Australasian Rhino Population

WhistlingKite24

WhistlingKite24

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Following the first of hopefully several populations lists for Australasia [Australasian Gibbon Population], the second group of animals that will be covered are the rhinos. This thread aims to document the current populations of the three species of rhinoceros held within the Australasian region: Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum), South-central Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) and Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). There are a few exciting events coming up for them like the Australian Rhino Project, expansion of Monarto’s black rhino facilities to house up to ten individuals and the current black rhino pregnancy at Dubbo so now is a good opportunity to take a closer look at the current population as a whole. It will be updated in accordance to any births, deaths and transfers that occur. A complete update of the population list will happen when required. Note: when I contacted Orana there was no mention of white rhino Mapenzi (1984) so I have omitted her from the list. It’s a similar story for Leeroy (1980) at Werribee; there was no mention of him when I contacted Zoos Victoria and a recent post confirms they only have the six rhinos.

Further information/corrections are welcomed and appreciated.


Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) in the Australasian Zoos:
The largest rhino population with approximately fifty (23.27) animals including several wild-born founders from South Africa, locally bred animals and a few animals imported from overseas zoos. Successful breeding of white rhinos has become more regular over the past couple of years with five successful calves in total across 2019 (Australia Zoo and Dubbo) and 2020 (Auckland, Hamilton and Monarto). All three successful white rhino calves born in 2020 were female. The population is set to increase significantly with South African imports occurring in collaboration with the Australian Rhino Project in the future.

Altina Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia
1.0 Mtoto (Zambezi x Caballe) 17-02-2004 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Tatu (Martin x Kianga) 05-09-2013 at Serengeti-Park Hodenhagen, Germany
0.1 Mango (DJ x Inyeti) 00-02-2013 at Australia Zoo

Auckland Zoo, New Zealand
1.0 Zambezi (Wild x Wild) ~1992 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Inkosi (Zambezi x Caballe) 06-01-2002 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Jamila (Kruger x Moesha) 06-03-2012 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Nyah (Zambezi x Jamila) 14-08-2020 at Auckland Zoo

Australia Zoo, QLD, Australia
0.1 Caballe (Wild x Wild) ~1995 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 DJ (Umgana x Letaba) 25-09-2002 at Werribee Open Range Zoo
0.1 Inyeti (Thomas x Aluka) 26-01-2005 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Kibibi (Satara x Uhura) 02-10-2012 at Monarto Safari Park
0.1 Carrie (DJ x Inyeti) 04-12-2018 at Australia Zoo
1.0 Kingston (DJ x Caballe) 00-07-2019 at Australia Zoo

Halls Gap Zoo, VIC, Australia
1.0 Kapamba (Bort x Gingabelle) 18-03-1996 at Emmen, Netherlands

Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand
1.0 Kruger (Wild x Wild) ~1989 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Kito (Wild x Mazithi) 26-06-2000 at Auckland Zoo
0.1 Moesha (Wild x Wild) ~1994 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Imani (Zambezi x Caballe) 26-03-2007 at Hamilton Zoo
1.0 Samburu (Kruger x Kito) 28-06-2016 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Zahra (Kruger x Kito) 12-03-2020 at Hamilton Zoo

Mogo Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia
1.0 Kei (Khulu x Umqali) 06-02-2006 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Jabari (Khulu x Intombi) 04-10-2006 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Monarto Safari Park, SA, Australia
1.0 Satara (Wild x Wild) ~1992 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Umqali (Wild x Wild) ~ 1994 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Uhura (Hatari x Shova) 26-05-1996 at Singapore Zoo
1.0 Ibutho (Cyrano x Utani) 16-08-1999 at Orana Wildlife Park
0.1 Savannah (Kruger x Caballe) 12-04-2011 at Australia Zoo
0.1 Eshe (Satara x Umqali) 22-07-2020 at Monarto Safari Park

National Zoo and Aquarium, ACT, Australia
1.0 Ubuntu (Kruger x Kito) 12-03-2010 at Hamilton Zoo
1.0 Eco (Cyrano x Tamu) 01-05-2010 at Orana Wildlife Park

Orana Wildlife Park, New Zealand
1.0 Stumpy (Thomas x Tdnandi) 17-07-1983 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Utani (Mandhla x Mfolozi) 08-07-1984 at San Diego Safari Park, USA
0.1 Katala (Wild x Wild) ~1997 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Tamu (Memphis x Sabie) 22-12-2002 at Perth Zoo
1.0 Tino (Cyrano x Tamu) 14-02-2015 at Orana Wildlife Park

Perth Zoo, WA, Australia
1.0 Memphis (Mahlebeni x Tombi) 23-10-1987 at Memphis Zoo, USA
1.0 Bakari (Memphis x Sabie) 28-05-2005 at Perth Zoo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia
0.1 Likwezi (Thomas x Tessie) 20-12-1985 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Umfana (Wild x Wild) ~1994 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Mopani (Wild x Wild) ~1996 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Winston (DJ x Caballe) 04-05-2013 at Australia Zoo
1.0 Humprey (DJ x Caballe) 11-10-2015 at Australia Zoo
0.1 Kamari (Umfana x Mopani) 19-12-2015 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Meeka (Khulu x Mopani) 18-08-2019 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo, VIC, Australia
0.1 Make (Wild x Wild) ~ 1984 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Umgana (Wild x Wild) ~1988 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Letaba (Wild x Wild) ~1992 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Si Si (Wild x Make) 19-01-1996 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Kifaru (Kruger x Moesha) 30-04-2009 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Kipenzi (Umgana x Si Si) 30-05-2013 at Werribee Open Range Zoo

White Rhino Population Total: 50 (23.27)


South-Central Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) in Australasian Zoos:
The black rhino programme has been centred around Dubbo’s commitment to this species for many decades with imports straight from Zimbabwe and US zoos. Finding out about the current black rhinos was a bit more difficult than I imagined. According to the exotic mammals thread there were 6.3 black rhino at Dubbo as of January 2020 and male Kwaanza (1992-2020) has since passed. The three females were easy enough to identify but the five males involved a process of elimination. The fifth male that is still at Dubbo is either Siabuwa or Ibala however I haven’t found anything recent about either individual. This population is set to increase by one with female Bahkita’s birth being imminent. Monarto also received funding in 2020 to house up to 10 black rhinos and is looking into importing a female to establish a long-overdue second breeding population for the region. *The sire of Mesi (2017) is believed to be Kwanzaa however I haven’t found anything from the zoo confirming this for sure.

Monarto Safari Park, SA, Australia
1.0 Induna (Ibala x Pepe Kalle) 05-04-2003 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Sentwali (Siabuwa x Dongajuma) 02-10-2004 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia
1.0 Siabuwa (Wild x Wild) ~1988 OR 1.0 Ibala (unk x Chirundu) 12-08-1993 at San Diego, USA
1.0 Chikundo (Siabuwa x Pepe Kalle) 30-03-2000 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Bahkita (Siabuwa x Kalungwizi) 22-03-2002 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Mpzeni (Kwanzaa x Kalungwizi) 14-02-2005 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Kufara (Ibala x Bahkita) 17-02-2010 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Dafari (unk x Bahkita) 20-04-2015 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Mesi (Kwanzaa* x Kufara) 11-04-2017 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Pampoen (Kwanzaa x Bahkita) 31-10-2017 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Black Rhino Population Total: 11 (7.3)


Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Australasian Zoos:
This species has had a relatively short history in the Australasian region marked with two very sad events. The first rhino, male Dora arrived at Taronga Zoo in October 2001 from Japan and was transferred out to Dubbo in May 2003. He remains there to this day. The first female, Kua arrived from San Diego Wild Animal Park in September 2006 to Taronga. Devastatingly, she died in June 2007 from an impacted gut due to the consumption of sand. The autopsy revealed she was also nine months pregnant at the time of her death. Another female, Amala arrived from Los Angeles in July 2009. Australia’s first and only Greater One-horned Rhino calf to have been produced from this pair has been male Rajah (2015) who died in 2017 from complications with tetanus. It has been discussed often on this forum that this species would make a suitable replacement for city zoos as the gradual move of the Asian elephants out to open-range settings occurs however only one zoo has confirmed their interest publicly to have Greater One-horned Rhino – Perth Zoo: “Our curatorial team are also looking at what new species would best suit our site in the future. This could include Bongo, a stunning antelope species and nature’s armoured tanks, the endangered One-horned Rhino. This rhino species love to swim and could make a big splash in a future waterhole exhibit at the Zoo.”

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia
1.0 Dora (Sanver x Nilgiri) 14-08-1999 at Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo, Japan
0.1 Amala (Chandra x Mary)18-01-2006 at Oklahoma City Zoo, USA

Greater One-horned Rhino Population Total: 2 (1.1)
 
Last edited:
WhistlingKite24 said:
Following the first of hopefully several populations lists for Australasia [Australasian Gibbon Population], the second group of animals that will be covered are the rhinos. This thread aims to document the current populations of the three species of rhinoceros held within the Australasian region: Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum), South-central Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) and Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). There are a few exciting events coming up for them like the Australian Rhino Project, expansion of Monarto’s black rhino facilities to house up to ten individuals and the current black rhino pregnancy at Dubbo so now is a good opportunity to take a closer look at the current population as a whole. It will be updated in accordance to any births, deaths and transfers that occur. A complete update of the population list will happen when required. Note: when I contacted Orana there was no mention of white rhino Mapenzi (1984) so I have omitted her from the list. It’s a similar story for Leeroy (1980) at Werribee; there was no mention of him when I contacted Zoos Victoria and a recent post confirms they only have the six rhinos.

Further information/corrections are welcomed and appreciated.


Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) in the Australasian Zoos:
The largest rhino population with approximately fifty (23.27) animals including several wild-born founders from South Africa, locally bred animals and a few animals imported from overseas zoos. Successful breeding of white rhinos has become more regular over the past couple of years with five successful calves in total across 2019 (Australia Zoo and Dubbo) and 2020 (Auckland, Hamilton and Monarto). All three successful white rhino calves born in 2020 were female. The population is set to increase significantly with South African imports occurring in collaboration with the Australian Rhino Project in the future.

Altina Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia
1.0 Mtoto (Zambezi x Caballe) 17-02-2004 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Tatu (Martin x Kianga) 05-09-2013 at Serengeti-Park Hodenhagen, Germany
0.1 Mango (DJ x Inyeti) 00-02-2013 at Australia Zoo

Auckland Zoo, New Zealand
1.0 Zambezi (Wild x Wild) ~1992 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Inkosi (Zambezi x Caballe) 06-01-2002 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Jamila (Kruger x Moesha) 06-03-2012 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Nyah (Zambezi x Jamila) 14-08-2020 at Auckland Zoo

Australia Zoo, QLD, Australia
0.1 Caballe (Wild x Wild) ~1995 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 DJ (Umgana x Letaba) 25-09-2002 at Werribee Open Range Zoo
0.1 Inyeti (Thomas x Aluka) 26-01-2005 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Kibibi (Satara x Uhura) 02-10-2012 at Monarto Safari Park
0.1 Carrie (DJ x Inyeti) 04-12-2018 at Australia Zoo
1.0 Kingston (DJ x Caballe) 00-07-2019 at Australia Zoo

Halls Gap Zoo, VIC, Australia
1.0 Kapamba (Bort x Gingabelle) 18-03-1996 at Emmen, Netherlands

Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand
1.0 Kruger (Wild x Wild) ~1989 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Kito (Wild x Mazithi) 26-06-2000 at Auckland Zoo
0.1 Moesha (Wild x Wild) ~1994 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Imani (Zambezi x Caballe) 26-03-2007 at Hamilton Zoo
1.0 Samburu (Kruger x Kito) 28-06-2016 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Zahra (Kruger x Kito) 12-03-2020 at Hamilton Zoo

Mogo Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia
1.0 Kei (Khulu x Umqali) 06-02-2006 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Jabari (Khulu x Intombi) 04-10-2006 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Monarto Safari Park, SA, Australia
1.0 Satara (Wild x Wild) ~1992 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Umqali (Wild x Wild) ~ 1994 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Uhura (Hatari x Shova) 26-05-1996 at Singapore Zoo
1.0 Ibutho (Cyrano x Utani) 16-08-1999 at Orana Wildlife Park
0.1 Savannah (Kruger x Caballe) 12-04-2011 at Australia Zoo
0.1 Eshe (Satara x Umqali) 22-07-2020 at Monarto Safari Park

National Zoo and Aquarium, ACT, Australia
1.0 Ubuntu (Kruger x Kito) 12-03-2010 at Hamilton Zoo
1.0 Eco (Cyrano x Tamu) 01-05-2010 at Orana Wildlife Park

Orana Wildlife Park, New Zealand
1.0 Stumpy (Thomas x Tdnandi) 17-07-1983 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Utani (Mandhla x Mfolozi) 08-07-1984 at San Diego Safari Park, USA
0.1 Katala (Wild x Wild) ~1997 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Tamu (Memphis x Sabie) 22-12-2002 at Perth Zoo
1.0 Tino (Cyrano x Tamu) 14-02-2015 at Orana Wildlife Park

Perth Zoo, WA, Australia
1.0 Memphis (Mahlebeni x Tombi) 23-10-1987 at Memphis Zoo, USA
1.0 Bakari (Memphis x Sabie) 28-05-2005 at Perth Zoo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia
0.1 Likwezi (Thomas x Tessie) 20-12-1985 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Umfana (Wild x Wild) ~1994 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Mopani (Wild x Wild) ~1996 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Winston (DJ x Caballe) 04-05-2013 at Australia Zoo
1.0 Humprey (DJ x Caballe) 11-10-2015 at Australia Zoo
0.1 Kamari (Umfana x Mopani) 19-12-2015 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Meeka (Khulu x Mopani) 18-08-2019 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo, VIC, Australia
0.1 Make (Wild x Wild) ~ 1984 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Umgana (Wild x Wild) ~1988 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Letaba (Wild x Wild) ~1992 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Si Si (Wild x Make) 19-01-1996 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Kifaru (Kruger x Moesha) 30-04-2009 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Kipenzi (Umgana x Si Si) 30-05-2013 at Werribee Open Range Zoo

White Rhino Total Population: 50 (23.27)


South-Central Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) in Australasian Zoos:
The black rhino programme has been centred around Dubbo’s commitment to this species for many decades with imports straight from Zimbabwe and US zoos. Finding out about the current black rhinos was a bit more difficult than I imagined. According to the exotic mammals thread there were 6.3 black rhino at Dubbo as of January 2020 and male Kwaanza (1992-2020) has since passed. The three females were easy enough to identify but the five males involved a process of elimination. The fifth male that is still at Dubbo is either Siabuwa or Ibala however I haven’t found anything recent about either individual. This population is set to increase by one with female Bahkita’s birth being imminent. Monarto also received funding in 2020 to house up to 10 black rhinos and is looking into importing a female to establish a long-overdue second breeding population for the region. *The sire of Mesi (2017) is believed to be Kwanzaa however I haven’t found anything from the zoo confirming this for sure.

Monarto Safari Park, SA, Australia
1.0 Induna (Ibala x Pepe Kalle) 05-04-2003 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Sentwali (Siabuwa x Dongajuma) 02-10-2004 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia
1.0 Siabuwa (Wild x Wild) ~1988 OR 1.0 Ibala (unk x Chirundu) 12-08-1993 at San Diego, USA
1.0 Chikundo (Siabuwa x Pepe Kalle) 30-03-2000 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Bahkita (Siabuwa x Kalungwizi) 22-03-2002 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Mpzeni (Kwanzaa x Kalungwizi) 14-02-2005 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Kufara (Ibala x Bahkita) 17-02-2010 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Dafari (unk x Bahkita) 20-04-2015 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Mesi (Kwanzaa* x Kufara) 11-04-2017 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Pampoen (Kwanzaa x Bahkita) 31-10-2017 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Black Rhino Population Total: 11 (7.3)


Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Australasian Zoos:
This species has had a relatively short history in the Australasian region marked with two very sad events. The first rhino, male Dora arrived at Taronga Zoo in October 2001 from Japan and was transferred out to Dubbo in May 2003. He remains there to this day. The first female, Kua arrived from San Diego Safari Park in September 2006 to Taronga. Devastatingly, she died in June 2007 from an impacted gut due to the consumption of sand. The autopsy revealed she was also nine months pregnant at the time of her death. Another female, Amala arrived from Los Angeles in July 2009. Australia’s first and only Greater One-horned Rhino calf to have been produced from this pair has been male Rajah (2015) who died in 2017 from complications with tetanus. It has been discussed often on this forum that this species would make a suitable replacement for city zoos as the gradual move of the Asian elephants out to open-range settings occurs however only one zoo has confirmed their interest publicly to have Greater One-horned Rhino – Perth Zoo: “Our curatorial team are also looking at what new species would best suit our site in the future. This could include Bongo, a stunning antelope species and nature’s armoured tanks, the endangered One-horned Rhino. This rhino species love to swim and could make a big splash in a future waterhole exhibit at the Zoo.”

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia
1.0 Dora (Sanver x Nilgiri) 14-08-1999 at Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo, Japan
0.1 Amala (Chandra x Mary)18-01-2006 at Oklahoma City Zoo, USA

Greater One-horned Rhino Population Total: 2 (1.1)
Click to expand...

I’m loving these regional population lists @WhistlingKite24!

Hamilton Zoo has long been one of the most successful breeding facilities in the region (and the most successful in New Zealand) with eleven calves conceived there; however, their herd’s currently in need of a shake up. Moesha hasn’t bred with Kruger in the nine years since her last calf was born; and Imani dislikes him/refuses to breed with him. Samburu should be leaving soon. Prior to Covid, he was scheduled to go to Halls Gap Zoo.

Stumpy sired his first calf (a female) to Tamu three years ago, which was a surprise as he’d previously never bred. The calf sadly died at a few days old. Apparently having a bachelor bull alongside the breeding herd stimulates the breeding bull to mate with females, so perhaps Tino has been retained with the hope of him serving this function vis a vis Stumpy.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’m loving these regional population lists @WhistlingKite24!

Hamilton Zoo has long been one of the most successful breeding facilities in the region (and the most successful in New Zealand) with eleven calves conceived there; however, their herd’s currently in need of a shake up. Moesha hasn’t bred with Kruger in the nine years since her last calf was born; and Imani dislikes him/refuses to breed with him. Samburu should be leaving soon. Prior to Covid, he was scheduled to go to Halls Gap Zoo.

Stumpy sired his first calf (a female) to Tamu three years ago, which was a surprise as he’d previously never bred. The calf sadly died at a few days old. Apparently having a bachelor bull alongside the breeding herd stimulates the breeding bull to mate with females, so perhaps Tino has been retained with the hope of him serving this function vis a vis Stumpy.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much @Zoofan15. It certainly seems like white rhino breeding is one of Hamilton's strengths and they have certainly led New Zealand's success with them. When creating the list, I was surprised to see how few and far between white rhino births have been at Orana and Werribee in recent times.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Thanks very much @Zoofan15. It certainly seems like white rhino breeding is one of Hamilton's strengths and they have certainly led New Zealand's success with them. When creating the list, I was surprised to see how few and far between white rhino births have been at Orana and Werribee in recent times.
Click to expand...

You’re welcome! The cows in Orana’s herd have additionally suffered from estrus suppression over the years. Both Mapenzi (San Diego born) and Katala (wild born) have never produced calves, though I note that reproduction from the first generation females born at San Diego Zoo in the 1970’s has overall been low. There’s a number of theories on why this is, including the diet of their mother’s during pregnancy. Tamu is clearly the dominant conceiver, having conceived the only three calves born at the facility in the last decade.

To alleviate estrus suppression, some zoos recommend housing the cows in seperate barns overnight. Hamilton Zoo has the ability to do this, with a seperate night barns at the opposite ends of the exhibit.
 
Thats wonderful to hear that the Perth zoo has shown interest in obtaing the Indian rhino they would be a good fit to replace the elephants after they leave!.
I believe Australia zoo had them listed some time ago as a species of interest but may of lost interest in them now!
 
Zoofan15 said:
You’re welcome! The cows in Orana’s herd have additionally suffered from estrus suppression over the years. Both Mapenzi (San Diego born) and Katala (wild born) have never produced calves, though I note that reproduction from the first generation females born at San Diego Zoo in the 1970’s has overall been low. There’s a number of theories on why this is, including the diet of their mother’s during pregnancy. Tamu is clearly the dominant conceiver, having conceived the only three calves born at the facility in the last decade.

To alleviate estrus suppression, some zoos recommend housing the cows in seperate barns overnight. Hamilton Zoo has the ability to do this, with a seperate night barns at the opposite ends of the exhibit.
Click to expand...
It is breaking up the mother daughter and sibling pairings that will change things. Mothers are suppressing daughters from breeding and in natural state young cows move away from their mother's territory. This behaviour should be reflected in captivity too (it is working to great advantage for 6-7 years within EAZA zoos where underperforming cows are send out of the sibling herds.

Over 20+ nulliparous cows is a non-starter, which probably happened with the Orana Park lot and no chemistry with a good compatible bull.

You can wait all you like with Stumpy as a breeder. It is probably best to import a proven bull or another mature bull for competitor "work".
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
It is breaking up the mother daughter and sibling pairings that will change things. Mothers are suppressing daughters from breeding and in natural state young cows move away from their mother's territory. This behaviour should be reflected in captivity too (it is working to great advantage for 6-7 years within EAZA zoos where underperforming cows are send out of the sibling herds.

Over 20+ nulliparous cows is a non-starter, which probably happened with the Orana Park lot and no chemistry with a good compatible bull.

You can wait all you like with Stumpy as a breeder. It is probably best to import a proven bull or another mature bull for competitor "work".
Click to expand...

Most Australasian zoos are now starting to separate mothers and daughters. Of the ten rhinos born at Hamilton Zoo, four were female (three surviving). Two of these are now mature - Imani (2007) remained at Hamilton Zoo when her mother was exported in 2011; while Jamila (2012) was transferred to Auckland Zoo in 2018. She gave birth to her first calf in 2020.

Sometimes a new bull can shake things up. Hamilton Zoo founded their herd with 1.2 rhinos from South Africa. Zambezi (1991) sired four calves to Caballe between 2002 and 2007; but didn’t breed with the other cow, Moesha (or a third female, Kito (2000), who was transferred from Auckland Zoo in 2004). By 2007, both cows had ceased cycling, so an exchange was made with Auckland Zoo to bring in Kruger (1989). Moesha and Kito resumed cycling and Kruger sired calves to all three cows.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Following the first of hopefully several populations lists for Australasia [Australasian Gibbon Population], the second group of animals that will be covered are the rhinos. This thread aims to document the current populations of the three species of rhinoceros held within the Australasian region: Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum), South-central Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) and Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). There are a few exciting events coming up for them like the Australian Rhino Project, expansion of Monarto’s black rhino facilities to house up to ten individuals and the current black rhino pregnancy at Dubbo so now is a good opportunity to take a closer look at the current population as a whole. It will be updated in accordance to any births, deaths and transfers that occur. A complete update of the population list will happen when required. Note: when I contacted Orana there was no mention of white rhino Mapenzi (1984) so I have omitted her from the list. It’s a similar story for Leeroy (1980) at Werribee; there was no mention of him when I contacted Zoos Victoria and a recent post confirms they only have the six rhinos.

Further information/corrections are welcomed and appreciated.


Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) in the Australasian Zoos:
The largest rhino population with approximately fifty (23.27) animals including several wild-born founders from South Africa, locally bred animals and a few animals imported from overseas zoos. Successful breeding of white rhinos has become more regular over the past couple of years with five successful calves in total across 2019 (Australia Zoo and Dubbo) and 2020 (Auckland, Hamilton and Monarto). All three successful white rhino calves born in 2020 were female. The population is set to increase significantly with South African imports occurring in collaboration with the Australian Rhino Project in the future.

Altina Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia
1.0 Mtoto (Zambezi x Caballe) 17-02-2004 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Tatu (Martin x Kianga) 05-09-2013 at Serengeti-Park Hodenhagen, Germany
0.1 Mango (DJ x Inyeti) 00-02-2013 at Australia Zoo

Auckland Zoo, New Zealand
1.0 Zambezi (Wild x Wild) ~1992 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Inkosi (Zambezi x Caballe) 06-01-2002 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Jamila (Kruger x Moesha) 06-03-2012 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Nyah (Zambezi x Jamila) 14-08-2020 at Auckland Zoo

Australia Zoo, QLD, Australia
0.1 Caballe (Wild x Wild) ~1995 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 DJ (Umgana x Letaba) 25-09-2002 at Werribee Open Range Zoo
0.1 Inyeti (Thomas x Aluka) 26-01-2005 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Kibibi (Satara x Uhura) 02-10-2012 at Monarto Safari Park
0.1 Carrie (DJ x Inyeti) 04-12-2018 at Australia Zoo
1.0 Kingston (DJ x Caballe) 00-07-2019 at Australia Zoo

Halls Gap Zoo, VIC, Australia
1.0 Kapamba (Bort x Gingabelle) 18-03-1996 at Emmen, Netherlands

Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand
1.0 Kruger (Wild x Wild) ~1989 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Kito (Wild x Mazithi) 26-06-2000 at Auckland Zoo
0.1 Moesha (Wild x Wild) ~1994 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Imani (Zambezi x Caballe) 26-03-2007 at Hamilton Zoo
1.0 Samburu (Kruger x Kito) 28-06-2016 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Zahra (Kruger x Kito) 12-03-2020 at Hamilton Zoo

Mogo Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia
1.0 Kei (Khulu x Umqali) 06-02-2006 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Jabari (Khulu x Intombi) 04-10-2006 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Monarto Safari Park, SA, Australia
1.0 Satara (Wild x Wild) ~1992 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Umqali (Wild x Wild) ~ 1994 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Uhura (Hatari x Shova) 26-05-1996 at Singapore Zoo
1.0 Ibutho (Cyrano x Utani) 16-08-1999 at Orana Wildlife Park
0.1 Savannah (Kruger x Caballe) 12-04-2011 at Australia Zoo
0.1 Eshe (Satara x Umqali) 22-07-2020 at Monarto Safari Park

National Zoo and Aquarium, ACT, Australia
1.0 Ubuntu (Kruger x Kito) 12-03-2010 at Hamilton Zoo
1.0 Eco (Cyrano x Tamu) 01-05-2010 at Orana Wildlife Park

Orana Wildlife Park, New Zealand
1.0 Stumpy (Thomas x Tdnandi) 17-07-1983 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Utani (Mandhla x Mfolozi) 08-07-1984 at San Diego Safari Park, USA
0.1 Katala (Wild x Wild) ~1997 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Tamu (Memphis x Sabie) 22-12-2002 at Perth Zoo
1.0 Tino (Cyrano x Tamu) 14-02-2015 at Orana Wildlife Park

Perth Zoo, WA, Australia
1.0 Memphis (Mahlebeni x Tombi) 23-10-1987 at Memphis Zoo, USA
1.0 Bakari (Memphis x Sabie) 28-05-2005 at Perth Zoo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia
0.1 Likwezi (Thomas x Tessie) 20-12-1985 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Umfana (Wild x Wild) ~1994 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Mopani (Wild x Wild) ~1996 in Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Winston (DJ x Caballe) 04-05-2013 at Australia Zoo
1.0 Humprey (DJ x Caballe) 11-10-2015 at Australia Zoo
0.1 Kamari (Umfana x Mopani) 19-12-2015 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Meeka (Khulu x Mopani) 18-08-2019 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo, VIC, Australia
0.1 Make (Wild x Wild) ~ 1984 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Umgana (Wild x Wild) ~1988 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Letaba (Wild x Wild) ~1992 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
0.1 Si Si (Wild x Make) 19-01-1996 at Kruger National Park, South Africa
1.0 Kifaru (Kruger x Moesha) 30-04-2009 at Hamilton Zoo
0.1 Kipenzi (Umgana x Si Si) 30-05-2013 at Werribee Open Range Zoo

White Rhino Population Total: 50 (23.27)


South-Central Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) in Australasian Zoos:
The black rhino programme has been centred around Dubbo’s commitment to this species for many decades with imports straight from Zimbabwe and US zoos. Finding out about the current black rhinos was a bit more difficult than I imagined. According to the exotic mammals thread there were 6.3 black rhino at Dubbo as of January 2020 and male Kwaanza (1992-2020) has since passed. The three females were easy enough to identify but the five males involved a process of elimination. The fifth male that is still at Dubbo is either Siabuwa or Ibala however I haven’t found anything recent about either individual. This population is set to increase by one with female Bahkita’s birth being imminent. Monarto also received funding in 2020 to house up to 10 black rhinos and is looking into importing a female to establish a long-overdue second breeding population for the region. *The sire of Mesi (2017) is believed to be Kwanzaa however I haven’t found anything from the zoo confirming this for sure.

Monarto Safari Park, SA, Australia
1.0 Induna (Ibala x Pepe Kalle) 05-04-2003 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Sentwali (Siabuwa x Dongajuma) 02-10-2004 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia
1.0 Siabuwa (Wild x Wild) ~1988 OR 1.0 Ibala (unk x Chirundu) 12-08-1993 at San Diego, USA
1.0 Chikundo (Siabuwa x Pepe Kalle) 30-03-2000 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Bahkita (Siabuwa x Kalungwizi) 22-03-2002 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Mpzeni (Kwanzaa x Kalungwizi) 14-02-2005 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Kufara (Ibala x Bahkita) 17-02-2010 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Dafari (unk x Bahkita) 20-04-2015 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
0.1 Mesi (Kwanzaa* x Kufara) 11-04-2017 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
1.0 Pampoen (Kwanzaa x Bahkita) 31-10-2017 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Black Rhino Population Total: 11 (7.3)


Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Australasian Zoos:
This species has had a relatively short history in the Australasian region marked with two very sad events. The first rhino, male Dora arrived at Taronga Zoo in October 2001 from Japan and was transferred out to Dubbo in May 2003. He remains there to this day. The first female, Kua arrived from San Diego Wild Animal Park in September 2006 to Taronga. Devastatingly, she died in June 2007 from an impacted gut due to the consumption of sand. The autopsy revealed she was also nine months pregnant at the time of her death. Another female, Amala arrived from Los Angeles in July 2009. Australia’s first and only Greater One-horned Rhino calf to have been produced from this pair has been male Rajah (2015) who died in 2017 from complications with tetanus. It has been discussed often on this forum that this species would make a suitable replacement for city zoos as the gradual move of the Asian elephants out to open-range settings occurs however only one zoo has confirmed their interest publicly to have Greater One-horned Rhino – Perth Zoo: “Our curatorial team are also looking at what new species would best suit our site in the future. This could include Bongo, a stunning antelope species and nature’s armoured tanks, the endangered One-horned Rhino. This rhino species love to swim and could make a big splash in a future waterhole exhibit at the Zoo.”

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia
1.0 Dora (Sanver x Nilgiri) 14-08-1999 at Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo, Japan
0.1 Amala (Chandra x Mary)18-01-2006 at Oklahoma City Zoo, USA

Greater One-horned Rhino Population Total: 2 (1.1)
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Re. Werribee Open Range Zoo, I will ask next time but when I last visited the keeper said they had seven White Rhinos’s (in Jan 2020). Leroy is still alive, I can confirm it, so if you are right in saying they only have six, it could be Make (1984).
 
Jambo said:
Re. Werribee Open Range Zoo, I will ask next time but when I last visited the keeper said they had seven White Rhinos’s (in Jan 2020). Leroy is still alive, I can confirm it, so if you are right in saying they only have six, it could be Make (1984).
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This video released in August 2020 by Zoos Victoria states at 7:50 states that their oldest white rhino is Make (1984) which rules out Lee (1980). I then therefore checked with Zoos Victoria and they only listed the following six: Kipenzi, Kifaru, Sisi, Letaba, Umgana and Make:

 
toothlessjaws said:
Heres what puzzles me: Why does Werribee perform so poorly at breeding rhino? Its been this way for decades.
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At the end of the day I guess a lot to do with what happens falls on who ever is running the place, Some would be happy just to have some animals for the public to view at. It just appears werribee has taken a back seat in the zoo world for a while now, I really hope now with the new development it will bring a new lease of life to the zoo!
 
Zoofan15 said:
You’re welcome! The cows in Orana’s herd have additionally suffered from estrus suppression over the years. Both Mapenzi (San Diego born) and Katala (wild born) have never produced calves, though I note that reproduction from the first generation females born at San Diego Zoo in the 1970’s has overall been low. There’s a number of theories on why this is, including the diet of their mother’s during pregnancy. Tamu is clearly the dominant conceiver, having conceived the only three calves born at the facility in the last decade.

To alleviate estrus suppression, some zoos recommend housing the cows in seperate barns overnight. Hamilton Zoo has the ability to do this, with a seperate night barns at the opposite ends of the exhibit.
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I seem to remember it mentioned years ago that herd size plays a role in breeding success with the white rhino. When both the San Deigo Wild Animal park (now Safari park) and the Whipsnade zoo in the UK imported 20 each in 1970 and added them to the zoos two rhinos they bred many, I believe the SDSP produced well over 100 quite some time ago!
 
Zorro said:
At the end of the day I guess a lot to do with what happens falls on who ever is running the place, Some would be happy just to have some animals for the public to view at. It just appears werribee has taken a back seat in the zoo world for a while now, I really hope now with the new development it will bring a new lease of life to the zoo!
Click to expand...

Zorro said:
I seem to remember it mentioned years ago that herd size plays a role in breeding success with the white rhino. When both the San Deigo Wild Animal park (now Safari park) and the Whipsnade zoo in the UK imported 20 each in 1970 and added them to the zoos two rhinos they bred many, I believe the SDSP produced well over 100 quite some time ago!
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Agreed. Zoos Vic haven’t really showed any consistency in any of their exotic breeding programs. Space isn’t an issue, and I’m told Umgana is a keen breeder, whilst the other two Leroy and Kapamba were a bit less consistent; which was the reason why both were ‘retired’ from breeding.

It seems Werribee are taking a new perspective now though. With Kipenzi now almost eight years old, Werribee no longer have a ‘baby Rhino’; management would be keen to have another baby ASAP, especially with the importation of Kifaru.

Make was retired from breeding in 2019, at the age of 35 but there is still hope for Sisi (1996) and Letaba (1992). Letaba hasn’t breed since DJ (2003) though, so it will be interesting to see if she breeds again. Sisi has a close bond with Umgana, and I am told Kipenzi and Kifaru are a great pair as well.
 
Jambo said:
Agreed. Zoos Vic haven’t really showed any consistency in any of their exotic breeding programs. Space isn’t an issue, and I’m told Umgana is a keen breeder, whilst the other two Leroy and Kapamba were a bit less consistent; which was the reason why both were ‘retired’ from breeding.

It seems Werribee are taking a new perspective now though. With Kipenzi now almost eight years old, Werribee no longer have a ‘baby Rhino’; management would be keen to have another baby ASAP, especially with the importation of Kifaru.

Make was retired from breeding in 2019, at the age of 35 but there is still hope for Sisi (1996) and Letaba (1992). Letaba hasn’t breed since DJ (2003) though, so it will be interesting to see if she breeds again. Sisi has a close bond with Umgana, and I am told Kipenzi and Kifaru are a great pair as well.
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I had read some years ago that one of the past Directors had a bull greater Kudu antelope castrated even though they had seven females living there o_O
 
Jambo said:
Agreed. Zoos Vic haven’t really showed any consistency in any of their exotic breeding programs. Space isn’t an issue, and I’m told Umgana is a keen breeder, whilst the other two Leroy and Kapamba were a bit less consistent; which was the reason why both were ‘retired’ from breeding.

It seems Werribee are taking a new perspective now though. With Kipenzi now almost eight years old, Werribee no longer have a ‘baby Rhino’; management would be keen to have another baby ASAP, especially with the importation of Kifaru.

Make was retired from breeding in 2019, at the age of 35 but there is still hope for Sisi (1996) and Letaba (1992). Letaba hasn’t breed since DJ (2003) though, so it will be interesting to see if she breeds again. Sisi has a close bond with Umgana, and I am told Kipenzi and Kifaru are a great pair as well.
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When was Kifaru imported from Hamilton?

I think it is critical to separate the older cows Make and Umgana from the breeding group. Umgana may also be suppressing her own daughter ....
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
He left Hamilton in October 2018 and initially went to Halls Gap Zoo. He was later part of a rhino swap with Kapamba at Werribee: Kifaru the rhino settling well at Halls Gap as enclosure officially opens | Photos
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Right, so they finally decided Kapamba was no good and under performing, right?
FYI: I should add at ?9? years old he was too young to be a proven bull anyhow .... That is a mistake as born 1996, but even so underperforming as a breeder. Should have been removed a couple of years before really! At long last, I wonder whether Sisi and Letaba ... they have both bred before right.
 
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Kifaru Bwana said:
Right, so they finally decided Kapamba was no good and under performing, right?
FYI: I should add at ?9? years old he was too young to be a proven bull anyhow .... That is a mistake as born 1996, but even so underperforming as a breeder. Should have been removed a couple of years before really! At long last, I wonder whether Sisi and Letaba ... they have both bred before right.
Click to expand...

Yep Kapamba was inconsistent with the ladies, so he was retired. Leroy was the same and it seemed Umgana was the only reliable performer. They couldn’t always rely on him though, especially since he is now 33, so a new bull was always going to be imported, to assist him and replace him in the future.

Make has been seperated, but Sisi hasn’t. Letaba was always second in command behind Make, and sowing Make gone she is now the dominant female. Sisi was known to chase her daughter away when Umgana is present, but it appears WORZ don’t see a concern regarding this.
 
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