Perth Zoo Perth Zoo - General Discussion and Speculation

[Zoofan15]

Yeah and Perth only has two I think a better option would have been to renovate the exhibit completely and expand the Memphis exhibit or the African Wild Dogs. With the current Masterplan it seems like the Zoo wants to destroy the exhibit and and it into a path.View attachment 777459

I’d agree with that. It’s surprising Perth has remaining breeding African wild dogs for as long as they have when the trend for some time has been for the open range zoos to breed and the small city zoos to hold same-sex non breeding packs (a similar trend to what’s been observed with lions in the region).

If Perth want to continue with African wild dogs (especially breeding), they need to consider the future of their exhibit.

 

[Jaiden]

I’d agree with that. It’s surprising Perth has remaining breeding African wild dogs for as long as they have when the trend for some time has been for the open range zoos to breed and the small city zoos to hold same-sex non breeding packs (a similar trend to what’s been observed with lions in the region).

If Perth want to continue with African wild dogs (especially breeding), they need to consider the future of their exhibit.

@Zoofan15, around mid 2023 I asked a keeper will the African Wild Dogs stay at the Zoo and he said they are since one of keepers works for a African Wild Dog Conservation program in Zimbabwe called Painted dog conservation inc. I think the zoo will renovate there exhibit during the African Savannah expansion.

 

[Jambo]

I’d agree with that. It’s surprising Perth has remaining breeding African wild dogs for as long as they have when the trend for some time has been for the open range zoos to breed and the small city zoos to hold same-sex non breeding packs (a similar trend to what’s been observed with lions in the region).

If Perth want to continue with African wild dogs (especially breeding), they need to consider the future of their exhibit.

Perth, Altina and Monarto are the only facilities currently breeding the species so it makes sense for Perth to continue breeding in the meantime until other facilities take on the role of breeding.

I know Werribee had plans to start up a breeding population for their AWD's with a new breeding complex apart of the Waterhole trail but it unfortunately appears this hasn't come to fruition.

 

[Jaiden]

Perth, Altina and Monarto are the only facilities currently breeding the species so it makes sense for Perth to continue breeding in the meantime until other facilities take on the role of breeding.

I know Werribee had plans to start up a breeding population for their AWD's with a new breeding complex apart of the Waterhole trail but it unfortunately appears this hasn't come to fruition.

That would have been interesting to see Werribee getting a breeding population I wonder will Perth zoo get Clouded Leopards? And the current Spotted Hyena exhibit needs a massive renovation.

 

[Zoofan15]

That would have been interesting to see Werribee getting a breeding population I wonder will Perth zoo get Clouded Leopards? And the current Spotted Hyena exhibit needs a massive renovation.

Clouded leopard breeding really needs to pick up before it can expand to other facilities. The female bred last year is anticipated to be exported soon because she has no unrelated peers to from a pairing with in Australia.

The WCCC are hoping to breed again soon, which if successful may prompt other zoos to acquire them (i.e. siblings pairs for display; with the WCCC functioning as a breeding hub).

 

[Jaiden]

Clouded leopard breeding really needs to pick up before it can expand to other facilities. The female bred last year is anticipated to be exported soon because she has no unrelated peers to from a pairing with in Australia.

The WCCC are hoping to breed again soon, which if successful may prompt other zoos to acquire them (i.e. siblings pairs for display; with the WCCC functioning as a breeding hub).

With only Wild Cat Conservation Centre holding Clouded Leopards in Oceania so it would make sense for other Zoos in Oceania to acquire them I think the best three Zoos to get them are
1. Melbourne Zoo
2. Perth Zoo
3. Taronga Zoo Sydney

 

[Jambo]

That would have been interesting to see Werribee getting a breeding population I wonder will Perth zoo get Clouded Leopards? And the current Spotted Hyena exhibit needs a massive renovation.

Looking at the Perth masterplan, Hyenas will apparently rotate enclosures with African Lions and AWD's.

 

[Zoofan15]

With only Wild Cat Conservation Centre holding Clouded Leopards in Oceania so it would make sense for other Zoos in Oceania to acquire them I think the best three Zoos to get them are
1. Melbourne Zoo
2. Perth Zoo
3. Taronga Zoo Sydney

Hamilton Zoo are the only additional zoo to publicly confirm plans to acquire them; but I agree all three of the zoos you suggest would be suitable.

Mogo Zoo would be a strong likelihood as well in my opinion.

 

[Zoofan15]

Looking at the masterplan, Hyenas will apparently rotate enclosures with African Lions and AWD's.

Reproduction in African wild dogs can be impaired by being housed next to Spotted hyena (or even another African wild dog pack - Altina are proud to hold the distinction of being the only zoo to breed from two packs of AWD held alongside one another).

With this in mind, it would be more likely for Werribee to hold a non-breeding pack of AWD in this scenario. Litters can easily reach the mid teens, so they could easily acquire 8-10 males or females.

 

[Jaiden]

Hamilton Zoo are the only additional zoo to publicly confirm plans to acquire them; but I agree all three of the zoos you suggest would be suitable.
Mogo Zoo would be a strong likelihood as well in my opinion.

Yeah they would I also think Auckland is also a good option I think a Clouded Leopard breeding program will do really good in Oceania.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yeah they would I also think Auckland is also a good option I think a Clouded Leopard breeding program will do really good in Oceania.

Clouded leopard would be ideal for Auckland Zoo’s Ring-tailed lemur exhibit (which began life in 2006 as a Sumatran tiger exhibit).

The RTL in there are present make for an uninspiring display; and it needs something larger imo - either a single Sri Lankan leopard; or a sibling pair of Clouded leopard.

 

[Jambo]

Reproduction in African wild dogs can be impaired by being housed next to Spotted hyena (or even another African wild dog pack - Altina are proud to hold the distinction of being the only zoo to breed from two packs of AWD held alongside one another).

With this in mind, it would be more likely for Werribee to hold a non-breeding pack of AWD in this scenario. Litters can easily reach the mid teens, so they could easily acquire 8-10 males or females.

Sorry for the confusion, it was in fact Perth whereby this seems to be the plan.

It's interesting as it seems to support the notion that Perth won't be breeding their AWD's in the long term - realistically the same could be said for the Lions and Hyenas too.

 

[Jaiden]

Clouded leopard would be ideal for Auckland Zoo’s Ring-tailed lemur exhibit (which began life in 2006 as a Sumatran tiger exhibit).

The RTL in there are present make for an uninspiring display; and it needs something larger imo - either a single Sri Lankan leopard; or a sibling pair of Clouded leopard.

@Zoofan15, It would make sense for a Clouded Leopard to be in the Auckland Zoo current Ring Tailed Lemur exhibit since behind is red pandas and next to it is the South East Asian Track so it would fit the theme

 

[Jaiden]

Sorry for the confusion, it was in fact Perth whereby this seems to be the plan.

It's interesting as it seems to support the notion that Perth won't be breeding their AWD's in the long term - realistically the same could be said for the Lions and Hyenas too.

Yeah I can’t see the Zoo breeding the Lions but I can see them breeding the Hyenas

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15, It would make sense for a Clouded Leopard to be in the Auckland Zoo current Ring Tailed Lemur exhibit since behind is red pandas and next to it is the South East Asian Track so it would fit the theme

The only downside would be the proximity of the tigers, but they’re downhill of the Clouded leopard as opposed to being directly adjacent, which should reduce stress. I agree they’d nicely compliment the neighbouring red pandas from South Asia.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yeah I can’t see the Zoo breeding the Lions but I can see them breeding the Hyenas

I agree Perth definitely won’t be breeding lions. The redevelopment of their exhibit was relatively recent and when the current pride pass on (which could be up to a decade from now), they’ll be no shortage of bachelor prides etc. in the region they could acquire.

Im unsure regarding Spotted hyena as Monarto and Sydney are currently breeding; with many others holding potential pairs/trying to breed (Altina, Mogo etc). or planning to acquire females (Tasmania Zoo).

 

[Jambo]

Yeah I can’t see the Zoo breeding the Lions but I can see them breeding the Hyenas

It's a possibility - especially as the AWD's and Lions likely won't be breeding.

Having a carnivore species at the zoo breeding would be good, especially when you consider they're also not guaranteed to be breeding from the Sumatran Tigers too in the long term.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's a possibility - especially as the AWD's and Lions likely won't be breeding.

Having a carnivore species at the zoo breeding would be good, especially when you consider they're also not guaranteed to be breeding from the Sumatran Tigers too in the long term.

I’m actually more optimistic of their chances of breeding Sumatran tigers now it looks like they may be phasing out sun bears.

It’d come as no surprise to see a larger number of tigers (parents and adult offspring) rotate through three exhibits which otherwise would have been for tigers and sun bears.

 

[Johnpaul21]

The Spotted Hyena 2-3 females supposedly coming from Monarto may breed depending on the re- development of their enclosure I understand that Sabi may still be alive when the females come but Kigana certainty not as when he dies is when they will most likely come. I think it might be because of the nature of Kigana etc..... But I am pretty sure Sabi will not breed with the females and that he will just be hanging with them until they bring in an adequate breeding male.

 

[Zoofan15]

The Spotted Hyena 2-3 females supposedly coming from Monarto may breed depending on the re- development of their enclosure I understand that Sabi may still be alive when the females come but Kigana certainty not as when he dies is when they will most likely come. I think it might be because of the nature of Kigana etc..... But I am pretty sure Sabi will not breed with the females and that he will just be hanging with them until they bring in an adequate breeding male.

If two female Spotted hyena are transferred from Monarto, these appear to be the obvious candidates:

0.1 Utundu (23/01/2024) Endesha x Kanzi
0.1 Tufani (05/03/2024) Endesha x Fahari

Their transfer would leave their respective mothers with a son each in their pack, which to my knowledge they’re settled in hierarchy wise now.

Transferring three females in would surely overwhelm Sabi, so integrating him with one or two seems preferable - especially if future breeding is the long term goal.