Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2022

[Zoofan15]

Monarto and TWPZ must hold almost half the regions giraffe population currently?

Close enough! Both of those facilities hold around 20 giraffes at any given time, so considering the regional population is around 110, this would be a little under 50%.

Mogo and Australia Zoo both have reasonable sized breeding herds - with Australia Zoo holding multiple breeding cows that produce calves every 18-24 months. Even with these calves been transferred out before the age of 2-3 years, that would take them close to double figures.

 

[Zoofan15]

Its surprising Werribee don't have a larger group!

It’d be nice to see Werribee increase their bachelor holdings, which have never exceeded six bulls at any point in time (which is also the largest Hamilton Zoo’s bachelor herd has ever grown). Bachelor herds are always an asset to the region.

Interestingly, Werribee castrate their bulls (which Hamilton don’t), so a decision to send them there is rather permanent with regards to the breeding. They’ve mostly received young, surplus bulls; but also received a retired breeding bull in the past from Perth Zoo.

 

[Zorro]

It’d be nice to see Werribee increase their bachelor holdings, which have never exceeded six bulls at any point in time (which is also the largest Hamilton Zoo’s bachelor herd has ever grown).

Interestingly, Werribee castrate their bulls (which Hamilton don’t), so a decision to send them there is rather permanent with regards to the breeding. They’ve mostly received young, surplus bulls; but also received a retired breeding bull in the past from Perth Zoo.

I seem to recall it was Werribee that castrated the regions only Greater Kudu bull dissipate them apparently holding 7 females. Perhaps they were worried about over populating the region with them.

 

[Zoofan15]

I seem to recall it was Werribee that castrated the regions only Greater Kudu bull dissipate them apparently holding 7 females. Perhaps they were worried about over populating the region with them.

That’s right. Their last Greater kudu descended from 1.2 imported from Honolulu Zoo in 1996, so the bull would have been related to all the cows. That alone wouldn’t have been justification to discontinue breeding when you consider the inbreeding our Indian antelope and Barbary sheep populations have undergone, so it was obviously Werribee deciding to discontinue - most likely due to the bulls being aggressive within mixed species exhibits.

It annoys me when collections decide to phase out the last of a species which at that point in time can’t be readily reimported into the region. I find it hard to believe there wasn’t a single facility (accredited or non accredited) in Australia that wouldn’t have continued with them. The same with the Collared peccary at Melbourne.

 

[Zorro]

That’s right. Their last Greater kudu descended from 1.2 imported from Honolulu Zoo in 1996, so the bull would have been related to all the cows. That alone wouldn’t have been justification to discontinue breeding when you consider the inbreeding our Indian antelope and Barbary sheep populations have undergone, so it was obviously Werribee deciding to discontinue - most likely due to the bulls being aggressive within mixed species exhibits.

It annoys me when collections decide to phase out the last of a species which at that point in time can’t be readily reimported into the region. I find it hard to believe there wasn’t a single facility (accredited or non accredited) in Australia that wouldn’t have continued with them. The same with the Collared peccary at Melbourne.

Very true and that could go for Dubbos Onagers, an endangered species (last I knew wild numbers were about 800) being held in only one zoo in the region, then why not see if there are any other zoos interested in taking them off their hands rather than just wipe them like yesterdays fad?. As we know this was almost the case with the maned wolfs before Altina step up to hold them and have since taken them to another level which to much for the holders to do.

 

[Swanson02]

Very true and that could go for Dubbos Onagers, an endangered species (last I knew wild numbers were about 800) being held in only one zoo in the region, then why not see if there are any other zoos interested in taking them off their hands rather than just wipe them like yesterdays fad?. As we know this was almost the case with the maned wolfs before Altina step up to hold them and have since taken them to another level which to much for the holders to do.

I agree zoos like TWPZ phasing out species like Persian Onagers just provides AR groups with ammunition. It exposes Taronga for not really 'caring' about conservation but rather about what species make them the most money.

 

[Zorro]

I agree zoos like TWPZ phasing out species like Persian Onagers just provides AR groups with ammunition. It exposes Taronga for not really 'caring' about conservation but rather about what species make them the most money.

A big part of the problem is that big zoos like to focus on the Flagship species like Elephants, Rhinos and Sumatran tigers because the public know what these species are, even though WPZ went to a lot of trouble importing Onagers from Rotterdam and later the USA and are only numbering approximately 800 wild animals today they might of decided a animal that looks a lot like any farm donkey is taking up space and the public will never miss them. But as you rightly pointed out they could of sent out a wrong conservation message about the zoo being an ark of species as rare as these and how they were doing their part in the species survival

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree zoos like TWPZ phasing out species like Persian Onagers just provides AR groups with ammunition. It exposes Taronga for not really 'caring' about conservation but rather about what species make them the most money.

It’d be great if more zoos undertook imports with the goal of increasing the genetic diversity of the regional population - irregardless of whether doing so brought in more visitors.

It’s long been recognised the importance of holding purebred Sumatran tigers over generic hybrids - yet generic Plains zebra are still rampant. Zoos could easily import purebred Grant’s zebra, but choose not to because they know doing so will being in no more visitors.

It’ll be interesting to see what approach we take as a region now that New Zealand can import giraffes (and Australia will be able to soon). I accept starting from scratch with purebred giraffes is unfeasible for this species; but as a minimum, I’d hope to see new generics imported to add diversity to our highly inbred population.

 

[Zorro]

It’d be great if more zoos undertook imports with the goal of increasing the genetic diversity of the regional population - irregardless of whether doing so brought in more visitors.

It’s long been recognised the importance of holding purebred Sumatran tigers over generic hybrids - yet generic Plains zebra are still rampant. Zoos could easily import purebred Grant’s zebra, but choose not to because they know doing so will being in no more visitors.

It’ll be interesting to see what approach we take as a region now that New Zealand can import giraffes (and Australia will be able to soon). I accept starting from scratch with purebred giraffes is unfeasible for this species; but as a minimum, I’d hope to see new generics imported to add diversity to our highly inbred population.

Zebras are an interesting case in point. Yes as you say they are badly inbred and hybridized, so where is the management in letting this continue?, How much inbreeding and hybridisation are going to be allowed to happen?. Why are our major zoos not rectifying this problem?. surely zoos have a responsibility to maintain geneticy sound animals even from a health point of view?.
Money can be found for multi million dollar projects but little to none for adding a few new bloodlines from time to time. so it would seem.

 

[Swanson02]

It’d be great if more zoos undertook imports with the goal of increasing the genetic diversity of the regional population - irregardless of whether doing so brought in more visitors.

It’s long been recognised the importance of holding purebred Sumatran tigers over generic hybrids - yet generic Plains zebra are still rampant. Zoos could easily import purebred Grant’s zebra, but choose not to because they know doing so will being in no more visitors.

It’ll be interesting to see what approach we take as a region now that New Zealand can import giraffes (and Australia will be able to soon). I accept starting from scratch with purebred giraffes is unfeasible for this species; but as a minimum, I’d hope to see new generics imported to add diversity to our highly inbred population.

One thing I've recently noticed with the youngest generation of Giraffes at Monarto is that a lot of them are starting to develop skewed or deformed ossicones, now whether this is due to inbreeding depression or a bad diet etc, is up for debate, it's just a thing I've noticed. That's why I pray we get some new genetics in.

My mate's dad is a farmer and told me one of the easiest ways to identify if an animal is inbred is by its coat. Usually, inbred bovids will lack a glossiness to their coat or their coat will grow in a skewed/unnatural direction. This 'strange coat' was actually one of the indicators that the ancient Wrangel Island Mammoth population was inbred. I've also noticed a lot of the antelope at Monarto, especially the Black Buck and Barbary Sheep are starting to develop mangled or disfigured horns at an increasingly high rate. Black Buck are a short-lived species so any negative inbreeding-related traits will express themselves much quicker in their population.

 

[Zorro]

One thing I've recently noticed with the youngest generation of Giraffes at Monarto is that a lot of them are starting to develop skewed or deformed ossicones, now whether this is due to inbreeding depression or a bad diet etc, is up for debate, it's just a thing I've noticed. That's why I pray we get some new genetics in.

My mate's dad is a farmer and told me one of the easiest ways to identify if an animal is inbred is by its coat. Usually, inbred bovids will lack a glossiness to their coat or their coat will grow in a skewed/unnatural direction. This 'strange coat' was actually one of the indicators that the ancient Wrangel Island Mammoth population was inbred. I've also noticed a lot of the antelope at Monarto, especially the Black Buck and Barbary Sheep are starting to develop mangled or disfigured horns at an increasingly high rate. Black Buck are a short-lived species so any negative inbreeding-related traits will express themselves much quicker in their population.

If this is correct then there should be concerns about the state of the population when the imports do get the green light. How many remaining animals are there going to be left fit enough state for breeding?.

 

[Zoofan15]

One thing I've recently noticed with the youngest generation of Giraffes at Monarto is that a lot of them are starting to develop skewed or deformed ossicones, now whether this is due to inbreeding depression or a bad diet etc, is up for debate, it's just a thing I've noticed. That's why I pray we get some new genetics in.

That’s an interesting observation and could explain the switch to using Inkosi (2019) as the breeding bull in place of Mzuri (2015), who’s otherwise had a short tenure compared to previous breeding bulls like Tambo.

Monarto (and Dubbo) are the two sites in Australia that are in the greatest need of imported breeding bulls, given the number of breeding cows in their respective herds.

 

[Zoofan15]

If this is correct then there should be concerns about the state of the population when the imports do get the green light. How many remaining animals are there going to be left fit enough state for breeding?.

Since the goal of any breeding programme is to ensure equal representation of founders, there’s a few individuals within the current population who should be given priority in breeding.

John, a bull giraffe imported from London Zoo in 1960 by Auckland Zoo is comparatively underrepresented. He has three elderly great grandsons in a bachelor herd at Hamilton Zoo; and a middle aged great grandaughter (Ntombi) in the breeding herd at Dubbo. Ntombi’s daughters (great great grandaughters) of John will surely remain as breeding cows; while less genetically valuable cows could be placed on contraception to allow imported cows to take their place.

 

[Zorro]

Since the goal of any breeding programme is to ensure equal representation of founders, there’s a few individuals within the current population who should be given priority in breeding.

John, a bull giraffe imported from London Zoo in 1960 by Auckland Zoo is comparatively underrepresented. He has three elderly great grandsons in a bachelor herd at Hamilton Zoo; and a middle aged great grandaughter (Ntombi) in the breeding herd at Dubbo. Ntombi’s daughters (great great grandaughters) of John will surely remain as breeding cows; while less genetically valuable cows could be placed on contraception to allow imported cows to take their place.

I hope if possible that some could be imported direct from South Africa at some point in time.

 

[Zoofan15]

I hope if possible that some could be imported direct from South Africa at some point in time.

Interestingly, this could be our best shot at establishing a purebred population. South African giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa is the subspecies held in the largest numbers in private hands (ranches, farms etc).

If the region were prepared to accomodate a founder base of 10-15 of these giraffes and commit to only breeding from these animals (all generics on contraception), we could have a 100% purebred population within 25-30 years. These numbers would sustain a genetically viable population for a few decades before subsequent imports were needed.

 

[Zorro]

Interestingly, this could be our best shot at establishing a purebred population. South African giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa is the subspecies held in the largest numbers in private hands (ranches, farms etc).

If the region were prepared to accomodate a founder base of 10-15 of these giraffes and commit to only breeding from these animals (all generics on contraception), we could have a 100% purebred population within 25-30 years. These numbers would sustain a genetically viable population for a few decades before subsequent imports were needed.

Well with both Monarto and Dubbo having by far the largest giraffe herds in the region they surely would have a big interest in imports?

 

[Zoofan15]

Well with both Monarto and Dubbo having by far the largest giraffe herds in the region they surely would have a big interest in imports?

I would have thought so, though Monarto clearly don’t see imports on the horizon if they’ve just received a three year old bull for breeding.

If they were to take the import of purebred South African giraffe route, the best way would be for city zoos holding pairs to send their generics to the the larger facilities to form non breeding herds; and hold a 1.1 purebred pair. That way multiple breeding bulls can be imported and breeding limited until there’s a demand for calves bred.

 

[Zorro]

I would have thought so, though Monarto clearly don’t see imports on the horizon if they’ve just received a three year old bull for breeding.

If they were to take the import of purebred South African giraffe route, the best way would be for city zoos holding pairs to send their generics to the the larger facilities to form non breeding herds; and hold a 1.1 purebred pair. That way multiple breeding bulls can be imported and breeding limited until there’s a demand for calves bred.

A new bull at this time would seem to be the best option for Monarto, even when they start the IRA for them its going to take time and not going to happen anytime soon.

 

[Zoofan15]

A new bull at this time would seem to be the best option for Monarto, even when they start the IRA for them its going to take time and not going to happen anytime soon.

Monarto have the space to accomodate whatever they breed on site, so it’s not a huge issue - especially if they have plans to further expand their herd. If not, then I’d prefer to see breeding limited to provide maximum spaces for imported giraffes.

They’re a long lived species, so calves bred now could easily be around 20-25 years from now.

 

[Zorro]

Monarto have the space to accomodate whatever they breed on site, so it’s not a huge issue - especially if they have plans to further expand their herd. If not, then I’d prefer to see breeding limited to provide maximum spaces for imported giraffes.

They’re a long lived species, so calves bred now could easily be around 20-25 years from now.

Looking forward to booking my plane seat when they are fully open with both rhinos and hippos.