Projects

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Auckland Zoo suports in situ (field) conservation projects nationally and internationally.  The Zoo is also actively involved in many other conservation activities – through ex situ (on-site) Native Breeding and research programmes.

22 May 2008

Zoo helps with hihi release

Sixty rare hihi (stitchbirds) were today relocated from Tiritiri Matangi Island to Cascade Kauri Park in the Waitakere Ranges with the help of the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund.

The Fund, a supporter of the Ark in the Park restoration project (a Forest & Bird/Auckland Regional Council initiative) for the past four years, funded both the disease screening and moving costs for the birds. A portion of the funds for the hihi release were raised through this summer's Wild Bean Café ZooMusic Evermore concert in late January.

The 30 male and 30 female birds are the second wave of migrants to be moved into the predator-controlled area of the park. In early 2007, 59 hihi became the first of their species to live on the Auckland mainland for more than a century after being wiped out by predators, loss and habitat, and possibly disease in the late 1800s. Offspring from the first translocation hatched last November.

"The zoo is delighted to be supporting the recovery of such a rare native species in our own backyard," says Auckland Zoo conservation officer, Peter Fraser. "We really commend the Ark in the Park team for the fantastic work they are doing out west to help ensure the hihi and other unique New Zealand wildlife are given the very best possible environment to thrive in.
Auckland Zoo, who also sponsors 30ha of predator control, is just one of many organisations supporting Ark in the Park.

www.arkinthepark.org.nz

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5 February 2008

Rare golden tamarins now in Zoo rainforest

Golden lion tamarins, a critically endangered Brazilian species that zoos have successfully bred for release back into the wild, can now be found in Auckland Zoo's Newstalk ZB Rainforest.

Females Aide (20 years) and Gabrielle (11 years), respectively from Wellington Zoo and Adelaide Zoo, with companion cotton-top tamarin male Ay (pronounced ‘aye-a') make up the striking ‘New World' monkey troupe. The two females have both had mates who have died of old age.

"All three are loving each other's company, and are being incredibly active and playful," says Auckland Zoo primate team leader, Amy Dixon.

"Gabrielle, who has been with us since 2002, and has recently successfully recovered from a gastric ulcer with the help of our vet team, is particularly enjoying the social interaction – something these tamarins are renowned for. They are absolutely beautiful primates, and definitely a must to come and check out."

Amy says while the golden lion tamarin is not a species Auckland Zoo is breeding, these girls play an important advocacy role for their cousins in the wild.

The golden lion tamarin's range is extremely restricted, due to destruction of its rainforest habitat over a prolonged period. It now covers less than 160 square kilometres and is in 14 highly fragmented forests in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The wild population is estimated to be 562 individuals, but another 500 captive-bred animals (bred at over 140 zoos worldwide) have been reintroduced to forested areas in their historic range. In addition, there are approximately 500 in captive facilities around the world.

"In the early 1970s, with fewer than 200 animals in the wild, they faced extinction, but due to the international zoo community working for decades to help reverse this, much progress has been made to prevent this. . So this is an example of how a species can come back from the brink of extinction, with the help of zoos," says Amy.

Can we as individuals make a difference to help this species continue its comeback?

"The first and easiest way to make a difference is through responsible consumerism. Deforestation is this animal's biggest threat. Rainforest trees are felled for sale as hardwoods, and forests are also cleared to mine bauxite, which is used to make aluminium. By making small changes to your consumption habits, you can help the development of sustainable practices that will reduce the threat of deforestation," advises Amy.

Make a difference:

• Buy only wood and wood products that have been produced sustainably. Visit the World Wildlife Fund's Consumer Wood Products Information Centre to find out how – www.worldwildlife.org/consumer , Greenpeace New Zealand also has a great guide – http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/campaigns/ancient-forests/action/purchasing-guide and Auckland Zoo's green tips.
• Recycle your aluminium cans. When aluminium is reused, it reduces the need to mine bauxite to make more.
• Visit the National Zoo's Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Program website – to find out more about this incredible animal, and to make donations to the Lion Tamarins of Brazil Fund: Click here

Golden lion tamarin
Leontopithecus rosalia

Status: Critically Endangered
Total population: Approx. 1000 (wild), 500 (captive)
Home range: State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (south eastern coast)
Height: 261mm (male and female)
Weight: 620gm (male), 575 – 622gm (female)
Breeding: Often have twins. Gestation 4.2 months
Defining characteristics: Fiery orange or red fur over their entire bodies, including a golden mane on cheeks, throat and ears. Coat colour is thought to be product of sunlight exposure, and presence of carotenids in their diet.

Specialised claw-like nails, which aid in their feeding behaviours and movement. These nails allow them to cling vertically to tree trunks, and thought to aid walking, running, leaping and bounding along the smaller branches in forests they live in.

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