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$3.00 ISSUE # 55 | SUMMER 2013-14
SOS for sea turtles
The devils are due
New big cat
moves in
Takahe arrive
a great gift for
$
Auckland Zoo plays a vitally important role in breeding, research and recovery programmes for threatened species. Proceeds from your purchase helps Auckland Zoo build a future for wildlife. For more adoption packages and other ways to adopt visit WildZone or www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/adoptananimal
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From the editor As this issue’s cover highlights, we’ve just welcomed male Sumatran tiger Jaka from Hamilton Zoo and said farewell to Oz. Originally from Tel Aviv Zoo, Oz – our poster boy this issue – made history at Auckland Zoo in 2008, when with our female Molek (Jaka’s sister), he produced our first three tiger cubs. Now he’s been paired up to breed with Hamilton’s female Sali to help the zoosbased global breeding programme for this critically endangered big cat. This tiger swap is a great example of how zoos collaborate in conservation efforts for wildlife.
Contents
Exciting imminent arrivals you can discover more about in this issue are Tasmanian devils, due here later this summer. This summer’s edition also comes with our very first issue of Zoo Alive Kidz, which we hope will be a holiday hit with all the family. From all of us here at the Zoo, we wish you a fabulous Christmas and New Year, and look forward to seeing you at the Zoo in 2014.
Photo: Taronga Zoo
14
I 7 I Be in to win 9 I New arrivals 4 The feed
Hunting for ghosts
Jane Healy Editor
A cheetah walk at the Zoo We welcome new cats
Zoo Alive is printed on Impress Coated paper stock produced from ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved certified mixed source pulp, and manufactured under the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. It is printed tri-annually (Spring, Summer and Autumn/Winter). Contents cannot be reproduced in whole or part without permission of the publisher.
COVER PHOTO: McLennantiger Jaka Front cover:Chris Sumatran
Editor: Jane Healy Design: Rainger&Rolfe Printing: PMP Maxum
Address all enquiries to the editor: Jane.healy@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Phone: 09 360 3804
www.aucklandzoo.co.nz
Auckland Zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoos & Aquaria, and the Australasian organisation – Zoo Aquarium Association
1 0 Remembering Janie Farewelling a friend 14 Worldview Helping the Tasmanian devil
16 Conservation SOS - Save our Sea Turtles 19 Our People Fresh means palm oil-free 22 Connect
Party at the Zoo, get up close
23 Friends of the Zoo New membership packs launched! Auckland Zoo thanks its valuable partners for their generous support:
ZooAlive Summer 2013-14 3
Tassie devils cross the
Tasman
Four Tasmanian devils will make their home at Auckland Zoo this summer, and visitors can look forward to seeing them on display in a new enclosure as part of ‘Aussie Walkabout’ by Easter.
The Zoo Quiz What is the name for a group of flamingos?
What is the only day of the year that Auckland Zoo is closed? How many years has the Zoo’s Great Ape Race been running for? How many takahe came to live at Auckland Zoo in September, and what are their names?
The three males and one female from Australia’s Healesville Sanctuary are part of the global zoos-based ‘Save The Tasmanian Devil Program’. The pilot project has been set up by the Tasmanian government, in collaboration with zoos, to help secure a disease-free insurance population for this endangered marsupial that’s being ravaged by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). Its aim is to also raise international awareness of this unique species and vital funding for its ongoing conservation. Auckland Zoo, Wellington Zoo and Orana Park are among New Zealand facilities receiving Tasmanian devils through the Australasian zoo organization, ZAA (Zoo and Aquarium Association). “We’re delighted to be working alongside our Australian colleagues to assist in this international effort for the Tasmanian devil. It’s a unique species – the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial, and it plays a critical role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem where it lives. It’s vital that its future is secured,” says Auckland Zoo director, Jonathan Wilcken. To find out more about the Tasmanian devil and international efforts to conserve it, see the WorldView feature on page 14.
What’s the name of the disease that is endangering Tasmanian devils? What popular board game can you now find Auckland Zoo on? What other Auckland facility has the Zoo recently teamed up with to rehabilitate and release green sea turtles? What is the name of the new product range at WildZone gift shop that is made from jandals washed up on beaches and waterways in Africa?
“Zoo visitors will discover the Tasmanian devil is a delightfully curious and engaging creature - a very different animal from the one portrayed in the famous cartoon,” says Auckland Zoo director, Jonathan Wilcken.
What bird species does Auckland Zoo monitor in the Waitakere Ranges? On what island in the Hauraki Gulf is Auckland Zoo helping establish to a wildlife sanctuary? What Auckland Zoo animal can public pay to walk around the Zoo with before opening hours, and what’s the name of the experience? How many overseas conservation projects does the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund currently support? 1. A flamboyance! (also a flock) 2. Christmas Day; 3. Five; 4.Two, Montague and Ahikaea; 5. Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD); 6. Auckland Monopoly; 7. Kelly Tarlton’s; 8. Ocean Sole; 9. Kokako; 10. Rotoroa Island; 11. Behind-the-scenes Cheetah Experience; 12. 16
4 ZooAlive Summer 2013-14
Photo: Brian Cairns
The Tasmanian devil population is being hit hard by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a fatal condition that was first identified in 1996.
hunting for
The Zoo’s Asha Rodger assists Auckland Council’s Tim Lovegrove to band and obtain the weight and key measurements of a young kokako chick.
Auckland Zoo has been asked to monitor Ark in the Park’s kokako population this season – a role that is proving immensely rewarding, following the discovery of a nest and two new chicks.
Ghosts Ark in the Park is a Forest & Bird and Auckland Council eco-restoration project at the Cascade Kauri Park in the Waitakere Ranges.
the Ark, says all the pre-dawn starts and hundreds of hours of monitoring she and her fellow keepers have done to date, are worth every second.
Twenty-six kokako have now been released into this predator-controlled Forest & Bird/Auckland Council managed area at the Cascade Kauri Park in the Waitakere Ranges. Close monitoring of the birds’ patterns of movement, pairing and breeding is essential to assist in their ongoing management.
“Kokako are extremely good at making themselves invisible and are therefore incredibly difficult to spot, which is why they’re known as ‘the ghosts of the forest’. So we’re delighted to have not only successfully identified three pairs and five banded adults so far and discovered a nest, but super-stoked when we confirmed two chicks in that nest.
Asha Rodger, the Zoo’s Birds team leader and coordinator of kokako monitoring in
“It was a real privilege to assist Tim Lovegrove (Auckland Council’s senior
regional advisor, fauna) with the banding of these two chicks, which we’ve been monitoring closely,” says Asha. The Zoo team, along with Ark volunteers, will continue kokako monitoring over summer. Their standard tools of trade include an alarm clock, binoculars, compass, GPS unit, sharp eyes and ears, and a lot of patience!
A Sanctuary in the making The Zoo’s conservation centre in Te Wao Nui is being transformed into a dynamic interactive space themed around our work with the Rotoroa Island Trust to create a wildlife sanctuary on this 80ha isle.
The Zoo’s senior maintenance worker Carl Roberts is enjoying preparing the boat and surrounding area for visitors to explore.
Due to open early in the New Year, ‘Rotoroa – the making of a sanctuary’ features fun discovery elements like crawl-through animal tracking tunnels, peep holes, online kiosks and a 100-year-old boat to explore. Kotahi is a 9m bridge-decker kauri boat that is themed around biosecurity. Onboard activities for kids include a game to hunt out pests trying to get across to Rotoroa. Kotahi will be completed, and open to visitors to explore later this summer. “This centre is a fantastic place to come and explore and learn about Rotoroa’s past, what we’re doing out on the island now, our future plans, and how everyone can get involved,” says Zoo director, Jonathan Wilcken. Wilcken says just one year into the Rotoroa partnership, significant progress has already been made on the island to pave the way for releasing some New Zealand native wildlife species there during 2014. As well as exploring the Zoo’s centre, you can visit Rotoroa Island over summer. Rotoroa features stunning swimming beaches, great walks, baches for rent, and is just over an hour’s ferry ride from downtown Auckland. For the 360 Discovery ferry timetable, visit www.rotoroa.org.nz
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ZooAlive Summer 2013-14 5
As well as having all natural colours and flavours, all Tip Top ice creams at the Zoo are now free of palm oil.
Guide to
going
palm oil-free Our newly updated Palm Oil-Free Shopping Guide contains close to 1000 supermarket products to help you shop. The guide is downloadable from our website, with products categorised to make it quick and easy to access everything from baby, baking, cleaning and confectionery products to dairy, snacks and toiletries. Plus, just in time for summer, all Tip Top ice creams at the Zoo are now free of palm oil, and by January 2014 all Tip Top products throughout New Zealand will not contain any palm oil. “Our congratulations to Tip Top. It’s a fantastic achievement that we know has taken a lot hard work and effort to realise,” says director, Jonathan Wilcken. Wilcken says, “as advocates for wildlife, Auckland Zoo believes the only way to help save orangutans and other wildlife species in danger of extinction from the uncontrolled expansion of the palm oil industry in Indonesia and Malaysia, is for us all to reduce our palm oil consumption.”
Photo: Michelle Mudford
“That’s a big and very problematic gap. It’s one that is threatening the survival of the likes of the orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Asian rhino and elephant – species that could be extinct in the wild by 2022 if this current trend continues. It’s why we remain committed to being palm oil-free and spreading the buy palm oil-free message.”
“In 2012, global palm oil production reached 50 million tonnes, 43.5 million of which was not produced sustainably. By 2020, it’s predicted world production will increase to 85.3 million tonnes, but less than a fifth of this will be produced sustainably.
Great race for a great ape Over 300 people took part in Auckland Zoo’s fifth Great Ape Race in November. We raised nearly $4000 for orangutan conservation in just over two hours! Once again, we teamed up with our friends from Lactic Turkey Events for this mini ‘amazing race’ around the Zoo as part of our Orangutan Caring Week celebrations.
Our thanks to everyone who took part and helped us raise funds to support the work of the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP).
Our primate team leader Amy Robbins was in Sumatra recently and witnessed the releasing of the 50th orangutan into the park.
Hosted by ZM presenter Sarah, the evening attracted locals of all ages - including Good Morning presenter, Jeanette Thomas, and actors Nicole Whippy (Nothing Trivial) and Michelle Langstone (The Almighty Johnsons).
Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund has supported SOCP since 2002, and currently helps fund its Pinus Jantho release station (established 2011) and the rehabilitation and release of rescued orangutans into Pinus Jantho Nature Reserve in north Sumatra’s Aceh province.
“It was amazing and very heartening to see this young female climb straight up into the trees and happily stay there – even with a semi- paralysed arm! SOCP is doing great work to help ensure a future for this critically endangered great ape, and our support is making a difference,” says Amy.
6 ZooAlive Summer 2013-14
access moreareas
Auckland Zoo visitor services manager Margaret Dalziel at Te Wao Nui’s The Coast with Nadia Elkington and guide dog Orca.
Auckland Zoo now welcomes guide dogs and pre-approved assistance dogs to more areas following a gold standard accreditation for our New Zealand precinct, Te Wao Nui, by the Be Accessible organisation (beaccessible.org.nz). The gold accreditation follows eight months of on-site trials, working closely with ‘Be Accessible’, Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, and Assistance Dogs New Zealand. “Our gold accreditation is an outstanding breakthrough and a fantastic story of collaboration to make something initially perceived as impossible, become possible,” says the Zoo’s visitor services manager, Margaret Dalziel. Fully trained and vaccinated registered guide dogs and approved assistance dogs are welcome to accompany their owners. Dog users are just required to contact us ahead of any visit on (09) 360 3805. The new development has helped us become 90% accessible. Other accessibility features include disability
parking, entry ramps to all exhibits, sliding doors, and free-hire of wheelchair and mobility scooters. We now have six mobility scooters thanks to the recent donation of three scooters by Allied Medical. To Friends of the Zoo member Ken Parker, our grounds are much like a second home he explores most days – made possible with the help of a mobility scooter.
Mobility scooter user Ken Parker enjoys a visit through Aussie Walkabout.
“I love the Zoo, the animals and the people. I’ve had a stroke and an accident that affected my feet, so I’m very reliant on wheels, and extremely grateful the Zoo has such great scooters.” Ken Parker
win a
cheetah walk for Christmas An early morning summer’s walk around the Zoo with cheetahs Anubis and Osiris and their handlers is possibly the best Christmas present on offer in New Zealand!
Lucky for you, Zoo Alive has a ‘Behindthe-Scenes Cheetah Experience for Two’ gift voucher to give away by 20 December. Like to enter? Read on… Eight-year-old cheetah brothers Anubis and Osiris are here to enable us to connect our visitors with these majestic big cats, raise awareness of the plight of cheetah in the wild, and support their conservation. Reared at South Africa’s Cheetah Outreach in Cape Town as part of its Ambassador Training Programme, our boys arrived here in 2006.
Just 7,500 cheetah remain in the wild in Africa today – so the race is on to save the fastest land animal on the planet – up against loss of habitat to commercial farming and subsequent conflict with farmers. Our conservation fund supports the great work of Cheetah Outreach, including its Anatolian Livestock Guard Dog Project - where guard dogs successfully protect both livestock and cheetah. Find out more at www.aucklandzoo.co.nz
To enter: Tell us the name of the place in South Africa that Anubis and Osiris came from. Email your answer to: zoofriends@aucklandzoo.co.nz with your name and a contact phone number. Entries close Friday 20th December 2013. (Minimum age and height, 10 years, 1.3m. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Date of this two-person experience to be confirmed. Competition excludes Auckland Council staff).
ZooAlive Summer 2013-14 7
2
$
million milestone
The Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund (AZCF) has now raised over $2 million to help endangered animals in the wild, here in New Zealand and around the world. The Fund was established in 2000 by our dedicated zookeepers running innovative fundraising events. It has evolved significantly over time – reflecting the Zoo’s increasing focus on supporting and being actively involved in conserving wildlife in the wild. Since 2011, a portion from every Zoo entry ticket has been directed to the Fund. “This has allowed us to significantly increase our annual support of critical conservation work, and this year’s budget alone is expected to reach $500,000 to distribute,” says AZCF programmes coordinator, Peter Fraser.
“An amazing variety of species from New Zealand taonga such as kiwi, takahe and kakapo to internationally critically endangered species like Sumatran tiger, orangutan and Asian elephant, have benefited. “It’s the result of a great community effort. Our thanks to everyone who has made a donation, attended or helped with an event, or simply visited Auckland Zoo. “ It’s with your help we will continue to work to give wildlife a future.
Asia
Helping wildlife around the world
Indonesia: orangutan, tiger, turtles Nepal: red panda, elephant Sri Lanka: elephant Vietnam: soala, turtles
Africa
Americas
Zimbabwe: rhino
Guatemala: Abronia lizards
South Africa: cheetah
Chile: frogs
Namibia: giraffe
Panama: pygmy sloth
Ivory Coast: pygmy hippo
Galapagos Islands: storm petrel
Guinea: chimpanzee
and here in New Zealand 8 ZooAlive Summer 2013-14
At any given time you may encounter Auckland Zoo staff out in the field, utilising specialist skills to benefit conservation. In the past year 64 staff worked on 24 conservation projects in 22 locations around New Zealand.
They spent 457 days outside the Zoo contributing 3,202 hours of fieldwork to conserve wildlife and wild habitat.
NEW
arrivals Jaka
Jaka
We welcomed 13-year-old male tiger Jaka from Hamilton Zoo in late November and said a fond farewell to Oz. Oz
The two Sumatran tigers have swapped homes and cities to assist the international breeding programme for this critically endangered big cat, with Oz to be paired up with Hamilton’s five-year old female Sali. As both are genetically valuable, it’s hoped that Oz and Sali will breed and contribute to the WAZA (World Association of Zoos & Aquaria) Sumatran Tiger Global Species Management Plan. Our lovely new boy Jaka is the brother of our female tiger Molek, and uncle of our male Berani – Oz’s son.
Moholo
Serval Moholo Male serval Moholo arrived from Australia’s Mogo Zoo in October and can be seen confidently exploring his enclosure at Hippo River. While a solo serval for now, he will be joined by a female mate from the U.S.A. later in 2014.
Tall order delivery Our youngest female giraffe, four-year-old Kiraka, gave birth to a healthy female calf on 15 November – her first! Pridelands team leader Nat Sullivan says Kiraka is proving to be an amazing first-time mum and predicts her new arrival, Mdomo, will soon be a great playmate for threemonth-old calf Shira. Like us on facebook for updates.
Photo: Brian Cairns
Takahe pair 16-year-old male Montague and 14-year-old female Ahikaea moved in to Te Wao Nui’s High Country in September. Auckland Zoo, the Department of Conservation and Mitre 10 Takahe Rescue combined forces to relocate the rare birds from Tiritiri Matangi Island. The elderly pair produced seven healthy offspring in nine years while on Tiri. They are here to play a key advocacy role for their fellow takahe – a critically endangered endemic species with a population of just 260. Five kaka chicks hatched in November to kaka pair Mia and Wild One. The Zoo’s kaka are part of the Australasian ZAA (Zoo Aquarium Association) breeding recovery programme. Our Bird team reports the chicks are progressing well and are to be released into various sites around the North Island later this summer.
Takahe
Bird count ZooAlive Summer 2013-14 9
Janie a prime mate
remembering
Auckland Zoo farewelled its oldest family member, Janie, in October. The much-loved and respected 60-year-old, who saw out 57 of her years here, was among one of the oldest chimpanzees in a zoo in the world. Janie’s closest and most enduring (human) relationships were with senior primate keeper Christine Tintinger, and vet, Dr Richard Jakob-Hoff. Zoo Alive editor Jane Healy spoke with them about their friendship with this extraordinary great ape.…
Janie 1953 – 2013 10 ZooAlive Summer 2013-14
Photo: Chris McLennan
was enough for Christine to just sit quietly, and keep her company, reassure her when needed. As Janie was also comfortable enough to let Christine touch and tickle her (through the mesh) if in a cheeky mood, she’d be up for some fun. On a practical level, having Janie’s trust meant she could also do things like listen to this asthmatic ape’s chest with a digital stethoscope.
Christine 55-year-old Christine Tintinger was in Janie’s life for over 34 years. “I first looked after Janie in the early 1980s when she still had her companions - fellow ‘tea party chimps’ Josie and Bobbie. Janie was top dog. First out for food, always confident and self-assured, the boss and bossy with it! “She knew how to intimidate Bobbie. Me being me, I went in to bat for the underdog. I knew Janie’s wily ways, but I also found a way to give her positive reinforcement, and of course, respect and kindness. I’d treat her the way I’d want to be treated, how I am with all animals. So Janie and I built this respect that developed into a lovely mutual
The senior primate keeper describes Janie as a very clever chimp with a wicked sense of humour, who loved the company of others, but didn’t suffer fools gladly. She also had her own insecurities, like being petrified of slugs. “Chimps are over 98% genetically similar to us. Janie had free thought and a sense of self just like us, and she sure expressed it! That’s one of the things I really loved about Janie - she was her own woman.” “Some days she wouldn’t want to come inside. We’d want to finish cleaning the den to get to a meeting. But things had to be done in Janie’s time. It was empowering for Janie not to be able to do something. Frustrating as it could sometimes be, I’d think, good on you girl, you’re still thinking for yourself!” Christine says Janie’s situation - being hand-raised last century as a ‘tea party chimp’ was terrible. “But I think how Auckland Zoo managed her, and let her be and do things her way within the confines
Vet Richard Jakob-Hoff, today the Zoo’s conservation science and research manager, knew Janie for 24 years, but it was really in the last decade, following Bobbie’s death, that he became such a favourite homo sapien friend. “I’m not sure whether she was looking for a replacement alpha male, but I think she thought of me as ‘the man’ or at the very least a fellow chimp, which is honour enough,” says Richard. “Janie would always greet me with the warmest and most excited of welcomes, no matter how often I saw her, or even what treatment I’d had to administer. Either she didn’t remember what I’d done, or she chose to forgive me!” The 62-year-old says Janie is among only a handful of animals in his 32-year zoo vet career from whom he has received such an open demonstration of love. What Richard most admired about Janie was her completely open and honest communication. “Excited, happy, sad, angry – you always knew where you stood with Janie. She was a brilliant communicator, even without the extra power of words we humans have. She taught me a lot.”
The sight and sound of Janie laughing her head off as I tickled her under her arms, would just crack me up! Along with the joy and excitement with which she always greeted me, it’s a memory I’ll cherish forever. Christine Tintinger understanding and strengthened into a deep friendship, particularly after Bobbie died in 2004 and she was left on her own. “I don’t know if it was because I knew Janie for so long, or whether there was just something about me that she liked, that made her connect and respond, but we just understood each other,” says Christine. Christine says she engaged Janie a lot by talking – a “34-year long conversation!” Janie was smart, she’d listen, understand, respond with vocalisations. Other times it
of her situation, empowered Janie and enriched her life to make it worth living.” “It was a great privilege to be Janie’s companion. We shared a lot over the years, including aging, each of us getting greyer and less steady on our pins, though essentially remaining ourselves. I am so touched that Janie wanted and appreciated my company. I know it was a comfort to her, that I was there with her at the end. I so miss her.”
Richard ZooAlive Summer 2013-14 11
Sumatran tiger - Oz
PHOTO: Chris McLennan
Panthera tigris sumatrae
aucklandzoo.co.nz
WORLDVIEW
Devil whisperer Androo Kelly has bred 14 generations of devils over the past 20 years.
Working with the
devil
Auckland Zoo is joining international efforts to help save the Tasmanian devil, the population of which is being ravaged by the deadly Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD).
First identified in 1996, DFTD is a contagious cancer characterised mostly by mouth, face, and neck tumours. It spreads like wildfire amongst devils through the typical mouthing and biting they do to each other as they cooperatively feed on predated fresh meat and carrion. As yet, there is no cure. A global zoos-based Save the Tasmanian Devil Program has seen the Australian government and the Australasian Zoo Aquarium Association (ZAA) team up to deliver on managing a healthy insurance population to help secure a future for this unique carnivorous marsupial.
Devil whisperer
Heading up these training workshops and overseeing all new facilities is husbandry manager and advisor to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Androo Kelly – the man they call ‘the devil whisperer’, and for good reason. The fifth generation Tasmanian, owner and director of Trowunna Wildlife Park, grew up with stories of this much misunderstood Aussie icon. He’s bred 14 generations of devils over the past 20 years, and has an irrepressible love for these stocky little characters. “To Kiwis I’d describe them as the marsupial kea. They’re very smart, cheeky, social and mischievous. They can also be quite timid, but when they come together they do like to argue and push each other around, and their screams are a natural way of exchange in devil society,” says Androo, who’s quick to dispel their mythical reputation as nasty, violent and vicious.
Over 580 Tasmanian devils are now part of an intensively managed captive population. Three New Zealand and two American zoos have recently joined the programme and more zoos in America, Europe and Japan could come on board. Auckland Zoo will receive four devils from Australia’s Healesville Zoo in late summer – to be on display by Easter. They’ll be managed by our carnivore team under the leadership of Bruce Murdock, an Australian who has worked with devils in the past. Bruce and a fellow colleague were in Tasmania recently taking part in an intensive Tasmanian devil training workshop at Trowunna Wildlife Park – a prerequisite for all zoos receiving devils as part of this programme.
Bruce Murdock will oversee the management of Auckland Zoo’s new devils.
Photo: Rick Stevens / Taronga
Zoo
To Kiwis I’d describe them as the marsupial kea. They’re very smart, cheeky, social and mischievous. They can also be quite timid, but when they come together they do like to argue and push each other around, and their screams are a natural way of exchange in devil society. Androo Kelly 14 ZooAlive Summer 2013-14
Devil detail
The Tasmanian devil is the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial. Males can grow up to 12kg, and females up to 8kg Once widespread throughout Australia, devils are now only found in Tasmania Devils are ready to breed from two years old. As many as 50 joeys can be born at one time, but just four can survive, as there are only four nipples in the mother’s pouch Devils have a short life span, around six years, but a high breeding rate, with females producing up to four offspring each year The Tasmanian devil is classified as ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List and Federal government of Australia
Devil talk “Tasmanian devils have a language, they understand community and socialise at feedings. What might sound like aggressive growling to you and I is ‘good afternoon, how are you?’ “The loud screeching noise that echoes through the bush assists in attracting a third and fourth animal through the sense of hearing. The noise is important in building up a social feeding situation. The more animals that turn up and rip at the carcass, that’s actually conserving energy to get your food. That’s smart,” says Androo. By eating dead and often sick animals, these ‘cleaners of the bush’ also play a vital role in preventing the spread of disease, and help keep the ecosystem healthy.
Smart management
“Today’s management model is fantastic. Devils respond to being managed as a group and by people. They become what I call ‘c-devils’ – curious and confident, then you get to see the charismatic aspect of these animals. Plus, they breed well.” DFTD has caused the Tasmanian devil population to decrease by approximately 80%, but Androo says the good news is disease prevalence across Tasmania hasn’t gone beyond 20%.
“We released about 15 captive-bred devils onto Maria Island (a sanctuary isle off Tasmania’s southeast coast) a year ago, and they’ve already bred. We’ll be releasing more soon, including some from Trowunna. We’re proving breeding in captivity and releasing devils to safe areas in the wild works.”
International support Androo says the objective of the ‘Save the Tasmanian Devil Program’ is to preserve both captive and wild animals. “To do this, we need to keep raising awareness and interest to help attract
more resources to the programme, which is why it’s so important to raise the Tasmanian devil’s profile internationally and gain practical support,” says Androo. “Being able to move devils from Tasmania to other zoos, such as Auckland, is helping free up valuable space in bigger breeding facilities like Trowunna so that we can continue breeding, as recommended by the programme. “Devils are a ‘boom-bust’ species; they’re great breeders, but they only have a short life span. So it’s really essential we keep breeding right now to ensure a big enough captive population that’s both healthy and self-sustaining.” While normally solitary, Tasmanian devils don’t have strict territories in the wild, and come together to feed. In zoos they respond extremely well to being managed socially.
Photo: Tony Britt-Lewis / Taronga Zoo
Androo says one of the smartest moves made to help the devil in recent years has been managing them well in zoos – through excellent husbandry, holding them in large areas, and managing them socially.
The devil whisperer believes it’s essential that both wild population monitoring and intensive management continues. This includes managing devils in free-range ‘exclosures’ (20-40 acre blocks) and on islands – originally a last resort option.
ZooAlive Summer 2013-14 15
CONSERVATION
Did you know... there are five species of marine turtles found in New Zealand waters? All are either threatened, endangered, or critically endangered, and some are on the brink of extinction.
SOS Save Sea Turtles our
The marine turtles that are rescued in New Zealand are thought to come from the warmer tropical waters of Australia and other parts of the southwestern Pacific. Occasionally, marine turtles can be found stranded along our coastline or are caught incidentally in fisheries activities.
Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium has been providing sea turtle care and rehabilitation since 1995. This year, they’ve been working more closely with Massey University and the vet team here at Auckland Zoo to provide collaborative marine turtle support. The partnership aims to enhance the successful rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine turtles back into the wild, and also strengthen research, education and community awareness of our unique and precious marine environment.
Dan Godoy, researcher at Massey University has been studying marine turtles and working with Kelly Tarlton’s for many years. More recently, Dan has worked with the vets at Auckland Zoo’s New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine on some marine turtle necropsies. He’s excited about the ability for this collaboration to aid ongoing research efforts and build more knowledge about these animals.
Curator at Kelly Tarlton’s, Andrew Christie, says “the ability to team up with Massey University and Auckland Zoo will strengthen our approach; each partner has specific valuable skills that will enhance our work with the turtles.”
Turtle Trivia • Turtles can hold their breath for hours underwater • Marine turtles can navigate across vast expanses of ocean by using the earth’s magnetic field • An adult female turtle can lay anywhere between 80 - 180 eggs in a single clutch but of these, only one or two may survive to reach adulthood 16 ZooAlive Summer 2013-14
• Five species of sea turtles can be found in New Zealand waters; Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback •
Marine turtles are the most widely dispersed of all marine reptiles in the world. They’re found in all tropical and subtropical oceans and as far north as the Arctic circle.
Turtle threats Threats to turtle health and wellbeing in New Zealand include: • Injuries from boat/propeller strike • Injuries from fishing net and line entanglement • Diseases, including bacterial infections and parasites • Ingestion of plastics and fish hooks • Cold shock – turtle enters too chilly waters • Pollution At Kelly Tarlton’s checking on a rehabilitating green sea turtle that will likely be released later this summer, are Auckland Zoo vet nurse and clinical services coordinator Mikaylie Wilson, Massey University researcher Dan Godoy and Kelly Tarlton’s Mathew Harvey.
Auckland Zoo support
• Get involved in local beach clean-ups. Visit: www.sustainablecoastlines.co.nz
Craig Pritchard, Auckland Zoo’s veterinary services manager says that all three partners have enjoyed working together in the past.
• Donate money to The KellyTarlton’s Marine Wildlife Trust
The commitment to strengthen this partnership around the marine turtle work will enable a better understanding of the biology, health and rehabilitation needs of these amazing and valuable creatures.
• Eat only sustainable fish. Download Forest & Birds’ ‘Best Fish Guide’ at www.forestandbird.org.nz
Back to the wild
This is done to enable us to learn more about the habits and migration of these incredible animals. The turtles have been released at the Kermedec Islands, and at the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve off Northland’s Tutakaka coast. Releases have also taken place at the site of the stranding.
• Be a tidy Kiwi; dispose of your litter in the bin not the beach • Reduce your reliance on plastic bags; use eco shopping bags
Auckland Zoo vets will provide initial treatment and health support for the turtles with ongoing care and rehabilitation conducted at Kelly Tarlton’s. Zoo vets will also be involved in pre-release health screening.
Once the weather becomes warm enough for release, the turtles are flipper tagged and some have satellite tags attached to their shells.
You can help
Auckland Zoo’s veterinary services manager Craig Pritchard and vet nurse Mikaylie Wilson health check a green sea turtle at Kelly Tartlon’s.
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If you come across a marine turtle on a beach anywhere in New Zealand, contact your local Department of Conservation office on: 0800 HOT DOC (0800 362 468)
ZooAlive Summer 2013-14 17
CONSERVATION
One
year later
The Auckland Zoo-Rotoroa Island Trust partnership to create a world-class wildlife sanctuary on Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf has just celebrated its first 12 months.
It’s been a busy period – comprehensively monitoring the island to assess what’s on it (good and bad) and, under the leadership of island ecologist Jo Ritchie, undertaking an extensive mouse eradication programme to assist the renewal of Rotoroa’s ecology, and make it safe for wildlife translocations. Environmental education programmes have been developed, and most significantly, a 25-year strategic wildlife management and translocation plan for more than 20 different New Zealand native species. During 2014, we hope to translocate up to seven species to the island, including kiwi, saddleback, whitehead, takahe, Duvaucel’s gecko, and moko and shore skinks.
A new model of stewardship “Together the Trust and the Zoo have mapped out an ambitious and innovative programme that really challenges ideas about what successful conservation management is,” says Zoo director, Jonathan Wilcken.
“We’re creating something entirely new that will support a rich diversity of New Zealand native species, not just restricting ourselves to what might have once been on Rotoroa. We’ll be managing these species in a way that demonstrates the role of intensive management that is increasingly required in conservation globally – and doing it in a way that shows people how integral they are to the ongoing management and health of the island. “ “Some species will be independent and self-sustaining. Others will be more dependent and require material assistance like weka exclosures, nest boxes and feeding stations. To manage the migration of species that can’t manage it for themselves, we’ll also be working towards managed genetic exchange amongst species with other pest-free Hauraki Gulf islands,” says Jonathan.
Hands-on opportunities Brian Ireland, head of the Zoo’s Discovery & Learning team and project manager for
At left: St Joseph’s Catholic School pupils use telemetry equipment on Rotoroa Island and (right) enjoy an up-close encounter with a tuatara in Te Wao Nui at Auckland Zoo.
18 ZooAlive Summer 2013-14
the Rotoroa Island Schools Programme, says what really sets the island apart is the hands-on opportunities it can offer. “While still in its infancy, our programme already has students actively engaged in doing real conservation science work using the latest technologies, and they’re coming away totally buzzing. These are tomorrow’s conservationists,” says Brian. Twenty-two 10-year-olds from Takapuna’s St Joseph’s Catholic School were among eager students getting hands-on on the island recently. Equipped with tablets and the latest GPS tracking apps, students helped to locate animal tracking tunnels and record what animal footprints they found – as zookeepers and Rotoroa Island Trust staff have been doing. The young students were also trained in using high-tech telemetry equipment, then tasked with locating toy animals hidden around the island with transmitters attached, to mimic the real telemetry activities.
Rotoroa Island Photo: NZ Herald
OURPEOPLE
Fresh means
Palm oil-free Kevin Blakeman is head chef at Como St Café in Takapuna. He’s passionate about cooking with fresh local ingredients, and cooking palm oil-free, as he did at several of our recent Orangutan Caring Week events. Kevin’s philosophy is “use as few manufactured products as possible - if it’s fresh it’s palm oil-free!”
Visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz for our Buy Palm Oil-Free Shopping Guide.
Feta and spinach stuffed lamb loin with roast vegetable medley and pea puree Ingredients (Serves 4) • 600g lamb loin (for 4 x 150g servings) • 150g large leaf spinach • 300g feta cheese • Salt and pepper • 400g garden peas, fresh blanched or pre-frozen and defrosted
Method
To serve
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•
In a pan, heat a little oil and when hot, add the lamb (which again should be seasoned). Cook until caramelised on one side before turning and repeating on all sides. With lamb loin, this should be a good indication of when it’s cooked
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Serve with the pea puree and your roasted vegetables. Use a little garnish if you wish (I use reduced balsamic vinegar and micro leaves).
Start by stuffing the lamb. Drop the spinach into a pot of boiling water for a few seconds to wilt. Dip the spinach into cold water, then chop roughly
• Mix the spinach with feta cheese, cream it with a spatula, and season • Now, with a paring knife, make a knife incision through centre of the lamb from end to end • Place spinach mix into a piping bag and pipe the mixture into the lamb loin • Wrap in cling-film and set in fridge while you prepare the rest of the ingredients
• One red and one yellow capsicum (3cm x 3cm cubes)
• Place peas into a pot with just enough water to cover them and boil
• 100g diced potatoes (3cm x 3cm cubes)
• When done boiling, remove half the water, season and blend the peas to a fine puree
• Two diced courgettes (3cm x 3cm cubes) • 150ml cooking oil for all jobs (I use Alpha One rice bran oil or canola oil)
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Select three vegetables of your choice (diced 3cm x 3cm). I’ve used capsicum, courgette and potato. Season, oil, then oven roast at 200°C until tender
A fresh dessert Nothing beats delicious summer fruits with ice cream. A combination of strawberries, grapes, rock melon and pineapple does it for me and my family, but choose from any of Mother’s Nature’s in-season offerings, and top with your favourite ice cream. Tip Top now comes in ‘all natural’ flavours and no palm oil – a great choice!
ZooAlive Summer 2013-14 19
Billie with elephant Burma, whose paintings are sold at WildZone.
Photo: Michelle Mudford
5 questions with
Billie Bailey 1 Favourite thing about your job? I love that I can provide gifts that help conservation efforts in New Zealand and around the world. We stock some amazingly innovative products that not only provide work for the people that make them, but also help the environment and the wildlife that live in these places. For example, a stunning new range, Ocean Sole, creates amazing animal creations made from jandals washed up on beaches and waterways in Africa (www.ocean-sole.com).
2 Favourite day at work? The day I got to take prints and make a cast of tiger Molek’s paw when she was having an operation. Bruce (Carnivore team leader) asked me if the mould had set yet and I said “probably, but I just like holding her paw. “
20 ZooAlive Summer 2013-14
Eco warrior at WildZone
Over the past nine years, WildZone gift shop’s retail team leader Billie Bailey has been researching and sourcing products that reflect her commitment to wildlife. Her passion and hard work was recognised when WildZone won Top Shop 2012’s excellence award for sustainability.
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3 Have you always had a passion for nature? As long as I can remember! Dad used to take me around our garden, or we’d look through nature books together, and he’d tell me what everything was called. Some of my first words were bird names. I always buy bird books when overseas. And I love tramping. There’s so many great walkways around Auckland with lots of hidden treasures to discover and I always take my binoculars with me.
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What do you look at when considering things for WildZone? Most of our products are themed around wild animals and need to inspire people to value wildlife, promote conservation or environmental actions. The remainder provide a service to visitors. We don’t stock anything that’s tested on animals, contains animal parts, or palm oil or palm oil derivatives. We go for high quality products that, where possible, are made from recycled, sustainable, recyclable or biodegradable materials. We also try to source NZ-made, Fair Trade and from companies that use ethical practices.
What animal are you most like and why? Probably a red panda. I’m a bit shy and reclusive, I love fruit and am a self-confessed tree hugger.
Bruce Murdock crossed the Tasman in 2012 to become Auckland Zoo’s Carnivore team leader. A former consultant to us, he has worked with animals in and outside of zoos around the world for almost a quarter century. 13 of these years have involved working hands-on with big cats – tigers, cheetah, cougars, lions and servals, and helping set up projects to help conserve endangered wildlife in the wild.
Bruce
Murdock What do you love about coming to work each day? It’s a very cool and beautiful working environment. Lions roaring, gibbons calling; you’ve got all the animal noises, all the smells, and a team of people passionate about wildlife and conservation. Plus, I get to combine my favourite things – people, animals, creating environments that promote natural animal behaviours, and holistic animal management. Where else would I want to work?
What drives you? I am driven by conservation outcomes such as being able to link critically endangered species to projects that are likely to make a real impact in the wild, which we’re actively doing through our conservation fund. We’ve got to keep building on relationships with these projects. It’s vital that our keepers continue to do a lot of fieldwork overseas, looking at human and animal behavior, and how best to marry the two.
Has it always been cats? I do love cats, but it actually started as a passion for primates as I worked with them for seven years. I think it’s best to value all species. You get a lot out of any animal. I’d say that I have a passion for wildlife rather than any individual species.
OURPEOPLE
Getting to know
You’ve worked with 21st Century Tiger’s anti-poaching patrols in Sumatra. How was that? It was both heartbreaking and inspiring. You see the devastation from illegal logging. You have to drive through palm oil plantations for hours. So much wildlife habitat just gone. I helped dismantle tiger snares and logging huts set up by illegal hunters. It inspires you to want to help more. I’ve been involved in Flora and Fauna International’s 21st Century Tiger project with Deb Martyr for many years. They’re doing amazing work, and it’s one of many great projects our conservation fund supports.
Is there something of the tiger in you? I guess you have to think like them to work with them. I’ve learned to understand their nature, pick up on their state of mind, know what’s natural and recognise subtle signs. Tigers can be super chilled out, and you have to be as well. When you work with them you have to learn how to keep yourself calm. I guess I’m quite calm.
To find out more about tigers, visit www.21stcenturytiger.org
ZooAlive Summer 2013-14 21
party at
the Zoo Just add your little monkeys
The Zoo’s recently launched new party options ‘Bear Essentials’, ‘Monkey Business’ and ‘The Bees Knees’, all include a two-hour private party slot at our fenced-off Critter Cottages, and all-day access to explore the Zoo at your leisure. If you’re just after a great space to relax in, then Bear Essentials is your best bet. Monkey Business is for serious birthday fun! As well as invitations and venue hire, a Zoo party guide will help set up the venue and take your guests on a 20-minute guided walk to see your favourite animals. Catering and entertainment are additional, and there are lots of options to choose from.
Kids parties packages to suit all needs and budgets make Auckland Zoo the perfect place to bring your little monkeys for those fun and special celebrations.
Get
up close!
The Bees Knees package has it all – from venue hire, invitations and your own Zoo party guide, to complimentary face-painting, party decorations, and a gazebo for additional cover. You can add on catering, plus there are fabulous entertainment options with Phineas Phrog Productions – from guest appearances by pretty fairies and gnarly pirates to special interactive shows. For full details about package prices and additional options, contact our experience products team by phone 09 360 4700 or email experiences@aucklandzoo.co.nz
The Zoo’s Coastal Experience offers a fantastic opportunity to get up close with penguins and shore birds as well as New Zealand fur seals and Californian sea lions.
Getting up close and personal with some of the world’s most beautiful and endangered animals is a priceless and awe-inspiring experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime. Auckland Zoo offers 11 different behind-the-scenes experiences with exotic and New Zealand native animals – from walking with our cheetahs, helping keepers scrub down our elephant Burma to hand-feeding little penguins and coming face-to-face with our ancient tuatara. A behind-the-scenes encounter makes the perfect Christmas or birthday gift for friends, family or even yourself. You’ll also be helping contribute to the conservation work of Auckland Zoo, so your gift also gives back! Fully guided experiences range from $75 - $150 per person (age restrictions apply) and include photos of the event and all-day entry to the Zoo. To find out more, phone 09 360 4700 or visit our website www.aucklandzoo.co.nz
So many ways
to keep in touch
22 ZooAlive Summer 2013-14
Connect with us online for our latest news and special offers! Visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz where from our home page you can sign up to receive our e-newsletters. Plus, you can ‘like us’ on facebook, follow us on twitter, ‘heart’ our Instagram, look at our albums on flicker, or watch our videos on youtube.
friendsof the Zoo news and offers for our members
orangutans
Awesome effort for
During Orangutan Caring Week, Friends of the Zoo pitched in to help Zoo staff and volunteers make behavioural enrichment items for our orangutans. These highly intelligent great apes are over 97% genetically the same as us, and need to be constantly mentally and physically challenged with activities that help bring out the kinds of natural behaviours they would display in the wild. Orangutans are expert tool users; in the forests of Indonesia they use sticks and branches like tools for things like insect foraging, honey collection, and extracting seeds from hard-shelled fruit species. The creative efforts of Friends Veronique Piton and daughter Genevieve of Mangere Bridge provided an enriching experience for our orangutans.
o ot Ph
Using recycled egg cartons, Friends helped us make streamers, which small items of food were hidden in that our orangutans had to expend energy searching out – which kept them busy for a while! Thanks everyone for your help – a great effort.
:M ich elle
Membership packs launched
Mudfo rd
You can receive this special new pack from late January when you renew your membership or, if you’re not yet a member, when you sign up to become a Friend of the Zoo. Every membership will receive one pack per membership. Flexi memberships and Family memberships will receive one pack, and then one for each additional child – so up to three packs per membership. Want to own a new pack, but aren’t ready to renew your membership yet? You can purchase one for $5 from the Zoo’s Information Centre.
New-look passes We have also recently launched our new Friends of the Zoo membership passes. The four great new designs feature four different animals: Sumatran tiger, New Zealand fur seal, flamingo, and for the first time, red panda.
Inside your new membership backpack, you’ll find an exclusive Friends of the Zoo bumper sticker, A3 poster, and the latest Zoo Alive Magazine – enjoy!
The first 10 Friends to email us at zoofriends@aucklandzoo.co.nz with the correct answer to the following question will win a free membership pack. What is one of the four animals featuring on the new passes? ZooAlive Summer 2013-14 23
Fly Buys Dream Machine Kombi Van
Monkey Business
1 December – 31 January (every Friday, Saturday & Sunday) 9.30am-2.00pm
15 – 16 February 9.30am – 5.30pm
The Fly Buys Kombi will be parked up at a range of locations around Auckland Zoo this summer. Swipe your Fly Buys card at the Kombi to receive a mystery gift.
We’re celebrating monkeys of the world this weekend – from spider monkeys and squirrel monkeys to cotton-top and golden lion tamarins. So bring your little monkeys in to enjoy special monkey encounters, story time, interactive games and activities, face painting and more!
Jetstar Summer Zoo Lates Top Trumps Trail 20 December – 31 January 9.30am – 5.30pm Visit Auckland Zoo any day from 20 December – 31 January (excluding Christmas Day) to receive your free Auckland Zoo Top Trumps card – and you could be a winner! Venture around the Zoo to discover giant Top Trump cards. Check out the cool animal facts on your free card to see if they trump our giant cards. When you’re all trumped out, visit WildZone Gift Shop to see if you have the day’s winning card. If you’re a winner – you’ll receive a FREE pack of Auckland Zoo Top Trumps.
5, 12, 19, & 26 February 5 and 12 March till 7.30pm Discounted entry from 4.15pm We’re staying open until 7.30pm most Wednesdays in February and March. Early evenings are a magic time to be at the Zoo, so after school or work, come and chill out with family and friends. We’ll have live music at the Band Rotunda, our cafes will be open, and most animals will still be up!
Children’s Weekend
Auckland Anniversary Weekend
1 – 2 March 9.30am – 5.30pm
25 – 27 January 9.30am – 5.30pm
For littlies and grown-ups, Auckland Zoo is the perfect place to be and play on this international day celebrating our children. Free chocolate milkshake popsicle for the first 500 children each day, thanks to Tip Top.
Come and enjoy our long weekend of festivities, face painting and fun for all the family.
Seaweek – Celebrating the Sea 1 – 9 March 9.30am – 5.30pm Come and enjoy marine related activities and animal encounters – on daily in celebration of Seaweek 2014 with the theme “Our fragile, finite taonga.”
Whio Family Weekend 22 – 23 March 9.30am – 5.30pm To celebrate our iconic whio (blue duck) the Zoo will have whio encounters in The High Country in Te Wao Nui. There’ll also be other fun family activities including a flipper adventure challenge and a very cool blue duck race!
Normal Zoo admission prices apply. Friends of the Zoo free to events unless specified. Last entry is 4.15pm for daytime events at Auckland Zoo.