Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2022

akasha said:
According to an article from Nine news: "The male foal was born to Tinka and Bataai, and we're hoping he will soon have a play mate with a few other horses looking pregnant."
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It's always surprised me there hasn't been more interest in holding this species from the New Zealand zoos. Both Hamilton and Orana have the space and being an equine, they're easy to import from a range of countries.

Fillies are often retained within their natal herds and new stallions brought in, but there will always be a surplus of colts that need accomodating.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It's always surprised me there hasn't been more interest in holding this species from the New Zealand zoos. Both Hamilton and Orana have the space and being an equine, they're easy to import from a range of countries.

Fillies are often retained within their natal herds and new stallions brought in, but there will always be a surplus of colts that need accomodating.
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A nice import of 30 impala from South Africa for monarto is just what the doctor ordered
 
Zorro said:
A nice import of 30 impala from South Africa for monarto is just what the doctor ordered
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You’d think that’d be easy enough to arrange given the species is ranked Least Concern and readily available via South African private breeders.

Since this species reproduces annually, an import of this size would be more than enough to supply other zoos like Werribee, Orana and Dubbo within a short space of time via first generation offspring. A founder base of 30 could theoretically ensure a genetically viable population for the next century.
 
Zoofan15 said:
You’d think that’d be easy enough to arrange given the species is ranked Least Concern and readily available via South African private breeders.

Since this species reproduces annually, an import of this size would be more than enough to supply other zoos like Werribee, Orana and Dubbo within a short space of time via first generation offspring. A founder base of 30 could theoretically ensure a genetically viable population for the next century.
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Exactly :cool:
 
Zoofan15 said:
You’d think that’d be easy enough to arrange given the species is ranked Least Concern and readily available via South African private breeders.

Since this species reproduces annually, an import of this size would be more than enough to supply other zoos like Werribee, Orana and Dubbo within a short space of time via first generation offspring. A founder base of 30 could theoretically ensure a genetically viable population for the next century.
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Werribee's savannah does lack Antelope species (with only Eland and Waterbuck); Impala would be a good addition, and Werribee could easily hold a large group (30+).
 
Jambo said:
Werribee's savannah does lack Antelope species (with only Eland and Waterbuck); Impala would be a good addition, and Werribee could easily hold a large group (30+).
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Werribee also have Lowland nyala.
Zorro said:
They now have the opportunity to do just that but since less is more now I doubt it would ever happen. :D
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What I’d really like to see is a collaboration from the open range zoos on importing Eastern bongo - each import a few founders and grow a decent sized herd. Gone are the days this need be a species kept in pairs at city zoos. There’s the potential to have large herds roaming open fields at Monarto, Dubbo, Werribee and Orana.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Werribee also have Lowland nyala.


What I’d really like to see is a collaboration from the open range zoos on importing Eastern bongo - each import a few founders and grow a decent sized herd. Gone are the days this need be a species kept in pairs at city zoos. There’s the potential to have large herds roaming open fields at Monarto, Dubbo, Werribee and Orana.
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Yes, but they were off display as per my last visit.

I agree. Werribee could hold them on their safari, although I don't know how well they'd do in a mixed species exhibit. There's always the single enclosure (which held a single male zebra) on the Upper Savannah that would suit them; otherwise they could easily build an enclosure on the walking trail. Eastern Bongo would be a great fit for Werribee; and Monarto too. Imports will be needed to expand the regional population, and there'll need to be more than just Taronga willing to hold and breed them.
 
Jambo said:
Yes, but they were off display as per my last visit.

I agree. Werribee could hold them on their safari, although I don't know how well they'd do in a mixed species exhibit. There's always the single enclosure (which held a single male zebra) on the Upper Savannah that would suit them; otherwise they could easily build an enclosure on the walking trail. Eastern Bongo would be a great fit for Werribee; and Monarto too. Imports will be needed to expand the regional population, and there'll need to be more than just Taronga willing to hold and breed them.
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Compared to Waterbuck, Lowland nyala are easily integrated into a mixed species Savannah. Many zoos have breeding herds, led by a mature bull nyala in with anything from giraffe to rhinoceros to zebra versus Waterbuck, where bulls have proved aggressive across a range of situations.

Our regional population of Eastern bongo has long suffered due to relying on a handful of related females with the sole import in recent years apparently non viable. Hopefully now the hassle in importing them (pre-quarantine in New Zealand) has been removed, Monarto etc. will be proactive in sourcing them.
 
Jambo said:
Werribee's savannah does lack Antelope species (with only Eland and Waterbuck); Impala would be a good addition, and Werribee could easily hold a large group (30+).
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Scimitar-horned oryx? I always thought springbok would make sense. Also easy to obtain in South Africa and the region (Orana Park) already has them. Mix just as well as impala.
 
Jambo said:
Werribee's savannah does lack Antelope species (with only Eland and Waterbuck); Impala would be a good addition, and Werribee could easily hold a large group (30+).
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tetrapod said:
Scimitar-horned oryx? I always thought springbok would make sense. Also easy to obtain in South Africa and the region (Orana Park) already has them. Mix just as well as impala.
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Werribee Antelope Species

Werribee Open Range Zoo has the following antelope species (some of which are off display):

Scimitar-horned oryx
Lowland nyala
Addax
Indian antelope
Common eland
Waterbuck

Springbok would be a good addition - many zoos have housed these with their Southern white rhinoceros.

It’d be be best if they were sourced direct from South Africa (or at least outside the region) given Orana’s population consists of just six individuals. The regional population descends from an import of 1.2 from the USA in 1989, so would be quite inbred by this stage.
 
Zorro said:
The zoo has a nice pic on their Facebook site of a Eland and a group of about 6 calfs also it mentioned the new huge African exhibit will open next year, Looks like I will be booking a ticket! :D
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That’s great news. The Common hippopotamus will be there by then. It’ll be so exciting to see them grow a decent sized pod from the offspring of the mother and daughter pair from Werribee.

The best thing about Monarto’s new exhibits is that they have the room to expand on them in decades to come. The exhibit that’s groundbreaking today can become outdated in 20 years, so the ability to expand and improve can’t be underestimated.
 
Zoofan15 said:
That’s great news. The Common hippopotamus will be there by then. It’ll be so exciting to see them grow a decent sized pod from the offspring of the mother and daughter pair from Werribee.

The best thing about Monarto’s new exhibits is that they have the room to expand on them in decades to come. The exhibit that’s groundbreaking today can become outdated in 20 years, so the ability to expand and improve can’t be underestimated.
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Well if the new rhino complex is anything to go by the hippo holdings should be real good.
 
Zorro said:
Well if the new rhino complex is anything to go by the hippo holdings should be real good.
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It’s so exciting to see three zoos including Monarto invest in infrastructure to support the Australian Rhino Project. We already have a genetically healthy population, but these imports could potentially sustain the region for the next century.
 
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