Perth Zoo

The Perth Zoo (coord|31|58|39|S|115|51|11|E|type:landmark_region:AU) is a zoo in South Perth, Western Australia.

History

The zoo opened in 1898 with two lions, a tiger, and six staff members. From the beginning the director was Ernest Albert Le Souef.

Subsequent directors were:-
*L.E. Shapcott - as President of the Zoological Gardens Board 1932-1941
*W.K. Lyall - as Superintendent of the Zoo 1950-1967
*Tom Spence - as Zoo Director 1967-1984
*John De Jose - as Zoo Director 1984-1994
*Ricky Burges - As Zoo CEO 1995-1998

Perth Zoo's Animals

Currently the zoo houses more than 1800 animals of 230 species, with a staff of 120 plus volunteer docents. Along with its animal population, the zoo also has an extensive botanical collection. The zoo has been open everyday since its founding, 365 days a year. Major exhibits include the "African Savanna," "Asian Rainforest Zone," "Australian Walkabout," "World of Birds," and "Nocturnal House."

Breeding/Endangered Species Programs

The zoo also participates in a number of breeding programs for endangered species, both indigenous Australian and non-native species. Programs include those of the Rothschild giraffe and white rhinoceros as well as some Siberian Tigers and Orangutans resulting in several births. Australian species are bred for release where as the international species are for increasing genetic diversification in zoo populations. Some of the successful release programs:

The Chuditch ("Dasyurus geoffroi") or Western Quoll, is one of four quoll species in Australia and is the largest marsupial predator in Western Australia. At the time of European settlement, Chuditch had occurred in approximately 70% of the continent. By the late 1980's they had become Endangered, with less than 6000 remaining in the south-west of Western Australia. Perth Zoo has bred more than 300 Chuditch for release in the last decade. Since the breeding program began, the status of Chuditch has been modified from Endangered to Vulnerable, this breeding program is now completed.

Shark Bay Mouse ("Pseudomys fieldi") also known as Djoongari, prior to 1993 the only known population of Djoongari was on Bernier Island in the north-west of Western Australia, adjacent to the Shark Bay region and was considered to be one of Australia's most geographically restricted animals. Over three hundred Perth Zoo bred Djoongari have been released to sites on the mainland and on islands in the north-west of Western Australia. This breeding program is now completed.

The Numbat ("Myrmecobius fasciatus") Western Australia's mammal emblem and one of only two diurnal marsupials, the Numbat is the only Australian mammal to feed exclusively on termites. Once considered Endangered, the Numbat has been reclassified to Vulnerable as a result of the establishment of several populations by DEC (formerly CALM). Perth Zoo has been breeding Numbats for release into the wild since 1986. By early 2007, 110 Numbats had been provided by the Zoo for release into protected habitat [ [http://www.numbat.org.au/recovery.htm Project Numbat] ] .

The Dibbler ("Paranthechinus apicalis") is a small carnivorous marsupial found on two islands off the coast of Jurien Bay (Island Dibblers) and on the south coast of Western Australia within the Fitzgerald River National Park (Mainland Dibblers). It once had a much wider distribution. Perth Zoo bred Dibblers were used to establish a new population on Escape Island in Jurien Bay. The focus has now changed to breeding dibblers from Fitzgerald River National Park for release on the mainland. By early 2003, over 170 dibblers had been provided by the Zoo for release into protected habitat.

The Western Swamp Tortoise ("Pseudemydura umbrina") is a short-necked freshwater tortoise and Australia's most Critically Endangered reptile. The Western Swamp Tortoise has only been recorded at scattered localities in a narrow, three-to-five kilometre strip of the Swan Coastal Plain. Since 1988, Perth Zoo has bred more than 400 Western Swamp Tortoises. The main barrier to the further recovery of the species is the lack of suitable habitat.

The Central Rock-rat ("Zyzomys pedunculatus") Central Rock-rat is a critically endangered rodent that was presumed extinct until it was rediscovered in the MacDonnell Ranges Northern Territory in 1996. Perth Zoo acquired Central Rock-rats to breed and hold as a back-up captive colony.

Project Sun Bear

Project Sun Bear was initiated to raise funds for a new exhibit focused on two Sun Bear rescued by the Free the Bears Fund from illegal activities in Cambodia.

Animal enclosures

The zoo also includes a Nocturnal House designed in a circular viewing layout that circumnavigates the Australian mainland. The African Savanna includes giraffes, rhinos, tortoises, painted dog, hyena, zebras, meerkats and more exhibits. The Asian Rainforest includes orangutans, Asian elephants, monkeys and tigers. Four separate aviaries, two of which are combined with the Australian fauna section. A specialised reptile area, amphibian and swamp region that includes both fresh water and salt water crocodiles. All enclosures have been designed to mimic the animals natural habitat and utilised passive barriers where possible.

Images from Perth Zoo

External links

* [http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/ Official website]

Further reading

Historical items

* (1930's) "The Handbook of the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, South Perth, Western Australia". Perth, W. A. F. W. Simpson, Government. Printer.
* Jenkins, C.F.H. (1962) "Illustrated guide, zoological gardens, Labouchere Road, South Perth, Western Australia" Perth: Zoological Gardens Board.

References