Taronga Western Plains Zoo Taronga Western Plains Zoo News 2022

[Zoofan15]

As @Zoofan15 said, only individual investigations. The RSPCA has also carried out investigations and ruled out misconduct, saying that the issues are ‘veterinary’ and there has been no wrongdoing.

Hopefully at a minimum, zoos are sharing their data from these incidents e.g. pathology results with each other in case thet is a trend or common factor that's being overlooked. It's curious how most of the premature deaths (especially bacteria related) have involved females.

 

[Zorro]

To my knowledge not beyond an individual level I.e. specific to that incident.

I'd be intetstead in an investigation exploring links and common factors - with another phenomenon we've seen being the death of calves with trauma type injuries around the age of weaning - which I'd speculate to be caused by either the bull wanting access to their mother for breeding; or the cow becoming frustrated with their suckling attempts.

I wonder why they hold onto the excess young bulls surely there are potentially other holders that would be happy to have them?

 

[Zoofan15]

I wonder why they hold onto the excess young bulls surely there are potentially other holders that would be happy to have them?

Those two bulls came from Australia Zoo, so were presumably transferred on the basis that Dubbo had the facilities to manage them as a herd in addition to the other rhinos they hold. There's otherwise no other benefit to them being there given they're surplus to the breeding programme.

Long term, another region may want to import them, though it's not difficult to import from South Africa, which means the captive population has remained genetically diverse.

 

[akasha]

I wonder why they hold onto the excess young bulls surely there are potentially other holders that would be happy to have them?

I think they wanted surplus stock (not genetically valuable animals) because it was always the intention to have them on the savannah and not part of the breeding program. I assume you’d have to have the right animals out there personality-wise too, because the tour truck drives around there quite a lot and they need to be able to cope with that.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think they wanted surplus stock (not genetically valuable animals) because it was always the intention to have them on the savannah and not part of the breeding program. I assume you’d have to have the right animals out there personality-wise too, because the tour truck drives around there quite a lot and they need to be able to cope with that.

That's intetesting to know, but makes complete sense. Australia Zoo's rhinoceros have experience of living alongside other species (giraffe and zebra are in an adjacent exhibit) and through the zoo's focus on close encounters, would be accustomed to having people/vehicles in their exhibit.

In any case, it's believed surplus bulls play a valuable stimulant role to the breeding bull.

 

[Zorro]

That's intetesting to know, but makes complete sense. Australia Zoo's rhinoceros have experience of living alongside other species (giraffe and zebra are in an adjacent exhibit) and through the zoo's focus on close encounters, would be accustomed to having people/vehicles in their exhibit.

In any case, it's believed surplus bulls play a valuable stimulant role to the breeding bull.

I had heard in resent times that a number of place’s keeping surplus bulls were having problems and had separate them

 

[Zoofan15]

I had heard in resent times that a number of place’s keeping surplus bulls were having problems and had separate them

Stimulant bulls are always held seperately. The breeding bull lives with the cows in 5th breeding herd, while the stimulant bull lives either adjacent to the breeding herd or rotates access to the same paddock. This was done at Auckland and Orana prior to the death of their stimulant bulls and is also done at Hamilton and Monarto with sucesss.

Surplus bulls in bachelor herds rarely remain cohesive like you say. 10-12 years is probably the maximum you could push it to.

 

[IndianRhino]

Really unfortunate that Dubbo has lost both their young cows and are back to square one. Much like how they were several years ago when they lost their entire herd but Mopani who I believe was pregnant at the time and barely survived.

Pretty sure Kamari was supposed to breed with Satara and it would've been wonderful if Dubbo had been able to have two calves born around the same time (to Mopani and Kamari), it's been quite some time since Dubbo has achieved that iirc. Hopefully the wild import occurs soon and the zoo will finally be able to sustain a larger crash of rhinos but before that, like akasha stated, I really hope they fix up whatever's causing all these deaths.

 

[Zoofan15]

Really unfortunate that Dubbo has lost both their young cows and are back to square one. Much like how they were several years ago when they lost their entire herd but Mopani who I believe was pregnant at the time and barely survived.

Pretty sure Kamari was supposed to breed with Satara and it would've been wonderful if Dubbo had been able to have two calves born around the same time (to Mopani and Kamari), it's been quite some time since Dubbo has achieved that iirc. Hopefully the wild import occurs soon and the zoo will finally be able to sustain a larger crash of rhinos but before that, like akasha stated, I really hope they fix up whatever's causing all these deaths.

The March 2012 event was devastating, with four cows dying:

0.1 Aluka (00/00/1995)
0.1 Intombi (00/00/1997)
0.1 Azizi (16/03/2003)
0.1 Amira (16/01/2005)

The plan was indeed for Satara to breed with Kamari.

The March 2012 deaths were linked, with Theileria bicornis identified as the cause, which is a blood borne parasite. Interestingly, it’s been associated with stress (suppression of the immune system) following translocation. Two of the above were born at Dubbo; and the other two arrived in 2003, but perhaps there was an internal stressor such as tension within the herd.

 

[Zoofan15]

Has there been any investigation into the problem’s they have had with their rhino?

To my knowledge not beyond an individual level I.e. specific to that incident.

I'd be intetstead in an investigation exploring links and common factors - with another phenomenon we've seen being the death of calves with trauma type injuries around the age of weaning - which I'd speculate to be caused by either the bull wanting access to their mother for breeding; or the cow becoming frustrated with their suckling attempts.

As @Zoofan15 said, only individual investigations. The RSPCA has also carried out investigations and ruled out misconduct, saying that the issues are ‘veterinary’ and there has been no wrongdoing.

Although no findings were ever announced, Monarto launched an internal investigation after three juvenile females died at their zoo, all with injuries consistent with trauma. There was discussion around whether there could have been a genetic cause, though I consider this unlikely as they’re proceeding to breed with the parents of all involved: Zoo launches investigation after third white rhino calf dies

 

[Swanson02]

Although no findings were ever announced, Monarto launched an internal investigation after three juvenile females died at their zoo, all with injuries consistent with trauma. There was discussion around whether there could have been a genetic cause, though I consider this unlikely as they’re proceeding to breed with the parents of all involved: Zoo launches investigation after third white rhino calf dies

It's a real shame that these strings of death at both Monarto and TWPZ have all been cows. I obviously don't want any of the region's rhinos to die prematurely but cows are so much more important to the breeding program than bulls. I know Digger also died around 2012 at TWPZ too.

Also, has TWPZ constructed/designated an area for their incoming rhinos? and if so does anyone know where they will be located?

Also, will all three zoos be receiving 15 rhinos each in the first stage of the import?

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Another Quokka joey has been born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo - reported on social media.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's a real shame that these strings of death at both Monarto and TWPZ have all been cows. I obviously don't want any of the region's rhinos to die prematurely but cows are so much more important to the breeding program than bulls.

The deaths of these Southern white rhinoceros cows (and the two at Auckland Zoo) were a huge blow to the breeding programme.

Since they’re a semi-social species where cows can be kept in small to medium sized herds, they will always be a more valuable commodity than bulls - especially since we’ve now learnt bulls can’t be held in bachelor herds like some ungulates can.

I know Digger also died around 2012 at TWPZ too.

Digger died 13/01/2014 of liver failure. It was noted his death was unrelated to the 2012 mortalities, but interestingly, a 20 year old bull died of the same cause this year at Auckland Zoo.

 

[Zoofan15]

Also, has TWPZ constructed/designated an area for their incoming rhinos? and if so does anyone know where they will be located?

I’ll tag @akasha, as she’s one of the most recent visitors to Taronga Western Plains Zoo and can give the most up to date response.

Also, will all three zoos be receiving 15 rhinos each in the first stage of the import?

A total of 35 Southern white rhinoceros are being imported:

15 in the first import
10 in the second import
10 in the third import

There will be a 12 month gap between each import.

The bulk of these rhinoceros will be dispersed between Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Monarto Safari Park, but a few will be retained by Orana Wildlife Park.

At a minimum, Orana Wildlife Park will want to retain a new breeding bull and two or three cows. Their current herd consists of three females - of which only the youngest (born 2002) is viable.

A second bull may be retained by Orana as a stimulant bull, but the better option would be for them to receive Hamilton’s surplus bull and for Hamilton to receive a new breeding bull from the import. Their elderly breeding bull would move into the second exhibit vacated by his son (surplus bull) and act as the stimulant bull. A decade on, the two imported bulls could be swapped.

 

[akasha]

I’ll tag @akasha, as she’s one of the most recent visitors to Taronga Western Plains Zoo and can give the most up to date response.


A total of 35 Southern white rhinoceros are being imported:

15 in the first import
10 in the second import
10 in the third import

There will be a 12 month gap between each import.

The bulk of these rhinoceros will be dispersed between Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Monarto Safari Park, but a few will be retained by Orana Wildlife Park.

At a minimum, Orana Wildlife Park will want to retain a new breeding bull and two or three cows. Their current herd consists of three females - of which only the youngest (born 2002) is viable.

A second bull may be retained by Orana as a stimulant bull, but the better option would be for them to receive Hamilton’s surplus bull and for Hamilton to receive a new breeding bull from the import. Their elderly breeding bull would move into the second exhibit vacated by his son (surplus bull) and act as the stimulant bull. A decade on, the two imported bulls could be swapped.

I haven’t actually heard anything from TWPZ about the new rhinos. They have plenty of space behind the scenes though, and I assume they’ll just have a few on exhibit in the existing paddock.

 

[Swanson02]

I’ll tag @akasha, as she’s one of the most recent visitors to Taronga Western Plains Zoo and can give the most up to date response.


A total of 35 Southern white rhinoceros are being imported:

15 in the first import
10 in the second import
10 in the third import

There will be a 12 month gap between each import.

The bulk of these rhinoceros will be dispersed between Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Monarto Safari Park, but a few will be retained by Orana Wildlife Park.

At a minimum, Orana Wildlife Park will want to retain a new breeding bull and two or three cows. Their current herd consists of three females - of which only the youngest (born 2002) is viable.

A second bull may be retained by Orana as a stimulant bull, but the better option would be for them to receive Hamilton’s surplus bull and for Hamilton to receive a new breeding bull from the import. Their elderly breeding bull would move into the second exhibit vacated by his son (surplus bull) and act as the stimulant bull. A decade on, the two imported bulls could be swapped.

What is the current estimate of how the initial 15 will be dispersed? I agree I assume Orana may only retain 2-3 as they wouldn't want to clog up too much space for when they quarantine the second and third imports.

Monarto seem eager and have already completed their rhino facility (capacity for 30 rhinos I believe). Wild Africa is also set to open next year too and I would assume Monarto would want to populate the area as much as possible in its initial stages to draw in the public. Especially since the hippos wont be on display immediately so the area does need a megafaunal drawcard. On a sidenote has it been announced that Monarto will transfer it's bachelor giraffe herd into Wild Africa?

Therefore from the initial White Rhino import of 15, I could see Monarto taking 8-10 animals, TWPZ taking 3-5 and Orana only 2-3 (couple of cows and a bull).

When I visited Monarto last I chatted with a rhino keeper who was dissapointed that work hadn't finished at Orana, this was probably due to Monarto's desire to get them as soon as possible and to as I said above, populate Wild Africa with some big ticket animals.

Maybe respond to this in the Rhino Population thread sorry

 

[Zoofan15]

What is the current estimate of how the initial 15 will be dispersed? I agree I assume Orana may only retain 2-3 as they wouldn't want to clog up too much space for when they quarantine the second and third imports.

Monarto seem eager and have already completed their rhino facility (capacity for 30 rhinos I believe). Wild Africa is also set to open next year too and I would assume Monarto would want to populate the area as much as possible in its initial stages to draw in the public. Especially since the hippos wont be on display immediately so the area does need a megafaunal drawcard. On a sidenote has it been announced that Monarto will transfer it's bachelor giraffe herd into Wild Africa?

Therefore from the initial White Rhino import of 15, I could see Monarto taking 8-10 animals, TWPZ taking 3-5 and Orana only 2-3 (couple of cows and a bull).

When I visited Monarto last I chatted with a rhino keeper who was dissapointed that work hadn't finished at Orana, this was probably due to Monarto's desire to get them as soon as possible and to as I said above, populate Wild Africa with some big ticket animals.

Maybe respond to this in the Rhino Population thread sorry

Great questions! I’ll create a new thread to discuss the rhinoceros import as @WhistlingKite24 has a preference for his population threads that we avoid discussion; and this is an ongoing event that will generate much discussion.

The Australian Rhino Project - South African Import (Discussion)
Aaa

 

[WhistlingKite24]

A second release of Plains-Wanderers has occurred in New South Wales. 15 birds - 11 from Taronga Western Plains Zoo, three from Monarto Safari Park and one from Werribee Open Range Zoo - were released into Oolambeyan National Park. This follows the previous releases of 10 birds in March and a previous 16 birds in 2021. This release is also the first one using satellite technology to track their progress in the wild: https://www.miragenews.com/tiny-solar-backpacks-helping-save-endangered-856784/

 

[Zoofan15]

South-central black rhinoceros update:

Bakhita’s calf has been weaned and is now living with her half-sister, Kufara. I had wondered if this was ahead of carrying out introductions of Bakhita to a bull for breeding, but all their bulls are related to her.

The only male in the region not related to Bakhita is Induna (2003) at Monarto Safari Park - so potentially a swap may occur in the future, especially since Induna has no breeding options at Monarto either.

Zoo chat | Spreading awareness of the worlds five endangered rhino species

Our most recent Black rhino calf, 19-month-old Sabi, now weighs in at 675kg and has recently weaned from her mother, Bakhita.

Since weaning from mother, Bakhita, Sabi now lives with her half-sister, Kufara, and the two have bonded and are constantly observed doing all things rhino together. From eating, sleeping, playing, and wallowing, they are almost inseparable.

 

[Zorro]

South-central black rhinoceros update:

Bakhita’s calf has been weaned and is now living with her half-sister, Kufara. I had wondered if this was ahead of carrying out introductions of Bakhita to a bull for breeding, but all their bulls are related to her.

The only male in the region not related to Bakhita is Induna (2003) at Monarto Safari Park - so potentially a swap may occur in the future, especially since Induna has no breeding options at Monarto either.

Zoo chat | Spreading awareness of the worlds five endangered rhino species

Our most recent Black rhino calf, 19-month-old Sabi, now weighs in at 675kg and has recently weaned from her mother, Bakhita.

Since weaning from mother, Bakhita, Sabi now lives with her half-sister, Kufara, and the two have bonded and are constantly observed doing all things rhino together. From eating, sleeping, playing, and wallowing, they are almost inseparable.

I am some what surprised that more forward planned breeding has not occurred to date?