Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2023

Zorro said:
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!
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It’d taken even less effort than that. Grant’s zebra can live (and breed into their 20’s), so all the open range zoos would need to do is import 1.2 Grant’s zebra and retain all female offspring. Foals are produced at 12 month intervals, so within five years, they’d have a herd size of at least eight mares and fillies. They could then swap the stallion out, with a new stallion heading up a herd of founder and first generation mares.

Following the acquisition of those four founder animals, a new stallion would be required every 10-15 years for genetic reasons (over representation).
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’d taken even less effort than that. Grant’s zebra can live (and breed into their 20’s), so all the open range zoos would need to do is import 1.2 Grant’s zebra and retain all female offspring. Foals are produced at 12 month intervals, so within five years, they’d have a herd size of at least eight mares and fillies. They could then swap the stallion out, with a new stallion heading up a herd of founder and first generation mares.

Following the acquisition of those four founder animals, a new stallion would be required every 10-15 years for genetic reasons (over representation).
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The figures I gave was purely to make a point to how little effort that was needed, in which they appear not willing to even do that! ;)
 
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Monarto Safari Park Annual Report 2022-2023:

Lots of updates to report for Monarto from their annual report [https://www.zoossa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Annual-Report-22-23.pdf]:
  • Although it didn’t survive, Monarto hatched their first ever Malleefowl. Fingers crossed they are successful soon.
  • five Greater Bilbies were born, four Plains-Wanderers hatched and three Western Swamp Turtles hatched during this time period.
  • nearly 200 Plains Rats were bred at the park and released into Pilliga National Park. Black-footed Rock-Wallaby were released in the APY Lands and Plains-Wanderers were released into Hay Plains.
  • some of the ungulate births that haven’t been as widely reported - two Waterbuck calves, three Bison calves, three Addax calves, over a dozen Eland, seven Nyala calves, three Plains Zebra foals, three Przewalski’s Horses and seven Scimitar-horned Oryx calves.
  • this year’s litter of African Wild Dogs didn’t survive due to unsettled pack dynamics. Zambesi, an elderly zebra also died.
  • the hippos are arriving around November 2023 according to the update. The hippo holding facilities are well underway. They aim to open Wild Africa around the end of 2023/early 2024.
  • new developments in their off-display spaces; a new shelter for their bongo, new hyena dens to accommodate more than one breeding female with cubs, the completion of holding areas for rhinos and giraffes for Etosha – Wild Africa. Ibutho, the male rhino currently in Wild Africa has tried the new habitat using a new raceway as well.
  • two male giraffes have moved to Etosha – Wild Africa and have been mixed with the waterbuck, blackbuck, barbary sheep, eland, oryx, zebra, ostrich and gradually, Ibutho the male rhino. Additional species still confirmed for Wild Africa are the white rhinos that will be imported from South Africa, cheetah, hyena, nyala and hippo.
  • work on Chobe – the next stage of Wild Africa – has been completed. Seven sundowner areas (areas to be used as both rest stops and additional experience venues) have been fenced off with ten operational toilets; these areas are now ready for landscaping. A major new mains water pipeline was laid through the park, which will service both the Wild Africa experience and accommodation requirements.
  • building of onsite accommodation of a 78-room-hotel and glamping facilities at Monarto Safari Park continued. A private investor will build and operate these forms of accommodation.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Monarto Safari Park Annual Report 2022-2023:

Lots of updates to report for Monarto from their annual report [https://www.zoossa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Annual-Report-22-23.pdf]:
  • Although it didn’t survive, Monarto hatched their first ever Malleefowl. Fingers crossed they are successful soon.
  • five Greater Bilbies were born, four Plains-Wanderers hatched and three Western Swamp Turtles hatched during this time period.
  • nearly 200 Plains Rats were bred at the park and released into Pilliga National Park. Black-footed Rock-Wallaby were released in the APY Lands and Plains-Wanderers were released into Hay Plains.
  • some of the ungulate births that haven’t been as widely reported - two Waterbuck calves, three Bison calves, three Addax calves, over a dozen Eland, seven Nyala calves, three Plains Zebra foals, three Przewalski’s Horses and seven Scimitar-horned Oryx calves.
  • this year’s litter of African Wild Dogs didn’t survive due to unsettled pack dynamics. Zambesi, an elderly zebra also died.
  • the hippos are arriving around November 2023 according to the update. The hippo holding facilities are well underway. They aim to open Wild Africa around the end of 2023/early 2024.
  • new developments in their off-display spaces; a new shelter for their bongo, new hyena dens to accommodate more than one breeding female with cubs, the completion of holding areas for rhinos and giraffes for Etosha – Wild Africa. Ibutho, the male rhino currently in Wild Africa has tried the new habitat using a new raceway as well.
  • two male giraffes have moved to Etosha – Wild Africa and have been mixed with the waterbuck, blackbuck, barbary sheep, eland, oryx, zebra, ostrich and gradually, Ibutho the male rhino. Additional species still confirmed for Wild Africa are the white rhinos that will be imported from South Africa, cheetah, hyena, nyala and hippo.
  • work on Chobe – the next stage of Wild Africa – has been completed. Seven sundowner areas (areas to be used as both rest stops and additional experience venues) have been fenced off with ten operational toilets; these areas are now ready for landscaping. A major new mains water pipeline was laid through the park, which will service both the Wild Africa experience and accommodation requirements.
  • building of onsite accommodation of a 78-room-hotel and glamping facilities at Monarto Safari Park continued. A private investor will build and operate these forms of accommodation.
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African lion holding yards:

Also mentioned in the report was that work had begun on the African lion holding yards. The significance of this project is it will expand the holding capacity of Monarto’s lion facilities, which currently have a capacity of 18-20 lions. I was only saying the other day how this was in the park’s five year plan, so good to know work has already commenced.

The main pride currently numbers 3.7.4 lions, with plans to breed at least one more litter in the near future (from Makena).
 
Zorro said:
I wonder which Zoochatter will get the pics of Monartos first Hippos and new exhibit ? :D
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@marmolady mentioned she intends to do the Wild Africa tour when it opens; and @Swanson02 is another regular visitor. Both have taken some exceptional photos in the past, so I’m sure they’ll both provide us with a fascinating insight into the exhibit as and when they visit.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
  • some of the ungulate births that haven’t been as widely reported - two Waterbuck calves, three Bison calves, three Addax calves, over a dozen Eland, seven Nyala calves, three Plains Zebra foals, three Przewalski’s Horses and seven Scimitar-horned Oryx calves.
  • this year’s litter of African Wild Dogs didn’t survive due to unsettled pack dynamics. Zambesi, an elderly zebra also died.
  • the hippos are arriving around November 2023 according to the update. The hippo holding facilities are well underway. They aim to open Wild Africa around the end of 2023/early 2024.
Click to expand...

  • Especially happy to hear that the Waterbuck have been breeding, considering that they haven't been on display for a few years and that they appear to be disappearing regionally. Do we know what facilities currently hold Waterbuck?
  • Sad about the Wild Dog litter, good to hear they have continued breeding though
  • Good to hear about the hippos too, Let's hope they arrive in the coming week or two and that Monarto announces the arrival with a few pics and vids so we can all sus the exhibit.
 
Swanson02 said:
  • Especially happy to hear that the Waterbuck have been breeding, considering that they haven't been on display for a few years and that they appear to be disappearing regionally. Do we know what facilities currently hold Waterbuck?
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Waterbuck are held by five facilities regionally: Auckland, Orana, Altina, Monarto and Werribee. Auckland have a non breeding herd of three females; while Orana have a small breeding herd.

Due to the small founder base of the region, some imports would be advantageous and are now possible with both countries having a Bovid IRA and Waterbuck being on the live import list.
Swanson02 said:
Sad about the Wild Dog litter, good to hear they have continued breeding though
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With the 1.4 pups born April 2021 now in their prime, I suspect they could be challenging the hierarchy.
 
Swanson02 said:
  • Especially happy to hear that the Waterbuck have been breeding, considering that they haven't been on display for a few years and that they appear to be disappearing regionally. Do we know what facilities currently hold Waterbuck?
  • Sad about the Wild Dog litter, good to hear they have continued breeding though
  • Good to hear about the hippos too, Let's hope they arrive in the coming week or two and that Monarto announces the arrival with a few pics and vids so we can all sus the exhibit.
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@Swanson02 I guess you might be visiting Wild Africa the day it opens with camera in hand? :D;)
 
Upon my visit last week, the three ‘K’ lion boys were living in a bachelor group with Chad and Ruka. I don’t know if this is a long-term scenario or if just until they are reunited with the lionesses and introduced to the new cubs. Will be interesting to find out what the plans are— shall have to catch a keeper at the talk next time.
 
marmolady said:
Upon my visit last week, the three ‘K’ lion boys were living in a bachelor group with Chad and Ruka. I don’t know if this is a long-term scenario or if just until they are reunited with the lionesses and introduced to the new cubs. Will be interesting to find out what the plans are— shall have to catch a keeper at the talk next time.
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That’s interesting to hear. The cubs are now nine weeks old and introductions to the pride will soon be underway. This could begin with Husani’s three year old daughters (who know how to behave around cubs); then her two year old daughter; then her sister and half sister; and then finally the K males. Their separation could be a way of getting them out the way while the above introductions take place.

HOWEVER I’m hopeful this is a permanent separation as I’d love to see a multigenerational pride at Monarto. This is their last chance to create one, with the three eldest lionesses now aged 10 years old. They have approximately two years of them regularly cycling; which combined with waiting for the maturation of the new litter, means they’ll have a very brief window to transfer in new males circa 2025.
 
Common Hippopotamus Update

My friend visited Monarto Safari Park this week and asked a couple of questions on my behalf about their Common hippopotamus:

Update on Kani:

There’s no immediate plans to receive Kani (2020) from Taronga Western Plains Zoo. In the future, Monarto may receive additional hippos (male and female), but they currently have no plans to.

While this is disappointing news, perhaps the Hippopotamus IRA is closer than we think and there’ll soon be the opportunity to import a bull from overseas.

Females confirmed:

Brindabella (1990) and Pansy (2013) are definitely the two females coming to Monarto. I mention this because somebody on here advised there’d been issues crate training them (which led to speculation others could be sent in their place).

No transfer date has been confirmed yet.
 
Monarto now has Common Hippopotamus!!!

I visited Werribee Open Range Zoo today, where the keeper on the Safari Bus mentioned Brindabella (1990) and Pansy (2013) had transferred to Monarto. They left two days ago and have arrived safely.

Welcome to Monarto Safari Park’s first hippopotami!

0.1 Brindabella (09/12/1990) Harold x Beatrice
0.1 Pansy (18/11/2013) Harold x Brindabella
 
Zoofan15 said:
Monarto now has Common Hippopotamus!!!

I visited Werribee Open Range Zoo today, where the keeper on the Safari Bus mentioned Brindabella (1990) and Pansy (2013) had transferred to Monarto. They left two days ago and have arrived safely.

Welcome to Monarto Safari Park’s first hippopotami!

0.1 Brindabella (09/12/1990) Harold x Beatrice
0.1 Pansy (18/11/2013) Harold x Brindabella
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Awesome news! Hopefully, we get a post soon, great way to end their birthday month celebrations!
 
Swanson02 said:
Awesome news! Hopefully, we get a post soon, great way to end their birthday month celebrations!
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It’s so exciting to finally have them here. With the elephants coming next year and the Australian Rhino Project imports in the future, Monarto are truly evolving before our eyes.

I also think it’s fitting that Monarto’s first hippopotami are the grandaughter and great grandaughter of Adelaide’s famous pair, Brutus and Suzie.
 
Giraffe and Spotted Hyena birth

Female giraffe Scarlett gave birth to a male calf on the 18th of November.

Forest gave birth to twin hyena cubs interestingly the 2 cubs were born 40 hours apart between the 17th and 19th of November, and unfortunately the younger cub didn't survive the older cub is doing well and has ventured outside the den and has been introduced to dad gamba.

Baby Boom! We're Celebrating Giraffe and Spotted Hyena Births - Monarto Safari Park
 
Zoofan15 said:
Monarto now has Common Hippopotamus!!!

I visited Werribee Open Range Zoo today, where the keeper on the Safari Bus mentioned Brindabella (1990) and Pansy (2013) had transferred to Monarto. They left two days ago and have arrived safely.

Welcome to Monarto Safari Park’s first hippopotami!

0.1 Brindabella (09/12/1990) Harold x Beatrice
0.1 Pansy (18/11/2013) Harold x Brindabella
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Good news @Kifaru Bwana :cool::D
 
It is a definite step in the right direction. Now, we should await the imports of species that are lacking in or individuals of species like the hippo already present. That IRA for hippos and ideally
an import of 2.4 or 3.6 would be best. These could even be sources from S.E. Asia and not even Africa.
 
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