Australasian Rhino Population

[Zoofan15]

Giarffes can be frightened easily maybe the Zoo will let the Rhinos and Giraffes rotate so the Rhinos can interact with the Zebras.

It’s possible. Perth Zoo have geldings, which have been held cohesively with the giraffes (even through calves) without issue.

Hisotrically, there have been fatalities when housing zebra stallions with rhinos (a stallion was killed by a rhino); and giraffes (a stallion drove a giraffe into a fence) within the region - but geldings should be able to integrate with both groups.

Filter gates are also a possibility for nyala etc. to pass through the exhibits for larger hoofstock. Nyala are housed with Auckland’s rhino herd.

 

[Jaiden]

Separately from the looks of the plans. There will be multiple habitats - it looks like a few species (such as the antelope) will have run of the whole complex however.

From what I think the entire upper Savannah will have antelopes and the antelopes can go in any exhibit beside the African Wild Dog exhibit in the upper Savannah.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

1.0 South-central Black Rhino calf has been born to first-time mother 0.1 Mesi (b. 2017 at Dubbo) and 1.0 Mpenzi (b. 2005 at Dubbo). This marks the fifth generation for Dubbo's black rhinos - reported on social media.

This 1.0 calf has been named Budhi - reported on their FB page.

 

[Jaiden]

I have heard that the female Southern White Rhinoceros coming from Werribee to Perth Zoo the plan has been scraped. I want to know when was this plan made to scrap the idea?

 

[Zoofan15]

I have heard that the female Southern White Rhinoceros coming from Werribee to Perth Zoo the plan has been scraped. I want to know when was this plan made to scrap the idea?

It was announced in the media that Perth would be acquiring two non-breeding female rhinoceros in January 2025, so it appears it was a recent cancellation.

With Memphis getting on in years and the zoo managing various age related health issues, it may well be advisable to allow him to live out his remaining years without the stress of new companions.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

My understanding is there is a longer term import ban in place but it is not my place to share its details.




Whilst much of the reporting is very sensational sweetie the detailing around some of those deaths is upsetting in ways I cannot express.
Whilst I have found your interest and passion very consumable do not mistake it with expertise @Zoofan15. I do not know if you have worked in the zoo keeping industry but I have it on concrete authority that this place has had issues that will take time to prove their worth before any Zoological institution worth its salt within our region will transfer animals here. One quietly let go executive does not change things overnight.

Regardless I do not wish to badmouth any place as they all play an incredibly important role in my view. They will by all accounts make strides now with a a hill to climb and the inability to lock accreditation officials and government officials in cars when conducting inspections.

You have made me quite irritable so goodnight and take time to consider others viewpoints and their value to you especially when you don’t know the person behind them.

Well said! Period ....

 

[Jambo]

Don't forget about the 2-3 available single bull rhino that are perfect matches for the Australian southern black rhino population (and realistically the easiest individuals to acquire import/export/paperwork and bureacracy wise).

Out of curiosity - which bulls would you deem the best candidates for import? The young bull at Fort Worth being the obvious candidate with the rest all being much older and unproven.

 

[Zorro]

Out of curiosity - which bulls would you deem the best candidates for import? The young bull at Fort Worth being the obvious candidate with the rest all being much older and unproven.

What I would like to know are the person/people who manage them here even looking at them?

 

[Jambo]

What I would like to know are the person/people who manage them here even looking at them?

I believe Fort Worth are the studbook holder over there.

 

[Zorro]

I believe Fort Worth are the studbook holder over there.

I should of made myself clearer I was referring to the managers here

 

[Jambo]

I should of made myself clearer I was referring to the managers here

No idea sorry.

 

[Zoofan15]

I am not sure what's happening with Altinas trio but considering one of the cows came from Germany it would be nice to see some breeding taking place!

I recently enquired about Altina’s Southern white rhinoceros and they’re hopeful of breeding them in the future. There’s no planned transfers in or out of Altina at this point in time.

I agree it would be nice to see the imported female (Tatu, aged 12) breed especially.

 

[Jambo]

One of the reasons for separation of Werribee’s females was the young age of the bull (they felt having a smaller number of cows would be more manageable for Kifaru).

Kifaru is now in his prime and so they will surely aspire to hold a larger cohesive herd long term (with breeding and non-breeding cows).

I have wondered why Werribee haven't introduced the other, older cows back into the main group as of yet. They seem to be content with keeping the family trio of Kifaru, Kipenzi and Jabulani together.

I recently enquired about Altina’s Southern white rhinoceros and they’re hopeful of breeding them in the future. There’s no planned transfers in or out of Altina at this point in time.

I agree it would be nice to see the imported female (Tatu, aged 12) breed especially.

Since there's been no breeding success thus far, maybe it would be best to switch at least one of the two females out. I'm in favor of sending one of the two females to Dubbo (Tatu especially considering her value).

Altina could then focus on breeding with Mango, and then eventually receive another cow; perhaps Amali from Auckland (with her sister going to Dubbo).

 

[Zoofan15]

Since there's been no breeding success thus far, maybe it would be best to switch at least one of the two females out. I'm in favor of sending one of the two females to Dubbo (Tatu especially considering her value).

Altina could then focus on breeding with Mango, and then eventually receive another cow; perhaps Amali from Auckland (with her sister going to Dubbo).

Some encouraging signs have been seen in the Altina herd of recent, so I imagine they’ll give it at least another year or two before they look at transferring rhinos in/out. If Tatu gets to her mid-teens (three years away), things will become significantly more urgent and pairing with another bull surely recommended.

Monarto has a young cow on site that’s thus far failed to breed with a proven bull, though generally speaking, pairing cows with proven bulls over the age of 10 years offers the best chance for success.

 

[OzZooJoy]

I have wondered why Werribee haven't introduced the other, older cows back into the main group as of yet. They seem to be content with keeping the family trio of Kifaru, Kipenzi and Jabulani together.

The last two times I have been there (January and May) they have all been together.

 

[Zoofan15]

Ther last two times I have been there (January and May) they have all been together.

Looking back on articles, Werribee’s rhinos have all been housed together since October 2024, which aligns with other zoos such as Auckland achieving an introduction of their calves to the wider herd by around three months of age.

 

[Zorro]

Some encouraging signs have been seen in the Altina herd of recent, so I imagine they’ll give it at least another year or two before they look at transferring rhinos in/out. If Tatu gets to her mid-teens (three years away), things will become significantly more urgent and pairing with another bull surely recommended.

Monarto has a young cow on site that’s thus far failed to breed with a proven bull, though generally speaking, pairing cows with proven bulls over the age of 10 years offers the best chance for success.

I believe a real shake up is needed with the whole rhino situation of all 3 species!

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe a real shake up is needed with the whole rhino situation of all 3 species!

In addition to the situation with Altina discussed above, there’s these two females who have thus far failed to breed in their respective herds:

0.1 Savannah (2011) Kruger x Caballe - Monarto
0.1 Kibibi (2012) Satara x Uhura - Australia

Australia Zoo are acquiring Bakari (2005) from Perth Zoo, so that will hopefully stimulate breeding from Kibibi. Savannah is 14 years old and despite being housed with a proven bull, has yet to breed. Whether Monarto would ever switch to attempting to breed her from their other bull (Ibutho), who’s from a well represented captive line will depend on what the species coordinator recommends. Otherwise the only realistic option is to either transfer Savannah to Dubbo; or undertake a swap with another zoo such as Altina.

 

[Zorro]

In addition to the situation with Altina discussed above, there’s these two females who have thus far failed to breed in their respective herds:

0.1 Savannah (2011) Kruger x Caballe - Monarto
0.1 Kibibi (2012) Satara x Uhura - Australia

Australia Zoo are acquiring Bakari (2005) from Perth Zoo, so that will hopefully stimulate breeding from Kibibi. Savannah is 14 years old and despite being housed with a proven bull, has yet to breed. Whether Monarto would ever switch to attempting to breed her from their other bull (Ibutho), who’s from a well represented captive line will depend on what the species coordinator recommends. Otherwise the only realistic option is to either transfer Savannah to Dubbo; or undertake a swap with another zoo such as Altina.

They are likely to try for another (zoo) import since the last effort failed but before that attention needs to be applied to the stock they already have here, more attention and a better plan are needed with all 3 species held in our region, As we know the black rhinos here are badly needing some fresh bloodlines which are available in the USA. Why is this not happening what if any recommendations have been made?.
Also this aspect of just one zoo holding a prized species like Indian rhinos is unprofessional in my view, A zoo holding just one pair of them in the country is ridiculous and outdated thinking, How can any zoo say they about conservation when its holding on to one species all to themselves?.
@Kifaru Bwana

 

[Jambo]

The last two times I have been there (January and May) they have all been together.

I worded it wrong - I more so meant permanently. Kipenzi and Jabulani still spend most of their time on display just with Kifaru. The last time I visited it was just the older girls out on display - and they had actually walked all the way up to the top road. Was a rare experience to see them so up close!