelming majority, the public voted for the name Pabu, which means puff-ball of fluffy. The other choices had been Nepalese words, since the Red Panda is found in the wild in Nepal. They were: Sundar (meaning beautiful/good.joy), Bhushan (adornment), HImal (snow mountain), and Mohan (charming).

Photo Credit: Auckland Zoo

The IUCN Red List classifies this animal as Vulnerable. It is threatened by illegal hunting and deforestation. Remaining populations are fast becoming fragmented and isolated from each other. It is uncertain how many remain in the wild today, but estimates suggest it may be as low 2500 individuals. There are close to 500 individuals in zoos worldwide.
Aukland Zoo Breeds Critically Endangered Archey’s Frogs

March 3, 2013

Auckland Zoo, Frogs & Toads

For the first time ever, Archey's Frogs have been successfully bred in captivity. Aukland Zoo is the only facility in the world to keep this critically endangered New Zealand species.

Laid in October, the eggs hatched in early December. Twice before, other facilities had attempted to breed Archey's Frogs from wild-caught individuals, but the young did not survive to adulthood. Aukland Zoo now has seven healthy young frogs, bred from their own long-term captive population.

Photo credit: Aukland Zoo

Watch Archey's Frogs wiggle their way through different developmental stages:

What makes Archey's Frogs unique? Read more after the fold.

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Sleepy Red Panda Baby a Welcomed Addition to Auckland Zoo

January 25, 2013

Auckland Zoo, Red Panda

Keepers at the Auckland Zoo say the birth of a rare Nepalese Red Panda baby in the
early hours of December 24 was the best Christmas present they could have
received. It is the first to be born at the zoo since 2002, weighing in at
just 105 grams (equal to a medium sized tomato). Now, at four weeks old, the little one is estimated to have
grown to 240 grams, a little over half a pound.

The
cub, the first offspring of three-year-old mom Bo and 12-year-old dad Sagar, is
an extremely valuable addition to the international breeding program for this species. The
IUCN Red List classifies this animal as Vulnerable. It is threatened by illegal
hunting and deforestation. Remaining populations are fast becoming fragmented
and isolated from each other. It is uncertain how many remain in the wild
today, but estimates suggest it may be as low 2500 individuals. There are close
to 500 individuals in zoos worldwide.

“This
birth is a fantastic result, especially as Bo was only introduced to Sagar last
August, given that female Red Pandas come into season just twice a year and a
male has only a one to two-day window to mate a female,” said Carnivore Team Leader Bruce Murdock. “We couldn’t ask for a better mum in Bo.
She’s doing an exceptional job, staying in the nest
box for long periods and feeding her cub up to six times a day, and being very attentive.”

Photo Credit: Auckland Zoo

Dad has been to the nest box to check out his offspring, but leaves the parenting to Bo. Murdock added, “We’re keeping a regular watch on this cub, but taking a very hands-off approach so Bo can continue to do the great job she’s been doing.”

Murdock says Red Pandas develop slowly and are dependent for at least three months, so it could be another eight to 10 weeks before visitors see the cub venturing out and around the enclosure with Bo. A full vet check will be done in late February, and at that time its gender will be confirmed.

All that nursing and growing causes cub-naps, as seen in the video below:

Read more about Red Panda conservation after the fold:

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Otter Twins in Auckland – Handfuls of Fluff

June 30, 2009

Auckland Zoo, Otter

Jana and Juno, the Auckland Zoo's resident otter couple, spent a year in courtship before they decided they liked one another. Asian small-clawed otters mate for life but are "notoriously fussy" about who that mate will be. Well a few weeks ago Jana gave birth to two fluffy male pups, weighing just 400-500 grams or just about a pound.

Baby otter does not look pleased

I will trade you anything for your handful of otter

"Otters don't develop their waterproof coats until three months, so for
now with their big strong heads on top of their little uncoordinated
bodies and their soft furry coats, they're incredibly cute – rather
like cuddly little baby bull dogs." explained Auckland Zoo otter team leader, Amy Dixon. These little pups are the first Asian small-clawed otters born at an Australasian zoo in six years.

Thanks to Abbey Allpress for the tip!