January/February Update
Happy Zoo Year!
The year 2005 can be summarised in one word ‘successful’. This success is highlighted not only in terms of the record-breaking crowds that have flooded the Zoo’s gates during the past year, but by the number of animal births that have occurred. This large birth rate has created a greater awareness of the Zoo’s success with its breeding programs, which is Mogo Zoo’s primary mission.
Mogo Zoo celebrated a total of eight births in 2005. These births included three lion cubs, two zebras, two red pandas, one African serval, two pygmy marmosets, five fallow deer and four water buffalo (not on exhibit).
The final birth of 2005 occurred on the eve of Christmas – an extraordinary gift for the Zoo’s staff!
Upon arriving at the Zoo’s Savannah on Christmas morning, keepers were greeted with a most remarkable sight – a zebra foal suckling on his mother. Although Koni (the mother) is extremely protective of her foal, she has allowed keepers to get close enough to her newborn in order to determine its sex.
The foal is a male and has been given the Zulu name ‘Fikizolo’.
For the remainder of the Savannah’s residents, including fellow zebra, ostrich, giraffe and scimitar oryx, life on the Savannah has continued as normal, as all have welcomed Fikizolo into their community.
Fikizolo is approximately seven weeks old now and although he remains close to his mother’s side for the majority of the day, he can occasionally be seen bouncing around the Savannah.
The new striped addition is progressing extremely well and continues to suckle from his mother.
Prior to Fikizolo's birth, Mwari, a female zebra foal, was born at Mogo Zoo on the 18th June, 2005.
Mogo Zoo Finally Welcomes Holly and Luis!
On the 14th December, 2005 Holly and Luis, two chimpanzees, were warmly welcomed by staff at Mogo Zoo.
The chimps have adapted extremely well to their new home.
The new exhibit currently consists of four sleeping quarters equipped with thermostatically heated beds, and an exercise yard containing various ropes, tyres and swings.
Katie, the keeper responsible for the care of Holly and Luis, has formed a bond with the chimps and continues to be amazed by their intelligence.
As most are aware, the chimpanzee exhibit has been a long-standing project, predominately due to the unforeseen costs involved in constructing an exhibit of this scale. Unfortunately, the remaining half of the exhibit is not complete. The Department of Agriculture has indicated that until such time as construction is finalised, Samantha and Charlie, the two chimps from New Zealand, cannot join Holly and Luis.
Holly and Luis are currently not on display to the public. Once construction of the chimpanzee exhibit is complete, all four chimps can be slowly integrated together. Following this integration process, the chimps will then be on display for all to see.
Mogo Zoo would greatly appreciate any donations to enable construction of this exhibit to be finalised, so that our chimpanzee family can live as one. To make a donation, please contact Corinne Wells at corinne1@mogozoo.com.au , or telephone (02) 4474-5130.
Corinne Wells
