25 October 2005
Don Quixote to Breed at Wellington Zoo
Photo Opportunity:
A new male Agouti has just arrived at Wellington Zoo enabling the Zoo’s Agoutis to breed as part of an international
breeding programme, announced Wellington Zoo Life Sciences Manager, Simon Eyre today.
Background
Nine month old male Agouti, Don Quixote, is part of the Australasian Species Management Programme (ASMP). The programme
works towards increasing animal species numbers through captive breeding partnerships maintained by zoos throughout
Australasia.
Natives of Brazil, Agoutis are not currently an endangered species, but this looks set to change because of increasing
habitat destruction.
“With rainforests being chopped down at the rate they are, Agoutis will become endangered in the future,” says Simon.
Agoutis and rainforests are dependent on each other for survival; Agoutis spread the seeds for trees to grow in the
rainforest.
“Agoutis are a good ambassador species for rainforests in Brazil because they show the relationship between animals and
habitat,” says Simon.
Usually living in pairs, Agoutis breed year round and generally produce two babies at a time. Young Agoutis are born
fully furred and can run within an hour of being born.
“We’re looking forward to having some baby Agoutis at Wellington Zoo and hopefully making a difference to overall
species numbers”, says Simon.
ENDS