Monarto Zoo is celebrating yet another breeding milestone with the arrival of three African Lion cubs born overnight on Wednesday 24 April to veteran mum, Tiombe, one of the zoo's five lionesses.

The birth follows a recent string of breeding success for the zoo with several high profile births including six Cheetah cubs, two Spotted Hyena cubs, a Chimpanzee infant, a Southern White Rhino calf and a zebra filly.

Zookeepers knew the big day was close when they observed Tiombe spending prolonged periods of time in the den. They were very happy to find no trace of Tiombe last Thursday morning and knew instantly a very special surprise was in store for the zoo.

Tiombe (far right) is tucked away in the den with her three cubs. Photo by Dave Mattner © Zoos SA

Let your imagination run wild at Adelaide and Monarto Zoos these school holidays as we celebrate mythical creatures! Have fun with the weird and wonderful while you learn more about the zoo's real residents.

The fantastical fun at both zoos includes a specially-themed activity trails, magic shows, musical entertainment, arts and crafts, roving entertainment, extra zookeeper presentations and much more. Zookeeper presentations and animal shows will demonstrate firsthand how zoos care for and preserve countless threatened species ensuring these remarkable creatures do not become mythical themselves.

Hop into Adelaide and Monarto Zoos this Easter long weekend, 29 March to 1 April, to enjoy exciting activities including visits from the Easter Bilby, Haigh's Chocolates giveaways, fun with our animal friends and the opportunity to win yummy prizes!

Both zoos are open every day of the long weekend with special guest the Easter Bilby on site to meet visitors. Extra Zookeeper Presentations and animal feeds will provide a jam-packed schedule of entertainment with delicious Haigh's Chocolates giveaways across the weekend.

Photo: Dave Mattner

Monarto Zoo is celebrating the public debut of a Spotted Hyena cub following the first ever hyena caesarean in Australia.

The amazing procedure was performed on first-time mum, Forest, as she struggled to deliver her cub naturally, with zookeepers and veterinarians knowing they had to step in after her labour lasted nearly three days.

Monarto Zoo's newest addition. Photo: Claire Geister. 

After nine years of hard work and dedication Monarto Zoo will again have a litter of Cheetah cubs on display with the public debut of mum, Nakula, and her five cubs born in October last year.

As of today, 15 January, visitors will have the opportunity to see the cubs after spending the first 14 weeks of their life in an off-limits facility.

Cubbies!

In the early hours of Tuesday 8 January critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan, Karta, gave birth to a stillborn infant.

Adelaide Zoo is extremely saddened and disappointed that Karta's infant didn't survive as its passing marks a sad end to a pregnancy that has seen great anticipation and excitement for all involved.

Zoos SA Veterinarian, Dr Jenny McLelland, said the exact cause of death will be determined in the coming days however initial observations indicate the umbilical cord was wrapped around the infant's neck.

Zoos South Australia (ZSA) is pleased to announce the results of the 2012 Board elections which include the addition of two new elected Board members and two co-opted Board members.

The new Board is the next step forward in the evolution of the Society’s governance and strengthens the existing team bringing with it a vital combination of skills including conservation, animal management, finance, marketing and not-for-profit experience.

ZSA is pleased to welcome to the Board David Sanders, a Chartered Accountant and Audit Partner at Ernst and Young who brings significant Board experience as well as a strong financial and commercial background and Graeme Crook, a Zoologist who has worked in a number of animal care and research related roles.

There's more excitement for Monarto Zoo with the birth of five Cheetah cubs to breeding queen, Nakula, the mother of the zoos recently hand raised single cub.

Zookeepers are excited by the new arrivals, born in an off-limits area on October 8, as they're the first litter to be born at Monarto Zoo in seven years.

Monarto Zoo is excited to announce another two additions to its expanding animal family, a Zebra filly and female Southern White Rhinoceros calf, the first female to be born at the zoo in its history, born on October 1 and October 2 respectively.

The births follow a recent string of breeding success for the zoo and, with both animals being female, are significant to the regional population of each species.

Monarto zookeepers are excited to introduce the zoo's Cheetah cub, born June 2, to the public as part of the September school holiday program.

Visitors during this period will be some of the first to see the cute cub who, until now, has been housed in an off limits quarantine facility.

Royal Zoological Society of South Australia (RZSSA) staff and volunteers are pleased to welcome new CEO, Elaine Bensted, to the team following her commencement in the role on Monday, September 3.

During her first week Elaine will spend time meeting the Society's many staff and volunteers while visiting its three sites, Adelaide and Monarto Zoos and Warrawong Sanctuary.

RZSSA CEO Elaine Bensted greets one of Adelaide Zoo's Aldabra tortoises.

Australia's only Giant Pandas, and the first to reside in the southern hemisphere, Wang Wang and Funi have come together for the annual breeding season.

Introductions are currently taking place in an off-limits area where the pair can be closely monitored. It's important there is minimal disturbance during this time and we thank our members and the public for their support during this crucial stage of the breeding program.

Spring has sprung at Monarto Zoo with the arrival of its first-ever chimp born at the Zoo in its 29-year history.

Staff are delighted to welcome the yet to be named and sexed baby, who was born in the early hours of Tuesday, August 21, to first-time mother Zombi.

The Royal Zoological Society of South Australia (RZSSA) is pleased to announce that Elaine Bensted has joined the organisation in the role of Chief Executive Officer.

Ms Bensted is a well-respected member of the South Australian community with a strong track record of leadership, service delivery and extensive experience in senior roles including, most recently, as Chief Executive at TAFE SA.

Adelaide Zoo is pleased to announce critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan, Karta, is expecting a baby. While it's still early days, and not traditional to announce the pregnancy until after the second trimester, there's been speculation about a possible pregnancy due to Karta's expanding belly.

Zookeepers first noticed Karta was putting on extra weight more than six months ago however pregnancy wasn't confirmed until just recently via a human pregnancy test kit.

With the July school holidays quickly approaching it's time to start planning your trip to the Zoo! Commencing on June 30, Adelaide and Monarto Zoos and Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary will offer visitors the unique opportunity to explore the 'winter' animal kingdom.

With each location open every day of the school holidays, families will discover what winter means for our animals and how different species adapt to their environment. For species from warmer climates visitors will learn about the extra lengths zookeepers go to, to keep them snugly-warm through the colder months.

Get up close and personal with some of the Zoo's weird and wonderful creatures during Zoomobile presenations. Photo: Dave Mattner

It may be winter but for the Cheetah at Monarto Zoo spring has come early with the birth of the first Cheetah club in several years.

Zookeepers are excited by the surprise arrival of the yet to be named female cub, born in the early hours of June 2, as recent blood tests on mum, Nakula, were negative.

Above: Little miss enjoying a feed, and one of the first pictures of the cub with its eyes open.

Adelaide United FC have joined the cause to raise money for the endangered Giant Panda. In a special initiative, the Reds will help raise awareness of Zoos SA and our Giant Pandas at this Friday night's home game against the Newcastle Jets. Players will display the 'Panda' logo on the front of the shorts for the clash at Hindmarsh Stadium, and the club will auction the panda shorts after the clash, with all funds raised to be donated to Zoos SA.

MEDIA RELEASE

Adelaide Zoo senior keepers left for China on April 4 to learn more about the Panda mating process, as the only Giant Pandas in the Southern Hemisphere, Wang Wang and Funi, near their first potential breeding season.

Senior Panda Keeper Simone Davey, and Assistant Curator Jason Hakof, will spend two weeks at the Bifengxia Panda Base near Ya'an, learning ways to maximise the chances of successful panda matings.