Luk Chai's father (Gung) is over five tonnes so it's very possible Luk Chai will be able to achieve that milestone eventually - he seems to have a lot of the 'Gung' genes.
Melbourne Zoo The Future of Zoos Victoria 2025 (Speculation/Fantasy)
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@Jambo I hope if at a later date that if another bull was needed that one could be obtained from the late Radza the magnificent bull that was held at the Emmen zoo, He was I believe over 7 tons with a pair of huge magnificent tusks. He did sire many calfs and I believe there are a few spare bulls available in some European zoos! @Kifaru Bwana
Radza was at one point the second heaviest bull in Europe. As this photo from @KevinB demonstrates, he did indeed have a magnificent set of tusks.
Radza sired 18 calves (12 of which are alive to day). While a less represented bull would be desirable; Europe are more likely to send us surplus from well represented lines, so it’s a possibility we may receive a bull from his line one day.
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Thanks for the photo, I believe he was 10 foot 3 inches in height to the shoulder, If we could ever be that lucky!
That is indeed impressive. Bong Su was a comparable height; but was significantly lighter considering he was 5 tonnes compared to Radza’s 7.2 tonnes.
I recall you mentioned seeing Heman in his prime at Taronga Zoo. From photos I’ve seen, I’d consider him one of the most impressive bulls in the region’s history. I would have loved to have seen sons from his line had he bred with Porntip etc.
The only bull that may of been bigger and/or heavier than Radza was the late Boy held I believe at the zoo in the Ukraine who also was truly massive, I believe he was unfortunately poisoned by a member of the public. Heman was indeed so impressive perhaps @Hix and @Steve Robinson could shed a bit more light about him?. The thing is not only does a impressive bull/s is good to have in a breeding program but they can actually become famous enough to bring in the public just to see them which is certainly a good thing for any zoo!
Bong Su was quite skinny, so that would explain why he didn't weigh as much as some of these other bulls. One male, Hank, in the US, weighs a huge 8 tonnes although he's a little 'overweight'. He isn't as tall as Bong Su (and Radza) but he's rather stocky.
Boy stood at over three metres tall, so he was even taller than Bong Su however much like Bong Su; he was skinny, and weighed at over six tonnes. So Radza was a little shorter, but weighed more.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Prague Zoo joins the effort to ensure the survival of a rare insect once considered extinct
This really annoys me. Melbourne Zoo brought the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect back from the brink of extinction, YET it is only London Zoo, San Diego Zoo and now Prague Zoo that display them?
This is a Zoo Victoria success story, and MZ potentially houses the largest population of LHISI, yet they are not displayed!
Just a rant - but maybe a permanent exhibit should be built adjacent to the Butterfly House.
This really annoys me. Melbourne Zoo brought the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect back from the brink of extinction, YET it is only London Zoo, San Diego Zoo and now Prague Zoo that display them?
This is a Zoo Victoria success story, and MZ potentially houses the largest population of LHISI, yet they are not displayed!
Just a rant - but maybe a permanent exhibit should be built adjacent to the Butterfly House.
Agreed. It would be great to see this species on display.
Melbourne Zoo similarly played a major role in the conservation of the Victorian grassland earless dragon (rediscovered in 2023, with 16.13 individuals transferred to Melbourne Zoo for breeding), which is now on display in Keeper Kids. They’re been breeding at the zoo since late 2023, so there’s been juveniles that can go on display.
Another example is the Crucifix frog (on display near the reptile house). Reading about conservation efforts is interesting; but seeing the species in person gives people even greater context.
Melbourne easily hold the most individuals - in the hundreds, they had over 550 according to the last inventory report, however they breed them in huge numbers each year (with a large number passing and transferring out - presumably to release programs).
I may be remembering wrong but I believe Melbourne once had at least a few on display in small terrariums opposite the Butterfly House, but not sure if they're still there.
That would be great to see. The best way to achieve this would be to import an unrelated pair of founders from outside the region. This would ensure any offspring produced are desired for pairing with otters at other zoos (i.e. they transfer out) at least initially and enable regular breeding. It’s not uncommon for young to remain in their natal group for 1-2 years; but as we’ve seen in a couple of recent examples, conflicts are common as they reach 3-5 years of age. With this in mind, a breeding pair and their offspring from the last 2-3 litters are about as big as we could expect any group to reach - but that could still be in the mid-teens.
They could also use this as an ape exhibit on the island (or at least a pit stop on an aerial lined route around the precinct).
He was always an impressive bull!
Personally I think any new bulls should come from Asia, they will be genetically more valuable and we positioned well to be able to obtain them.
Realistically Anjalees infant if it is born a bull will be the regions largest bull, potentially. Gung is now over 5 tones at 35 and will keep growing until his 30's. While anjalee is Sri Lankan which are the largest and tallest subtype. So the potential there is to possibly eclipse any bull we have currently got.
I’m open to correction, but I believe that bar Singapore, imports from Asian countries would have to come via a third party country acting as a quarantine facility - as was the case for the Thai imports in 2006; and later Anjalee in 2015.
Importing from Europe would be simpler all round. The suggestion @Zorro made of a bull from Radza’s line is a strong possibility given it’s well represented (i.e. Europe would be happy to spare surplus bulls from this line) over a more valuable line they’d want to retain.
As far as I am aware this is the most likely option. We do seem to have ties with Singapore zoo. So whether they would or even have the facilities to be the go between is a possibility. However if the zoos pursued it enough range countries can be added etc if the paper work is done. I could see India being a good source of elephants and possibly being able to be added to the list of allowable imports.
Bulls from Asia would trump bulls from Europe. Europes lines are old and mostly all related to some extant. Founders are not as common as they once were. So using our geographic advantage is something our zoos need to consider. It will be easier to import from Europe, but harder to export surplus bulls. While harder to import from Asia, but easier export bulls.
If our zoos give up on this stupid need for using live cover. Genetically we shouldn't need to import new bulls for a fair while.
Agreed yes from Asia might be a better option but how if they are able to obtain them!
Yes, that is still the case; it's been facilitated in the past however it's an incredible investment and I'd be very surprised if any of our zoos went to those lengths again just to acquire a bull or two when there's a plethora of options in both North America and Europe.
They did in the mid 2010’s but that display is long gone and was replaced with a playground featuring the stick insect.
Thanks for that - I do have a memory of looking into a small terrarium for them, without the luck of seeing one!
It's a real shame the set up is long gone but I do understand majority (if not all) of the zoo bred animals are utilised in the breeding/release programs.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
From the time I got to go behind the scenes and see inside the building they breed them in, speaking with THE man that resurrected them, they need to be displayed in a nocturnal building. I'm guessing that when this was apparent the display they were in was probably removed. (The last part I'm speculating)
I’ve always thought that how would be the ideal time to acquire Indian rhinoceros while the elephant herd are utilising only a fraction of the complex. Decades from now, the herd will need more space as it grows in numbers (and to allow for rotation); but for now, the cows have access to three of the five main paddocks and the fidget spinner paddock. It’s enough to make Roi-Yim roar!
The matriarchal herd could easily be rotated between three spaces (two paddocks and the fidget spinner) instead of four; with a paddock then designated for Indian rhinoceros.
A decade or two from now and Werribee could then look at designated facilities for Indian rhinoceros - ideally as an add on to the elephant complex.