Australasian Rhino Population

[Zoofan15]

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.

The initial report was that the incoming trio of rhinos were to be distributed between New Zealand and Australia, so we can assume at least one is going to New Zealand. Of the three holders, only Orana has the capacity for additional rhinos (and attempted to acquire a bull), so I agree the import of a bull (for Orana) is likely; with the other two imported rhinos remaining in Australia.

Monarto are the most likely destination for a second bull from the import. One of their bulls has been retired; the other is underperforming, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see them acquire a third bull, which could be easily accommodated on site.

From there, what the region really needs is viable cows. I’m wondering if the third rhino to be imported could be a cow for either Werribee or Dubbo.

 

[Zorro]

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.

It appears strange how no other zoo within the region has attempted to acquire Indian rhinos we badly need more animals in the region for them to have a future here its even more frustrating as you say European zoos are at capacity!

 

[Zoofan15]

It appears strange how no other zoo within the region has attempted to acquire Indian rhinos we badly need more animals in the region for them to have a future here its even more frustrating as you say European zoos are at capacity!

It’s a real shame only Taronga have announced them as replacements for their elephants; with Perth, Auckland and Melbourne having the equivalent opportunity to acquire them. Perth’s future direction is clear (despite previously mentioning them in their future plans) and there’s no indication Auckland or Melbourne will be acquiring them

Taronga acquiring a female to pair with Hari would be a step in the right direction; but an additional three pairs held at the other three elephant phase out zoos would have been the genesis of a thriving regional population.

 

[Jambo]

It appears strange how no other zoo within the region has attempted to acquire Indian rhinos we badly need more animals in the region for them to have a future here its even more frustrating as you say European zoos are at capacity!

There has been interest, it's just been made difficult to actually pursue acquiring this species.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

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?

All very relevant questions relating to the state of affairs with the south-central black rhino breeding program. In the US, only the private facilities El Coyote Ranch and White Oak have any validity or credibility left as far as ex situ conservation breeding is concerned.

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.

Interesting to read the EAZA/EEP has committed to send out several white rhino to Australia/New Zealand as surplus to requirements. Beyond the great value to the Australian ex situ breeding program ..., it proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the South Africa to Australia big rhino import is now considered dead in the water ....

 

[Zoofan15]

Interesting to read the EAZA/EEP has committed to send out several white rhino to Australia/New Zealand as surplus to requirements. Beyond the great value to the Australian ex situ breeding program ..., it proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the South Africa to Australia big rhino import is now considered dead in the water ....

I agree. Even within the region there’s been signs such as Auckland Zoo’s breeding pair getting a recommendation for a fourth calf after producing three calves back to back; and Orana Wildlife Park’s attempts to acquire a bull from Hamilton Zoo that they’d have no use for if a South African born founder was due to imminently arrive.

Like @Zorro has mentioned, the regional population has been long overdue for a shake up (with multiple herds containing non-performing rhinos). It’s encouraging to see some activity happening and will hopefully lead to a more productive population overall.

If the capacity Monarto planned to designate to double figures of South African founders can instead be allocated to accomodating New Zealand/Australian bred rhino, that will vastly increase the number of breeding recommendations that can be given.

 

[Colin Macdonald]

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.

Do you have any more information on the Australian Rhino Project being canned? Any reason/s behind that? I thought it was an excellent initiative.

Do you also have any more information on the plan to bring Rhinos from small zoos to larger wildlife parks such as Monaro, Dubbo and Taronga?

 

[Zoofan15]

Do you have any more information on the Australian Rhino Project being canned? Any reason/s behind that? I thought it was an excellent initiative.

Do you also have any more information on the plan to bring Rhinos from small zoos to larger wildlife parks such as Monaro, Dubbo and Taronga?

While there’s been no official confirmation from the zoos involved that it’s been canned, several people on here are of the belief it has (including some with insider knowledge); and there’s strong indications this is the case. These include a well represented pair of Southern white rhinoceros receiving a breeding recommendation for a fourth calf and talk of Monarto now working with European species coordinators to facilitate an import from there. I see no reason for these two occurrences if imports from South Africa were imminently anticipated; so I think we can agree that best case scenario, the South African import is proceeding at glacial speed (with minimal confidence in it actually happening). There’s been countless challenges, including the evolving stance of South Africa on exports.

In the meantime, I believe it’s likely a combination of Australasian bred calves and non-performing adults in the existing population will fill the gap at the open range zoos. Obvious candidates include Auckland’s young females and any viable female in a breeding herd that’s failed to conceive. In the meantime, the trio of rhinos expected from Europe will surely contribute to the regional population. I’m at least predicting a bull for Orana; with the possibility of a bull for Monarto and a cow for Dubbo, both of which would benefit from said additions.

 

[Tiger91]

There has been interest, it's just been made difficult to actually pursue acquiring this species.

Im guessing it's another francois lemur deal again. I remember western plains acquiring them there were talks other zoos were interested.
Then they bred Hari and essentially stopped breeding. Without looking up the dates, WPZ could more than likely already had another calf on the ground by now, or at least have another on the way. The lack of breeding seems to be a decision made to limit supply.

 

[Zorro]

Im guessing it's another francois lemur deal again. I remember western plains acquiring them there were talks other zoos were interested.
Then they bred Hari and essentially stopped breeding. Without looking up the dates, WPZ could more than likely already had another calf on the ground by now, or at least have another on the way. The lack of breeding seems to be a decision made to limit supply.

It does certainly appear that way that Taronga want to "hog" certain species to themselves this type of thinking is out of step with the "real needs of having a healthy population" within the region it gives the impression of them wanting to be seen as the number one top dog of the zoos within the region and not putting the species "needs" first just so they can fly the flag of having the "only ones in the country" which sets them apart!
I would say it's "highly likely" if/when Okapi are approved for importation in the future only the one zoo will hold them in this country if not the region. time will tell if this is correct!

 

[Zoofan15]

It does certainly appear that way that Taronga want to "hog" certain species to themselves this type of thinking is out of step with the "real needs of having a healthy population" within the region it gives the impression of them wanting to be seen as the number one top dog of the zoos within the region and not putting the species "needs" first just so they can fly the flag of having the "only ones in the country" which sets them apart!
I would say it's "highly likely" if/when Okapi are approved for importation in the future only the one zoo will hold them in this country if not the region. time will tell if this is correct!

It’s a shame as the Australasian population of Indian rhinoceros could actually become semi-sustainable if multiple holders came on board.

If Auckland, Melbourne and Perth had all replaced Asian elephant with Indian rhinoceros and Taronga imported a mate for Hari, that would could potentially be five breeding pairs, with additional holders than acquiring Australian bred calves. Alternatively, one or two of the above holders could breed, with the others accomodating non-breeding surplus.

Teamwork makes the dream work!

 

[Zorro]

It’s a shame as the Australasian population of Indian rhinoceros could actually become semi-sustainable if multiple holders came on board.

If Auckland, Melbourne and Perth had all replaced Asian elephant with Indian rhinoceros and Taronga imported a mate for Hari, that would could potentially be five breeding pairs, with additional holders than acquiring Australian bred calves. Alternatively, one or two of the above holders could breed, with the others accomodating non-breeding surplus.

Teamwork makes the dream work!

Correct it's all about team work especially when we have a limited number of zoos in what is really in an isolated region from most of the zoos of the world. unfortunately there appears to be a pecking order in place arising form a small limited group of zoos

 

[Tiger91]

It does certainly appear that way that Taronga want to "hog" certain species to themselves this type of thinking is out of step with the "real needs of having a healthy population" within the region it gives the impression of them wanting to be seen as the number one top dog of the zoos within the region and not putting the species "needs" first just so they can fly the flag of having the "only ones in the country" which sets them apart!
I would say it's "highly likely" if/when Okapi are approved for importation in the future only the one zoo will hold them in this country if not the region. time will tell if this is correct!

Can we expect anything differently from a zoo that prioritises cafe's, accommodation, play areas and event areas over actual species. Look at the monumental waste of space Taronga having a luxury hotel on site. All that space could have been designated to species for display. Yet a zoo in the middle of the largest capital city with unlimited accomodation within short distance did that.
WPZ is only expanding it Savannah so you can view it from there new hotel. Again instead of investing in species and room for new ones. If Taronga looses its key stone species it will loose its point of difference and it won't stack up against other zoo's. It's the same reason Monarto likely hasnt gotten a female black rhino yet.

 

[Jambo]

Im guessing it's another francois lemur deal again. I remember western plains acquiring them there were talks other zoos were interested.
Then they bred Hari and essentially stopped breeding. Without looking up the dates, WPZ could more than likely already had another calf on the ground by now, or at least have another on the way. The lack of breeding seems to be a decision made to limit supply.

Well other zoos were and still are interested to my knowledge, they just have their hands tied. The big dogs are waving their wands and putting their stamp on these decisions, so ultimately it's up to them whether one day they wish to share. Time will tell, but I hope one day we might get to see Indian Rhinos at another facility (aside from the two Taronga's).

As I've said, if Zoos Vic show interest (they should imo), I don't see them being given the same answer.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

As I've said, if Zoos Vic show interest (they should imo), I don't see them being given the same answer.

I daresay you are right on that - because Taronga would not want Zoos Vic to play the same game down the track.

 

[Zoofan15]

I daresay you are right on that - because Taronga would not want Zoos Vic to play the same game down the track.

Historically, there was a loose agreement that Melbourne Zoo would focus on gorillas; while Taronga would focus on chimpanzees, but there was every indication this was based on mutual agreement that it was in the interests of the species as a whole for the gorillas to be managed as a troop; and for Melbourne’s small chimpanzee troop to be phased out, with two of the females joining Taronga’s community.

Ultimately, both zoos opened modern exhibits for their respective great apes; and Taronga later imported a family troop of gorillas, benefiting Melbourne down the line by transferring over females.

 

[Zorro]

I expect the next big rhino question is will Taronga bring in a female Indian rhino for the bull that's soon to arrive there, let's remember the European population is said to be at capacity. Also if the only pair held at Dubbo is or has been bred again?

 

[Zoofan15]

I expect the next big rhino question is will Taronga bring in a female Indian rhino for the bull that's soon to arrive there, let's remember the European population is said to be at capacity. Also if the only pair held at Dubbo is or has been bred again?

It would be great to see this happen. Although the arrival of the Asian water buffalo indicates there’s no possibility of this happening in the next few years, Hari is only four years old and the water buffalo could well be intended as companions until he reaches maturity and a female can be lined up.

Whether Dubbo breed again I assume would depend on whether there’s a facility in mind to transfer offspring to. I wouldn’t expect them to have an interest in housing a second bull on site (if their next calf is another male).

 

[Zorro]

It would be great to see this happen. Although the arrival of the Asian water buffalo indicates there’s no possibility of this happening in the next few years, Hari is only four years old and the water buffalo could well be intended as companions until he reaches maturity and a female can be lined up.

Whether Dubbo breed again I assume would depend on whether there’s a facility in mind to transfer offspring to. I wouldn’t expect them to have an interest in housing a second bull on site (if their next calf is another male).

As we know it can take years to actually get an animal found and lined up to import so looking early would be a benefit, of coarse no one expects a import in the next few years for an immature animal. Yes there has been some other zoos that showed an interest in having this species but it appears Taronga might just want them just for themselves

 

[Zoofan15]

As we know it can take years to actually get an animal found and lined up to import so looking early would be a benefit, of coarse no one expects a import in the next few years for an immature animal. Yes there has been some other zoos that showed an interest in having this species but it appears Taronga might just want them just for themselves

That’s a good point. Though Indian rhinoceros aren’t an inherently social species, Basel Zoo had success in keeping (related) females together (historically holding a large breeding herd); and I believe Whipsnade held their cows together also.

With this in mind, it’s certainly a possibility Dubbo would be able to keep a daughter with Amala long term in the event the calf was female.