Imports for Open Range Zoos speculation

[Zoofan15]

Melbourne have had issues in the past with their stallions being increasingly aggressive towards their Giraffes. Despite their towering size, Giraffes are surprisingly rather cowardly!

Imo White Rhinos are an easy going species. Indians can be a little more intolerant of other species, and Black Rhinos are very territorial, and so are very rarely kept in mixed species exhibits.

Auckland Zoo currently have a herd of zebra mares in their integrated Savannah, which is a sensible move imo given they’re breeding their giraffe. Giraffe calves are most at risk from zebra stallions.

Hamilton Zoo (who have adult bachelor bulls) have had no issues from their zebra stallions in recent years. It therefore makes sense that they’re bred at Hamilton, with Auckland holding mares.

Wellington Zoo have always housed their giraffe and zebra separately, with zebra no longer in their collection. Since their last l zebras were mares, I believe this was a relic of the era when zoos held species seperate rather than a consequence of integration issues. Auckland similarly held zebra and giraffe seperate prior to the opening of Pridelands in 1997.

 

[Swanson02]

Auckland Zoo currently have a herd of zebra mares in their integrated Savannah, which is a sensible move imo given they’re breeding their giraffe. Giraffe calves are most at risk from zebra stallions.

Hamilton Zoo (who have adult bachelor bulls) have had no issues from their zebra stallions in recent years. It therefore makes sense that they’re bred at Hamilton, with Auckland holding mares.

Wellington Zoo have always housed their giraffe and zebra separately, with zebra no longer in their collection. Since their last l zebras were mares, I believe this was a relic of the era when zoos held species seperate rather than a consequence of integration issues. Auckland similarly held zebra and giraffe seperate prior to the opening of Pridelands in 1997.

Monarto I believe normally has a bachelor herd of 4 out on the savanna, but has to periodically remove them when the Eland or Giraffe have young calves, as the zebra enjoy targeting them. I think that shows that sometimes space isn't just the issue, they'll target other species no matter what.

Apparently, Przewalski's horses are even worse than zebra in shared exhibits.

Also what mixed combinations have black rhino been held in?

 

[Zoofan15]

Also what mixed combinations have black rhino been held in?

Black Rhinoceros (Mixed Species)

Global examples:

I’ve heard of black rhinoceros mixed with the following:

- Dorcas gazelle, Addra gazelle, Grey-crowned crane, Spur-winged goose

- Guinea baboon

- Cheetah

- Grant’s zebra (unsuccessful)

- Muntjac (free-roaming)

- Hussar monkey

- Giraffe, Plains zebra, Indian antelope

- Thompson’s gazelle

Port Lympne reportedly mixed them with just about everything on the Savannah, with it noted this was achievable due to holding two young male black rhinoceros (without female distraction).

Options for Australasia:

With the exception of Helmeted guineafowl, we’re limited on African bird species, so most of our options will be mammal based.

As with the elephants, Hamadryas baboon could work (though geographically speaking, this is a North African species). Cheetah may be another an option; as well as gazelle species with the provision of a filter gate.

I personally wouldn’t recommend giraffe or zebra.

 

[Jambo]

Monarto I believe normally has a bachelor herd of 4 out on the savanna, but has to periodically remove them when the Eland or Giraffe have young calves, as the zebra enjoy targeting them. I think that shows that sometimes space isn't just the issue, they'll target other species no matter what.

Apparently, Przewalski's horses are even worse than zebra in shared exhibits.

Melbourne recently separated their males from the Giraffe to following the arrival of young Iris. She's twenty months old, but rather timid, and there's no doubt the males would target her and chase her around.

Werribee keep their Przewalski's Horses in a single enclosure. They can be very territorial and aggressive, even to other Przewalski's Horses that aren't part of their family unit.

 

[Zorro]

I’m unsure as to the reason for the Nilgai phase out. I’d assume the combination of their geographic clash with the African Savannah - combined with their size (they’re the largest antelope) and aggression of the males during breeding season. While also geographically incompatible, the saving grace of the Indian antelope was their small size and their docile temperament, with even males living harmoniously with a range of species.

On that note, Nilgai may still exist in private collections according to the Australian mammals guide. If so, this would suggest the zoos have no interest in acquiring this species.

I too would advise against keeping elephants and rhinoceros together. While mixed species exhibits are exciting and reminiscent of the African Savannah, in practice several of these species are better off held separately. Generally speaking, females of most ungulates are more placid than males; so one option could be to run herds of females and juveniles, with males held in small, off display exhibits. Some zoos already do variations of this.

The Nalgai may of just dropped out of favour like the Bongo had in favour for the Nyala, This has been one of the blanes in Australian collections for some time now. Long term commitment needs to be applied in our overall collections since we have a limited number of zoos compared to north America and Europe. Also with the great difficulty in importing many species into the region makes long term commitment even more relevant.

 

[Zoofan15]

The Nalgai may of just dropped out of favour like the Bongo had in favour for the Nyala, This has been one of the blanes in Australian collections for some time now. Long term commitment needs to be applied in our overall collections since we have a limited number of zoos compared to north America and Europe. Also with the great difficulty in importing many species into the region makes long term commitment even more relevant.

Very true. Lowland nyala seem to be favoured for their small size and ability to be integrated with other Savannah species without aggression from the males. The males especially are a striking animal but considering they're not endangered, I find them a little overrated.

 

[Jambo]

Very true. Lowland nyala seem to be favoured for their small size and ability to be integrated with other Savannah species without aggression from the males. The males especially are a striking animal but considering they're not endangered, I find them a little overrated.

Agreed, although Bongo are near threatened. They do assist the forest campaign, but city zoos like Melbourne have obviously decided to phase them out due to the lack of space, and zoos like Werribee haven’t decided to take them in as there’s no need for Bongo to support a forest campaign there. In saying that, I’d still rather see Bongo over Nyala. Imo Bongo are more striking; although the Nyala males make a good competition!

 

[Zoofan15]

Agreed, although Bongo are near threatened. They do assist the forest campaign, but city zoos like Melbourne have obviously decided to phase them out due to the lack of space, and zoos like Werribee haven’t decided to take them in as there’s no need for Bongo to support a forest campaign there. In saying that, I’d still rather see Bongo over Nyala. Imo Bongo are more striking; although the Nyala males make a good competition!

Australasia holds the Eastern subspecies of bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci), which is actually critically endangered. It’s the Western subspecies which is near threatened.

This might go someway to explaining the lack of imports from overseas given they wouldn’t be as readily available through other zoos as near threatened, vulnerable and least concern species. I know many of us were questioning why Taronga only imported a single female (via New Zealand) in 2017.

 

[Zorro]

Australasia holds the Eastern subspecies of bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci), which is actually critically endangered. It’s the Western subspecies which is near threatened.

This might go someway to explaining the lack of imports from overseas given they wouldn’t be as readily available through other zoos as near threatened, vulnerable and least concern species. I know many of us were questioning why Taronga only imported a single female (via New Zealand) in 2017.

Animals are available, one asian animal park imported ten from the USA in one shipment, If one has the $ they can be sourced. I believe even some of the hunting ranches in the US will sell them. They are not that uncommon in captivity.