Recently our ostrich breeding pair on exhibit hatched out 6 chicks. These ostrich are known as the "Zimbabwean Blue" subspecies, and are a rarer subspecies than the common black ostrich. They are characterised by their slightly blue plumage, and are slightly larger than the common ostrich.

Check out some recent photos of our baby Barbary Sheep, White-cheeked Gibbon and Mandrill :-)

Check out the new Barbary Sheep arrivals at Adelaide Zoo this October.

Check out our little foal who was born at Monarto Zoo last week :)

Hi All

Things have slowed down a little since the last entry, however we have had two momentous occasions. Firstly our little Cocky has been given a name; the staff involved in rearing her have chosen to call her Seisia. This name was chosen from the many entries we received from the website naming competition.

Two baby bilbies were born at Adelaide Zoo in November 2008. Bilbies may breed throughout the year, depending on rainfall and the amount of food available. Females have 1-3  young who develop in a backwards facing pouch. After a 14-day gestation period the young are carried in the pouch for 75 days.

Our two have recently left their mum’s pouch and can often be seen moving around their enclosure in the Nocturnal House.

Bilbies once occupied 70% of the Australian mainland, living in deserts, semi-arid, temperate grasslands and dry shrubby areas in Australia. The wild population is only found in protected areas, with less than 10,000 remaining.

A baby Siamang was born at Adelaide Zoo on 5th January 2009. First time parents, Irian and Suli, are taking great care of their new baby boy. In particular, Suli has taken to motherhood really well and seems very relaxed about the whole thing. Although a first time mum she is familiar with the whole process, having learnt her mothering skills while growing up with her family group at Mogo Zoo.

Baby siamangs only have a small amount of hair on their body except for a tuft on the top of the head. Infants can hold onto their mothers’ fur and cling to her belly soon after they are born. Babies are usually carried low on their mothers’ belly and pulled up to breastfeed. Suli also supports her baby with her knees while brachiating.

Young siamangs are weaned early in their second year, with the father taking over the daily care of the youngster when it is about one year old.

{"video":"www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0A9V5MoAsM","width":"400","height":"300"}

Our Cotton-top Tamarins gave birth to twins on the 7th November 2008. Like most tamarins, Cotton-top Tamarins usually gives birth to twins, although single births and triplets do occur.

All group members take some part in carrying for the young and feeding them. These "helpers" gain experience in parenting by sharing in these tasks. Our two young ones are being well looked after by their parents and older siblings.

Only found in Colombia, Cotton-top Tamarins are classified as Critically Endangered, with less than 6,000 remaining in the wild.

Two female Barbary Sheep were born at Adelaide Zoo on 16th and 21st November 2008. Both lambs are healthy and settling in well with the rest of the herd. They are growing up quickly, becoming more playful and confident as they get older.  

The group at Adelaide Zoo consists of the dominant male, two breeding females (black and yellow ear tags), a potential breeding female (pink ear tag) and a young male (blue ear tag). The new babies now have green and red ear tags.