Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2022

[Zoofan15]

Great update!

Regarding the chimps, I too believe Hope and Zola's only destination is Wellington. Wellington are need of new females, and since both females are likely unrelated, Wellington would extremely benefit from having them. Their close bond too would only help a future transfer to a facility together. Taronga are in no space for any new females anytime soon. Sydney may be a dark horse option, but it remains to be seen whether they'll breed their chimps.

I would rather see some evidence of successful breeding from the Sydney troop before Hope (one of the region's most valuable females) is transferred there. They are a little low on young females, but I'd assess Wellington's need as greater given the relatedness of their troop.

I imagine Wellington will breed with Malika next given Alexis will likely be the sire, as Malika was sired by Sam. Keza and Alexis' sires are brothers (Marty and Boyd respectively); so waiting until Alexis is ousted as alpha by Bakari could be a better option. He was born to be alpha given there's more than a decade between him and the current alpha and his mother is the highest ranking female.

 

[Jambo]

I would rather see some evidence of successful breeding from the Sydney troop before Hope (one of the region's most valuable females) is transferred there. They are a little low on young females, but I'd assess Wellington's need as greater given the relatedness of their troop.

I imagine Wellington will breed with Malika next given Alexis will likely be the sire, as Malika was sired by Sam. Keza and Alexis' sires are brothers (Marty and Boyd respectively); so waiting until Alexis is ousted as alpha by Bakari could be a better option. He was born to be alpha given there's more than a decade between him and the current alpha and his mother is the highest ranking female.

I also thought a lot of the males at Sydney are vasectomised, although correct me if i'm wrong.

Wellington do and will have a desire for them, and it makes the most sense transfer wise. Breeding Malika next seems the best choice, versus Keza. Breeding Keza with Alexis wouldn't make the most sense considering their fathers are full brothers and their mothers are half sisters.

 

[Zoofan15]

I also thought a lot of the males at Sydney are vasectomised, although correct me if i'm wrong.

Wellington do and will have a desire for them, and it makes the most sense transfer wise. Breeding Malika next seems the best choice, versus Keza. Breeding Keza with Alexis wouldn't make the most sense considering their fathers are full brothers and their mothers are half sisters.

No, only half of the males at Sydney are unviable, though I don't know if the others are proven. From memory, their females came off contraception a while back, so I'm wondering if the males are behavioural non breeders (unlikely given they were born in a large group, but unproven nonetheless).

Keza could have a long gap before breeding again, so could easily wait until Bakari is alpha. She'd likely only be bred for social reasons e.g. so not to cripple her status. Similar to how Jodie had Gombe with her nephew. Gombe was then vasectomised.

 

[Jambo]

No, only half of the males at Sydney are unviable, though I don't know if the others are proven. From memory, their females came off contraception a while back, so I'm wondering if the males are behavioural non breeders (unlikely given they were born in a large group, but unproven nonetheless).

Keza could have a long gap before breeding again, so could easily wait until Bakari is alpha. She'd likely only be bred for social reasons e.g. so not to cripple her status. Similar to how Jodie had Gombe with her nephew. Gombe was then vasectomised.

That would make sense. It may be as simple as the dominant males are the ones that are unviable and the others (I believe the younger males) are restricted breeding wise due to being lower in the rankings.

Bakari could be alpha within the next five years. He will soon have Kitwe as support and with his mother being the most dominant female, it's rather an inevitable event. It's just a matter of when, which will come down to when Bakari is ready. In five years time, Keza will be almost 30, and could easily be bred once again. I'd imagine this will be her last offspring, as the females from Monarto would come in and become the breeders within the group.

 

[Zoofan15]

That would make sense. It may be as simple as the dominant males are the ones that are unviable and the others (I believe the younger males) are restricted breeding wise due to being lower in the rankings.

Bakari could be alpha within the next five years. He will soon have Kitwe as support and with his mother being the most dominant female, it's rather an inevitable event. It's just a matter of when, which will come down to when Bakari is ready. In five years time, Keza will be almost 30, and could easily be bred once again. I'd imagine this will be her last offspring, as the females from Monarto would come in and become the breeders within the group.

The eldest males at Sydney Zoo are viable, the youngest are neutered. With this in mind, the non castrated males would rank higher, but little is known of their social background.

1.0 Fritz (1982)
1.0 Maike (1990)
1.0 Tim (1991)
1.0 Charli (neutered m, 1994)
1.0 Jerry (neutered m, 1995)
1.0 Many (neutered m, 2000)

Keza may well have one more infant in her late 20's to early 30's and then retire. Bebe similarly had her last offspring (Marty) at 25 years old and then retired to allow the three young females from Taronga to breed. She maintained a high ranking position via her two sons, Boyd and Marty.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yet Taronga held quite a few black rhino in the past with success breeding them in a city zoo I remember their concrete pens

I sometimes look at maps of our region’s zoos and can’t get my head around how they crammed so many species into such a small space. City zoos with rhinos, elephants, hippopotamus (both Common and Pygmy) along with multiple species of great ape and just about every felid under the sun.

 

[Zorro]

I sometimes look at maps of our region’s zoos and can’t get my head around how they crammed so many species into such a small space. City zoos with rhinos, elephants, hippopotamus (both Common and Pygmy) along with multiple species of great ape and just about every felid under the sun.

Its like anything else they have evolved over time, My own view is a lot of the city zoos with a small land area would be better to focus on small to medium endangered species with the open range zoos holding the biggest species like rhino, hippos, elephants and giraffes.
London Zoo did the wise thing moving their elephants out to whipsnade, I would like to see the giraffes there too and use the space to hold more Okapis.
I could see Monarto zoo become a international must see for zoo folk in time its going to be in a league of its own just the sheer scale and possible species it could display in such a massive area.

 

[Zoofan15]

Its like anything else they have evolved over time, My own view is a lot of the city zoos with a small land area would be better to focus on small to medium endangered species with the open range zoos holding the biggest species like rhino, hippos, elephants and giraffes.
London Zoo did the wise thing moving their elephants out to whipsnade, I would like to see the giraffes there too and use the space to hold more Okapis.
I could see Monarto zoo become a international must see for zoo folk in time its going to be in a league of its own just the sheer scale and possible species it could display in such a massive area.

Monarto will soon become a world renowned zoo and far from being left in its wake, Adelaide Zoo will have the opportunity to diversify their collection to species like the Sri Lankan leopard.

I’m really excited to see what designs Monarto have for their Hamadryas baboon exhibit. They have the potential to build something on the scale of the Singapore Zoo’s exhibit which would be a huge improvement on the single figure colony held in the small exhibit at Adelaide Zoo.

 

[Zorro]

Monarto will soon become a world renowned zoo and far from being left in its wake, Adelaide Zoo will have the opportunity to diversify their collection to species like the Sri Lankan leopard.

I’m really excited to see what designs Monarto have for their Hamadryas baboon exhibit. They have the potential to build something on the scale of the Singapore Zoo’s exhibit which would be a huge improvement on the single figure colony held in the small exhibit at Adelaide Zoo.

Years ago I use to follow the San Diego zoo and the wild animal park/now Safari park, I thought then with the huge exhibit areas of 100 acres for each exhibit was huge indeed but having 1500 acres is something I would never thought I would ever get to see any where but here we have it in the making right on our door step. I for one will be making the trip some time after the rhinos are settled.

 

[Jambo]

Years ago I use to follow the San Diego zoo and the wild animal park/now Safari park, I thought then with the huge exhibit areas of 100 acres for each exhibit was huge indeed but having 1500 acres is something I would never thought I would ever get to see any where but here we have it in the making right on our door step. I for one will be making the trip some time after the rhinos are settled.

If Monarto can be anything like the Safari Park they'd be one of the most illustrious zoos worldwide! I have faith they'll be able to achieve this with their current masterplan. I too think it's well worth a visit once the masterplan is complete.

Notably, Monarto will be the largest park outside Africa at 3,700 acres. I thought Werribee was large, at 560 acres (although only three quarters are actually used). Monarto will be more than seven times the size...outstanding .

 

[Zorro]

If Monarto can be anything like the Safari Park they'd be one of the most illustrious zoos worldwide! I have faith they'll be able to achieve this with their current masterplan. I too think it's well worth a visit once the masterplan is complete.

Notably, Monarto will be the largest park outside Africa at 3,700 acres. I thought Werribee was large, at 560 acres (although only three quarters are actually used). Monarto will be more than seven times the size...outstanding .

The difference being that the SDSP has a outstanding collection of antelope and other hoof stock which we can’t match due to our importation laws, perhaps in time and selected importation it can be outstanding but hoof stock wise cant match what they have there unfortunately

 

[Zoofan15]

The difference being that the SDSP has a outstanding collection of antelope and other hoof stock which we can’t match due to our importation laws, perhaps in time and selected importation it can be outstanding but hoof stock wise cant match what they have there unfortunately

Given the immense scale of Monarto, it’s truly a Safari Park where being driven across various fields will be essential to get around it in its entirety. I’m glad they’ve prioritised space over all other aspects of planning their zoo; with building up species numbers occurring gradually as they expand.

True we can’t attain the diversity of the North American zoos at this point in time, but there’s opportunity for this down the line.

Monarto will truly put SA on the map, given Taronga, Melbourne and Perth Zoo currently receive far more global recognition that Adelaide Zoo.

 

[Zorro]

Given the immense scale of Monarto, it’s truly a Safari Park where being driven across various fields will be essential to get around it in its entirety. I’m glad they’ve prioritised space over all other aspects of planning their zoo; with building up species numbers occurring gradually as they expand.

True we can’t attain the diversity of the North American zoos at this point in time, but there’s opportunity for this down the line.

Monarto will truly put SA on the map, given Taronga, Melbourne and Perth Zoo currently receive far more global recognition that Adelaide Zoo.

Unfortunately our zoos are a long way from the main game I can't really see us ever getting close to the antelope/hoof stock they have in US zoos, our importation laws and lack of funding compared to major US zoos really can not be matched. Even the species some of the hunting ranches there would put there would put what we have to shame its amazing what they have in number of species and the amount of them held. Our zoos need to do much larger imports to stand a chance of keeping species going for the long term, one only has to look at the tiny amount of bongo imports of which Taronga has done, it was never going to with out in the long term. bulk imports between a number of zoos is needed for the long term. Who knows if or when the importation laws will change again as they did before.

 

[Zoofan15]

Unfortunately our zoos are a long way from the main game I can't really see us ever getting close to the antelope/hoof stock they have in US zoos, our importation laws and lack of funding compared to major US zoos really can not be matched. Even the species some of the hunting ranches there would put there would put what we have to shame its amazing what they have in number of species and the amount of them held. Our zoos need to do much larger imports to stand a chance of keeping species going for the long term, one only has to look at the tiny amount of bongo imports of which Taronga has done, it was never going to with out in the long term. bulk imports between a number of zoos is needed for the long term. Who knows if or when the importation laws will change again as they did before.

Not only are imports needed to sustain a population long term (as you noted with the Eastern bongo); but to ensure the population doesn’t become inbred. It’s shocking how inbred some of our ungulate populations are (like the Indian antelope).

The Lowland nyala are an example of a successful group import. We have a rapidly growing regional population held across multiple zoos, derived from a decent sized founder base. This could probably sustain the region for at least three decades before new imports are needed.

 

[Zorro]

Not only are imports needed to sustain a population long term (as you noted with the Eastern bongo); but to ensure the population doesn’t become inbred. It’s shocking how inbred some of our ungulate populations are (like the Indian antelope).

The Lowland nyala are an example of a successful group import. We have a rapidly growing regional population held across multiple zoos, derived from a decent sized founder base. This could probably sustain the region for at least three decades before new imports are needed.

Yes they did a nice job with the Nyala this needs to happen more often, species like the bongo could of been revised but due to lack of interest is going no where other than deletion. Now our zoos have a golden opportunity coming up lets see if they take advantage of it

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes they did a nice job with the Nyala this needs to happen more often, species like the bongo could of been revised but due to lack of interest is going no where other than deletion. Now our zoos have a golden opportunity coming up lets see if they take advantage of it

I suppose the difference with the nyala is being readily available from South African ranches and a species of Least Concern conservation status, they were more readily available than the Critically Endangered Eastern bongo. Still given they can live in herds of up to 50, there’s no reason three or four females couldn’t be sourced to found a large herd at one of the open range zoos.

With regular breeding, a founder base of 1.4 Eastern bongo could produce up to 20 calves in a decade. I imagine that castrated bulls could live with the herd, meaning a cohesive herd of 25 could be achieved from first generation offspring alone.

 

[Zorro]

I suppose the difference with the nyala is being readily available from South African ranches and a species of Least Concern conservation status, they were more readily available than the Critically Endangered Eastern bongo. Still given they can live in herds of up to 50, there’s no reason three or four females couldn’t be sourced to found a large herd at one of the open range zoos.

With regular breeding, a founder base of 1.4 Eastern bongo could produce up to 20 calves in a decade. I imagine that castrated bulls could live with the herd, meaning a cohesive herd of 25 could be achieved from first generation offspring alone.

Bongos are common in many collections in the USA and Europe also as I had mentioned even available at some hunting ranches so not so hard to acquire. I remember one new asian zoo safari park managed to obtain 10 from the US with little trouble as long as one has the dollars!

 

[Swanson02]

Monarto will soon become a world renowned zoo and far from being left in its wake, Adelaide Zoo will have the opportunity to diversify their collection to species like the Sri Lankan leopard.

I’m really excited to see what designs Monarto have for their Hamadryas baboon exhibit. They have the potential to build something on the scale of the Singapore Zoo’s exhibit which would be a huge improvement on the single figure colony held in the small exhibit at Adelaide Zoo.

I mentioned Sri Lankan Leopards to the carnivore keeper yesterday, she hadn't heard anything. I believe the initial plan was for leopards to replace lions at Adelaide (All lions being held at Monarto), but then there was a public uproar about it as they are a big-ticket species. I think leopards would be better at Adelaide too, they are elusive and you would never see them in the large bushy exhibits at Monarto. I can't think of many more carnivore species that would suit Monarto maybe Tigers (Generic/Sumatran passed off as Bengal) and Sloth bears in a Subcontinental safari-themed area. Sloth bears would do the best in Monartos weather, but I don't know how easy they are to source. Canids are risky with Monartos bus format, the buses can't stop anymore in the Wild Dog exhibit as this new pack has developed a bad habit of chasing the bus if it stops moving.

On the original 2008, Serengeti plans you can see a circular exhibit near the White Rhinos dedicated to Baboons. I believe Monarto needs a few walkable exhibits near its new entrance to avoid the congestion of visitors arriving and immediately trying to board a bus. I believe an active and energetic baboon exhibit could fill this role very well.

Long term, I doubt this will change, though I suspect the Indian rhinoceros may see some interest from multiple facilities over the next decade (especially those looking to phase out elephants). With a surplus in Europe, they’re more attainable than the black rhinoceros at this point in time.

I really think a rotating exhibit system like Denvers would work well in some of our inner-city zoos like Auckland, Melbourne, and Perth, whether the theme is South Asian or African.Rotating exhibits provide more stimulus for the animals and is a good educational tool for people.

The difference being that the SDSP has a outstanding collection of antelope and other hoof stock which we can’t match due to our importation laws, perhaps in time and selected importation it can be outstanding but hoof stock wise cant match what they have there unfortunately

Open range zoos like SDSP and Carbaceno have appealing picturesque landscapes too which are a draw within themselves, adding rare large animals to them increases that appeal dramatically. Unfortunately, Monarto is very flat, bushy, and has one dried-up creek which last flowed in 1994. It's also much dryer than WORZ and TWPZ so is less suitable for tropical species like Okapi, Bongo, and rainforest primates.

 

[Zoofan15]

I mentioned Sri Lankan Leopards to the carnivore keeper yesterday, she hadn't heard anything. I believe the initial plan was for leopards to replace lions at Adelaide (All lions being held at Monarto), but then there was a public uproar about it as they are a big-ticket species. I think leopards would be better at Adelaide too, they are elusive and you would never see them in the large bushy exhibits at Monarto. I can't think of many more carnivore species that would suit Monarto maybe Tigers (Generic/Sumatran passed off as Bengal) and Sloth bears in a Subcontinental safari-themed area. Sloth bears would do the best in Monartos weather, but I don't know how easy they are to source. Canids are risky with Monartos bus format, the buses can't stop anymore in the Wild Dog exhibit as this new pack has developed a bad habit of chasing the bus if it stops moving.

On the original 2008, Serengeti plans you can see a circular exhibit near the White Rhinos dedicated to Baboons. I believe Monarto needs a few walkable exhibits near its new entrance to avoid the congestion of visitors arriving and immediately trying to board a bus. I believe an active and energetic baboon exhibit could fill this role very well.

I thinking moving the lions out of Adelaide is a no brainer. They could still hold Sumatran tiger, which are better complimented by the Sri Lankan leopard; while Monarto could focus on holding their growing pride. They currently have the largest pride in Australasia with 12 lions and that could easily be expanded to larger numbers if the desire was there to do so. The current breeding lionesses have another three or so years left of reproduction and as you reported, they’re trying to breed from Makena.

A Hamadryas baboon exhibit at the entrance would be a perfect focal point given it would be a hive of activity and catch people’s attention, rather than something less inspiring that would see them rush for the bus. It’s a rare opportunity to encorporate some architecture into the park given most of the exhibits will be open fields.

 

[Zoofan15]

I really think a rotating exhibit system like Denvers would work well in some of our inner-city zoos like Auckland, Melbourne, and Perth, whether the theme is South Asian or African.Rotating exhibits provide more stimulus for the animals and is a good educational tool for people.

It would be good to see more rotational exhibits in the future. Unless you count Auckland’s high ropes (Bornean orangutan and Siamang), Perth Zoo are the only ones planning to do it on a permanent and dedicated scale (with tigers and sun bears); but Adelaide Zoo could look at doing it with tigers and leopards as a starting point. It’s an efficient use of space as the main arena would be the focal point (and a decent sized exhibit); with smaller off shoot exhibits holding the same animals on a rotational basis.