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Adelaide Zoo opens gates on Monday with new exhibits

After months bunkered down alone, the animals at Adelaide Zoo will be receiving guests again next week - and a lot has changed since the big lockdown.

Adelaide Zoo keeper Claire Geister with sea lions Tasko and Ady on the new beach in their enclosure. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Adelaide Zoo keeper Claire Geister with sea lions Tasko and Ady on the new beach in their enclosure. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

It’s not just humans who will be looking forward to the gates to the Adelaide Zoo reopening on Monday, turns out some of the animals are fairly keen as well.

Kimya, the giraffe, is apparently something of a people watcher and has been popping down the back end of her enclosure to have a peek over the wall. She has something of a natural advantage over other animals in that regard.

“She has actually been looking over the fence at the Torrens and trying to see people over the fence,’’ zookeeper Emma Macchia said.

“I think a lot of people are really excited to come back through the gates and I think animals will be very receptive as well.’’

Monday sees the zoo open after a COVID-19-induced 89 day break. It was the first time in the 137-year history of the much-loved institution that it had been closed for more than one day.

However, curator Mark Smith said the zoo had not let the time go to waste and the public would notice changes to some exhibits.

There is a new and expanded area for the sea lions, as well as the wombats. The bird show has a few new tricks up its sleeve.

There is a three-stage expansion planned for Kimya, which will turn the enclosure into the largest giraffe area of any metropolitan zoo.

Kimya will also soon be joined by a companion from Monarto Zoo.

Kibbar the wombat waddles out of her new cave. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Kibbar the wombat waddles out of her new cave. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Keeper Brett Haby with macau Manu. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Keeper Brett Haby with macau Manu. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

More animals have also been added. Cecilia, a komodo dragon that was brought in from Prague, is settling into her new home, while three baby otters have been born.

In small ways as well, the lack of patrons has left a mark. The well-worn central lawn is now a pristine green.

The sea lion enclosure, however, has been the biggest change. Mr Smith said the changes had been partially driven by an welfare assessment of the animals.

The sea lions now have a larger area, a beach for the first time and the overhead walkway that went over the enclosure has been removed. Glass panels have been installed to allow the public to be closer to the sea lions.

“The boardwalk was a little bit old, but more importantly a lot of animals don’t like having people looking down on them and sea lions are an example of that kind of behaviour,’’ he said.

Otter Pups at the Adelaide Zoo. Picture: Adrian Mann
Otter Pups at the Adelaide Zoo. Picture: Adrian Mann
Giraffe Kimya watches as work progresses on the expanded giraffe enclosure. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Giraffe Kimya watches as work progresses on the expanded giraffe enclosure. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Smith said it was not only Kimya the giraffe that would enjoy the return of the paying public.

“They (animals) actually get enrichment value from people interacting with them and moving past the exhibits and so some of the animals are clearly missing the people in the zoo,’’ he said.

Zookeepers have been trying to keep the animals entertained over the shutdown. A remote control car would whiz by Kimya and the meerkats. Flashy baubles were hung for the emu.

Keeper Claire Geister with sea lion Tasko. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Keeper Claire Geister with sea lion Tasko. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

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But, Mr Smith, said the zoo was also conscious that a sudden flood of people on Monday could also spook some animals and volunteers and staff would be on the lookout for any unusual behaviour.

The zoo has also granted its annual members a three-month extension to make up for its closure and managed to 286 new members and 36 new life members during the shutdown. Adelaide Zoo will be limited to 1000 people a day when it reopens Monday and all tickets need to be purchased online.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/coronavirus/adelaide-zoo-opens-gates-on-monday-with-new-exhibits/news-story/3b351d44ebaed714255e4c89d7528ef3