Hippopotamus IRA completed

[Patrick Keegan]

It's unfortunate that there are so many both River Hippos and Pygmy Hippos so close to Australia but unable to import any of them. I am not expecting a quick response from our Hippo holders (apart from the odd exseption) if the recently completed Bovid IRA slow response is anything to go by.

Even if the Zoo's don't use this opportunity to it's full advantage the regional population is in too bad of a shape to simply settle on current stock (an all female river hippo population isn't gonna get them far) plus we know Adelaide Darling Downs Zoo and Melbourne Zoo all intend to import most likely within the next two years dependant on paperwork of course with Taronga likely planning to import a new male sometime after they've built their new Pygmy Hippo exhibit not to mention any future holders for either species, Altina has expressed interest in housing river Hippos in the past and there are supposedly at least two additional facilities intent on housing Pygmy Hippos.

 

[Zoofan15]

How long does an IRA last? Like how long until the bovid one runs out? Or is it forever?

My understanding is they have no expiry date per se; but would be subject to revision upon identification of any known biosecurity concerns. If all known risks can’t be sufficiently mitigated, imports could be paused; or other restrictions might be placed on them - for example, only desexed individuals can be imported (this requirement currently applies to Puma as an example).

The BSE outbreak in Great Britain previously no doubt contributed to the restriction on imports (especially of ungulates). The first identified case in humans was in 1995; with a further 20 human victims identified by 1997. Melbourne Zoo’s giraffe import in 1997 was the last made before further imports were prohibited.

 

[Zorro]

Even if the Zoo's don't use this opportunity to it's full advantage the regional population is in too bad of a shape to simply settle on current stock (an all female river hippo population isn't gonna get them far) plus we know Adelaide Darling Downs Zoo and Melbourne Zoo all intend to import most likely within the next two years dependant on paperwork of course with Taronga likely planning to import a new male sometime after they've built their new Pygmy Hippo exhibit not to mention any future holders for either species, Altina has expressed interest in housing river Hippos in the past and there are supposedly at least two additional facilities intent on housing Pygmy Hippos.

As it has already been pointed out we all know importation takes time which is no surprise to any of us however any zoo of worth would be doing all its home work years before the green light is given to import. I believe the interest that Altina with Hippos may of dwindled now as much as I would love to see Hippos there now however unlikely

 

[Zoofan15]

As it has already been pointed out we all know importation takes time which is no surprise to any of us however any zoo of worth would be doing all its home work years before the green light is given to import.

This takes the form of accredited zoos supporting the processing of an IRA. According to the newly released Hippopotamus IRA:

“Members of the Zoo and Aquarium Association have identified these species as one of their highest priorities and have been eagerly awaiting the release of the final report,” Dr Smith said.

Until the IRA is approved, zoos would not begin to process an import. It would be a tremendous waste of time and resources if the IRA failed to progress/eventuate to the final stage.

In addition, individuals are managed within a captive breeding programme where there is a plan for each animal. Some level of certainty around timeframes is needed when putting a plan in place to export/transfer an animal - and without an IRA/permission to import, that’s simply not there. If there’s not a surplus within the current managed populations overseas, individuals may even be bred with export to Australia in mind - again something that would not be undertaken lightly.

I believe the interest that Altina with Hippos may of dwindled now as much as I would love to see Hippos there now however unlikely

Historically, Crocodylus were interested in acquiring Common hippopotamus; though close to two decades on, I would assess Altina as a stronger possibility for acquiring (Pygmy) hippopotamus. I would be surprised if there were new holders of Common hippopotamus given their size/housing requirements.

What’s entirely possible is new holders will arise once a few of the current holders of Pygmy hippopotamus import and begin breeding. I would be surprised if at least two Pygmy hippopotami weren’t imported as a starting point.

 

[Enzo]

The list is reasonably extensive when you consider how many holders are in the United States alone. There’s also a multitude of European countries:

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand.

No South American countries, as expected.

Brazil has a huge population of hippos (over fifty animals) and I believe Australia would benefit by importing surplus males from across the Pacific. A few zoos are actually giving contraceptives to their animals in order to avoid births of surplus males.

I guess we are not "biosecure" enough.

 

[Jambo]

No South American countries, as expected.

Brazil has a huge population of hippos (over fifty animals) and I believe Australia would benefit by importing surplus males from across the Pacific. A few zoos are actually giving contraceptives to their animals in order to avoid births of surplus males.

I guess we are not "biosecure" enough.

I would say so as well - it's a shame these regions such as South America and South East Asia which have the largest available populations aren't 'biosecure' enough to be considered in this day and age.

 

[Enzo]

I would say so as well - it's a shame these regions such as South America and South East Asia which have the largest available populations aren't 'biosecure' enough to be considered in this day and age.

I mean, I do understand. You should take a look at the hippo enclosures at zoos in said regions. Despite all being outdoor pens, I believe near zero have filtered pools and many others have very tiny exhibits. Parque Zoológico Municipal Quinzinho de Barros has one of the worst hippopotamus enclosures I have ever seen.

Brazil is also a huge exporter of meat, so I don't think we're close to being a biosecurity haven.

 

[Zoofan15]

No South American countries, as expected.

Brazil has a huge population of hippos (over fifty animals) and I believe Australia would benefit by importing surplus males from across the Pacific. A few zoos are actually giving contraceptives to their animals in order to avoid births of surplus males.

I guess we are not "biosecure" enough.

I mean, I do understand. You should take a look at the hippo exhibits at zoos in said regions. I believe near zero have filtered pools and many others have very tiny exhibits.

Brazil is also a huge exporter of meat, so I don't think we're close to being a biosecurity haven.

Like you say, it’d purely be a biosecurity assessment. The exact same approved countries were listed on the Bovid IRA, so they’ve clearly been assessed as the most risk free from the diseases which could potentially afflict Australia’s agricultural industry.

I’m not surprised to hear the hippopotami are on contraception to avoid inbreeding. They breed readily - cows capable of producing calves at least every 18-24 months; and capable of breeding until at least their 40’s.

 

[Enzo]

Like you say, it’d purely be a biosecurity assessment. The exact same approved countries were listed on the Bovid IRA, so they’ve clearly been assessed as the most risk free from the diseases which could potentially afflict Australia’s agricultural industry.

I’m not surprised to hear the hippopotami are on contraception to avoid inbreeding. They breed readily - cows capable of producing calves at least every 18-24 months; and capable of breeding until at least their 40’s.

Oh, no, they are not avoiding inbreeding. They just do not want to deal with surplus individuals, especially males. The population might be a bit inbred already (not sure about that, though), but I am quite sure many of our zoos are not worried about that.

Funningly enough, my local zoo is the only holder of East African hippopotamus listed on ZTL. Bocão, the female, is the daughter of an Argentinian female named Nancy II with a Brazilian-born East African male named Jorginho.

Since Nancy II came from Buenos Aires (which, like Rio, imported many animals from Kenya), I suspect she was also a kiboko, as further proven by the zoo's signage (they were all labeled as East African).

 

[Zoofan15]

Oh, no, they are not avoiding inbreeding. They just do not want to deal with surplus individuals, especially males. The population might be a bit inbred already (not sure about that, though), but I am quite sure many of our zoos are not worried about that.

Funningly enough, my local zoo is the only holder of East African hippopotamus listed on ZTL. Bocão, the female, is the daughter of an Argentinian female named Nancy II with a Brazilian-born East African male named Jorginho.

Since Nancy II came from Buenos Aires (which, like Rio, imported many animals from Kenya), I suspect she was also a kiboko, as further proven by the zoo's signage (they were all labeled as East African).

Apologies, I think my autocorrect kicked in there, as I definitely meant to say breeding. You should see what it does when I try and spell the name of Perth Zoo’s bull elephant.

On the subject of inbreeding, a number of our Australasian hippos are inbred to some degree. Cuddles was the daughter of a half-brother/sister pairing. Her parents, Fonzie and Solucky, were themselves the products of father/daughter matings with their sire (Kabete), also the sire of their mothers (Faith and Snorkle).

At Werribee Open Range Zoo, Harold was the father of Lotus, Tulip and Pansy; in addition to siring their mothers, Primrose and Brindabella.

All this said, I’d anticipate our region’s Common hippopotamus population will have some value outside the region due to the unique, wild born founders they descend from - with only a small number exported over the decades.

 

[Enzo]

Apologies, I think my autocorrect kicked in there, as I definitely meant to say breeding. You should see what it does when I try and spell the name of Perth Zoo’s bull elephant.

On the subject of inbreeding, a number of our Australasian hippos are inbred to some degree. Cuddles was the daughter of a half-brother/sister pairing. Her parents, Fonzie and Solucky, were themselves the products of father/daughter matings with their sire (Kabete), also the sire of their mothers (Faith and Snorkle).

At Werribee Open Range Zoo, Harold was the father of Lotus, Tulip and Pansy; in addition to siring their mothers, Primrose and Brindabella.

All this said, I’d anticipate our region’s Common hippopotamus population will have some value outside the region due to the unique, wild born founders they descend from - with only a small number exported over the decades.

Oh, so they are indeed inbred. I wonder how many other exotics in Australia suffer from inbreeding. From Chlidonias's thread, it seems most eland in Oceania are related.

Brazil's hippos are not that inbred (if they are to any degree), though.

 

[Trua]

Oh, so they are indeed inbred. I wonder how many other exotics in Australia suffer from inbreeding. From Chlidonias's thread, it seems most eland in Oceania are related.

A fair amount of our species unfortunately are. Especially majority of our hoof stock species which have had sparse imports in the last fifty or so years

 

[Zoofan15]

Oh, so they are indeed inbred. I wonder how many other exotics in Australia suffer from inbreeding. From Chlidonias's thread, it seems most eland in Oceania are related.

Brazil's are not that inbred (if they are to any degree), though.

Numerous exotic species in Australia are inbred, especially those which cannot be imported:

An import ban was placed on birds in 1949 (briefly reopened, then closed in 1995). Our region’s Andean condors are a post reproductive pair (full siblings) and their offspring. No more can be brought in.

Indian antelope and Barbary are unable to be imported. Both populations are highly inbred; as are the remnants of a formerly large population of Collared peccary (descended from a single pair imported in 1969), which is being allowed to die out.

There’s been pairings of related Sumatran tigers due to the limited number of captive founders globally (not because we’re unable to import).

Others like baboons and chimpanzees are inbred due to the challenges in transferring unrelated animals (especially males) between troops; though the region has been working hard to follow the female dispersal pattern in chimpanzees.

 

[Enzo]

A fair amount of our species unfortunately are. Especially majority of our hoof stock species which have had sparse imports in the last fifty or so years

I guess imports were scarce because government officials believed new stock could carry in some pathogens which could affect Australian cattle.

Numerous exotic species in Australia are inbred, especially those which cannot be imported:

An import ban was placed on birds in 1949 (briefly reopened, then closed in 1995). Our region’s Andean condors are a post reproductive pair (full siblings) and their offspring. No more can be brought in.

Indian antelope and Barbary are unable to be imported. Both populations are highly inbred; as are the remnants of a formerly large population of Collared peccary (descended from a single pair imported in 1969), which is being allowed to die out.

There’s been pairings of related Sumatran tigers due to the limited number of captive founders globally (not because we’re unable to import).

Others like baboons and chimpanzees are inbred due to the challenges in transferring unrelated animals (especially males) between troops; though the region has been working hard to follow the female dispersal pattern in chimpanzees.

Nonetheless, Australian zoos still did great jobs with aoudad and blackbuck because there are plenty of both species Down Under (I mean, I am also based in the Southern Hemisphere, but you Aussies have earned the name, lol).

Did these peccary come straight from South America? If so, they might have been exchanged for a few Australian animals, about which I very curious. This peccary import almost coincides with an export of Tasmanian devils to São Paulo, although I am unaware of the exact year they arrived in South America and the zoo they came from.

 

[Trua]

Did these peccary come straight from South America? If so, they might have been exchanged for a few Australian animals, about which I very curious. This peccary import almost coincides with an export of Tasmanian devils to São Paulo, although I am unaware of the exact year they arrived in South America and the zoo they came from.

A single pair was received from Canada by the Wellington Zoo.

 

[Enzo]

A single pair was received from Canada by the Wellington Zoo.

I guess Canada did supply Australasia with lots of species. From what I recall, the sable antelope at Orana were from Toronto. Speaking of sable, does any zoo plan to import them? Would love to see some in Monarto (even more in South America).

 

[Zoofan15]

I guess imports were scarce because government officials believed new stock could carry in some pathogens which could affect Australian cattle.

Nonetheless, Australian zoos still did great jobs with aoudad and blackbuck because there are plenty of both species Down Under (I mean, I am also based in the Southern Hemisphere, but you Aussies have earned the name, lol).

Did these peccary come straight from South America? If so, they might have been exchanged for a few Australian animals, about which I very curious. This peccary import almost coincides with an export of Tasmanian devils to São Paulo, although I am unaware of the exact year they arrived in South America and the zoo they came from.

Wildebeest are prohibited due to the risk of Malignant Catarrhal Fever.

Suidae cannot be imported at this stage.

The Collared peccaries descend from a single pair imported by Wellington Zoo from Canada in 1969.

 

[Zoofan15]

I guess Canada did supply Australasia with lots of species. From what I recall, the sable antelope at Orana were from Toronto. Speaking of sable, does any zoo plan to import them? Would love to see some in Monarto (even more in South America).

Monarto have been rumoured to have an interest in them, but it remains exactly that, speculation at this stage.

Orana Wildlife Park imported 1.2 sable antelope from Toronto Zoo in 1990. The last New Zealand sable died in 2014.

Ultimately, I’d be surprised to see Monarto import new spices, when they have so many priority projects going on.

 

[Jambo]

I guess Canada did supply Australasia with lots of species. From what I recall, the sable antelope at Orana were from Toronto. Speaking of sable, does any zoo plan to import them? Would love to see some in Monarto (even more in South America).

The regions founder Bison are another species that came from Canada. I'm sure there's quite a few others as well that I can't remember now off the top of my head. It seems the Toronto Zoo especially had a strong connection with New Zealand at the time.

 

[Zoofan15]

The regions founder Bison are another species that came from Canada. I'm sure there's quite a few others as well that I can't remember now off the top of my head. It seems the Toronto Zoo especially had a strong connection with New Zealand at the time.

A little later on, but Auckland Zoo imported two Grant’s zebra fillies from the Toronto Zoo in 1980. They have numerous descendants in the region to date; and at the time were a continuation of Auckland Zoo’s purebred Grant’s zebra herd.

In Australia, Sumatran orangutans, Santan and Dinah, also come from Toronto Zoo.

Historically, I’d say the zoos we’ve imported most from as a region are: London, Whipsnade, San Diego, Rotterdam, Marwell, Toronto and Singapore.