Aukland Zoo Soon to display Scarlet X Macaw in a mixed exhibit » Auckland Zoo

19-06-2008

The info lady today didn't know if it was donated, I'll keep an ear out... I've taken some photos of the enclosure the bird will be kept in with two blue and gold macaws... This enclosures is one of two original enclosure (1922) and one of the three worst in the zoo:

Side View:

Auckland Zoo - Photo Gallery

Front View:

Auckland Zoo - Photo Gallery

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19-06-2008

Its not too bad Jeremy; judging by your photos its reasonably roomy, planted out, natural branches for perches; heaven on earth compared to the way some scumbag breeders in U.S. keep their macaws.

20-06-2008

I remember when that cage was a ridiculous mix of a huge variety of parrots from red-tailed black cockatoos and eclectus to red-fronted macaws. Basically a show cage with no hope at all for breeding. Wonder what happened to all those birds.

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20-06-2008

They have been moved to other aviaries along the Motions Road edge of the zoo (the oldest remaining enclosures)...

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01-09-2008

so have you seen the hybrid macaw yet NZ Jeremy, and have you any photos?

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01-09-2008

Funny you should ask... Rufus's first day on display was last Monday... He was put in with one of the blue and gold's (with the other off display) and was chasing the other bird (slowly) around the enclosure...

He has a white face with a pattern of black lines, mainly scarlet body with some blue and yellow on his back...

Next time I go I'll take my camera so you can all see..!

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01-09-2008

did they change its name from Rudy to Rufus? Richie would have been better.

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01-09-2008

Ha! Ha!
Then they would have to dye him all black.

01-09-2008

Hey everyone, just started reading all these posts! Very interesting conversation. To clarify a bit. Rufus was definitely donated.
Also, to an earlier point that the Macaws regularly escape due to the facilities - this is a bit skewed.
Both the Blue and Gold Macaws (Blake and Chico) enjoy free flight out of their cage on a regular basis. As with any animal, it takes alot of work and bond-building to build up their confidence. Every now and then during their supervised free-flight encounters, Chico will get attacked by seagulls (no I'm not joking!) and as a consequence will panic and fly away.
Often he circles right around back to the keeper, but sometimes gets confused and sits up in a tree for a bit until he is coaxed back down.
The debate about hybrids etc. could go round and round, zoos have to try and find a balance between conservation, education, animal welfare etc. My opinion is that having a different breed of Macaw on display is educational and obviously they wouldn't breed from a hybrid.

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02-09-2008

My apologies, I assumed due to the way I've seen keepers very carefully enter/exit...

Rudy was the name I was told when I enquired at the info desk a month or two ago and Rufus when it was on display...

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