flying foxes » Auckland Zoo

flying foxes
23-05-2008

is it true that Auckland has grey-headed flying foxes? The others in NZ (at Wellington and Hamilton) are all little red flying foxes.

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25-05-2008

They have flying foxes, they are part of the Macaw's aviary (seperated)... Next time I go I'll check the species...

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04-07-2008

Auckland Zoo has one grey headed flying fox and the rest are little reds.

04-07-2008

thanks for that. Any idea why there is just a single grey-headed there, and where it came from?

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04-07-2008

Her name is Maggie and I used to work with her. She used to have a male with her years ago but I think he died (not entirely sure about that though!) Maggie was hand-raised at an Australian zoo before coming to Auckland many years ago. Therefore she's extremely friendly and people-oriented which is very sweet. She lives happily with the group of little reds.

04-07-2008

actually, come to think of it, I seem to recall seeing a clip a couple of years ago on tv of a grey-headed flying fox interacting with people (visitors?) at Auckland

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04-07-2008

That would probably be correct. Maggie often comes to the front of her cage in the evening (and less often during the day) to look at people, and was always trying to climb on us when we were in there (no respect for our hands-off policy heh).

11-07-2008

Maggies awesome! I saw her at the zoo in 2003 when I did the Night Safari. She came right up to the mesh to see us all

06-11-2008

Maggie is always pleased to see people on the Safari Nights. Obviously the bats are at their most active at night and normally we are able to encourage Maggie to come down close the people on the Safari Night so that we can show just how cool and interesting bats are. They are a species that is often overlooked by day time visitors as they are not active when most people come to the Zoo.

Once Te Wai Nui opens, we'll be able to show people the Short Tailed Bats as well.

07-11-2008

That is going to be awesome, are they going to be fed on the ground as in the wild..?

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07-11-2008

I hope that there will be opportunity to show them foraging on the ground. This is unusual behavior for a bat (possibly one of the reasons why they seem so vulnerable to introduced predators). I think at this stage the detail about the habitat constructions is still to be finalized.

08-11-2008

Not suprisingly, progress seems to be going very slow to me, the aquarium has been closed for 10 or 11 months and the workers are still only on the aviary messing around...

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08-11-2008

As with most multi-million dollar projects, things are moving slowly than originally planned. It is not helped by the funding package not being completely in place and relying on Auckland City Council for some of that funding. I suspect that you will see a phased approach as funding is secured to complete the sections of the project. I agree that it is not desirable to have entire sections of the Zoo closed for long periods but this is unavoidable given the nature of the project and the layout of the Zoo.

There will be some more obviously significant progress shortly as the next phase of demolition starts and plans are drawn up to relocate Snorkel to the back of eles. I understand that overall the project is still on schedule for completion 2011.

10-11-2008

Given Snorkel's advanced age (over 50 years!) is it wise to invest a lot of cash in a new off exhibit area (I very sorry if that seems insensitive as you sound as though you work there and may have a bond)..?

I always thought the area from the aussie walkthrough down to the tortoises could have done with a refurb (maybe himalayan; snow leopards, red panda and tahr or a tropical aviary) before extending into a new (and hilly) part of the zoo..? Is there the issue of what happens to Janie before any development happens to this area (again sorry for any offence)..?

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10-11-2008

The main driver for the development of Te Wao Nui is to create a sense of Auckland Zoo being 'New Zealand's Zoo'. At present the native fauna and flora collection of Aotearoa is excellent and the staff do a fantastic job, but it lacks a sense of cohesion. Its dispersed around the Zoo. With the new mega natives area the Zoo will have a central integrated display of an Aotearoa biome that will act as a main a point of difference for overseas visitors and also create that sense that we are celebrating our own diverse and fascinating natural history. It will also act as an excellent conservation tool - being able to show visitors (local and overseas) just how incredible our natural history is should engender a desire to protect it better.

Once this area is completed the next project could be an Asian Precinct that will include the current Aussie Walkabout area and Janie. It will stretch from the Asiatic Small Clawed Otters and Red Pandas, through Tigers and onto to [possibly] Golden Cats (which are currently held off display) and a range of other Asian species. This was discussed several years ago but am not sure where those plans are now. I would need to check.

As for Snorkel - she is a much loved part of the Zoo and a really 'nice' hippo. I am not certain but my understanding is to move her to Ele's and allow her to live out her remaining time in comfort. I don't think the move will be too stressful (she is a pretty chilled hippo) but I'm am not sure if a final decision has been made. The are no plans for her to be put down as her quality of life is still very good. Indeed a move to new surroundings could be a good thing for her. Obviously the decision will be made my the curators/ life science manager and director, acting in her best interests. it is always problematic when you have areas of the zoo that need development but you have long standing animals in those areas - Janie and Snorkel are examples of this issue. Do you move them which could be stressful or do you not and either develop around them or wait for time to solve you problem. Janie and Snorkel (well perhaps not so much Snorkel) could have many years ahead of them so its a dilema.

Not sure if this rambling response is useful. Sorry.