Australasian Exotic Mammal Species in Decline
—————————————
Introduction:
I thought it’d be interesting to identify the exotic mammal species held in Australasian zoos that are in decline and likely to disappear from the region. To do this, I identified exotic mammals species where the regional population numbers 10 individuals or less.
From here, the species can be identified as:
- Predicted to increase (reasonable evidence of intention to continue)
- Predicted to phase out (confirmation or reasonable evidence to suggest phase out)
- Unknown (no clear indication has been given either way)
Not included are hybrids, colour morphs or species that are additionally farmed commercially in non accredited facilities (and could therefore be easily sourced) e.g. several deer species.
Updates to this list will be made by myself when a species can be removed or added from the list e.g. an import or birth/births takes the regional population of a species to above 10; if the last individual of a species dies or is exported; or if a species not on this list falls to 10 individuals or less.
—————————————
Regional population predicted to increase:
Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) 2.1 at Dubbo
Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) 4.4 at Dubbo; 2.0 at Monarto
Common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) 1.4 at Dubbo; 0.5 at Werribee
Pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) 1.0 at Adelaide; 0.1 at Darling Downs; 1.0 at Melbourne; 1.1 at Taronga
Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris) 1.2 at Adelaide; 0.1 at Darling Downs
Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) 2.1 at Auckland Zoo
Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) 2.1 at Adelaide; 0.1 at Tasmania
Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) 2.1 at Billabong; 1.4 at Melbourne; 0.1 at Mogo
Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) 3.1 at Canberra; 2.2 at Darling Downs
Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) 2.2 at WCCC
Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) 1.1 at Taronga; 1.0 at WCCC; 1.2 at Hamilton
Regional population predicted to be phased out:
Persian onager Equus hemionus onager) 2.0 at Dubbo
Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) 0.1 at Adelaide; 0.1 at Melbourne
Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) 1.0 at Darling Downs
Collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) 1.2 at Melbourne
North African crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) 0.2 at Orana
Barton's long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bartoni) 1.0 at Taronga
Lar gibbon (Hylobates lar) 1.1 at Dubbo, 3.0 at Gorge, 0.2 at Mogo; 0.1 at Pouakai
Brown spider monkey (Ateles hybridus) 0.1 at Wellington
Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) Less than 10 at Werribee
Sulawesi black macaque (Macaca nigra) 0.1 at Tasmania Zoo
Dusky langur (Trachypithecus obscurus) 2.2 at Adelaide Zoo
Colombian white-fronted capuchin (Cebus versicolor) Less than 10 at Gorge and Mansfield
Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) 1.0 at Canberra; 1.1 at Perth; 0.1 at Taronga; 0.1 at Wildlife HQ; 0.1 at Wellington
Regional population unclear in direction:
Springbok (Antidorcas marsuplialis) 2.4 at Orana
Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) 1.0 at Perth
Francois' Langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) 2.4 at Taronga; 2.0 at Canberra
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) 1.2 at Sea World
Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) 1.1 at Adelaide
—————————————
Interesting thread, thanks for posting! My brother and I had been chatting the other day (inspired by the long-beaked echidna at Taronga) as to whether J.R. was the only sole representative of his species in Australia - I figured that he wouldn't have been, but couldn't recall any others, so great to have the stats to confirm the other species (5 species down to 1 individual across Aust/NZ).
As other members have done, I'll sort my thoughts into the categories you've outlined:
Regional population predicted to increase:
I don't believe, at this stage, Perth Zoo is planning on acquiring Indian rhinoceros, instead choosing to expand their African savannah area (using the flexible exhibit model) to absorb the existing Asian elephant exhibit area once Putra Mas and Permai depart from the zoo. I'd love to see them at Melbourne, though, and possibly also at Werribee.
Taronga seems to be reasonably committed to Fishing cats; it's a shame that the current pair are incompatible. It will be interesting to see if they make any moves, or simply keep the current pair, either as display animals or hoping that something will change for them breeding-wise. The exhibit could also suit a sole clouded leopard, potentially, although it would be more suited to the smaller cats.
Regional population predicted to be phased out:
Regarding sun bears, when did Otay at National Zoo pass away? If that isn't a typo, I'm sorry to hear that news. Perth Zoo's masterplan contains exhibit space for sun bear, so I'm hopeful that they would continue with the species. It seems like imports of rescued bears have dried up as well as breeding, possibly because of the difficulties of breeding rescue bears, or a preference to now keep rescued bears in-situ rather than exporting them to ex-situ institutions.
Regional population unclear in direction:
Like many others, I'm a little confused as to the state of the regional Francois Langur population. I do believe that Taronga will continue with them. It has been suggested that, as one of the males at Canberra is only related to Elke (who is a behavioural non-breeder), he could become the new breeding male at Taronga. I think that would be a good idea, as long as the other male could be integrated into a group somehow, so he is not left as a lone animal.
From my perspective, Polar bear (for welfare reasons, given they are an Arctic species) and Giant panda (due to limited availability in captivity outside of China) will never be widespread within the region. I gather that Sea World would continue with their Polars unless it becomes practicable to do so. Personally, I'm ambivalent to whether Adelaide keeps their pandas, they seem committed to them, so it might depend on what can be organised.
