Wild Cat News 2006
Dreamworld News
09 September 2006
World mourns for loss of Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin
When I first heard the news, that Steve Irwin had died, at 12.00 noon on 4 September, it was an email from a co-worker who had seen the news on an internet blog. I thought it was a stupid joke and I wrote back saying so. Then, more official news started coming in, first Wikipedia.org and then news.com.au. I never saw Steve in person, but I have great respect for what he has done for and with wildlife. He and Terri have popularised animal conservation and also managed to make a sustainable income from animals, a feat not easily achieved.
‘The facts are we lost a great Australian in a tragic accident. Like everybody else in this country, I didn't know what a treasure we had until we lost it. The simple things kill. And it happens too quickly.’—Pete West |
Australia Zoo had the folllowing media release about Steve's death:
‘At 11am on the 4th September 2006, Steve Irwin was fatally wounded by a stingray barb to his heart whilst filming a sequence on Batt Reef off Port Douglas for his daughter’s new TV series.Emergency services were called from Cairns Rescue Base and met Croc One, Steve’s rescue vessel at Low Isle on the Great Barrier Reef. The Croc One crew performed constant CPR during the thirty minute dash to Low Isle, but the medical staff pronounced Steve dead at approx. 12 noon.
His producer and closest friend, John Stainton said on Croc One today,“The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest Dads on the planet. He died doing what he loves best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. Crocs Rule!”’
What a terrible loss for the world and for Steve's beautiful family. Australia Zoo has a tribute to Steve on their website here, which encourages people who want to donate to Wildlife Warriors, in memory of Steve. Steve spent most of his life fighting for animals, their survival and conservation.
As Pete West (the cinematographer who was with Steve when he died) told the Weekend Australian, ‘The facts are we lost a great Australian in a tragic accident. Like everybody else in this country, I didn't know what a treasure we had until we lost it. The simple things kill. And it happens too quickly.’
24 May 2006
Hamilton Zoo and Auckland Zoo cooperate for tiger conservation
(Photos and information courtesy Kees Poortman)
Auckland Zoo recently imported a male sumatran tiger to hopefully be a suitable mate for their tiger Nisha. But, as reported on 18 May, Nisha died suddenly of a possible cancer problem. Hamilton Zoo has three sumatran tigers (all related) and so they have offered Molek to take Nisha's place in the breeding program at Auckland Zoo.
She will probably go around August/
September and will go in the old tiger enclosure (a pit) which was Nisha's domain. There is a new enclosure under construction at the Auckland Zoo for the young (18 month old) male, named ‘Oz’. He will introduce a completely new bloodline to Australasia. An official announcement took place with press photographers and a TV NZ cameraman focusing on Molek (see right —Molek can be seen between the person on the left and the TV NZ cameraman in the middle).
18 May 2006
Australia Zoo celebrates cheetahs' birthday
Echo and Foxy came to Australia Zoo all the way from South Africa in December 2004 when they were 6 months old. They were raised by staff at the De Wildts Cheetah Research Centre, although relatives as close as their grandparents lived in the wild, providing these two males with very strong genetics for breeding.
The two boys will be the first Big Cats to participate in Australia Zoo’s Endangered Species Breeding Program with future mates, Cleo and Sheeba. The females are 20 months old and came to Australia Zoo from Monarto Zoological Park in South Australia.
On 18 May 2006, guests at Australia Zoo had a chance to bid for a stroll with one of the beautiful cheetahs and a unique, framed ‘paw painting’, decorated by the birthday boy himself, Echo! The auction took place at the Crocoseum and raised over $500.00. Proceeds will go straight to De Wildts Cheetah Release Program, to which Australia Zoo has already donated $10,000, to see a cheetah released into the wild.
Guests were able to share their birthday wishes with the cheetahs at their on-display home at the Tiger Temple at 3:00pm and watch them party and quickly devour a special sponge cake.
Auckland Zoo says ‘goodbye’ to Nisha
One of Auckland Zoo's most loved animals, Sumatran tiger Nisha, died suddenly today.
"Staff are shattered by the loss of the nine-year-old female," says Auckland Zoo Director, Glen Holland. "This has been particularly tragic in light of Auckland Zoo’s plans to further the captive breeding programme through the import of a long-waited suitable male for Nisha."
While Nisha has been unwell for the past month, blood tests and x-rays showed nothing out of the ordinary, and she has been treated with antibiotics for a cough and an eye problem.
Her appetite has been monitored on a daily basis for the past month, and staff have done all they could to ensure she ate sufficient to maintain body condition. It was planned to anaesthetise her in the next day, and local feline experts were to examine her, in collaboration with Auckland Zoo vets.
This morning, zookeepers arrived to find Nisha lying in her den, semi-conscious. She was immediately taken under veterinary supervision, and worked on through most of the morning. External checks and further x-rays still did not reveal any abnormalities, but by midday, Nisha took a turn for the worse, and passed away.
Post-mortem examinations revealed that Nisha had had a massive stroke, and was also riddled with small growths throughout her lungs and liver. These are suspected to be cancerous. Test results are expected within the next two weeks.
Although this is a huge loss, the Zoo's commitment to the breeding programme and support of field conservation projects for tigers, remains.
"We are pursuing the import of young male Oz, from Tel Aviv, who will arrive in September. We will also soon be receiving a younger female directly related to Nisha, from Hamilton Zoo, for this critically important breeding programme," says Glen Holland. "This is a great example of how zoos collaborate to achieve the best possible outcome for endangered species' captive breeding programmes."
There are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, and less than 200 in captivity. Predictions are that without significant conservation efforts, their habitat could be gone by 2020.
Nisha is not only dearly loved by Auckland Zoo staff, but has become an icon in the wider community, particularly through THE ZOO television programme.
"Realising she will be sadly missed, if members of the community wish to pay tribute to Nisha, the best thing people can do is to support our Tiger Time campaign by phoning 0900 TIGER (to make a $25 donation)," says Glen Holland. Contributions can also be sent directly to the Zoo.
The Auckland Zoo Tiger Time campaign is aiming to raise $1 million to support the captive breeding programme for the Sumatran tiger, and conservation initiatives in Sumatra.
5 April 2006
Hamilton Zoo has an excellent line-up of wild cats!
Today I was a privileged visitor to Hamilton Zoo in Hamilton (North Island, New Zealand) where they currently have three sumatran tigers, two cheetahs, two bobcats, a leopard cat and a golden cat. Click here to read more about the cats and find out more about this excellent, well managed zoo. Pictured above is one of their female sumatran tigers, photographed by myself through the glass of their excellent viewing platform.
25 February 2006
And the award goes to The Crocodile Hunter!
Last night at the prestigious Australian Tourism Awards, Steve Irwin was recognised with an award for his Services to Inbound Tourism. Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey presented Steve with the honour and thanked him for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of Australia in overseas markets.
Speaking from the Awards ceremony at the Gold Coast last night, Steve said that he was honored to be recognised, and that he was very proud to accept this award.
“This award is not only for me personally, but it’s for my whole team at Australia Zoo who work tirelessly to spread the message of conservation.
“Mate, there is no better place to live than Australia. I’ve been to some pretty amazing places, but I always look forward to coming home to spend more time in our gorgeous country with my family. I can never sell enough of Australia to the world.”
Steve has received worldwide attention for his passionate crusade to educate people about the conservation of wildlife and saving its habitat. From starring in his own TV series, The Crocodile Hunter, to his very own movie role in Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, Steve’s raw energy has inspired a new generation of conservationists.
He is committed to presenting Australia as a first-rate and safe travel destination, and through his work in Tourism Australia campaigns, including the recent G’day LA – Australia Week event he is constantly promoting the natural wonders of Down Under to the glistening A-list of international markets.
There was even more reason for Irwin to celebrate, with his Australia Zoo taking out the Australian Tourism Retailing award from an exceptional field of entrants from all around Australia.
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