2021- A Year of Firsts 

In 2021 we saw many zoos and aquariums achieve historic milestones, proving just how important our zoos and aquariums are in advancing animal welfare practices, conservation and education.  

The Australian Reptile Park celebrated a historic achievement in late 2021 with the successful clutch of Komodo dragon eggs – the first to be laid in Australia. Incidentally, the clutch was laid the day after the species was reclassified as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List. The Reptiles Team, led by Jake Meney and Daniel Rumsey, is immensely proud of the achievement after years of pairing the Komodo dragons and were ecstatic to confirm the eggs are fertile and developing well. Staff at the Park are eagerly waiting throughout the nine-month incubation period before they will finally be able to meet the clutch of Komodo dragon hatchlings in April 2022. 

Komodo Dragon egg and a pair of Komodo Dragons 

At Port Moresby Nature Park, they saw the birth of the First Raggiana Bird of Paradise born in captivity in PNG for 20 years. The Raggiana Bird of Paradise is one of the most iconic bird species and is PNG's National Emblem. 

First Raggiana Bird of Paradise born in captivity in PNG for 20 years

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has taken a 'leap forward' in its recovery efforts for the critically endangered Kroombit tinkerfrog, celebrating the emergence of what is believed to be the first male Kroombit tinkerfrog ever bred in captivity. Over the last two years, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has established a successful captive breeding colony. Protocols for successful breeding and husbandry of the Kroombit tinkerfrog have been highly refined including the provision of finely-ground food supplements (fish food pellets, dehydrated albumen and a commercial tadpole pellet) for tadpoles and smaller prey (collembola) for recently-metamorphosed frogs. The eggs, spawn and tadpoles of this species had previously never been observed in the wild, despite intensive searches over many years. These have all now been observed in captivity at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. With over 80 juvenile Kroombit tinkerfrog plus tadpoles from another two freshly-laid clutches on the way, the existing husbandry facilities at the Sanctuary are now close to capacity. Funding from the Australian Government in response to the 2019-20 bushfires will allow the current facilities to be upgraded as well as a new facility built to accommodate the growing number of tadpoles and metamorphs being reared at the Sanctuary for release to the wild. 

Critically endangered Kroombit Tinkerfrog

Wildlife Habitat has had continued breeding success for both endangered Mahogany gliders (with a second female joey born this year) and Northern Bettongs (now seven in total born in their Nocturnal House to date). The Mahogany glider joey is the only one to be successfully born in captivity in the last two years in Australia. As well as being an adorable addition to the Wildlife Habitat family, the female joey also signifies the park’s impressive successes in conserving one of Australia’s most threatened mammals. 

Pair of Komodo Dragons 

First Raggiana Bird of Paradise born in captivity in PNG for 20 years

Mahogany Glider joeys

Orana Wildlife Park has achieved a world-first - completing the first-ever full hip replacement on a Tasmanian devil. Talei the Tasmanian devil suffered from a deteriorating hip joint causing severe pain and lameness. Orana’s animal care and veterinary team implemented an initial treatment plan to manage the pain. Subsequent x-rays revealed a grossly deformed hip joint, which carried a poor long-term prognosis for Talei. Ongoing pain medication would not effectively manage his condition, thereby compromising his life expectancy. The damage to his joint was severe where the outer layer of cartilage had eroded. Specialist surgeon, Dr Warrick Bruce, agreed that the best solution for Talei would be a full hip replacement, giving back a fully active and pain-free life. We are excited to share that Talei has experienced a smooth, textbook, recovery from the surgery. 

First-ever full hip replacement on a Tasmanian devil