First experiences with free‐ranging giant day geckos (Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis, Gray 1870) in the masoala rainforest exhibit in Zurich Zoo, Switzerland

Abstract

Sixty giant day geckos (Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis) have been introduced into the Masoala rainforest exhibit of Zurich Zoo. Eighteen geckos were monitored during a 3‐month study using the telemetry method. In general, the geckos were able to adapt well under these semi‐natural conditions of the exhibit. The geckos accessed to nearly all locations in the exhibit; some of the animals remained stationary, whereas others covered dozens of meters within a week. They preferred four species of plants as well as the artificial structures supporting the walls and roof of the exhibit, and displayed natural behaviors. Animals were observed feeding on all kind of arthropods and nectar substances, and also on food items dropped from feeding stations for other species. Deliberate feeding targeted at the geckos was finally reduced to a calcium‐rich squash along the visitor's main path. Reproduction was observed frequently within the exhibit. These findings suggest that the geckos will be able to build up a self‐sustaining population and contribute to a nearly‐authentic experience for zoo visitors. Zoo Biol 0:1–7, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

How to monitor elusive lizards: comparison of capture–recapture methods on giant day geckos (Gekkonidae,Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis) in the Masoala rainforest exhibit, Zurich Zoo

“…(6) There is equal catchability of each individual in every sample session-this assumption is not violated. Even though weather conditions change and are strongly correlated with sightings of geckos (Kitchener et al 1988;Henle 1990;Furrer et al 2006), they do affect all individuals equally in all sampling sessions. However, assumption (4), (5), and (6) can be relaxed by using the appropriate models M b , M h , and M t , respectively, to account for variation in recapture probability.…”

“…The Masoala rainforest exhibit of Zurich Zoo covers an area of almost 11,000 m 2 and has a height of 35 m. More than 45 animal species of different taxa and over 35,000 individual plants have been kept here under seminatural conditions since 2003 (Furrer et al 2006).…”

“…Although this gecko species is known to be territorial, there are no studies available on the exact territory size. The study population shows realistic density-dependent spatial distribution (Wanger et al in press) and stop-and-go behavioral patterns (some individuals move around and then stop for some days in a territory before moving on to another; Furrer et al 2006).…”

Three years of experience running the Masoala Rainforest ecosystem at Zurich Zoo, Switzerland

“…The establishment and home‐range size of the first‐released Madagascar day geckos Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis were followed by telemetry (Jaag & von Stockar, 2004; Furrer et al ., 2006). In 2005, 18 Leaf‐tailed geckos Uroplatus fimbriatus and 15 Panther chameleons Furcifer pardalis were released into the ecosystem.…”