Australasian Rhino Population

[Tiger91]

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

Even if you ignore, the blacks and indians. Southern white rhino's even without the imports are critically under utilised. We are content to let rhino sit in herds with oestrous suppression and shrug our shoulders. There is no reason that with the size of our zoos and the number of holders that we cannot be utilising white rhino's to better breed them. It isn't the 90's anymore, dubbo especially invested a lot of time and effort into white rhino reproductive science, its about time we see that utlised and we utilise the animals and genetics we have. Realisitcally if we better utilised breeding animals, and non breeders still capable of breeding. We could breed up numbers to where an import would only need to be a minimal few animals for some new genetics.

Monarto in and of itself could literally chuck a bunch of male and females into there new areas and let them sort themselves out. The area is the size of a safari park, there is literally no need to handle them in the same way that they do at werribee or smaller zoos.

 

[Zoofan15]

Monarto in and of itself could literally chuck a bunch of male and females into there new areas and let them sort themselves out. The area is the size of a safari park, there is literally no need to handle them in the same way that they do at werribee or smaller zoos.

I’m intrigued to see what eventuates at Monarto Safari Park over the coming years as the masterplan outlined plans to build a Rhino Management Centre, with multiple bull yards. This implies the plan was for a large integrated herd of cows and calves, with bulls rotating access for the purpose of breeding.

With the Australian Rhino Project appearing to be canned, I’d like to know if Monarto will fill the gap (with regards to their intended capacity) with Australasian bred calves and/or imports from Europe.

 

[Zorro]

Even if you ignore, the blacks and indians. Southern white rhino's even without the imports are critically under utilised. We are content to let rhino sit in herds with oestrous suppression and shrug our shoulders. There is no reason that with the size of our zoos and the number of holders that we cannot be utilising white rhino's to better breed them. It isn't the 90's anymore, dubbo especially invested a lot of time and effort into white rhino reproductive science, its about time we see that utlised and we utilise the animals and genetics we have. Realisitcally if we better utilised breeding animals, and non breeders still capable of breeding. We could breed up numbers to where an import would only need to be a minimal few animals for some new genetics.

Monarto in and of itself could literally chuck a bunch of male and females into there new areas and let them sort themselves out. The area is the size of a safari park, there is literally no need to handle them in the same way that they do at werribee or smaller zoos.

Well said @Tiger91 I believe a number of species are badly managed the 3 rhino species are just some of them it smacks of complacency and incompetence unfortunately!

 

[Zorro]

I’m intrigued to see what eventuates at Monarto Safari Park over the coming years as the masterplan outlined plans to build a Rhino Management Centre, with multiple bull yards. This implies the plan was for a large integrated herd of cows and calves, with bulls rotating access for the purpose of breeding.

With the Australian Rhino Project appearing to be canned, I’d like to know if Monarto will fill the gap (with regards to their intended capacity) with Australasian bred calves and/or imports from Europe.

I thought Monarto had already built a huge area undercover for managing a large White rhino herd?

 

[Zoofan15]

I thought Monarto had already built a huge area undercover for managing a large White rhino herd?

Yes, you’re correct. I could have worded that better. It’s part of the Wild Africa precinct and was designed to accommodate 30 Southern white rhinoceros as a starting point (with imports from South Africa via New Zealand).

Monarto Safari Park’s Rhino Management Centre nears completion

Monarto currently have 2.4 rhino onsite:

1.0 Umfana (00/00/1994)
1.0 Ibutho (16/08/1999)
0.1 Umqali (00/00/1994)
0.1 Uhura (26/05/1996)
0.1 Savannah (12/04/2011)
0.1 Carrie (04/12/2018)

 

[Zorro]

Yes, you’re correct. I could have worded that better. It’s part of the Wild Africa precinct and was designed to accommodate 30 Southern white rhinoceros as a starting point (with imports from South Africa via New Zealand).

Monarto Safari Park’s Rhino Management Centre nears completion

Monarto currently have 2.4 rhino onsite:

1.0 Umfana (00/00/1994)
1.0 Ibutho (16/08/1999)
0.1 Umqali (00/00/1994)
0.1 Uhura (26/05/1996)
0.1 Savannah (12/04/2011)
0.1 Carrie (04/12/2018)

No problem, If/when they do get an import they will just about disappear in that huge area they have for them, I remember seeing 22 Southern White rhinos (20 where imports from South Africa) at Whipsnade in the 70s and that was only in a 30 acre paddock so there is certainly room for them to spread out and behave in a more natural way as are the elephants are now doing at Werribee

 

[Zoofan15]

No problem, If/when they do get an import they will just about disappear in that huge area they have for them, I remember seeing 22 Southern White rhinos (20 where imports from South Africa) at Whipsnade in the 70s and that was only in a 30 acre paddock so there is certainly room for them to spread out and behave in a more natural way as are the elephants are now doing at Werribee

That would have been incredible to have seen the Whipsnade herd at its height (and also the San Diego herd, which was similarly massive). What interests me is how despite large numbers of cows held in both these herds, there was clearly minimal (if any) issues with estrus suppression. Many cows had 10+ calves! It’d be interesting to know whether this was alleviated by the large space available to them (versus a herd of 1.2 kept in a city zoo) or something else.

Anecdotally, I’ve heard wild founders have a high fecundity than captive born females; but I’m thinking this is an outdated hypothesis. Jamila (first generation cow) has proved a highly successful breeder at Hamilton Zoo and some of the wild born founders have been nothing to write home about with regards to breeding.

 

[Zorro]

That would have been incredible to have seen the Whipsnade herd at its height (and also the San Diego herd, which was similarly massive). What interests me is how despite large numbers of cows held in both these herds, there was clearly minimal (if any) issues with estrus suppression. Many cows had 10+ calves! It’d be interesting to know whether this was alleviated by the large space available to them (versus a herd of 1.2 kept in a city zoo) or something else.

Anecdotally, I’ve heard wild founders have a high fecundity than captive born females; but I’m thinking this is an outdated hypothesis. Jamila (first generation cow) has proved a highly successful breeder at Hamilton Zoo and some of the wild born founders have been nothing to write home about with regards to breeding.

Yes it was indeed a wonderful sight when the exhibit first opened they had a steam train which ran into the exhibit but only half way through it but later extended it to run through it and out the other side into a big loop that included other paddocks with different species.
I had heard that the success in breeding them was due to the very high numbers together in the herd which possibly spurred on some competition among the group.The same thing happened at the same time with the San Deigo group. Having said that I had read some years ago that a zoo in Scotland (can't remember which but may of been Edinburgh) had a "pair" which bred every few years and produced many calfs.
Just my own view is that the mega game species act more natural in large open species and by and large fair better in behaviour which can't be seen so much in the confines of most city zoos!

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes it was indeed a wonderful sight when the exhibit first opened they had a steam train which ran into the exhibit but only half way through it but later extended it to run through it and out the other side into a big loop that included other paddocks with different species.
I had heard that the success in breeding them was due to the very high numbers together in the herd which possibly spurred on some competition among the group.The same thing happened at the same time with the San Deigo group. Having said that I had read some years ago that a zoo in Scotland (can't remember which but may of been Edinburgh) had a "pair" which bred every few years and produced many calfs.
Just my own view is that the mega game species act more natural in large open species and by and large fair better in behaviour which can't be seen so much in the confines of most city zoos!

That makes sense as both Orana and Monarto have noted the value of having a non-breeding stimulant bull on site to motivate the breeding bull to sire calves. Monarto’s breeding efforts are concentrated on Umfana siring calves, but should they acquire a larger number of bulls (especially founders), it’s not hard to imagine some of these would be rotated through the female herd. Even having them housed on site in proximity to the breeding herd would enhance breeding results.

Auckland’s 1.1 pairing (Zambezi and Jamila) is unusual as many zoos in the region began with 1.2 herds. Estrus suppression of one of the two females was commonly noted in this scenario, so the 1.1 pairing would have negated this. Jamila’s eldest daughter has recently begun cycling and spending a decreased amount of time with her mother (albeit for the purpose of avoiding breeding her with her father). Hopefully her export to an Australian zoo isn’t far off now.

 

[Zorro]

That makes sense as both Orana and Monarto have noted the value of having a non-breeding stimulant bull on site to motivate the breeding bull to sire calves. Monarto’s breeding efforts are concentrated on Umfana siring calves, but should they acquire a larger number of bulls (especially founders), it’s not hard to imagine some of these would be rotated through the female herd. Even having them housed on site in proximity to the breeding herd would enhance breeding results.

Auckland’s 1.1 pairing (Zambezi and Jamila) is unusual as many zoos in the region began with 1.2 herds. Estrus suppression of one of the two females was commonly noted in this scenario, so the 1.1 pairing would have negated this. Jamila’s eldest daughter has recently begun cycling and spending a decreased amount of time with her mother (albeit for the purpose of avoiding breeding her with her father). Hopefully her export to an Australian zoo isn’t far off now.

I believe there should be a ongoing continued breeding assessment of White rhinos held within our region too many are not breeding and are aging away to become aged non breeding animals, what a real waste when on the other hand they have wasted "years" trying to import a large group which failed. When it appears to be very hard to import new rhinos that alone should be a sign every effort to breed the current stock they now have in their holdings even more important than ever, It often appears some holders are just happy having their rhinos just held there for the public to see where more importantly the breeding program should be the main focus!

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe there should be a ongoing continued breeding assessment of White rhinos held within our region too many are not breeding and are aging away to become aged non breeding animals, what a real waste when on the other hand they have wasted "years" trying to import a large group which failed. When it appears to be very hard to import new rhinos that alone should be a sign every effort to breed the current stock they now have in their holdings even more important than ever, It often appears some holders are just happy having their rhinos just held there for the public to see where more importantly the breeding program should be the main focus!

Absolutely. Since it’s not well known that long periods of non-breeding in female Southern white rhinoceros is detrimental to their reproductive health (not dissimilar to elephants), it’s imperative that proactive steps are taken to ensure cows have the opportunity to breed upon reaching reproductive age (5-7 years) and then regularly/semi-reguarly beyond that if they are to remain a viable member of the breeding programme.

 

[Zoofan15]

Monarto have seemingly struggled with estrus suppression, so have recently separated their herd into smaller groups to help achieve better breeding results. Therefore, I would be surprised if Nyah ended up there.

Monarto’s herd has been divided into two groups (breeding and retired from breeding):

In the retirement herd (Umfana, Umqali and Uhara), Umfana has been retired from breeding due to his aggression during breeding; and Umqali has been retired due to a genetic condition she has that causes haemophilia in her offspring.

In the breeding herd (Ibutho, Savannah and Carrie), the lack of breeding has been attributed to Savannah’s large size making it difficult for Ibutho to mount. Overall, Ibutho isn’t a very effective breeding bull. He’s mounted Carrie, but has been unable to achieve penetration.

With this in mind, providing Ibutho with Nyah as a mate (i.e. a small 5-6 year old cow) could be the ideal solution as he’d stand a better chance of successfully mating her. That’s not to say Dubbo (who have a single reproductive cow; and multiple bulls unrelated to Nyah) wouldn’t be an equally good option for her though. IMO, it’s either Dubbo or Monarto.

What I am surprised with is why it took so long for Monarto to do anything before now, also as to why its taken this long before the whole regions white rhinos to get a shake up when closely related animals were kept in a non breeding situations when they could have been much better use elsewhere in the overall regions breeding program, It appears they could have been much better managed overall

I agree the region’s been long overdue for a shake up.

Presumably a lot of transfers have been on hold due to the Australian Rhino Project. Had this gone ahead and 35 new founders entered the region, then the genetic value of the rhinos we have in the region would have plummeted. We definitely wouldn’t be seeing cows like Jamila at Auckland Zoo getting a breeding recommendation for a fourth calf!

 

[Zorro]

I hope the people who manage the Black rhino in Australia can look at getting some new imports as @Kifaru Bwana has mentioned there are spare males in the USA available, Why is nothing being done? why wait until its gets to a dire situation before anything is done, surely it can be managed better?

 

[Zoofan15]

I hope the people who manage the Black rhino in Australia can look at getting some new imports as @Kifaru Bwana has mentioned there are spare males in the USA available, Why is nothing being done? why wait until its gets to a dire situation before anything is done, surely it can be managed better?

I’ve often wondered why the remaining (viable) members of the US population of South-central black rhinoceros aren’t just shipped to Australia so we can concentrate on them as a region.

The US population of South-central black rhinoceros has dwindled to just five holders; with the region clearly focussed on the Eastern subspecies (which numbers 27 holders in the US; and a further 23 in Europe).

Exporting the South-central population would free up further space across the US for their focus subspecies, while adding new genetics to Australia’s increasingly inbred population.

 

[Jambo]

I’ve often wondered why the remaining (viable) members of the US population of South-central black rhinoceros aren’t just shipped to Australia so we can concentrate on them as a region.

The US population of South-central black rhinoceros has dwindled to just five holders; with the region clearly focussed on the Eastern subspecies (which numbers 27 holders in the US; and a further 23 in Europe).

Exporting the South-central population would free up further space across the US for their focus subspecies, while adding new genetics to Australia’s increasingly inbred population.

The problem is that most of the population is older and unproven, with only White Oak and El Coyote Ranch have been successfully breeding them in recent decades, and with both being privately owned and run it would be surprising if they sent their individuals over. They appear keen on breeding them still.

Aside from the White Oak breeding cow, there would really be little hope with the other cows who are all either unproven or last conceived ages ago. All cows are also essentially in their late 20's/30's now.

Essentially, the only hope is for a few bulls to come across. There's countless options, but it's worth noting they're all 'unproven' to date.

 

[Zorro]

The problem is that most of the population is older and unproven, with only White Oak and El Coyote Ranch have been successfully breeding them in recent decades, and with both being privately owned and run it would be surprising if they sent their individuals over. They appear keen on breeding them still.

Aside from the White Oak breeding cow, there would really be little hope with the other cows who are all either unproven or last conceived ages ago. All cows are also essentially in their late 20's/30's now.

Essentially, the only hope is for a few bulls to come across. There's countless options, but it's worth noting they're all 'unproven' to date.

So nothing to lose is trying to import some of them

 

[Zoofan15]

The problem is that most of the population is older and unproven, with only White Oak and El Coyote Ranch have been successfully breeding them in recent decades, and with both being privately owned and run it would be surprising if they sent their individuals over. They appear keen on breeding them still.

Aside from the White Oak breeding cow, there would really be little hope with the other cows who are all either unproven or last conceived ages ago. All cows are also essentially in their late 20's/30's now.

Essentially, the only hope is for a few bulls to come across. There's countless options, but it's worth noting they're all 'unproven' to date.

So nothing to lose is trying to import some of them

It’d definitely be worth importing whatever bulls we can from the US population, especially those lines unrelated (or distantly related) to the bulls we have in the region, which each descend from at least one of the three bulls imported from the US in 1994:

1.0 Siabuwa (Wild x Wild) from Fossil Rim

1.0 Kwanzaa (Brewster x Barley) from Milwaukee Zoo

1.0 Ibala (Gundwane x Chirundu) from San Diego Zoo

For over 15 years, Dubbo has been pioneering reproductive technology in this species and so I have no doubt if any imported bulls prove to be behavioural non-breeders, then AI could be utilised to pass on their genes.

 

[Zorro]

It’d definitely be worth importing whatever bulls we can from the US population, especially those lines unrelated (or distantly related) to the bulls we have in the region, which each descend from at least one of the three bulls imported from the US in 1994:

1.0 Siabuwa (Wild x Wild) from Fossil Rim

1.0 Kwanzaa (Brewster x Barley) from Milwaukee Zoo

1.0 Ibala (Gundwane x Chirundu) from San Diego Zoo

For over 15 years, Dubbo has been pioneering reproductive technology in this species and so I have no doubt if any imported bulls prove to be behavioural non-breeders, then AI could be utilised to pass on their genes.

I agree something has to be done or they are doomed as another write off species in our zoos.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Updates:

• Auckland's string of white rhino calves are starting dispersal with 0.1 Nyah (b. 2020) soon to be transferred to Australia for breeding.

• the EAZA region has been collaborating with ZAA and a group of white rhinos will soon be exported from Europe to Australia to supplement our program for white rhinos. The White Rhino EEP is at capacity and requires careful management to maintain reproductive health of the population with solutions like this being explored - reported on the EAZA Annual Report 2024.

 

[Jambo]

Updates:

• Auckland's string of white rhino calves are starting dispersal with 0.1 Nyah (b. 2020) soon to be transferred to Australia for breeding.

• the EAZA region has been collaborating with ZAA and a group of white rhinos will soon be exported from Europe to Australia to supplement our program for white rhinos. The White Rhino EEP is at capacity and requires careful management to maintain reproductive health of the population with solutions like this being explored - reported on the EAZA Annual Report 2024.

As has been previously mentioned, it appears the initial group (said to be a trio of rhinos) will be sent to Monarto, with them then dispersing from there. Presumably it's three bulls - one of which is heading to NZ. Since the EEP are at capacity, hopefully further individuals can also be brought across to Australia/New Zealand eventually.

It was also interesting to read it's the same situation with Indian Rhinos. A mate for Hari at Taronga could be a possibility, and it would be really good for other facilities regionally to also eventually acquire this species too.