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NEWS FROM THE ZOO
Here's the latest goings on at Franklin Zoo  Tommy, our cute otter, is soon to be joined by another friendly otter named Paddles. Read about it in our August Zoo Diary. |
Zoo Diary June 2008
With the warm weather finishing abruptly, the zoo is gearing up for the winter months and the challenges it brings to both the animals and staff. The end of the drought has been welcome with the pastures now growing and plants flowering.One of our major projects is preparing the old serval enclosure for the arrival of the two bobcats from Hamilton Zoo. We intend giving it an Arizona look with a variety of habitats within the enclosure ranging from desert to woodland. We will open up the northern end of the enclosure to give the cats a greater view of their rural environment.
Bobcats naturally range from southern Canada right down to Mexico, inhabiting desert and woodland environments. Although not threatened in the wild, their numbers fluctuate due to the availability of their main prey, the cotton- tailed rabbit. Its not always easy for them to find alternative food when the rabbit numbers drop.
Bobcats are not a managed species under the Australasian Species Management Programme. The two coming to Franklin Zoo are among only four we believe are in New Zealand. They are amazing cats and we are very happy to give them a home here in Franklin Zoo. Their previous home at Hamilton Zoo will be used for the breeding programme for the endangered Asian Golden Cat.
With the breeding season approaching for many of our bird species, the male birds at the zoo are developing their stunning winter plumage. Among them are the peacocks and the mandarin ducks. We have extended the ranges for the pheasants by mixing the Monal male with the golden females and enlarging the territory for the Swinhoe pheasant. They are all enjoying experiencing their new areas.
We hosted our first wedding at the zoo last month, it was a wonderful day and the fog cleared just in time! Over 90 guests, 5 lemurs, 2 pigtailed macques and a host of parrots enjoyed the ceremony.
Franklin Zoo- a special place. Open every day 9am 5 pm with Wild Encounters every day at 2pm.
Graeme Strachan
Manager Life Sciences
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| Sun conures |
| Please stop and have a chat to these fabulous birds. One has been hand-reared and has quite a lot to say for himself. |
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