Latest news with #InternationalUnionforConservation
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
Here are the new additions to Pretoria Zoo's aquarium
The national zoo in Pretoria welcomed over 200 new sharks and fish to help boost their biodiversity offering. The National Zoological Garden in Pretoria has shipped in a variety of new marine life. Boasting the largest inland aquarium on the African continent, the zoo welcomed over 200 new finned friends. The increase in marine specimens allows the zoo to broaden its aquatic offering and ability to educate the public about life under the seas. Over 200 new fish The live cargo touched down at OR Tambo International via Kenya last week, with each fish arriving in their own oxygen-rich tanks. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) reports that the fish acclimated to their new habitat using controlled floating methods before joining the existing aquarium population. 'The arrival of these animals not only adds to the beauty and diversity of our exhibits but also helps us tell a bigger story about ocean ecosystems and the threats they face,' said director of animal collections at the zoo, Tracy Rehse. Sanbi says that the fish have fully settled, feeding well and interacting with their surroundings with ease. Blacktip reef sharks Among the marquee arrivals are three Blacktip reef sharks, a fast and agile species native to the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region. The trio took their 10-hour journey from east Africa in 1 000 litre plastic enclosures and were connected to life support systems to ensure proper oxygenation during the journey. Blacktip reef sharks are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Red List due to overfishing and habitat destruction. Usually living for 10 to 12 years in their natural habitats, their lifespans can be extended to over 20 years in aquarium settings, reaching up to two meters in length. Other notable species added to the Pretoria Zoo aquarium are power blue tangs, green bird wrasse, various pufferfish and skunk-striped anemonefish. 'This latest development forms part of the zoo's ongoing mission to connect people with biodiversity and highlight the importance of marine conservation through education and immersive experiences,' Sanbi concluded. Infrastructure challenges The zoo had previously come under scrutiny after complaints about the maintenance of the facility. Sanbi stated last year that it had been on an infrastructure drive since 2018 but that the size of the zoo required a staggered approach. 'A property the size of the zoo must be tackled in stages. Sanbi has already completed a significant amount of work since it took over the operations of the zoo,' stated Sanbi. 'Several enclosures have also been completed, including our southern ground hornbill camps, duck, chicken and crane aviaries. 'Visitors to the zoo can still see lions. In addition, we have iconic species such as komodo dragons, tigers, rhino and buffalo,' Sanbi concluded. NOW READ: Gorilla from Pretoria zoo undergoes dental surgery
BBC News
05-02-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Green thumbs and pink beards: Kew celebrates Peru with orchids
Flamboyant flora has taken over Kew Gardens for its annual orchid as "a breath-taking cornucopia", the focus for this year is Peru, with the central installation "reminiscent of Lake Titicaca".The world's largest bromeliad, the Puya raimondii (commonly known as the queen of the Andes) is displayed alongside floral plant is classified as endangered in the wild by the International Union for Conservation (IUCN). The Peru exhibition is in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, and keen floraphiles should be able to tick a number of rare plants off their checklist:Passiflora venusta - named as new to science in 2007, was previously misidentified as another species in the hertlingiana, a cactus commonly known as blue cereus found on the slopes of the dry forests of the Andean valleys. It produces blue side shoots with sharp spines and can grow as tall as 8m (26ft).Costus vargasii, commonly known as the spiral ginger or raspberry yogurt plant because of its vibrant red inflorescence (a cluster of flowers arranged on a plant's stem) which usually appears in the summer. It has long and glossy leaves which are dark green on the top, and deep purple underneath. These spiral out and circle as the plant grows, and it can reach up to 2m (6ft) in intermedium, a member of the aroid family. It produces a solitary leaf and a vibrant maroon red spadix (a type of inflorescence having small flowers borne on a fleshy stem). It grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome, one of the most threatened ecosystems in Peru, and one which is under increasing pressure due to climate stenomacra, commonly known as the blood red feather, is at home in the jungles of Peru. It thrives in humid environments with filtered light. It produces blood red flowers which look just like feathers, and in the wild it is pollinated by hummingbirds and peruviana, commonly known as the giant Peruvian daffodil is native to the seasonally dry areas of Peru and Bolivia. Like orchids, it is an epiphyte, which means that it grows on the surface of another plant or tree rather than in the soil and absorbs water and nutrients from the air. It produces enormous white flowers which are highly scented. It is believed to be extinct in the wild but is represented in several living collections around the world, including Kew Gardens. Other features of the display include an "orchid-aviary" that brings to life the diverse bird populations of Peru and an alpaca bedecked in orchids. Elsewhere at Kew Gardens, visitors can wander beneath a starry night sky "adorned with dazzling allium flower heads which will be recycled from Kew's outdoor garden displays".Which sounds jolly nice. Dating back to 1759, the site was made a Unesco World Heritage Site in July accessibility scheme means that for those in receipt of Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Legacy Benefits, tickets cost £1.
