I assume covid and all the implications that it has brought had been a factor.
Yes, that was the reason. The pandemic has been the cause of delays - not just to transfers, but to construction work at zoos at several zoos within the region, some of which are only now beginning to recover.
The positive is that the region will be a hive of activity within the next couple of years with long awaited transfers occurring and breeding recommendations/births following on from these.
Decision still to be made on where to bury Tricia:
Perth Zoo: Four months after her death, beloved Tricia the elephant awaits a proper burial
The day after her death, Environment Minister Reece Whitby told Radio 6PR the government was considering displaying her skeleton at the WA Museum Boola Bardip, however that was shot down as zookeepers who had cared for Tricia were left distraught by the idea.
A few days later, Premier Mark McGowan confirmed Tricia would be buried and that work had begun to find a burial spot “somewhere appropriate”.
Now, 18 weeks later, Perth Zoo still does not know where Tricia will be buried.
“Whilst plans are being finalised, the WA Museum continue to keep her safe as they have the appropriate facilities to take care of her remains for the time being,” she said.
Perth Zoo: Four months after her death, beloved Tricia the elephant awaits a proper burial
The day after her death, Environment Minister Reece Whitby told Radio 6PR the government was considering displaying her skeleton at the WA Museum Boola Bardip, however that was shot down as zookeepers who had cared for Tricia were left distraught by the idea.
A few days later, Premier Mark McGowan confirmed Tricia would be buried and that work had begun to find a burial spot “somewhere appropriate”.
Now, 18 weeks later, Perth Zoo still does not know where Tricia will be buried.
“Whilst plans are being finalised, the WA Museum continue to keep her safe as they have the appropriate facilities to take care of her remains for the time being,” she said.
I guess that's one of the set backs of a city zoo not having an open range zoo sister zoo
Unfortunately being a small city zoo has limited Perth not only in what species they can keep, but what they can breed. They’ve previously cited space as a reason for not receiving a repeat breeding recommendation for their sun bears and I find it unlikely they’ll breed Sumatran tigers again - with a non breeding sibling pair likely rotating access to the exhibit they’ll share with sun bear re. the masterplan.
Especially if Perth Zoo acquire Indian rhinoceros, I wouldn’t be surprised if they phase out Southern white rhinoceros long term either. Calves are a huge attraction, but their bachelor bulls make for an uninspiring pair of exhibits that are looking increasingly cramped by today’s standards.
Zoo decide Tricia will be cremated:
Plans for beloved Tricia’s body revealed months after death
Perth Zoo’s much loved Asian elephant Tricia will be cremated before being returned to the zoo after awaiting a proper burial for more than four months after her death.
Her body was being looked after by the WA Museum as the zoo and state government attempted to find an appropriate burial spot for the 3.6 tonne elephant.
However, plans have now changed with Perth Zoo spokeswoman Danielle Henry telling The West Australian that Tricia will be cremated.
“Plans are underway to cremate Tricia and her ashes will be returned to Perth Zoo.”
Plans for beloved Tricia’s body revealed months after death
Perth Zoo’s much loved Asian elephant Tricia will be cremated before being returned to the zoo after awaiting a proper burial for more than four months after her death.
Her body was being looked after by the WA Museum as the zoo and state government attempted to find an appropriate burial spot for the 3.6 tonne elephant.
However, plans have now changed with Perth Zoo spokeswoman Danielle Henry telling The West Australian that Tricia will be cremated.
“Plans are underway to cremate Tricia and her ashes will be returned to Perth Zoo.”
Quite a drastic change of plans - it seems they simply just weren't able to find an appropriate burial space for her.
It would be nice if one of WA billionaire philanthropist would step forward to donate the funds for the Perth Zoo to acquire the land for a second zoo so the can expand their activities!
I’d have thought they’d have been able to find a place within the zoo, but with extensive construction works ahead this obviously wasn’t an option.
There was discussion over burying her somewhere public, but that seemed like a risky idea from the start given there’d be some clown out there who’d probably try and dig her up.
My personal preference would have been to see her displayed in a museum. That way generations of people could come to see and enjoy her like they did in life.
Her keepers probably would've wanted the most humane option for her unfortunately, and I don't think having Tricia in a museum would've sat well with some of her keepers.
Assessing his options; there's quite a few, but my best guess would be Sydney who don't have a bull at the present time.
Perth Zoo share findings of Tricia’s post mortem with other zoos:
The zoo also expects the elephant guard post built in her honour within the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem of Sumatra to be completed early 2023.
Lessons from Perth Zoo’s Tricia to help older elephants across the globe
With animal welfare science advancing and therefore zoo animals living well beyond average life expectancies, the post-mortem was invaluable to increase understanding of geriatric animal care,” a Perth Zoo spokeswoman said.
“We knew Tricia had degenerative arthritis, and we had been managing that for many years with both medication and supportive care, but the post-mortem enabled a greater understanding of the extent of the degeneration.This information is invaluable in shaping geriatric elephant care plans.”
The zoo also expects the elephant guard post built in her honour within the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem of Sumatra to be completed early 2023.
Lessons from Perth Zoo’s Tricia to help older elephants across the globe
With animal welfare science advancing and therefore zoo animals living well beyond average life expectancies, the post-mortem was invaluable to increase understanding of geriatric animal care,” a Perth Zoo spokeswoman said.
“We knew Tricia had degenerative arthritis, and we had been managing that for many years with both medication and supportive care, but the post-mortem enabled a greater understanding of the extent of the degeneration.This information is invaluable in shaping geriatric elephant care plans.”
Zoo to release 11 Numbats:
https://www.miragenews.com/perth-zoo-numbats-will-be-released-into-wild-904774/
The juveniles will be relocated into protected habitat at Mallee Cliffs National Park in New South Wales. It’s the largest predator-free safe haven on mainland Australia, giving the numbats the best chance of survival.
Seven males and three females were born at Perth Zoo as part of a collaborative breading program. Another female was captured in the wild. It’s the second group to be released at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy managed site.
https://www.miragenews.com/perth-zoo-numbats-will-be-released-into-wild-904774/
The juveniles will be relocated into protected habitat at Mallee Cliffs National Park in New South Wales. It’s the largest predator-free safe haven on mainland Australia, giving the numbats the best chance of survival.
Seven males and three females were born at Perth Zoo as part of a collaborative breading program. Another female was captured in the wild. It’s the second group to be released at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy managed site.
Perth finally has a male Lion again after several years of waiting. 9 year old, Jelani has come over from Monarto.
The initial plan was to import male/s from the United States. Unfortunately this plan hasn't come to fruition
The mane man
The initial plan was to import male/s from the United States. Unfortunately this plan hasn't come to fruition
The mane man
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Was at the zoo today apparently there are no plans to breed him with the girls , I’m curious if anyone knows if he’s related to makeba and uzuri As I know the plan was to be able to breed them (but of corse things happened)
They are closely related so this decision makes a lot of sense. Jelani’s maternal grandfather is Lazarus who also fathered Makeba and Nzuri at Dubbo.
Obviously the plan was to initially breed them; they planned to import a male from the US but it seems Covid helped put a stop to that.
Thanks for the update @Joeylion.
I suspected Jelani had been transferred for companionship purposes due to his close relation to the lionesses: Lazarus (2002-2020) sired five daughters - including Tiombe (2004), Makena (2015) and Uzuri (2015). Tiombe is the mother of Jelani (2013).
Perth Zoo intended to breed their lions as of 2018 - but now appear to be serving as a non breeding facility for the foreseeable. It’s a trend across many of the city zoos - including Auckland, Adelaide, Wellington and Melbourne.
They do have the facilities so hopefully down the line we may see a breeding pair at Perth.
But for the meantime, it makes sense for Perth to hold a non breeding trio. Especially as all three of Perth's lions descend from very well represented lines.