Gaur (Bos gaurus) in Captivity

German Zoo World said:
I think the Gaur is one of the most interesting bovine Species.
In Europe there are only 12 holders of this species and i want to know how is the current gaur situation in american or australasian zoos?
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I believe only Miami, Bronx and Gladys Porter have herds, and San Diego safari park have a singular individual
 
German Zoo World said:
I think the Gaur is one of the most interesting bovine Species.
In Europe there are only 12 holders of this species and i want to know how is the current gaur situation in american or australasian zoos?
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I’d be surprised if there were any in Australia.
I believe they’re being phased out in Europe in favour of the more threatened Banteng
 
Gladys Porter had 5 in February. Miami had a pair last year. I hear they are down to 1 now. San Diego has one elderly female left after sending breeding age animals to Bronx. Bronx should have just under 30 right now. The last breeding herd. Omaha has a bunch as well off display at there safari park, but almost all old and non-breeding. Remains to be seen what Bronx does. I personally expect them to halt breeding and phase out the species slowly.
 
It is something I have a hard time figuring out. Gaur across the globe are not exactly non threatened species. That some regions take that decision and focus on other wild cattle fine, not nearly all.
 
A few safari places in the US might have the species. I haven't been to any to confirm.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
It is something I have a hard time figuring out. Gaur across the globe are not exactly non threatened species. That some regions take that decision and focus on other wild cattle fine, not nearly all.
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@Kifaru Bwana I would have to agree, Phasing out the Gaur from US and European zoos is a mistake. As you say they are not common in the wild and quite rare in captivity. I believe if they do get booted out its unlikely they will ever return. It would be a real shame to see such an interesting species leave zoo collections.
 
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nczoofan said:
Gladys Porter had 5 in February. Miami had a pair last year. I hear they are down to 1 now. San Diego has one elderly female left after sending breeding age animals to Bronx. Bronx should have just under 30 right now. The last breeding herd. Omaha has a bunch as well off display at there safari park, but almost all old and non-breeding. Remains to be seen what Bronx does. I personally expect them to halt breeding and phase out the species slowly.
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Bronx had several born last year and they’re growing up now.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Indian subcontinent zoos are subspecific Indian gaur, this does not include the S.E. Asian nor IndoChina gaur (for which in my view integrated conservation action is needed).

The status details for gaur are a sobering read for all.
Link: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
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Well, European stock is also from Indian subcontinent and the American stock should be as well. My view is that at subspecie level, captive populations of gaur are not so important and the genetic base is quite narrow. They would have been Malayan gaurs, it may have been worthwhile to continue breeding efforts despite bottleneck effects.
What Bovid TAG from EAZA and AZA could do is help both Indian and Malayan zoos to set up local breeding programs but that depend also largely on willigness from those zoos.
 
RatioTile said:
Bronx had several born last year and they’re growing up now.
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Yes they did. But given the trend in the program and recent Ungulate TAG recommendation to phase out, we will see. Its either they slowly phase them out (potentially sending breeding stock to interested non-aza parties) or they attempt to single handedly manage the population (with 30, space is not indefinite so a breeding halt will soon be necessary anyways) In my opinions the writings on the wall.

I love gaur one. They are one of my favorite ungulates but I do know an unsustainable program when I see one and I believe Bronx does as well. AZA can’t be managing 80 species of ungulate and hope that all populations are sustainable. It just hasn’t worked so sadly gaur who had little institutional support, have greater exhibit needs than many other species, and are notoriously difficult to work with compared to there preferred replacement.
 
nczoofan said:
Yes they did. But given the trend in the program and recent Ungulate TAG recommendation to phase out, we will see. Its either they slowly phase them out (potentially sending breeding stock to interested non-aza parties) or they attempt to single handedly manage the population (with 30, space is not indefinite so a breeding halt will soon be necessary anyways) In my opinions the writings on the wall.

I love gaur one. They are one of my favorite ungulates but I do know an unsustainable program when I see one and I believe Bronx does as well. AZA can’t be managing 80 species of ungulate and hope that all populations are sustainable. It just hasn’t worked so sadly gaur who had little institutional support, have greater exhibit needs than many other species, and are notoriously difficult to work with compared to there preferred replacement.
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AZA's managing 80 ungulate species now? Is there a list of their project list? It seems like everything large except maybe giraffes and some of the zebras are being phased out.
 
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