ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Indian Rhinos at Whipsnade.

[Pertinax]

The bottom line is that whether we like it or not Kaziranga on its own is way too small. For the rhino population to be safe their habitats need to become interconnected with large corridors that are equally well protected. That state of affairs has no where near been reached in Kaziranga yet.

Yes, Kaziranga alone is insufficient to protect a decent-sized rhino population. They need MANY times the safeguarded(???) space they have at present. But will anything ever change?

 

[kiang]

with 1.4 rhino at whipsnade, 2.0 at edinburgh and 1.1 coming shortly to chester the future is looking good for indian rhino in britain, there have never been so many in the country.

 

[MARK]

You are quite right things have never looked better for the Indian rhino in the UK, lets hope Whipsnade can import a new Male from an Indian zoo, If Edinburgh zoo end up obtaining a female that would be a real shot in the arm for the UK.

 

[Pertinax]

You are quite right things have never looked better for the Indian rhino in the UK, lets hope Whipsnade can import a new Male from an Indian zoo, If Edinburgh zoo end up obtaining a female that would be a real shot in the arm for the UK.

I've now heard the 2nd calf at Whipsnade is due 'anytime now.' But I was told when I was there it wasn't expected till next year

Also the Bull Jaffna's return to Basel has been delayed due to movement restrictions following the recent F&M and Bluetongue outbreaks...

 

[Chris79]

Poaching is also a huge problem for the Nepalese population. In Chitwan NP, the stronghold of the rhino in Nepal, the population is on the decline after a period of sustained growth. It has fallen from over 500 to around 350 since 2000. The terai is very unstable politically with many warring factions scrabbling for power as the Maoists have weakened their grip. As always, the wildlife gets forgotten during times of turmoil (witness the mountain gorilla situation).

A second rhino population was established in the much more remote Bardia NP in western Nepal. 83 rhinos were relocated in 2001, and a population survey earlier this year counted only 31 remaining.

By the way, when I was on holiday in Chitwan this year I was lucky enough to see quite a few rhino, including a few mothers with calves. They spent a lot of time almost fully submerged and seemed to love being in the water and moving through it, even the young. I don't think the current enclosures in the UK zoos which keep them provide for their needs in this respect.

 

[Pertinax]

.

By the way, when I was on holiday in Chitwan this year I was lucky enough to see quite a few rhino, including a few mothers with calves. They spent a lot of time almost fully submerged and seemed to love being in the water and moving through it, even the young. I don't think the current enclosures in the UK zoos which keep them provide for their needs in this respect.

They are very aquatic indeed in the wild- spending many hours during the hottest part of every day fully immersed in water, often only ears and nose showing.

Your're correct- in fifty years of keeping them, Whipsnade's have never had indoor bathing facilities, though the new house will have (but may not accomodate all the rhinos...)

I believe Edinburgh and Chester do have indoor bathing pools for their Indian rhino- Chester's 'Pattna' also has a deep pool outside too.

 

[kiang]

edinburghs indoor pool is very shallow only a couple of feet at its deepest, the outdoor pool is a lot deeper perhaps 6-7 feet at its deepest but is not the biggest in area only about 15ft by 10ft

 

[Pertinax]

edinburghs indoor pool is very shallow only a couple of feet at its deepest, the outdoor pool is a lot deeper perhaps 6-7 feet at its deepest but is not the biggest in area only about 15ft by 10ft

I guess as long as the rhino can totally immerse when they want to,(that is in the outdoor pool) its okay. Also in temperate(?) British climate they are less likely to want to spend long periods bathing to escape the heat- though in captivity its still important for them to keep the skin supple.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Also the Bull Jaffna's return to Basel has been delayed due to movement restrictions following the recent F&M and Bluetongue outbreaks...

Any indication as to when he is supposed to leave? If not before long the 2008/2009 breeding season in Basel is lost as well and we do not exactly have a large enough population as it is.

The EEP Coordinator is currently on the look out for unrelated males from abroad. Dvur Kralove Zoo are also now searching for a new male (following the sending off of male Ropen to Nuernberg Zoo).

 

[MARK]

Would any of you Euro guys know if the EEP Cordinator has contacted any of the Indian zoos?. One or two new male Indian rhinos in the UK would really kick off a good breeding program for the furture over there, maybe with a few babies hitting the ground over the next couple of years some of the other large UK zoos might want to join in with the program.

 

[MARK]

Just wondering if you UK guys would expect at some stage that PL may add Indian rhino to its collection in the furtue if enough babie are bred in the UK?, they seem to do so well with there Blacks.

 

[taun]

From what i gather from the current situation on Indian rhino's is that only wipsnade are likely to produce any more babies soon. I could be wrong please correct me if i am, but chesters male is only a couple of years old and so it will be atleast six before they bred with the female that is also a similar age. Are the males at Edinburgh again quite young and not yet reach breeding age?

Yes the fututre looks good but will probably wont see results of this for a few years yet unless more are brought in that are breeding age.

 

[Writhedhornbill]

Chester's male Patna (who has many pictures of him posted on the gallery) was born in Berlin. His mother accidently kicked him when he was young. There was a specialist who came into keep an eye on the injury, and they managed to be able to see how he was getting on. In the film that I have uploaded onto the gallery, you can see his pronounced 'limp'. He is now three years old. Most of the keepers, and staff, who have worked with him think that he is very special. His encclosure has the heated pool, which many of you are already aware. In the discovery session in January, the Junior member submitted their ideas to the design of this exhibit.

The female, who will be arriving soon is basel born, and her father is Jaffna. Her Brother was the second indian rhino to arrive at Edinburgh.

Some pictures of Indian rhinos on the gallery are listed below:

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/1246/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/1124/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/1123/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/1122/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/1121/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/942/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/940/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/939/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/938/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/902/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/879/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/867/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/862/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/600/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/584/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/398/cat/531

http://www.zoobeat.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/396/cat/531

Hope these pictures (not all of which are mine) are of some interest!!!

 

[Pertinax]

Any indication as to when he is supposed to leave? If not before long the 2008/2009 breeding season in Basel is lost as well and we do not exactly have a large enough population as it is.

Afraid not... maybe a few weeks/months?

I think the transfer of the Basel-bred female to Chester may be similarly delayed too.....

 

[Pertinax]

Just wondering if you UK guys would expect at some stage that PL may add Indian rhino to its collection in the furtue if enough babie are bred in the UK?, they seem to do so well with there Blacks.

Its certainly been rumoured in the past but has not happened yet.

 

[Pertinax]

From what i gather from the current situation on Indian rhino's is that only wipsnade are likely to produce any more babies soon. I could be wrong please correct me if i am, but chesters male is only a couple of years old and so it will be atleast six before they bred with the female that is also a similar age. Are the males at Edinburgh again quite young and not yet reach breeding age?
.

Yes.... Yes... and Yes.

Whipsnade's 2nd female is due at some stage soon. The current calf is female so could maybe go to Edinburgh in due course but its down to the EEP.

 

[MARK]

If Whipsnade zoos second calf turns out to be another female maybe they should hold on to her for furture breeding, what do you UK guys think?

 

[Pertinax]

If Whipsnade zoos second calf turns out to be another female maybe they should hold on to her for furture breeding, what do you UK guys think?

I don't know. I guess it depends on how many rhinos they propose keeping in future. The new House that is being built is not very large- it looks to have three compartments so could hold three animals. They could keep more by still using the original quarters but as you know they are just primitive barns, without indoor pools etc..

Also I think it depends on whether the calves are designated to go elsewhere for breeding in due course.

 

[MARK]

Maybe they could up grade the old barns if needed in time

 

[bongorob]

They intend to hold 2.2 adults