In Focus - Cassowary

Status: Endangered

Geographic Region:  North-Eastern Australia, New Guinea and Aru Islands

Meaning of name: Papua New Guinea word kasu- meaning horned; and weri- meaning head

Habitat: Deep rainforest

Threats: Dogs, cars, habitat loss and wild pigs.

Left in Wild: 2500 to 3000

Cassowary at Australia Zoo

The Cassowary is the largest native land animal in Northern Australia, and the heaviest bird in Australia, weighing in at 85 kilograms- being generally 40 kilograms heavier than the Emu. There are three sub species of cassowary in the world, The Southern, Northern and Dwarf Cassowary. All three sub species are extremely shy and very hard to spot in the forest.

Cassowaries can live up to 40 years in the wild and have been known to live to over 60 years in captivity. The cassowary has many threats to its precarious existence with car accidents making up a large portion of their fatalities. Other threats include wild pigs eating their eggs, wild dogs hunting them for food and recent weather events that have devastated their habitats.

The most distinguishing feature of the cassowary is the bony looking horn upon its head. The horn or casque is actually quite porous, made of a spongy material covered with skin and will continue to grow for the cassowary's entire life. Not that you would want to get close enough to feel its horn as they are very dangerous and have been known to seriously injure, and in rare occasions even kill people with their very large claws.

Cassowary Feet - deadly weapons

Cassowaries are good swimmers and have been seen swimming in the ocean to escape dingos and wild dogs. They also swim across Northern Queensland's Daintree River to get from one side to the other. They do not have tongues and so drink by scooping up water with their bottom beak.  

Stu’s Zoo Pick for the Cassowary

Most Australian zoos and wild life sanctuaries have cassowaries and participate in breeding programs. Perth Zoo located in Western Australia has a great rainforest walk-through exhibit that showcases both the cassowary and its habitat. 

Australia Zoo

Other good opportunities to view cassowaries in natural-looking environs include the enclosures at Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and  Dreamworld all located in South East Queensland in Australia. 

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

 © July 2013-Stuatthezoo.blogspot.com.au

In Focus – Tiger

Status: Endangered 

Geographic Region: Asia

Meaning of Name: Subspecies demographic identification: Bengal, Malayan, Sumatran etc 

Habitat:  Siberian forests, swamps to tropical forested areas

Threats: Habitat destruction, Poaching

Left in Wild: Approximately 4000

One of the male Sumatran Tigers at Australia Zoo

The tiger is the largest cat species in the world. In fact the only two land carnivores larger than the tiger are the polar bear and brown bear.  There are six subspecies of tiger that exist today, down from nine. They are the Bengal, Malayan, Sumatran, Siberian, Indochinese and South China tiger. There are great fears that the South China Tiger is extinct in the wild with only 59 left in captivity.

Although the tiger is revered in most of the countries that they are found in, all subspecies of tiger are in danger of extinction in differing variations. This is mainly due to the large hunting grounds an individual tiger will occupy and subsequent conflict with humans. Farming, fencing, towns and roads have all played a part in the fragmentation of the tiger’s territory. Today tigers are only found in small pockets across Asia with their habitat reducing dramatically. 

 

Sumatran Tiger at Australia Zoo

Tigers are territorial, solitary animals but have been known to befriend other tigers to the point where they will share their kills with companions. There are no set rules as to why tigers befriend other tigers making it notoriously difficult to pair them up in zoos. Tigers are one of the rare animals that live just as long in zoos as they do in the wild with the average life expectancy of a tiger approximately 20 years.

Tigers love water and are very good swimmers, they will spend a good portion of a hot day relaxing in a shallow pool to keep cool. They will also follow their prey into rivers and lakes to make a kill. The Jaguar is the only other cat that enjoys water in the same way. Tigers have become nocturnal hunters due to their close proximity to humans however scientific observations in non-populated areas have noted the tiger’s still hunt in the day in those areas. 

Stu’s Zoo Pick for the Tiger 

You would be hard pressed to go to one of the big zoos today without seeing a tiger. Tigers are one of the big ticket animals that zoos tend to make sure they have.  Australian zoos like the Perth Zoo and Taronga Zoo participate in Sumatran tiger breeding programs and have good enclosures to view tigers. The following zoos have excellent enclosures that not only give you an opportunity to see these big cats but also information and displays on conservation. 

Bronx Zoo

Tiger Mountain at the Bronx Zoo has two species of tiger, the Siberian Tiger and Malayan Tiger both are housed in great enclosures mimicking the tiger’s natural habitats. Complete with deep water pools, rocks and grassed lopes the design of the enclosures focuses on animal enrichment as the top priority. The surrounding area at Tiger Mountain is set up in a way that encourages you to explore, whilst learning about the tiger and its battle to survive in the wild. This is also a great exhibit to learn about all of the animal enrichment programs that the zoo has implemented to keep the tigers from getting bored including methods like a treat spinner and a deer hide that hangs overhead.

One of the great educational displays at Tiger Mountain - Bronx Zoo

Tiger relaxing in the great enclosure at the Bronx Zoo

Australia Zoo

Tiger Temple is one of the new exhibits at Australia Zoo. It has three excellent viewing areas where you can see the Sumatran tigers at rest, play or having a swim. The enclosure is very well themed with great educational messages throughout. There are daily keeper talks scheduled and are worth visiting.  

Entrance into Tiger Temple - Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo,  Part of the Australian-wide zoo effort to save the Sumatran Tiger

Dream World

Tiger Island is a great exhibit with both Bengal and Sumatra tigers on display. The tiger demonstration held twice daily is a great way to learn more about these big cats. 

Part of the tiger demonstration at Tiger Island - Dreamworld

© June 2013-Stuatthezoo.blogspot.com.au 

In Focus - Giant Galapagos Tortoise

Status: Vulnerable  

Geographic region: Galapagos Islands (East Pacific Ocean)  

Meaning of name: Saddle Tortoise (Spanish)

Habitat:Coastal fringes and high lands of the Galapagos Islands 

Threats:Introduced feral animals  

Left in wild: Approximately 19,000        

One of the longest living animals on earth - Galapogas Tortoise, Perth Zoo

           

There are 14 known sub species of the Galapagos Tortoise of which 10 still live in the wild. Research is being conducted to identify specific genetics within population groups. Recently a sub species called the Floreana Tortoise, thought to be extinct for over 150 years, has possibly been rediscovered on the Wolf Volcano on the Galapagos Islands.

The Galapagos Tortoise is the largest tortoise in the world, growing to a length of 150cm. They are also the longest living vertebrae in the world and can live up to 100 plus years in the wild and have been known to live over 150 years in captivity.

Galapagos Tortoises’ have a very slow metabolism and can go long periods without food. When they do eat they enjoy flowers, native fruits and leaves. The males can be very territorial especially during the mating season.

Galapagos Tortoise Perth Zoo

Stu’s Zoo Pick for Galapagos Tortoise

With so many zoos participating in successful breeding programs and repopulation schemes of the Galapagos Tortoise, I thought I would focus on some of the more famous individuals. Here are a few that have touched many hearts - to become priceless ambassadors for their species.

Harriet (Oldest recorded of her species)

Harriet was hatched around 1830 on the Galapagos Islands and was collected by Charles Darwin to be taken back to England in 1835. In1842 Harriet arrived in Brisbane and lived in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens for over 100 years. Harriet spent the last two decades of her life at Australia Zoo in Queensland, where she became somewhat of a national treasure. In 2005 Harriet turned 175 years old and there was a huge celebration including thousands of party guests, tortoise shaped birthday cake and a huge international media contingency. Harriet was happiest when munching on her favourite red hibiscus flowers. Harriet passed away on 23^rd of June 2006 leaving behind many admirers of her species and an impressive life story. 

Harriet's Memorial Plaque at Australia Zoo

Lonesome George – (Last of his sub species) 

George was rescued from Pinta Island in 1971 after a wild goat population decimated the food source on the island. The island was meticulously searched for any other surviving species of the Pinta tortoise with no results. The Pinta tortoise a sub species of the Galapagos Tortoise was declared a functionally extinct species with George being the sole survivor.

Although many efforts were made to mate George with other female sub species they were all unsuccessful. George passed away in 2012, found by his caretaker of 40 years. He died of heart failure and as the last of his species. George was estimated to be over 100 years old. 

NJ – (First Galapagos Tortoise hatched in Australasia)

NJ was hatched at Western Plain Zoo, Dubbo, Australia in 2011 and was the first hatchling born in captivity in Australasia.  NJ’s gender will not be known for several years (hence the obscure name).

NJ’s Mother was 90 at the time of NJ’s birth. As a hatchling NJ weighed 87 grams and will grow up in 30 years to a massive 256 kilos.