Future of Zoos SA zoos (Speculation)

[Zoofan15]

Or perhaps just a mistake made by bad management

It was undoubtedly a mistake with the advantage of hindsight given that all three of those adult bulls have since passed away and the exported hippos have since been identified as being from a valuable line.

Looking to the future, I hope once imports open up, zoos take full advantage to expand the genetic diversity of the regional population. All of the hippos in the region descend from Taronga stock in some way.

 

[Zoofan15]

EAZA Membership Process

For those interested, this is the process for becoming a member of the EAZA:

The administrative procedure: The procedure for an initial application for membership or for accreditation, and what paperwork is involved.

The screening mission: The procedures for a screening mission, the building of a screening team, costs and obligations, and how a recommendation is made.

The decision on membership: Who makes the final decision on membership, how that decision is made, and categories of membership.

It's noted this process can take up to a year.

Zoos that meet the criteria for full membership, but are not located in Europe or the Middle East can become Associate Members. Auckland Zoo is an Associate Member.

Australasian zoos can apparently participate in EEP programmes without being members of EAZA, as Auckland Zoo is the only zoo in the region that's a member according to the site's members map. This would be because the AZA has similar standards for accreditation, which are deemed sufficient.

ACCREDITATION » EAZA

 

[Zoofan15]

The last hippopotamus imported from outside the region was a male Pygmy hippopotamus imported by Taronga Zoo in 1981 from Honolulu Zoo. The last hippopotamus imported into Australia was a pair of Common hippopotamus imported by Tipperary Station in 1988 from Auckland Zoo.

I’m not sure whether they had IRA’s for zoos in the 1980’s. I found an IRA dated 2002 for felids held in zoos with a note that an interim exemption had been issued in 1997. Many felids were imported by zoos prior to the 1990’s, so I’m wondering if this is when the concept of an IRA became mandatory?

I could well be mistaken with this theory; but since the greatest threat to biosecurity had been identified as birds (which were dealt with via a blanket ban), perhaps mammals weren’t subject to the same scrutiny until this time?

Something that occurred to me today, Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, peaked in the UK in 1993; and after a case was discovered in humans in 1996, an export on all UK beef products was implemented that year. With Australia free of BSE at that point, it’d come as no surprise to me if they closed their borders soon after to all species until the scale of this outbreak could be assessed.

We know Melbourne imported a female giraffe from the Netherlands in 1997. Could she have been hurriedly imported knowing the borders were about to close? There’s never been another import of this species from outside the region since.

In 1997, an interim exemption for felid imports was granted, ahead of a permanent IRA in 2002 after felids were assessed to be of no risk to Australia’s agricultural industry.

Could this have necessitated the requirement for IRA’s?

 

[Swanson02]

Something that occurred to me today, Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, peaked in the UK in 1993; and after a case was discovered in humans in 1996, an export on all UK beef products was implemented that year. With Australia free of BSE at that point, it’d come as no surprise to me if they closed their borders soon after to all species until the scale of this outbreak could be assessed.

We know Melbourne imported a female giraffe from the Netherlands in 1997. Could she have been hurriedly imported knowing the borders were about to close? There’s never been another import of this species from outside the region since.

In 1997, an interim exemption for felid imports was granted, ahead of a permanent IRA in 2002 after felids were assessed to be of no risk to Australia’s agricultural industry.

Could this have necessitated the requirement for IRA’s?

That sounds very very reasonable. There also must have been a rhino and elephant IRA completed in the early 2000s and I guess they just never got around to hippos. I'd understand the need to review the bovid IRA every few years to ensure nothing major has changed as they obviously present the most danger to our livestock. But something like bears would introduce very little risk, so their IRA would last indefinitely.

Also how many species of bovid have been imported since 1996? surely the majority of our regional bovid stock is getting quite 'genetically restricted' by now if we have received minimal imports since the 90s. I know the regional blackbuck and scimitar-horned oryx populations are suffering from inbreeding and I think the eland is as well.

 

[Zoofan15]

Also how many species of bovid have been imported since 1996? surely the majority of our regional bovid stock is getting quite 'genetically restricted' by now if we have received minimal imports since the 90s. I know the regional blackbuck and scimitar-horned oryx populations are suffering from inbreeding and I think the eland is as well.

To my knowledge, Australia has imported just two Bovid species since 1996 - Eastern bongo in 2013 and Lowland nyala in 2016 and 2018. Both came via New Zealand, which acted as a quarantine facility for the bongo.

The Bovid imports appeared to cease around the timeframe I proposed above with Addax imported in 1991 and Waterbuck imported in 1995.

According to the exotic mammals thread, Australasia’s Indian antelope population descends from three pairs imported in the early 1900’s, so they would be highly inbred by this stage.

 

[Swanson02]

To my knowledge, Australia has imported just two Bovid species since 1996 - Eastern bongo in 2013 and Lowland nyala in 2016 and 2018. Both came via New Zealand, which acted as a quarantine facility for the bongo.

The Bovid imports appeared to cease around the timeframe I proposed above with Addax imported in 1991 and Waterbuck imported in 1995.

According to the exotic mammals thread, Australasia’s Indian antelope population descends from three pairs imported in the early 1900’s, so they would be highly inbred by this stage.

Wow! I wonder if the Indian antelope population has gotten to the point where they've started to genetically diversify again as there must be at least 200+ animals in the region right now. We must be reaching a tipping point with most of these species, I assume the bison and barbary sheep populations are in the same condition too.

 

[Zoofan15]

Wow! I wonder if the Indian antelope population has gotten to the point where they've started to genetically diversify again as there must be at least 200+ animals in the region right now. We must be reaching a tipping point with most of these species, I assume the bison and barbary sheep populations are in the same condition too.

There’s currently around 350-400 Indian antelope in Australian zoos and around 20 in New Zealand (at Hamilton Zoo). Hamilton Zoo received their’s from Auckland Zoo (who imported from Australia in 1969); and then supplemented this with 0.8 from Australia in 2015, so they’re in no better shape tbh.

Both New Zealand and Australia’s Bison population descends from imports from Canada in the early 1900’s, though interestingly Hamilton Zoo was exploring the possibility of importing Bison semen from North America a few years ago to enhance the genetic diversity of the population.

Barbary sheep are in a similar situation. They descend from three imports - 1.1 from Africa in 1929; 1.1 from the USA in 1952 and 1.3 from the USA in 1957.

 

[Zorro]

There’s currently around 350-400 Indian antelope in Australian zoos and around 20 in New Zealand (at Hamilton Zoo). Hamilton Zoo received their’s from Auckland Zoo (who imported from Australia in 1969); and then supplemented this with 0.8 from Australia in 2015, so they’re in no better shape tbh.

Both New Zealand and Australia’s Bison population descends from imports from Canada in the early 1900’s, though interestingly Hamilton Zoo was exploring the possibility of importing Bison semen from North America a few years ago to enhance the genetic diversity of the population.

Barbary sheep are in a similar situation. They descend from three imports - 1.1 from Africa in 1929; 1.1 from the USA in 1952 and 1.3 from the USA in 1957.

I am inclined to believe that most of the exotic hoof stock in Australia is deeply inbred. The importation of very small numbers to start with exacerbates the problem early on using the Bongo as an example.

 

[Zoofan15]

I am inclined to believe that most of the exotic hoof stock in Australia is deeply inbred. The importation of very small numbers to start with exacerbates the problem early on using the Bongo as an example.

Our Eastern bongo population descends entirely from three founders imported in 1996, with a further import (non reproductive) following in 2013. Like you say, the initiative to import larger numbers would have long term generated a more sustainable population.

The exotic mammals thread tells a similar story for several Bovid species. The Banteng population descends from the import of 20 animals in 1849; while the Himalayan tahr population descends from a trio imported from New Zealand in 1932.

The Bovid IRA offers zoos an exciting opportunity to give the heavily inbred populations the overhaul they need.

 

[Zorro]

Our Eastern bongo population descends entirely from three founders imported in 1996, with a further import (non reproductive) following in 2013. Like you say, the initiative to import larger numbers would have long term generated a more sustainable population.

The exotic mammals thread tells a similar story for several Bovid species. The Banteng population descends from the import of 20 animals in 1849; while the Himalayan tahr population descends from a trio imported from New Zealand in 1932.

The Bovid IRA offers zoos an exciting opportunity to give the heavily inbred populations the overhaul they need.

I am taking particular interest of who imports what with the Bovid IRA now completed. Its going to be interesting to see any developments. Lets see what happens.

 

[Zoofan15]

I am taking particular interest of who imports what with the Bovid IRA now completed. Its going to be interesting to see any developments. Lets see what happens.

Altina, with their dedication to ungulates; and Monarto with the space to hold large herds will be the two to watch I think; while Taronga and Zoos Victoria have the money to undertake imports.

Taronga has a long standing association with Eastern bongo, so at a minimum I’d expect them to continue this through importing some females for their open range zoo.

 

[Zorro]

Altina, with their dedication to ungulates; and Monarto with the space to hold large herds will be the two to watch I think; while Taronga and Zoos Victoria have the money to undertake imports.

Taronga has a long standing association with Eastern bongo, so at a minimum I’d expect them to continue this through importing some females for their open range zoo.

My guess would be Monatro as you mentioned they have the room and space to fill. I would hope maybe the two former chosen species for the region could be again considered for importation namely the Sable antelope and impala’s

 

[Swanson02]

The Bovid IRA offers zoos an exciting opportunity to give the heavily inbred populations the overhaul they need.

It angers me that they let it get this bad, they would never do it nowadays with big-ticket animals like chimps, elephants, and tigers. Realistically it wouldn't have cost that much to at least trial importing some fresh semen (don't laugh Hahahaha) for a few species like bison. If it worked it would have done a world of good for regional diversity and if it didn't then zoos might have to take the problem even more seriously. You can tell some of the Indian antelope are inbred by just looking at some of the male's warped and asymmetrical horns.

It really is laziness most zoos I think would prefer to build an "eco" playground, an "eco" lodge, or an "eco" light-show than actually bolster the genetic diversity of endangered species like Bongo or Addax.

 

[Zoofan15]

It angers me that they let it get this bad, they would never do it nowadays with big-ticket animals like chimps, elephants, and tigers. Realistically it wouldn't have cost that much to at least trial importing some fresh semen (don't laugh Hahahaha) for a few species like bison. If it worked it would have done a world of good for regional diversity and if it didn't then zoos might have to take the problem even more seriously. You can tell some of the Indian antelope are inbred by just looking at some of the male's warped and asymmetrical horns.

It really is laziness most zoos I think would prefer to build an "eco" playground, an "eco" lodge, or an "eco" light-show than actually bolster the genetic diversity of endangered species like Bongo or Addax.

We’ve seen a similar laziness with hybridisation. Auckland Zoo imported a pregnant Grant’s zebra mare in 1963, followed by an unrelated stallion the following year. Then again in 1979, they imported two fillies to enhance the genetics of the population, which was otherwise descended from three animals. This was the golden age.

Then the 1990’s came and inbreeding began, still maintaining a purebred population. Then the 2000’s came and all holders of Grant’s zebra chose to acquire genetic stallions from within the region and hybridise. The rationale no doubt based around the fact guests neither know or care if the zebra is inbred, purebred or hybrid.

Fortunately, Darling Downs Zoo have taken the initiative to revive this subspecies, which has otherwise been reduced to a population of elderly zebra scattered across a couple of zoos.

 

[Jambo]

I am taking particular interest of who imports what with the Bovid IRA now completed. Its going to be interesting to see any developments. Lets see what happens.

With Werribee's new masterplan, I can definitely see them obtaining some new bovine species in the near future. They were interested in Gemsbok in the past, and I would love to see them back in Australian Zoo's again. Werribee's iconic Savannah is down to just six species in total so it'll be great for them to add to that.

I can see Werribee also possibly be interested in Bongo too. Besides Taronga and Monarto, the region will soon desire another holder, and Werribee's perfect for it.

 

[Zorro]

With Werribee's new masterplan, I can definitely see them obtaining some new bovine species in the near future. They were interested in Gemsbok in the past, and I would love to see them back in Australian Zoo's again. Werribee's iconic Savannah is down to just six species in total so it'll be great for them to add to that.

I can see Werribee also possibly be interested in Bongo too. Besides Taronga and Monarto, the region will soon desire another holder, and Werribee's perfect for it.

I hope your right but bulk imports are needed and not drips and drabs. They need to build on the mistakes made in the past

 

[Zoofan15]

I can see Werribee also possibly be interested in Bongo too. Besides Taronga and Monarto, the region will soon desire another holder, and Werribee's perfect for it.

I hope your right but bulk imports are needed and not drips and drabs. They need to build on the mistakes made in the past

With regards to Eastern bongo, the ideal would be the three open range zoos (Dubbo, Monarto, Werribee) importing one bull and three or four cows each; with at least two more bulls imported to be held as non breeding surplus.

From here, the five bulls could be swapped to breed with each other’s first generation female offspring; and then again to produced offspring with second generation females.

A decent sized import of at least 5.9 Eastern bongo could theoretically sustain the region for decades with surplus male offspring either castrated or herd in bachelor herds.

 

[Swanson02]

My guess would be Monatro as you mentioned they have the room and space to fill. I would hope maybe the two former chosen species for the region could be again considered for importation namely the Sable antelope and impala’s

I've heard Kudu mentioned at Monarto before by a volunteer (Although I heard they carry many diseases). I've also heard Gemsbok and I think they fit the best with the Namibian "Etosha" theme of Wild Africa. They could tie gemsbok in with Werribee, the only caveat is I don't know how well they go in large multi-species exhibits.

Altina, with their dedication to ungulates; and Monarto with the space to hold large herds will be the two to watch I think; while Taronga and Zoos Victoria have the money to undertake imports.

I hope they focus on rejuvenating some populations first, namely Indian Antelope, Eland, Addax, Bison, Scimitar-horned oryx, Barbary sheep, Himalayan tahr, and Bongo before introducing anything new into the mix. All it requires is 2-3 males for all of those species named, that's just 16-24 animals, and we would be set up for at least a decade or 2.

Then the 1990’s came and inbreeding began, still maintaining a purebred population. Then the 2000’s came and all holders of Grant’s zebra chose to acquire genetic stallions from within the region and hybridise. The rationale no doubt based around the fact guests neither know or care if the zebra is inbred, purebred or hybrid.

With Zebra it's even worse because as we know the equid IRA has already been covered by the racing industry, it's just up to the zoos to import.

 

[Zoofan15]

With Zebra it's even worse because as we know the equid IRA has already been covered by the racing industry, it's just up to the zoos to import.

With the exception of Darling Downs Zoo and ZooDoo, all the zoos holding zebra have large herds of generics. At a minimum, it’d be good to see them source purebred stallions from DDZ and ZD to head up their herds and then focus on acquiring purebred fillies as and when they can (either through imports or inter-regional transfers).

As we’ve both identified, it represents a lack of initiative on their part rather than any kind of import restrictions.

 

[Zorro]

With regards to Eastern bongo, the ideal would be the three open range zoos (Dubbo, Monarto, Werribee) importing one bull and three or four cows each; with at least two more bulls imported to be held as non breeding surplus.

From here, the five bulls could be swapped to breed with each other’s first generation female offspring; and then again to produced offspring with second generation females.

A decent sized import of at least 5.9 Eastern bongo could theoretically sustain the region for decades with surplus male offspring either castrated or herd in bachelor herds.

I've heard Kudu mentioned at Monarto before by a volunteer (Although I heard they carry many diseases). I've also heard Gemsbok and I think they fit the best with the Namibian "Etosha" theme of Wild Africa. They could tie gemsbok in with Werribee, the only caveat is I don't know how well they go in large multi-species exhibits.



I hope they focus on rejuvenating some populations first, namely Indian Antelope, Eland, Addax, Bison, Scimitar-horned oryx, Barbary sheep, Himalayan tahr, and Bongo before introducing anything new into the mix. All it requires is 2-3 males for all of those species named, that's just 16-24 animals, and we would be set up for at least a decade or 2.



With Zebra it's even worse because as we know the equid IRA has already been covered by the racing industry, it's just up to the zoos to import.

Regarding antelope importation I am going to believe it when I see it. One would believe with our climate and huge open range zoos many antelope species would thrive,at the end of the day it comes down to the guys running the show, if they would rather spend the money on hotel’s then thats the way it goes. As we have seen with the resent importation of zebra it took two small regional family zoos to do the largest importation of zebra into Australia. This would have been pocket money for any of our major zoos but they would rather have badly inbred animals it would seem.