Australasian Zebra Population

Jambo said:
It'll be interesting to see where the colts transferred too. Dubbo apparently have a new stallion.

I do wonder what the intention was of transferring the two females to Zoodoo. There's a chance it was for companionship purposes, but if Zoodoo wish to breed outside of their current mare, there's a possibility that's the route they have chosen to take. In any case, I've contacted Zoodoo too so hopefully we'll get a response asap.
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Cool, I look forward to hearing what you find out about the new mare. :)

I contacted ZooDoo a few weeks ago regarding the offspring bred at their zoo. They’re not planning to breed from Jupiter (2018) and the long term plan is for her to transfer to a zoo on the mainland.

Duke died in 2022, which with regards to males, leaves them with the breeding stallion (Marty) and his three youngest sons - Oreo (2021), Kafue (2022) and the colt born October 2023.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Cool, I look forward to hearing what you find out about the new mare. :)

I contacted ZooDoo a few weeks ago regarding the offspring bred at their zoo. They’re not planning to breed from Jupiter (2018) and the long term plan is for her to transfer to a zoo on the mainland.

Duke died in 2022, which with regards to males, leaves them with the breeding stallion (Marty) and his three youngest sons - Oreo (2021), Kafue (2022) and the colt born October 2023.
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Thanks for that, and it’s good to have confirmation on the whereabouts of Duke and who wasn’t mentioned when I contacted them back in late 2022.

Hopefully I’ll be able to find out the name of the youngest colt too!
 
After contacting Zoodoo, I was told the male foal born in October to Dutchess has been named ‘Nyika’.

Interestingly the name was also recently used for the male foal born at Hamilton thirteen months ago to Pebbles.

They also advised me they only have the seven zebras currently (1.2 breeding trio plus four offspring) which brings up the question as to what happened to the other zebra that was being transferred to Tasmania to Werribee.

Just an assumption - but it would make sense to me that the two females were actually destined for the Tasmania Zoo and following the death of one, the decision was made to return the remaining female to Werribee rather than sending her over by herself.
 
Jambo said:
They also advised me they only have the seven zebras currently (1.2 breeding trio plus four offspring) which brings up the question as to what happened to the other zebra that was being transferred to Tasmania to Werribee.

Just an assumption - but it would make sense to me that the two females were actually destined for the Tasmania Zoo and following the death of one, the decision was made to return the remaining female to Werribee rather than sending her over by herself.
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That sounds likely. The only other possibility of a ferry route is to Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. They reportedly have over 600 animals , including a handful of exotics like Serval and are set on 50 acres.

However, when you look at their proximity to Monarto Safari Park (versus Werribee) and the proximity of Werribee Open Range Zoo to Tasmania, it only makes sense that the Werribee zebras would have gone to Tasmania.

@WhistlingKite24 has visited Tasmania Zoo recently and there were no reports of zebras there; though arguably they’re an equal possibility to the scenario you detail above (where the survivor returned). It seems strange ZooDoo would want generics when DDZ has bred so many purebred fillies.
 
It would make more sense for Tasmania zoo to be the zoo receiving the two females. All the expanse of importing pure to just hybridise seems a big waste.
It would also make sense for Tasmania zoo as two females would make a nice display and easy integration with the giraffe.
 
Tiger91 said:
It would make more sense for Tasmania zoo to be the zoo receiving the two females. All the expanse of importing pure to just hybridise seems a big waste.
It would also make sense for Tasmania zoo as two females would make a nice display and easy integration with the giraffe.
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I agree and that's what I imagined as well. Two females would be a nice start, especially if the plan was to display them alongside the giraffe. The death of one during transfer would've obviously thrown a spanner in the works and when you consider transfers take months of planning and training, sending her there alone wouldn't have been the best choice. The incident also happened at the port, so it would've been easy to drive her half an hour back to Werribee.
 
Mogo Zoo Birth:

A filly was welcomed three weeks ago to first time mother Poppy who was born herself at Mogo in 2020 and father Melako who arrived from Werribee two years ago.

Whilst Mogo mentioned it to be a colt on socials I was told it was a filly via email.

Mogo now have ten zebra (5.5).
 
Population Update - 2024:

First off, sorry for the delay it's taken a fair amount of time for some zoos to respond to emails and some still haven't but I've decided to put this list out anyway as we obviously can't wait around forever and the first month is almost coming to a close.

Over the past year we've had an array of changes to the population including births at Darling Downs (0.3), Hamilton (0.0.1), Mogo (1.1), National (2.0), Werribee (2.2).

Other major news being we lost Melbourne as a holder (their four colts being sent to Werribee) and Hamilton sending their adult stallions to Orana halting their breeding program for a while.

The current breeding facilities are - Darling Downs, Mogo, Monarto, Canberra, Dubbo, Werribee and Zoodoo. 7 out of the 17 holders.

NOTE: Two of the facilities (Monarto and Werribee) didn't provide me with comprehensive lists due to the large sizes of each facility. I have only listed a few bits and pieces of relevant info for each at the bottom - if anyone visits either feel free to talk to a keeper and acquire further info on each of their respective zebra herds. Would be incredibly helpful. :)

The two facilities highlighted in bold italics (with red highlighted holdings) also never responded so the listings may be inaccurate.

Current Population (as of 01/2024):

Altina Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia 1.4
0.1 Shani (2005) Dubbo
0.1 Askari (2015) Tambo x Kike/Zahra
0.1 Fina (2018) Atreyu x Askari
0.1 Kanzi (04/10/2020) Atreyu x Askari
1.0 Jafari (18/10/2020) Atreyu x Shani

Auckland Zoo, New Zealand 0.4
0.1 Layla (20/09/2011) Bwana x Marble
0.1 Imka (25/12/2018) Malawi x Zalika
0.1 Eve (24/12/2018) Carlo x Layla
0.1 Nyota (26/01/2021) Carlo x Layla

Australia Zoo, QLD, Australia 2.0
1.0 Lucas (2016) Tambo x Kike/Zahra
1.0 Spartacus (30/09/2017) Zinty x Zavannah

Darling Downs Zoo, QLD, Australia 2.11
1.0 Zinty (2013) USA
0.1 Zavannah (2013) USA
0.1 Angel (2013) USA
0.1 Zara (2013) USA
0.1 Zia (15/01/2017) Mogo
0.1 Ziva (30/05/2018) Zinty x Angel
0.1 Zelda (00/10/2018) Zinty x Zavannah
0.1 Zapphire (00/09/2020) Zinty x Zavannah
0.1 Aboni (17/04/2022) Zinty x Angel
1.0 Zikomi (21/12/2022) Zinty x Zara
0.1 Zula (19/08/2023) Zinty x Zara
0.1 Amara (18/10/2023) Zinty x Angel
0.1 Zendaya (06/01/2024) Zinty x Zavannah

Gibbs Wildlife Conservancy 2.0
1.0 Bakari (31/12/2005) Monty x Shilo
1.0 Carlo (15/12/2007) Monty x Itika

Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand 2.4.1
0.1 Marbles (06/10/2003) Shane x Maria
0.1 Zalika (30/11/2011) Bwana x Marbles
1.0 Pebbles (10/01/2021) Malawi x Marbles
0.1 Wednesday (31/10/2021) Malawi x Zalika
1.0 Nguvu (20/01/2022) Malawi x Marbles
0.1 Nyika (05/12/2022) Malawi x Zalika
0.0.1 Unnamed (29/09/2023) Malawi x Marbles

Hunter Valley Zoo, NSW, Australia 3.0
1.0 Tharbo (?) Ken x ?
1.0 Kahari (?) Tambo x Kike
1.0 Toto (21/03/2021) Ken x Katali

Mogo Zoo, NSW, Australia 5.5
1.0 Fikizolo (2004) Mogo
1.0 Bakari (2005) Mogo
0.1 Mabulu (2010) Christou x ?
1.0 Melako (20/11/2012) Christou x Shani
0.1 Katali (?) Tambo x Kike
0.1 Winx (00/01/2019) Ken x Mabulu
0.1 Poppy (25/04/2020) Ken x Mabulu
1.0 Pafuri (00/03/2021) Ken x Mabulu
1.0 Subira (00/10/2023) Melako x Katali
0.1 Unnamed (00/01/2024) Melako x Poppy

National Zoo, ACT, Australia 6.2
1.0 Tambo (2010) ? x Kijani
0.1 Johari (04/12/2016) Bwana x Kioni
0.1 Kiva (03/10/2017) Malawi x Zalika
1.0 Jabari (00/04/2021) Tambo x Johari
1.0 Kiambo (2021) Tambo x Kike
1.0 Kyan (2022) Tambo x Johari
1.0 Kamandi (11/03/2023) Tambo x Kiva
1.0 Ndefu (00/11/2023) Tambo x Johari

Orana Wildlife Park, New Zealand 1.3
0.1 Zelda (1985)
0.1 Asale (2009) Bwana x Marble
1.0 Malawi (12/03/2012) Zambezi x Zahra
1.0 Okavango (27/12/2019) Malawi x Marbles
1.0 Zambia (30/12/2019) Malawi x Zalika

Perth Zoo, WA, Australia 2.0
1.0 Kamalu (00/12/2010) Zambezi x Kike
1.0 Zaafir (00/02/2011) Zambezi x Zahra

Sydney Zoo, NSW, Australia 3.0
1.0 Zuberi (2010) Werribee
1.0 Zambezi (24/08/2013) USA
1.0 Zulu (10/07/2013) USA

Taronga Zoo, NSW, Australia 1.1
0.1 Kaya (2009)
1.0 Obi (15/10/2020) Bwana x Kioni

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia 7.4
1.0 Zuri (00/03/1995)
1.0 Kwasi (2007)
1.0 Marzuka (?) National
1.0 Khari (05/07/2016) Bwana x Neema
1.0 Runanko
1.0 Mstari (00/07/2017) Atreyu x Shani
1.0 Gogo (?) Monarto
0.1 Kioni (?) National
0.1 Kijani (?) Werribee
0.1 Isi (Imivimbo) (03/10/2017) Malawi x Marbles
0.1 Mara (03/04/2022) Mstari x Kijani

Zoodoo, TAS, Australia 4.3
1.0 Marty (2013) USA
0.1 Beyonce (2013) USA
0.1 Duchess (2013) USA
0.1 Jupiter (19/02/2018) Marty x Duchess
1.0 Oreo (00/02/2021) Marty x Duchess
1.0 Kafue (09/02/2022) Marty x Duchess
1.0 Nyika (13/10/2023) Marty x Dutchess

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Monarto Zoo, SA, Australia 2.0 on display
1.0 Intengo (2018)
1.0 Umbani

Plus a breeding herd and older group of retired mares.

Werribee Open Range Zoo, VIC, Australia 23 zebra

Werribee apparently keep their zebras across five different habitats. Not sure how accurate that is but their holdings have dramatically increased in the past year (indicating a fair amount of acquisitions).

--------------

There are currently 41.41.1 known zebras within the region discounting Werribee and Monarto's groups which both number in the early 20's.

The region now has around 120 zebras in total (an increase from last year when we sat at 110).

The purebred Grant's population stands at 6.15.

@Jambo
 
Jambo said:
Darling Downs Zoo, QLD, Australia 2.11
1.0 Zinty (2013) USA
0.1 Zavannah (2013) USA
0.1 Angel (2013) USA
0.1 Zara (2013) USA
0.1 Zia (15/01/2017) Mogo
0.1 Ziva (30/05/2018) Zinty x Angel
0.1 Zelda (00/10/2018) Zinty x Zavannah
0.1 Zapphire (00/09/2020) Zinty x Zavannah
0.1 Aboni (17/04/2022) Zinty x Angel
1.0 Zikomi (21/12/2022) Zinty x Zara
0.1 Zula (19/08/2023) Zinty x Zara
0.1 Amara (18/10/2023) Zinty x Angel
0.1 Zendaya (06/01/2024) Zinty x Zavannah
Click to expand...

Great work! This would have taken a huge effort.

Just wondering if there was a typo on Zara at Darling Downs being the mother of Zula though? Gestation is 12 months and there’s otherwise only eight months between Zikomi and Zula.

It would make more sense if Zavannah was the mother of Zula; and Zara was the mother of Zendeya.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Great work! This would have taken a huge effort.

Just wondering if there was a typo on Zara at Darling Downs being the mother of Zula though? Gestation is 12 months and there’s otherwise only eight months between Zikomi and Zara.

It would make more sense if Zavannah was the mother of Zula; and Zara was the mother of Zendeya.
Click to expand...
Thank you!

Potentially, as that would make the most sense although I got the info straight from Steve so not entirely sure. I'll have to confirm.
 
Jambo said:
Population Update - 2024:

First off, sorry for the delay it's taken a fair amount of time for some zoos to respond to emails and some still haven't but I've decided to put this list out anyway as we obviously can't wait around forever and the first month is almost coming to a close.

Over the past year we've had an array of changes to the population including births at Darling Downs (0.3), Hamilton (0.0.1), Mogo (1.1), National (2.0), Werribee (2.2).

Other major news being we lost Melbourne as a holder (their four colts being sent to Werribee) and Hamilton sending their adult stallions to Orana halting their breeding program for a while.

The current breeding facilities are - Darling Downs, Mogo, Monarto, Canberra, Dubbo, Werribee and Zoodoo. 7 out of the 17 holders.

NOTE: Two of the facilities (Monarto and Werribee) didn't provide me with comprehensive lists due to the large sizes of each facility. I have only listed a few bits and pieces of relevant info for each at the bottom - if anyone visits either feel free to talk to a keeper and acquire further info on each of their respective zebra herds. Would be incredibly helpful. :)

The two facilities highlighted in bold italics (with red highlighted holdings) also never responded so the listings may be inaccurate.

Current Population (as of 01/2024):

Altina Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia 1.4
0.1 Shani (2005) Dubbo
0.1 Askari (2015) Tambo x Kike/Zahra
0.1 Fina (2018) Atreyu x Askari
0.1 Kanzi (04/10/2020) Atreyu x Askari
1.0 Jafari (18/10/2020) Atreyu x Shani

Auckland Zoo, New Zealand 0.4
0.1 Layla (20/09/2011) Bwana x Marble
0.1 Imka (25/12/2018) Malawi x Zalika
0.1 Eve (24/12/2018) Carlo x Layla
0.1 Nyota (26/01/2021) Carlo x Layla

Australia Zoo, QLD, Australia 2.0
1.0 Lucas (2016) Tambo x Kike/Zahra
1.0 Spartacus (30/09/2017) Zinty x Zavannah

Darling Downs Zoo, QLD, Australia 2.11
1.0 Zinty (2013) USA
0.1 Zavannah (2013) USA
0.1 Angel (2013) USA
0.1 Zara (2013) USA
0.1 Zia (15/01/2017) Mogo
0.1 Ziva (30/05/2018) Zinty x Angel
0.1 Zelda (00/10/2018) Zinty x Zavannah
0.1 Zapphire (00/09/2020) Zinty x Zavannah
0.1 Aboni (17/04/2022) Zinty x Angel
1.0 Zikomi (21/12/2022) Zinty x Zara
0.1 Zula (19/08/2023) Zinty x Zara
0.1 Amara (18/10/2023) Zinty x Angel
0.1 Zendaya (06/01/2024) Zinty x Zavannah

Gibbs Wildlife Conservancy 2.0
1.0 Bakari (31/12/2005) Monty x Shilo
1.0 Carlo (15/12/2007) Monty x Itika

Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand 2.4.1
0.1 Marbles (06/10/2003) Shane x Maria
0.1 Zalika (30/11/2011) Bwana x Marbles
1.0 Pebbles (10/01/2021) Malawi x Marbles
0.1 Wednesday (31/10/2021) Malawi x Zalika
1.0 Nguvu (20/01/2022) Malawi x Marbles
0.1 Nyika (05/12/2022) Malawi x Zalika
0.0.1 Unnamed (29/09/2023) Malawi x Marbles

Hunter Valley Zoo, NSW, Australia 3.0
1.0 Tharbo (?) Ken x ?
1.0 Kahari (?) Tambo x Kike
1.0 Toto (21/03/2021) Ken x Katali

Mogo Zoo, NSW, Australia 5.5
1.0 Fikizolo (2004) Mogo
1.0 Bakari (2005) Mogo
0.1 Mabulu (2010) Christou x ?
1.0 Melako (20/11/2012) Christou x Shani
0.1 Katali (?) Tambo x Kike
0.1 Winx (00/01/2019) Ken x Mabulu
0.1 Poppy (25/04/2020) Ken x Mabulu
1.0 Pafuri (00/03/2021) Ken x Mabulu
1.0 Subira (00/10/2023) Melako x Katali
0.1 Unnamed (00/01/2024) Melako x Poppy

National Zoo, ACT, Australia 6.2
1.0 Tambo (2010) ? x Kijani
0.1 Johari (04/12/2016) Bwana x Kioni
0.1 Kiva (03/10/2017) Malawi x Zalika
1.0 Jabari (00/04/2021) Tambo x Johari
1.0 Kiambo (2021) Tambo x Kike
1.0 Kyan (2022) Tambo x Johari
1.0 Kamandi (11/03/2023) Tambo x Kiva
1.0 Ndefu (00/11/2023) Tambo x Johari

Orana Wildlife Park, New Zealand 1.3
0.1 Zelda (1985)
0.1 Asale (2009) Bwana x Marble
1.0 Malawi (12/03/2012) Zambezi x Zahra
1.0 Okavango (27/12/2019) Malawi x Marbles
1.0 Zambia (30/12/2019) Malawi x Zalika

Perth Zoo, WA, Australia 2.0
1.0 Kamalu (00/12/2010) Zambezi x Kike
1.0 Zaafir (00/02/2011) Zambezi x Zahra

Sydney Zoo, NSW, Australia 3.0
1.0 Zuberi (2010) Werribee
1.0 Zambezi (24/08/2013) USA
1.0 Zulu (10/07/2013) USA

Taronga Zoo, NSW, Australia 1.1
0.1 Kaya (2009)
1.0 Obi (15/10/2020) Bwana x Kioni

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia 7.4
1.0 Zuri (00/03/1995)
1.0 Kwasi (2007)
1.0 Marzuka (?) National
1.0 Khari (05/07/2016) Bwana x Neema
1.0 Runanko
1.0 Mstari (00/07/2017) Atreyu x Shani
1.0 Gogo (?) Monarto
0.1 Kioni (?) National
0.1 Kijani (?) Werribee
0.1 Isi (Imivimbo) (03/10/2017) Malawi x Marbles
0.1 Mara (03/04/2022) Mstari x Kijani

Zoodoo, TAS, Australia 4.3
1.0 Marty (2013) USA
0.1 Beyonce (2013) USA
0.1 Duchess (2013) USA
0.1 Jupiter (19/02/2018) Marty x Duchess
1.0 Oreo (00/02/2021) Marty x Duchess
1.0 Kafue (09/02/2022) Marty x Duchess
1.0 Nyika (13/10/2023) Marty x Dutchess

--------------

Monarto Zoo, SA, Australia 2.0 on display
1.0 Intengo (2018)
1.0 Umbani

Plus a breeding herd and older group of retired mares.

Werribee Open Range Zoo, VIC, Australia 23 zebra

Werribee apparently keep their zebras across five different habitats. Not sure how accurate that is but their holdings have dramatically increased in the past year (indicating a fair amount of acquisitions).

--------------

There are currently 41.41.1 known zebras within the region discounting Werribee and Monarto's groups which both number in the early 20's.

The region now has around 120 zebras in total (an increase from last year when we sat at 110).

The purebred Grant's population stands at 6.15.

@Jambo
Click to expand...

Fantastic work!
 
Great work compiling that! Im personally puzzled why large zoos such as monato and Australia zoo choose to only have 2 or 3 zebra on display. They make a spectacular exhibit when theres a whole group of them.
 
Astrobird said:
Great work compiling that! Im personally puzzled why large zoos such as monato and Australia zoo choose to only have 2 or 3 zebra on display. They make a spectacular exhibit when theres a whole group of them.
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Australia Zoo have a large breeding herd of giraffe, so they hold geldings, which are less aggressive. The zebras aren’t an attraction on their own, but their presence enhances the exhibit with regards to it being a multi-species exhibit.

Monarto run several herds (their website quotes six). The ones on display would similarly be in support of larger ungulates, such as giraffes, with the breeding herd in a seperate exhibit.
 
Astrobird said:
Great work compiling that! Im personally puzzled why large zoos such as monato and Australia zoo choose to only have 2 or 3 zebra on display. They make a spectacular exhibit when theres a whole group of them.
Click to expand...
In regards to Monarto, the other two zebra groups aren't off display, they're just only viewable apart of an additional paid experience. Monarto's down to two boys that live next to the black rhinos so I'd assume they'd have a few other young colts born in the breeding group moving over asap.
 
It'll be interesting to see how many zebra Monarto breed. They have widely advertised the new African precinct as a space where you're on safari where large herds roam. Im hoping they will have a large herd of zebras on exhibit. It would be pointless in all that space to have the typical 5 or 6 that we usually have in a breeding group.
 
Tiger91 said:
It'll be interesting to see how many zebra Monarto breed. They have widely advertised the new African precinct as a space where you're on safari where large herds roam. Im hoping they will have a large herd of zebras on exhibit. It would be pointless in all that space to have the typical 5 or 6 that we usually have in a breeding group.
Click to expand...

I would assume the herd sizes we see are limited due to the challenges surrounding placing large numbers of offspring. They breed prolifically (one offspring every 12 months) and few zoos would see benefit of accomodating anything beyond the numbers required for display.

Potentially fillies could remain in their natal herds (on contraception) to achieve a large herd size. Whether the zoo would want to go to the effort of administering this I don’t know; and whether it would have implications on their herd status/the cohesion of the herd.

In any case, I’d like to see breeding of generics cease and purebred Grant’s become the focus.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I would assume the herd sizes we see are limited due to the challenges surrounding placing large numbers of offspring. They breed prolifically (one offspring every 12 months) and few zoos would see benefit of accomodating anything beyond the numbers required for display.

Potentially fillies could remain in their natal herds (on contraception) to achieve a large herd size. Whether the zoo would want to go to the effort of administering this I don’t know; and whether it would have implications on their herd status/the cohesion of the herd.

In any case, I’d like to see breeding of generics cease and purebred Grant’s become the focus.
Click to expand...
Pure bred would be ideal. But I doubt that will happen we are a fair way down that rabbit hole.
It just seems redundant to have these huge enclosures and then run 6 zebras in them. The enclosures would be large enough to accomodate multiple stallions with there own herds of one main stallion and have a decent number of females.

I imagine they will be using contraception like they do with wild horses where they can use a dart to deliver it. They would have to use it with all there antelope as well.
 
Tiger91 said:
Pure bred would be ideal. But I doubt that will happen we are a fair way down that rabbit hole.
It just seems redundant to have these huge enclosures and then run 6 zebras in them. The enclosures would be large enough to accomodate multiple stallions with there own herds of one main stallion and have a decent number of females.
Click to expand...
The case is that the mains zoos do not care whether the zebras are purebred or not and this presents the biggest problem as regional cooperation is ultimately needed to keep a breeding program on its feet.

Most zoos breed zebras to their capacity. In the case of Werribee and Monarto it finally seems like now that they're both finally reaching their peak potential with both having breeding groups now numbering in the mid to late teens. The problem with multiple herds is that zebras (especially stallions) can be heavily territorial. This could theoretically only work in large large settings like Werribee's lower savannah and Monarto's new Wild Africa. Werribee have done this in the past, keeping a bachelor group alongside a breeding group.
 
Jambo said:
The case is that the mains zoos do not care whether the zebras are purebred or not and this presents the biggest problem as regional cooperation is ultimately needed to keep a breeding program on its feet.

Most zoos breed zebras to their capacity. In the case of Werribee and Monarto it finally seems like now that they're both finally reaching their peak potential with both having breeding groups now numbering in the mid to late teens. The problem with multiple herds is that zebras (especially stallions) can be heavily territorial. This could theoretically only work in large large settings like Werribee's lower savannah and Monarto's new Wild Africa. Werribee have done this in the past, keeping a bachelor group alongside a breeding group.
Click to expand...
It's a little disappointing with the lack of interest from our major zoos. With the size of our 3 major open range zoos they could at least start a pure bred herd of Grants seperate from the others, certainly with Monartos massive size there's no lack of space.
 
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