Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2023

[Swanson02]

Assuming Orana imports their first 15 Southern white rhinoceros in the next 12 months, then yes they should be at Monarto within two years. There was a reluctance to import them during the summer months, so unless they arrive in the next month, we’ll likely be looking at next March onwards. I’d similarly expect Monarto to have five elephants on site by late 2025.

If Monarto can receive Kani within the next year and introduce him to the females around the age of five years, we could see the first two calves born in the second half of 2025. If they have three seperate yards, the breeding could work as follows:

Brindabella (1990) gives birth 2025
Pansy (2013) gives birth 2025
Brindabella (1990) gives birth 2027
Pansy (2013) gives birth 2028
Brindabella (1990) gives birth 2029
Pansy (2013) gives birth 2030

Brindabella, Pansy and their respective calves would be integrated into a cohesive pod in 2026, with Brindabella leaving this quartet to give birth two years later; returning the following year with her calf. Then repeat the process with Pansy. Female offspring would be retained in the natal pod and males would transfer to Werribee and Dubbo. This is all subject to relationships between the hippos, but breeding from a mother and daughter pair enhances their chances of making it work.

Monarto announced yesterday that they are celebrating their 40-year anniversary this month, so it now makes sense that the announcement of the two hippo's imminent arrival has been kept under wraps, so as to make it a big birthday celebratory announcement later this month.

 

[Zoofan15]

Monarto announced yesterday that they are celebrating their 40-year anniversary this month, so it now makes sense that the announcement of the two hippo's imminent arrival has been kept under wraps, so as to make it a big birthday celebratory announcement later this month.

And there’s us ZooChatters with all our spoilers. Tbf, they promised us all a big surprise that afternoon, around the same time Auckland Zoo announced Burma the elephant was being exported to Monarto; so we could well hear the public announcement from Werribee first.

 

[Zorro]

Monarto announced yesterday that they are celebrating their 40-year anniversary this month, so it now makes sense that the announcement of the two hippo's imminent arrival has been kept under wraps, so as to make it a big birthday celebratory announcement later this month.

Just wondering if any of our South Australian members are planning a visit this month after the Hippos arrive perhaps even a few pics if possible?. @Swanson02

 

[marmolady]

The hippos are going to be in Wild Africa, which doesn’t yet have an opening date. I intend to buy a Wild Africa tour soon after it opens.

 

[Zorro]

The hippos are going to be in Wild Africa, which doesn’t yet have an opening date. I intend to buy a Wild Africa tour soon after it opens.

Thats wonderful news, hopefully you might be able to get a couple of nice pics of the hippos and exhibit?.

 

[Zorro]

Looking at the Sat maps of the park I see a cleared area at what appears to be the northern end of the park next to Monarto rd, Its marked by a small pink elephant in a circle?, I am not sure if this is where the new elephant exhibit/complex is going or its just a marker to "mark this region as a zoo"?.
I am not sure as to when this was taken but there does not appear to be any dams/waterholes at this point?.

 

[Zoofan15]

Looking at the Sat maps of the park I see a cleared area at what appears to be the northern end of the park next to Monarto rd, Its marked by a small pink elephant in a circle?, I am not sure if this is where the new elephant exhibit/complex is going or its just a marker to "mark this region as a zoo"?.
I am not sure as to when this was taken but there does not appear to be any dams/waterholes at this point?.

I couldn’t find your pink elephant, but I believe it was mentioned on here the plan is to get the elephants on site ASAP, which means expanding the exhibit to include the waterhole is going to be part of the second phase.

 

[Zorro]

I couldn’t find your pink elephant, but I believe it was mentioned on here the plan is to get the elephants on site ASAP, which means expanding the exhibit to include the waterhole is going to be part of the second phase.

Just below, south of Monarto rd there is a very large cleared area with an elephant symbol, this could be an old photo of the area and yet to be updated?.

 

[Swanson02]

Just below, south of Monarto rd there is a very large cleared area with an elephant symbol, this could be an old photo of the area and yet to be updated?.

No this is where the new Entrance is, the satellite data obviously hasn't been updated in more than 18 months.

Hopefully, these maps clears things up


The new dams (which are potentially completed?) are located at 1. 2. and 3.

I'd wager the dam intended for the Hippos is dam no 1. as it is the largest and furthest away from the rhino breeding center. It also has a whiteish construction area to its immediate south, which could potentially be the location of hippos' intended barns/holding pens (remember this data is 18 months old).
Additionally dam no 1. is the closest dam to Wild Africa's proposed entrance. It'd make sense hippos would be the big showpiece on its eventual opening.

For a sense of scale the Lion exhibit (shown) is larger than the entirety of Adelaide Zoo, so dam no 1. water area alone would be roughly 1/8th the size of Adelaide Zoo, a lot of water for 2 hippos to get lost in

The elephants on the other hand will be located where the black rhinos currently are. This schematic I drew up shows the current layout of the area. Green fenced areas are for the rhinos, red for smaller species (Blackbuck, Plains Zebra, Fallow deer etc). Hope this helps

 

[Zorro]

No this is where the new Entrance is, the satellite data obviously hasn't been updated in more than 18 months.

Hopefully, these maps clears things up
View attachment 659617

The new dams (which are potentially completed?) are located at 1. 2. and 3.

I'd wager the dam intended for the Hippos is dam no 1. as it is the largest and furthest away from the rhino breeding center. It also has a whiteish construction area to its immediate south, which could potentially be the location of hippos' intended barns/holding pens (remember this data is 18 months old).
Additionally dam no 1. is the closest dam to Wild Africa's proposed entrance. It'd make sense hippos would be the big showpiece on its eventual opening.

For a sense of scale the Lion exhibit (shown) is larger than the entirety of Adelaide Zoo, so dam no 1. water area alone would be roughly 1/8th the size of Adelaide Zoo, a lot of water for 2 hippos to get lost in

The elephants on the other hand will be located where the black rhinos currently are. This schematic I drew up shows the current layout of the area. Green fenced areas are for the rhinos, red for smaller species (Blackbuck, Plains Zebra, Fallow deer etc). Hope this helps

View attachment 659619

Thank you @Swanson02 That brings everything into shape now I guess once the maps are updated it will give a clear view of the whole set up.
I hope they are/have erected large shade sails in and around the hippo yards?
Looking forward to the first pics!

 

[Zoofan15]

No this is where the new Entrance is, the satellite data obviously hasn't been updated in more than 18 months.

Hopefully, these maps clears things up
View attachment 659617

The new dams (which are potentially completed?) are located at 1. 2. and 3.

I'd wager the dam intended for the Hippos is dam no 1. as it is the largest and furthest away from the rhino breeding center. It also has a whiteish construction area to its immediate south, which could potentially be the location of hippos' intended barns/holding pens (remember this data is 18 months old).
Additionally dam no 1. is the closest dam to Wild Africa's proposed entrance. It'd make sense hippos would be the big showpiece on its eventual opening.

For a sense of scale the Lion exhibit (shown) is larger than the entirety of Adelaide Zoo, so dam no 1. water area alone would be roughly 1/8th the size of Adelaide Zoo, a lot of water for 2 hippos to get lost in

The elephants on the other hand will be located where the black rhinos currently are. This schematic I drew up shows the current layout of the area. Green fenced areas are for the rhinos, red for smaller species (Blackbuck, Plains Zebra, Fallow deer etc). Hope this helps

View attachment 659619

Thanks for taking the time to do this @Swanson02, it makes it a lot easier to envisage where things are. I agree Dam 1 is the likely site for the hippopotamus exhibit. It’s the largest and they’re predominantly aquatic species i.e. hippopotamus would make greater use of the waterhole than rhinoceros or other land based ungulates.

What we believe is the proposed hippopotamus exhibit is a large area of clear land (versus the more vegetated area below). I’m hoping the park plans to build a series of additional yards in this area to accomodate multiple groupings of hippopotamus. An exhibit more than twice the size of Adelaide Zoo is all very impressive, but realistically, they’re gonna spend 90% of their time in the waterhole. The surrounding area could be used for additional hippo yards or even seperate exhibits supporting species like sitatunga (an aquatic antelope). Flamingos of course would be perfect, were it possible.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Incredible news. After ten years of preparation and housing Rufous-crowned Emu-Wrens as an analogue species, ten endangered Mallee Emu-Wrens Stipiturus mallee have arrived at Monarto Safari Park to begin a captive population after being collected from Victoria. According to the park they have never been kept in captivity before - reported on their FB page.

Additional article: A first in Australian conservation achieved in the fight to save Mallee Emu-wren - Monarto Safari Park

 

[Swanson02]

Monarto Safari Park - Zebra Update
"Did you know that Monarto Safari Park is home to 24 zebras, the majority of which are Plains Zebra?
Far from plain, a zebra's stripes are believed to help fight off biting insects that carry diseases and serve as camouflage. Monarto Safari Park is also home to a couple of Burchell's Zebra, a subspecies of the Plains Zebra."

Source - Facebook

Personally, I think it's a major shame that Australia's largest breeding herd isn't on public display. Currently, The only Zebra of any species on display at Monarto are two colts, exhibited alongside the Black Rhinos. The large breeding herd of Zebra and hippos shall make for at least two major points of difference for Wild Africa when it supposedly opens sometime in the next 6 months.

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Monarto Safari Park - Zebra Update
"Did you know that Monarto Safari Park is home to 24 zebras, the majority of which are Plains Zebra?
Far from plain, a zebra's stripes are believed to help fight off biting insects that carry diseases and serve as camouflage. Monarto Safari Park is also home to a couple of Burchell's Zebra, a subspecies of the Plains Zebra."

Personally, I think it's a major shame that Australia's largest breeding herd isn't on public display. Currently, The only Zebra of any species on display at Monarto are two colts, exhibited alongside the Black Rhinos. The large breeding herd of Zebra and hippos shall make for at least two major points of difference for Wild Africa when it supposedly opens sometime in the next 6 months.

Are the burchell’s separate from the majority of the herd

 

[Swanson02]

Are the burchell’s separate from the majority of the herd

I don't know, but I'd expect it to be highly likely that they are kept separately

 

[Zorro]

Monarto Safari Park - Zebra Update
"Did you know that Monarto Safari Park is home to 24 zebras, the majority of which are Plains Zebra?
Far from plain, a zebra's stripes are believed to help fight off biting insects that carry diseases and serve as camouflage. Monarto Safari Park is also home to a couple of Burchell's Zebra, a subspecies of the Plains Zebra."

Source - Facebook

Personally, I think it's a major shame that Australia's largest breeding herd isn't on public display. Currently, The only Zebra of any species on display at Monarto are two colts, exhibited alongside the Black Rhinos. The large breeding herd of Zebra and hippos shall make for at least two major points of difference for Wild Africa when it supposedly opens sometime in the next 6 months.

Thats a fair sized Zebra herd but I guess they would properly breed up to double that number considering the sheer size of Wild Africa.
Really looking forward to seeing the first pics taken of the exhibit and the Hippo lake with the holding yards/barns. They do have a lot of space to fill with animals I hope any possible antelope imported are a sizeable number to make the exhibit spectacular also big enough so they can breed enough for excess animals to be shared among other regional collections as has been done with the Nyala importations.

 

[Zoofan15]

Monarto Safari Park - Zebra Update
"Did you know that Monarto Safari Park is home to 24 zebras, the majority of which are Plains Zebra?
Far from plain, a zebra's stripes are believed to help fight off biting insects that carry diseases and serve as camouflage. Monarto Safari Park is also home to a couple of Burchell's Zebra, a subspecies of the Plains Zebra."

Source - Facebook

Personally, I think it's a major shame that Australia's largest breeding herd isn't on public display. Currently, The only Zebra of any species on display at Monarto are two colts, exhibited alongside the Black Rhinos. The large breeding herd of Zebra and hippos shall make for at least two major points of difference for Wild Africa when it supposedly opens sometime in the next 6 months.

Are the burchell’s separate from the majority of the herd

I don't know, but I'd expect it to be highly likely that they are kept separately

Thanks for the update @Swanson02. The Burchell’s zebra would be the remnants of a previous population. Taronga similarly claimed to have them a while back. Monarto did/does have an elderly stallion named Zambezi (born 2000 at Adelaide). He’s kept separately from the main herd as part of a bachelor herd.

Otherwise, any Burchell’s would be elderly and assimilated into the main breeding herd. Their offspring would all be generic hybrids. There’s zero focus on breeding purebreds within Australia’s main zoos, which is frustrating - and if there were, it’d make sense of focus on the Grant’s subspecies.

Hamilton Zoo similarly mention they have a Grant’s zebra every now and then. She’s an elderly mare and has just produced yet another hybrid offspring to the zoo’s generic stallion. She’s the last surviving purebred zebra at Hamilton Zoo from what was previously a thriving herd.

 

[Jambo]

Are the burchell’s separate from the majority of the herd

I don't know, but I'd expect it to be highly likely that they are kept separately

Monarto Safari Park - Zebra Update
"Did you know that Monarto Safari Park is home to 24 zebras, the majority of which are Plains Zebra?
Far from plain, a zebra's stripes are believed to help fight off biting insects that carry diseases and serve as camouflage. Monarto Safari Park is also home to a couple of Burchell's Zebra, a subspecies of the Plains Zebra."

Source - Facebook

Personally, I think it's a major shame that Australia's largest breeding herd isn't on public display. Currently, The only Zebra of any species on display at Monarto are two colts, exhibited alongside the Black Rhinos. The large breeding herd of Zebra and hippos shall make for at least two major points of difference for Wild Africa when it supposedly opens sometime in the next 6 months.

Interesting re. the Burchall’s individuals. I wonder where these individuals came from, as the regions stock has long been generic (besides the imports of Chapman’s and Grants in recent decades).

I’m assuming these individuals are merely those of ‘some’ Burchalls descent, but then again I’d assume most of the regions generics would be the same; so not really sure.

My only thought is that Monarto’s initial herd compromised of Burchell’s and there was an import that flew under the radar in their intial years.

The males on display are a bachelor group. When I contacted Monarto last year, they had four males, one of which (Zambesi) was the oldest male in the region at 22 years of age and Adelaide’s former breeding male. If they do indeed have two remaining, it would make sense that he’s unfortunately passed.

 

[Zoofan15]

Interesting re. the Burchall’s individuals. I wonder where these individuals came from, as the regions stock has long been generic (besides the imports of Chapman’s and Grants in recent decades).

I’m assuming these individuals are merely those of ‘some’ Burchalls descent, but then again I’d assume most of the regions generics would be the same; so not really sure.

My only thought is that Monarto’s initial herd compromised of Burchell’s and there was an import that flew under the radar in their intial years.

The males on display are a bachelor group. When I contacted Monarto last year, they had four males, one of which (Zambesi) was the oldest male in the region at 22 years of age and Adelaide’s former breeding male. If they do indeed have two remaining, it would make sense that he’s unfortunately passed.

Without knowing the history of Adelaide’s population, I’m thinking Zambezi (2000), who was Adelaide born, is a Burchell’s.

Burchell’s may well have been the original zebra imports into Australia in the 1900’s, inbred for several decades and then hybridised from the 80’s onwards with imports of Grant’s and Chapman’s from Auckland and Werribee respectively. At some point, the ZAA decided hybridising was considered preferable to repeated inbreeding (or God forbid, going to the effort of importing more purebreds).

Either Zambezi is still alive (perhaps the bachelor herd of four was split in two); or he had Burchell’s mates when he arrived at Monarto, to which he sired daughters in the breeding herd. I note there’s a mare in the breeding herd born 2005, so am thinking Zambezi was the breeding stallion from circa 2004 and then retired to live in the bachelor herd.

 

[Zorro]

Thanks for the update @Swanson02. The Burchell’s zebra would be the remnants of a previous population. Taronga similarly claimed to have them a while back. Monarto did/does have an elderly stallion named Zambezi (born 2000 at Adelaide). He’s kept separately from the main herd as part of a bachelor herd.

Otherwise, any Burchell’s would be elderly and assimilated into the main breeding herd. Their offspring would all be generic hybrids. There’s zero focus on breeding purebreds within Australia’s main zoos, which is frustrating - and if there were, it’d make sense of focus on the Grant’s subspecies.

Hamilton Zoo similarly mention they have a Grant’s zebra every now and then. She’s an elderly mare and has just produced yet another hybrid offspring to the zoo’s generic stallion. She’s the last surviving purebred zebra at Hamilton Zoo from what was previously a thriving herd.

It really would not hurt if the Monarto Safari Park, Western Plains Zoo and the Werribee Park Zoo (even some of the NZ zoos) imported "just one" Grants Zebra stallion each every five years, It won't break the bank of these "major" zoos, but they would rather waste the money in other areas just plastic supermarkets and the like!

Also to add is that Australia Zoo has its African Savannah exhibit which is down to just 2 Zebras currently in what is one of their major exhibits for the zoo with a limited amount of African species anyway. Perhaps a import of even a small number ect 1.3 would put them in a good position now and in the future and be able to swap animals with other holders in the future!