The wait is over...

We have been waiting patiently, well maybe not patiently....expectantly....eagerly....and finally last night the first baby Cook Strait Giant Weta were spotted.  Once the adults have breed and the female has laid her eggs they die, so we have not had any adult Giant Weta on display for about 3 or 4 months.  It has been a long wait but definitely worth it, we have estimated that there are about 50 but there could be as many as 100+.  They are about 6 - 7mm in length (they grow up 70mm in length) and are enjoying a diet of leaves and fish food (yes fish food - a great source of protein apparently!!).
Next time you visit the aquarium see if you can spot them....

A busy December...

Yet another busy couple of weeks at the aquarium.
On December the 3rd we had a special evening for children with disabilities or illnesses called "Dreamnight at the Zoo" or Aquarium in our case.  Dreamnight at the Zoo occurs all over the world and started in 1996 by Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands.  The night was a great success with 38 children and their families invited.  Everyone got to get up close with some of the aquariums main attractions including Izzy and Bluey the Blue Tongue Skink, Peanut the Ringneck Parakeet, and a Little Blue Penguin.  It was a great night which was thoroughly enjoyed by all...

We have also had three new arrivals at EcoWorld, on Sunday Regan was in Christchurch picking up three Cook Strait Tuatara.  These guys are only 4 years old so are much smaller than our Brothers Island Tuatara.  You have to be quiet to spot them as they are still getting use to their new home, but they are worth waiting to see...

New noisy neighbours...will the grotto inhabitants get any sleep???

On Saturday EcoWorld manager Regan Russell, picked up five new kakariki from a couple who breed them in Nelson.  The new arrivals have made for a much livelier and noisier display.  In the early morning the birds enjoy hanging out on the window sill checking out any passer-bys.  As for the trees in the display, well they can now officially be called sticks, the Kakariki have done their best job of stripping all the foliage.  Come and check out out latest noisy inhabitants...

Brothers Island Tuatara weigh in...

The tuatara at EcoWorld had their six-monthly measure and weigh in today.  These measurements are done to track their growth rates and keep an eye on their progress.
Brothers Island Tuatara are the rarest species of Tuatara with approximately 300 adults in a 1.7 ha patch of scrub on North Brothers Island.  Individuals in captivity are particularly important for education and advocacy, and at EcoWorld their health is closely monitored.
Although they were not the friendliest today their weight and length were taken and show that the dominant male has gained approximately 150g since they arrived at EcoWorld three years ago.  This small weight gain may not seem a lot but with one of the slowest growth rates of any reptile, it can take a while to get to an adult weight of approximately one kilogram.
At this stage neither tuatara has been named so if you have any ideas let us know at EcoWorld...

Blue Tongue Skink

The Blue Tongue's have arrived, check out their new home.  Huge thanks to Vee and Roger who have kindly offered the Blue Tongues to EcoWorld to care for...

Izzy (on the left) and Bluey (on the right)

New display for the Kakariki finished and new arrivals...

The Kakariki now have a new bigger and better home at EcoWorld.  They have evicted the crayfish and snapper and now have a large display where they are able to fly easily.  Their numbers will soon be boosted with nine new kakariki coming in the next couple of weeks.  The quail have also moved with the kakariki and are enjoying all the space too.
Today Regan (EcoWorld's manager) is picking up the newest arrivals at EcoWorld, two blue tongue lizards.  They will go on display later today and it is hoped that visitors to the aquarium will be able to get up close with the lizards coming out to meet people daily...will keep you updated with photos later today.

New Kakariki enclosure

Construction on the new Kakariki enclosure will start this weekend, they are getting a much bigger area with viewing areas from ground level and an upper level.  Really looking forward to seeing how it all goes and hopefully we will be getting some new birds soon too. Keep an eye out for updates...

More babies...

This week we have more babies at EcoWorld. Two baby quail were born yesterday and are about the size of a cherry tomato.  At the moment they spend most of their time hiding under Dad but they are getting a bit more adventurous checking out their new home.

Nearly school holidays...

Only a few days until school holidays and we are looking forward to seeing everyone at the aquarium.  With the birth of more baby Auckland Green Geckos we now have 5 new babies - see if you can find them!!
We are also getting excited about the new projects which will start after the school holidays including a new Kakariki enclosure (which is much bigger), a new Blue Tongue Lizard display and even butterflies.  Watch this space...

It has been awhile...

Well after nearly a year of no posts (oops!!) we are back into baby season again.  Over the last couple of weeks we have had baby Auckland Green Geckos arriving. They are absolutely tiny and so very cute.  Check out these two, they are both Auckland Greens but one is the green variation and one is yellow.  Apparently yellow Auckland Green Gecko are common in captivity.

We will be back soon (promise!) with more updates from EcoWorld.