From the what I gather over here in the states, there appears to be a growing population of manatees in European zoos and aquariums. I live in Florida and Manatees are a big part of our zoos/aquariums...I am curious as for the demographics and founder makeup of the EEP population, and any future plans for this taxa. Can anyone fill me in?
Manatees and European Zoos
- Thread starter okapikpr
- Start date
I do not think that an EEP exists for manatees (I will have to check this one over as perhaps endeavours in that direction may already have been made). The population is certainly growing (current standings: 12.12 with sufficient breeding, allthough there is room for improvement), but contrary to US with the Floridan subspecies we keep Caribbeans of South American origins.
Several new institutions have big aquatic exhibits planned in Europe and manatees circulate in their plans. Will report back tomorrow which institutions are direct prospects there ...
Several new institutions have big aquatic exhibits planned in Europe and manatees circulate in their plans. Will report back tomorrow which institutions are direct prospects there ...
It's good to know there is an existant breeding population of manatees. In the US, the government has a breeding moratorium of all florida manatees and only 3 facilities outside florida have florida manatees. The Dallas World Aquarium had to acquire their's from south america. It's a shame that more US zoos cant have manatees. They make a great aquatic mammal exhibit and are less controversial than other aquatic mammals.
As for the EEP.... in the states, we often refer to european zoos and their programs as EEP - its just an easier acronym to refer to.
As for the EEP.... in the states, we often refer to european zoos and their programs as EEP - its just an easier acronym to refer to.
Toddy
Well-Known Member
Nürnberg Zoo runs the EEP for caribbean manatees in Europe. Over the past years, new exhibits have been built in Odense (2001) and Randers (2003) in Denmark, and Nürnberg Zoo opens a new Dolphin Lagoon in 2010, with a tropical house for manatees. When the last amazonian river dolphin in Duisburg dies, the exhibit there is also intended for manatees (opened 2005).
Writhedhornbill
Well-Known Member
i wish that chester could have them. My brother would enjoy going to the zoo.
Are these numbers based on ISIS? Because i was under the impression that Faunia (Madrid) imported a pair late 2007 straight from guyana and i don't know if all the other numbers are correct...
There is some breeding, but on the whole i doubt it could be called "sufficient". Afaik most zoo's haven't had a calf since 2000 (as far as i know, bare for two calves at Odense, one at Beauval and a miscarriage at Randers?). Duisburg's Rio Negro exhibit (which now holds the last orinoco-dolphin) will be an impressive and splendid manatee exhibit!
Toddy
Well-Known Member
Odense Zoo has had tree births with exactly two years between them (one of these was a miscarriage). Randers had a miscarriage, but matings have already been observed several times since then. Fingers crossed 
Odense Zoo has the best manatee exhibit I have seen, with Randers following closely behind.
Odense Zoo has the best manatee exhibit I have seen, with Randers following closely behind.
Trebaruna
Well-Known Member
I was in madrid last weekend, and Faunia does indeed have some manatees. Visitors can see them from a tunnel. The water was extremely turbid and the animals kept swimming in and out of sight, so i'm not sure about the number of individuals. :s Al least 2, probably 3 i think... The animals aren't very big though.
Upali
Well-Known Member
Anyone have any pictures of the odense exhibit? Also does anyone have any info on the manatees at Beauval, i haven't heard anything from there since the twins calves in 2003.
There is also mantees at zoomarine in portugal. When i visisted 2 years ago they had Bruno?, the male from singapore in a small holding pool inside the aqaurium with plans for a new exhibit and a female.
There is also mantees at zoomarine in portugal. When i visisted 2 years ago they had Bruno?, the male from singapore in a small holding pool inside the aqaurium with plans for a new exhibit and a female.
Toddy
Well-Known Member
Manatees in Odense Zoo
The manatee exhibit in Odense Zoo is part of their Oceanium (theme with South American animals). The manatees' pool is the main attraction/enclosure in the South American tropical house.
This large pool has two islands in the middle, so the pool can be divided into smaller channels. The water is shallow between the islands, but there is also a deep end. The visitors view the animals from above and through large underwater viewing windows.
Other inhabitants in the house are lots of fish, two-toed sloths, golden-headed lion tamarins, pygmy marmosets, sunbitterns and other birds.
The pool
The channels
The deep end (raining)
Feeding time
The manatee exhibit in Odense Zoo is part of their Oceanium (theme with South American animals). The manatees' pool is the main attraction/enclosure in the South American tropical house.
This large pool has two islands in the middle, so the pool can be divided into smaller channels. The water is shallow between the islands, but there is also a deep end. The visitors view the animals from above and through large underwater viewing windows.
Other inhabitants in the house are lots of fish, two-toed sloths, golden-headed lion tamarins, pygmy marmosets, sunbitterns and other birds.
The pool
The channels
The deep end (raining)
Feeding time
Toddy
Well-Known Member
2.3 manatees currently live in Odense. One of these came from Nürnberg, two from Guyana and two are born there. Odense Zoo recieved 2.2 manatees from Guyana in 2001. One of the males died and one of the females moved to Randers Regnskov Tropical Zoo to form a pair with their lone male.
Henriette (female)
Born in Artis
Lived in Nürnberg Zoo
Moved to Odense Zoo as the first manatee in Scandinavia in 2001.
Shows signs of stereotype behaviour after living in small tanks her whole life before moving to Odense.
Femmeren/Nr. 5 (female)
Born in Guyana
Moved to Odense Zoo in 2001
The breeding-cow in Odense Zoo. Has given birth three times since 2003. The babies from 2003 and 2007 have both survived, while the 2005 birth was a stillborn.
Name unknown (male)
Born in Guyana
Moved to Odense Zoo in 2001
The breeding male in Odense.
Name unknown (male)
Born in Odense Zoo in 2003.
Mother is Femmeren/Nr. 5.
The first manatee-baby ever in Scandinavia.
Name unknown (female)
Born in Odense Zoo in 2007.
Mother is Femmeren/Nr. 5.
Henriette (female)
Born in Artis
Lived in Nürnberg Zoo
Moved to Odense Zoo as the first manatee in Scandinavia in 2001.
Shows signs of stereotype behaviour after living in small tanks her whole life before moving to Odense.
Femmeren/Nr. 5 (female)
Born in Guyana
Moved to Odense Zoo in 2001
The breeding-cow in Odense Zoo. Has given birth three times since 2003. The babies from 2003 and 2007 have both survived, while the 2005 birth was a stillborn.
Name unknown (male)
Born in Guyana
Moved to Odense Zoo in 2001
The breeding male in Odense.
Name unknown (male)
Born in Odense Zoo in 2003.
Mother is Femmeren/Nr. 5.
The first manatee-baby ever in Scandinavia.
Name unknown (female)
Born in Odense Zoo in 2007.
Mother is Femmeren/Nr. 5.
Toddy
Well-Known Member
Here is a comercial from Odense Zoo, where you can see part of the manatee exhibit (requires Quicktime).
Upali
Well-Known Member
What is the future for the european captive manatees at the moment? The USA is supposed to only have a rescue/rehabilitation aims without breeding. Are the european manatees going down this route...
Also does anyone know the status and individuals of the Beauval animals, they had a male born in 2001 and twins born in 2003. But there does not seem to be any news on the group and breedings. All the animals should be of breeding age by now?
Also does anyone know the status and individuals of the Beauval animals, they had a male born in 2001 and twins born in 2003. But there does not seem to be any news on the group and breedings. All the animals should be of breeding age by now?
Sun Wukong
Well-Known Member
Certainly not; unlike the US ex-situ population, the ones in European zoo are usually kept in mixed-gender groups. However, this doesn't guarantee breeding success-see f.e. Tierpark Friedrichsfelde...
Looking forward to the new manatee house in Nuremberg-and I'm obviously not the only one, as seen in other threads.