Future of Eastern Bongo in Australasia

PaddyRickMFZ said:
I heard at Werribee the females were having some complications with crate training
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That’s news to me. The reason for the delay is the concrete bases as per the update by @Swanson02. They also plan to receive Kani from Dubbo, so it’s likely an issue on Monarto’s end. I wonder if sending Primrose and her daughters will be the outcome if they can’t crate train them successfully. Auckland Zoo managed with their three hippopotami in 1999, so it is possible with this species.
 
Zoofan15 said:
That’s news to me. The reason for the delay is the concrete bases as per the update by @Swanson02. They also plan to receive Kani from Dubbo, so it’s likely an issue on Monarto’s end. I wonder if sending Primrose and her daughters will be the outcome if they can’t crate train them successfully. Auckland Zoo managed with their three hippopotami in 1999, so it is possible with this species.
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I was referring to my last visit to WORZ, coincidentally the night safari. At that stage they were having complications, but that was months ago
 
Zoofan15 said:
That’s news to me. The reason for the delay is the concrete bases as per the update by @Swanson02. They also plan to receive Kani from Dubbo, so it’s likely an issue on there end. I wonder if sending Primrose and her daughters will be the outcome if they can’t crate train them successfully. Auckland Zoo managed with their three hippopotami in 1999, so it is possible with this species.
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If this becomes a problem, then maybe they should try with one of Primrose's daughters; Tulip or Lotus. It would be a huge feat to send all three girls, and it would things more difficult on Monarto's end especially if they're breeding.

I think the priority should certainly be to breed Kani at Dubbo in the meantime. Hippos have been difficult to move in the past and so it would be devastating if he was to be lost in transfer.
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
I was referring to my last visit to WORZ, coincidentally the night safari. At that stage they were having complications, but that was months ago
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I worded that badly, I do believe you, I just meant I hadn’t heard that before. It doesn’t surprise me, as hippopotamus can be obstinate. :D
Jambo said:
If this becomes a problem, then maybe they should try with one of Primrose's daughters; Tulip and Lotus. It would be a huge feat to send all three girls, and it would things more difficult on Monarto's end especially if they're breeding.

I think the priority should certainly be to breed Kani at Dubbo in the meantime. Hippos have been difficult to move in the past and so it would be devastating if he was to be lost in transfer.
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It could be advisable to transfer Lotus (2008). Primrose (1990) and Tulip (2003) are closer in age and could be ‘retired’ in a pair at Werribee; with the younger females going to Monarto to breed.

I agree re. Kani. They could safely introduce him to Nile in about a year’s time as he’ll be close to full grown. His mother is the second best option at Dubbo.
 
Jambo said:
That could work but I guess it'll just come down to which girl crate trains better if it was to come down to that.:p
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I don’t know what method for crate training Werribee are currently using, best the best is where it’s an integrated part of the raceway leading from the yard to the pool. If they want to leave the yard, they have no choice but to walk through; until one day, the door slams shut behind them!
 
Zoofan15 said:
I don’t know what method for crate training Werribee are currently using, best the best is where it’s an integrated part of the raceway leading from the yard to the pool. If they want to leave the yard, they have no choice but to walk through; until one day, the door slams shut behind them!
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With the transfers, how many hippos will Werribee have
 
PaddyRickMFZ said:
With the transfers, how many hippos will Werribee have
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The planned transfer is 0.2 to Monarto, which will leave Werribee with 0.3:

0.1 Primrose (1990)
0.1 Tulip (2003)
0.1 Lotus (2008)

I imagine they’d then receive a bull bred from the pairings at Monarto in due course, with the aim of breeding this bull to their younger cows.

Dubbo would also receive a bull, but Werribee should take priority given their cows are older. Dubbo have the youngest cow in the region (born 2017).
 
I believe it would just be plain common sence for any of our zoos to be looking around for any wanted hippos before hand to save time, If the IRA green light was given tomorrow why start looking then, It could save a heck of time putting the feelers out now rather than wait even more time than they have too.
 
Visited Taronga today and can confirm that the region's oldest Bongo, the male Ekundu, is indeed still alive and on-display. He was in his barn when we reached the exhibit (which has an eye-level window) and my friend was amazed at how big he was up close! Indeed they are a magnificent species.
 
Abbey said:
Visited Taronga today and can confirm that the region's oldest Bongo, the male Ekundu, is indeed still alive and on-display. He was in his barn when we reached the exhibit (which has an eye-level window) and my friend was amazed at how big he was up close! Indeed they are a magnificent species.
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That’s great to hear!

Ekundu, who turns 18 in November, now holds the longevity record for the longest lived bongo in Australasia. He therefore sets a new one every day he’s alive. The previous record holder was his grandmother, Nambala, who died about five weeks before her 17th birthday in 2012.
 
Abbey said:
Visited Taronga today and can confirm that the region's oldest Bongo, the male Ekundu, is indeed still alive and on-display. He was in his barn when we reached the exhibit (which has an eye-level window) and my friend was amazed at how big he was up close! Indeed they are a magnificent species.
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I am just leaving Taronga now and was about to confirm that Erkundu is still alive, but it seems you beat me to it!
 
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