Australasian Bongo Population

Jambo said:
It's a shame Melbourne got rid of them as it seemed they were doing well there, and they had a decent enclosure. When the Mandrills died out, one would have thought that Bongo's would have been a suitable replacement for that exhibit. Instead they chose Cassowary. :rolleyes:
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I reckon a bongo wouldn’t last long in that Mandrill exhibit. surrounded by deep hazardous moats, glass veiwing walls, too small - a death trap for a flighty ungulate. Not to mention the night quarters will be designed for a very different type of animal with a very different set of needs.

I’d like to see mandrills return, but I imagine with a mesh canopy installed overhead, it would make a nice leopard exhibit.
 
toothlessjaws said:
I reckon a bongo wouldn’t last long in that Mandrill exhibit. surrounded by deep hazardous moats, glass veiwing walls, too small - a death trap for a flighty ungulate. Not to mention the night quarters will be designed for a very different type of animal with a very different set of needs.

I’d like to see mandrills return, but I imagine with a mesh canopy installed overhead, it would make a nice leopard exhibit.
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They could have renovated the enclosure though. I would have that if Felix is to remain as Melbourne’s only Pygmy Hippo, they could join up the current Bongo enclosure and the second Pygmy Hippo enclosure to make one large enclosure for Bongo.

Mandrills would be great to return, and I don’t think Melbourne purposely phased them out, it’s just that their individuals died, and they haven’t had the chance to import more from overseas. Leopards would be a great idea! To fit the African theme, maybe African Leopard, but I can imagine Jaguar there if the enclosure is extended.
 
Jambo said:
They could have renovated the enclosure though. I would have that if Felix is to remain as Melbourne’s only Pygmy Hippo, they could join up the current Bongo enclosure and the second Pygmy Hippo enclosure to make one large enclosure for Bongo.
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I think there is every intention to get another pygmy hippo when import allows. I'm not a fan of wastage, so i'm particularly unimpressed when perfectly good exhibits are radically altered at much expense to house animals that are totally unsuited to the existing design. I think your suggestion that the mandrill and or hippo exhibit would suit bongos, would require such extreme demolition and relandscaping (of two of the best exhibits at Melbourne mind you) that I have to disagree. Personally I still lament that originally, the mandrill water moat was higher and actually overflowed via a waterfall into the hippo exhibit so the animals appeared to share the same space (or at least appeared to). I'm also not at all a fan of the chainlink fencing that has been used to extend the height of the hippo walls, but as is the case with the lowered moat, I accept this is obviously all done in the interest of the animals safety.

Its worth mentioning that the old bongo exhibit between zebras/giraffes and baboons more or less still exists and sits empty. I too would love for them to get more and whilst the bongo exhibit is a bit small for me, I can imagine they'd actually mix nicely with the giraffe and zebra if they added a gate system between the bongo and zebra yards.
 
Jambo said:
Leopards would be a great idea! To fit the African theme, maybe African Leopard, but I can imagine Jaguar there if the enclosure is extended.
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I’ve previously emailed Melbourne Zoo about whether they would get Jaguar in the future and was told that as an CITES Appendix I listed species, they wouldn’t be able to import them unless they had the support of the region (via a breeding programme). I’m not sure why they can’t just function as an extension to a European or North American breeding programme; but their answer remains the same - no, they will not be importing more Jaguar.

I’m not aware of Melbourne Zoo having any plans to import Sri Lankan leopard, but with a growing interest in this species within the region - this seems the most likely leopard subspecies they’d acquire. The phase out of the elephants will offer opportunities for a major seismic shift of the species held at Melbourne. Let’s hope some good decisions are made.
 
toothlessjaws said:
Its worth mentioning that the old bongo exhibit between zebras/giraffes and baboons more or less still exists and sits empty. I too would love for them to get more and whilst the bongo exhibit is a bit small for me, I can imagine they'd actually mix nicely with the giraffe and zebra if they added a gate system between the bongo and zebra yards.
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Only the back of the Bongo enclosure remains. I witnessed the Zebra using it, so I presume its their night area now. Have Bongo ever been exhibited with Giraffe and Zebra in zoos before? It would be an interesting experiment.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’ve previously emailed Melbourne Zoo about whether they would get Jaguar in the future and was told that as an CITES Appendix I listed species, they wouldn’t be able to import them unless they had the support of the region (via a breeding programme). I’m not sure why they can’t just function as an extension to a European or North American breeding programme; but their answer remains the same - no, they will not be importing more Jaguar.

I’m not aware of Melbourne Zoo having any plans to import Sri Lankan leopard, but with a growing interest in this species within the region - this seems the most likely leopard subspecies they’d acquire. The phase out of the elephants will offer opportunities for a major seismic shift of the species held at Melbourne. Let’s hope some good decisions are made.
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As it appears to come clear that major zoos want to reduce the number of species held I would be surprised if they wanted to import more species
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’ve previously emailed Melbourne Zoo about whether they would get Jaguar in the future and was told that as an CITES Appendix I listed species, they wouldn’t be able to import them unless they had the support of the region (via a breeding programme). I’m not sure why they can’t just function as an extension to a European or North American breeding programme; but their answer remains the same - no, they will not be importing more Jaguar.

I’m not aware of Melbourne Zoo having any plans to import Sri Lankan leopard, but with a growing interest in this species within the region - this seems the most likely leopard subspecies they’d acquire. The phase out of the elephants will offer opportunities for a major seismic shift of the species held at Melbourne. Let’s hope some good decisions are made.
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Lets look for the moment at Melbourne zoos commitment with the Philippine Crocodile, They imported a pair having bred them twice I believe, Then sent the young back to the Philippines were there is no need because as was mentioned buy @Kifaru Bwana some time ago almost every local animal collection there has them despite how small the zoo is. There was interest among some other zoos in this country to obtain young from Melbourne but no they sent them away anyway. Since then now the female adult has died which leaves Melbourne with just the one adult male, They should have at the very minimum kept the young for themselves so now they have taken 3 steps backwards. Good planning perhaps or perhaps not! o_O
 
1.0 Mshindi at Altina Wildlife Park has died due a mechanical abnormality. Devastating news. This leaves Altina without a bongo and the regional population continues to decrease with limited breeding success: Altina Wildlife Park

The Australasian population of Eastern Bongo now stands at exactly six (4.2) individuals.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
1.0 Mshindi at Altina Wildlife Park has died due a mechanical abnormality. Devastating news. This leaves Altina without a bongo and the regional population continues to decrease with limited breeding success: Altina Wildlife Park

The Australasian population of Eastern Bongo now stands at exactly six (4.2) individuals.
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That’s disappointing news.

Looking at the remaining regional population, it seems logical they should transfer the young male (Kamau) at Taronga Western Plains Zoo to Altina. I assume he’s living separately from the breeding herd of 1.2 bongo; and his transfer would free up space for Djembe’s next calf.

I note it’s been a while (2.5 years) since Djembe’s last calf; but at 12 years of age, she’s young enough to have several reproductive years ahead of her. It’s a shame the bulls of the region are all related to her though.

Some new imports would be ideal - especially since quarantine via New Zealand is now a viable option.

Revised Population (March 2021)

Monarto Safari Park:

1.0 Isaac (20/01/2012) Ndugu x Binti

Taronga Zoo:

1.0 Ekundu (23/11/2005) Marraquie x Shani

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

0.1 Djembe (15/09/2008) Marraquie x Nambala
1.0 Kulungu (26/11/2010) Ndugu x Binti
0.1 Maisha (00/00/2013) Imported 2016
1.0 Kamau (05/09/2018) Kulungu x Djembe

Total regional population: 4.2 bongo
 
An update from Dubbo about their bongo breeding plans following @akasha's visit mentioning a separate pair of bongo. The zoo are trying to establish two breeding pairs - their proven pair 1.0 Kulungu and 0.1 Djembe and then a new pairing with 1.0 Kamau and 0.1 Maisha. Staff also confirmed that 1.0 Ekundu at Taronga and 1.0 Isaac at Monarto are both alive and well.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
An update from Dubbo about their bongo breeding plans following @akasha's visit mentioning a separate pair of bongo. The zoo are trying to establish two breeding pairs - their proven pair 1.0 Kulungu and 0.1 Djembe and then a new pairing with 1.0 Kamau and 0.1 Maisha. Staff also confirmed that 1.0 Ekundu at Taronga and 1.0 Isaac at Monarto are both alive and well.
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Good to hear that they haven’t given up with breeding Maisha.

There’s been a persistent rumour on ZooChat her lack of reproduction was due to an operation to remove a piece of metal; but if it was merely an issue of compatibility with the bull, here’s hoping this new pairing gives the herd the shake up it needs.

It’d be great to see this as yet unrepresented founder get represented!
A
 
Where they that old I wonder? rather unfortunate that the last breeding pair died in a short time frame.
They are such a nice species for zoos to have. it will be a shame to see them go. The lack of imports isn't boding well for them to be kept in the region.
 
Tiger91 said:
Where they that old I wonder? rather unfortunate that the last breeding pair died in a short time frame.
They are such a nice species for zoos to have. it will be a shame to see them go. The lack of imports isn't boding well for them to be kept in the region.
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Djembe was born September 2008 and Kulungu was born November 2010. Mid-teens seems to be the average lifespan, with a handful dying as juveniles or around the age of 10 and one female (Nambala) living until her late teens.

Imports from the US can take years to arrange, so if they’re aiming to import from there, that may explain the delay.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Djembe was born September 2008 and Kulungu was born November 2010. Mid-teens seems to be the average lifespan, with a handful dying as juveniles or around the age of 10 and one female (Nambala) living until her late teens.

Imports from the US can take years to arrange, so if they’re aiming to import from there, that may explain the delay.
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It was mentioned at the zoo that Djembe and Kulungu had died of old age. Kulungu was described as elderly, and Djembe was older than him, so this tracks.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Djembe was born September 2008 and Kulungu was born November 2010. Mid-teens seems to be the average lifespan, with a handful dying as juveniles or around the age of 10 and one female (Nambala) living until her late teens.

Imports from the US can take years to arrange, so if they’re aiming to import from there, that may explain the delay.
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Imports / exports from the US can take a long time too with all the bureacracy, paperwork and strenuous testing and veterinary requirements. FYI: Imports to the US of ungulates is a complete nightmare.

I do not understand why you not looking at closer sources for new mountain bongo.
Taipei has larger group of females, I would send surplus 2.0 bongo to Singapore/Taipei. UAE is the other Asian continent zoo to have a good population.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Imports / exports from the US can take a long time too with all the bureacracy, paperwork and strenuous testing and veterinary requirements. FYI: Imports to the US of ungulates is a complete nightmare.

I do not understand why you not looking at closer sources for new mountain bongo.
Taipei has larger group of females, I would send surplus 2.0 bongo to Singapore/Taipei. UAE is the other Asian continent zoo to have a good population.
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The remaining Bongos are likely to just be allowed to pass away and not included in further plans.
Imports from the EEP are likely to bring their own set of problems where they are still controlled by the EEP and unlikely to be owned by our own zoos here. This has been a stumbling block with the EEP with Tapirs where the young if bred are not owned by the holding zoo here but by European zoos which would be counter productive for our regions zoos.
One Asian zoo only a few years ago imported 10 Bongo from the USA in one shipment, this perhaps could be a better option for us here with fewer problems, lets see how this pans out!
 
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