Especially in the USA, where currently the AZA only has a program for Amur leopards.
Java Leopard in zoos
- Thread starter kiglezi
- Start date
Big room for important with only 11 leopards captive-bred (F1 - F3 generation) out of 41 individuals in Indonesia. I believe all Jawan leopard in Europe are captive-bred individuals.
What is the situation in Europe like? Or even Indonesia?
Does anyone have any data or good info?
This report does not look optimistic.
All habitat patches have poor viability 'without frequent supplementation of animals' (Where all these leopards should come from? Possibly protecting corridors of semi-natural habitat is possible, and maybe Javan leopards can partially disperse through the farmland?).
Zoo population of 41 is mostly kept singly, and only 3 males produced offspring. The team seems to prefer 'short-term rehabilitation' and states that 'females have important role in the wild'. How the insurance population can appear, then?
The only optimistic part seems that something is being done, but, I am afraid, in few years when the project comes to practical solutions and action there may be no Javan leopards left to protect.
All habitat patches have poor viability 'without frequent supplementation of animals' (Where all these leopards should come from? Possibly protecting corridors of semi-natural habitat is possible, and maybe Javan leopards can partially disperse through the farmland?).
Zoo population of 41 is mostly kept singly, and only 3 males produced offspring. The team seems to prefer 'short-term rehabilitation' and states that 'females have important role in the wild'. How the insurance population can appear, then?
The only optimistic part seems that something is being done, but, I am afraid, in few years when the project comes to practical solutions and action there may be no Javan leopards left to protect.
Positive is the report is a start to put the program on an even higher standard of operational care and excellence. Rest assured that this PHVA is not the first activities to conserve Jawan leopard on Jawa. The very fact that it is underlined that a good number of populations have poor viability long term and that protecting corridors and creating connectivity are key.
BTW: I have personally visited Gunung Halimun-Salak which does have a good leopard population and activity is in every part of the park. I agree the size and connectivity are key, but this is also true of gibbons, tapir and other wildlife.
For the captive population: it has at least 28 individuals unrepresented in F1, that is a challenge that can be overcome with better species management. Since, the One Plan and Global WSMP programs for some Indonesian species I am far more hopeful.
The Australasian region are looking to support the European breeding programme by initially adding three holding facilities at the National Zoo, Adelaide Zoo and Darling Downs Zoo. The former has recently imported a pair (the first in the region); and the latter has almost completed their exhibit. The National Zoo have phased out Snow leopard from their collection; with Sri Lankan leopard now occupying their exhibit.
Jaguar were phased out from Australasian zoos in the 2000’s; and only three facilities now hold Snow leopard (compared to five facilities 10 years ago). Of these three facilities - only one is actively breeding; the other two hold elderly cats.
This relates to Sri Lankan leopard and snow leopard and the total Carnivora spaces is Australian/New Zealand zoos, right?
toothlessjaws
Well-Known Member
Snow leopards have always been a silly choice for Australian zoos in my opinion. Whilst there are certainly a few southern zoos that have a cooler climate that can comfortably house them, many more zoos exist in areas that are really too warm and humid - Thus limiting the size of the population here.
Jessica Hogervorst
Active Member
According the FB page of Pairi Daiza, Pelangi will move to Tierpark Berlin on 28th May. They want to breed him with a female. Are there any candidates in Europe? Pairi Daiza mentioned "Sinto" as female. As far as I know I can only remember a male with the name Sinto.
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Amur leopards are certainly suited for many places in the US but it is wierd (for us zoo nerds anyway) to see them as stand ins in tropical exhibits or other similar ones. It's too bad there aren't other subspecies managed.