I really do like this species of primate but why can't zoos invest in another more unusual baboon like the chacma. It probably is because they are easier to keep or they are more available.
I really do like this species of primate but why can't zoos invest in another more unusual baboon like the chacma. It probably is because they are easier to keep or they are more available.
I'm not aware of any difference in husbandry but availability is a major factor - certainly in Europe Papio baboons other than Hamadryas are pretty thin on the ground. It is possible to see Guinea, Olive, and Yellow Baboons but a lot of Olive and Yellow in particular are either known or potential hybrids from interbreeding in the past.
I really do like this species of primate but why can't zoos invest in another more unusual baboon like the chacma. It probably is because they are easier to keep or they are more available.
As Maguari says, its what's available. Usually one place starts up by getting a small 'splinter' group from another Zoo.
For many years there were no Guinea baboons in the UK until Port Lympne, and later Edinburgh, received all(?) the animals from the Paris Zoo colony, while that zoo is being completely renovated. Previously the last Guinea baboons in Uk were probably at Windsor Safari Park.
Edinburgh, Colchester and Howletts alll have Geladas now, another species that was absent from the UK for many years.
I've never seen Chacma Baboons in the UK- I've only seen them once in a zoo at all- somewhere in Europe but no memory of where.
This Hamadryas island looks as if its been upgraded in recent years with more rockwork, tree stumps etc added, whereas previously it was very bare.
That is really sad that not a lot of zoos have acquired Chacma Baboon . There a very interesting species that I wish I could research while watching there dynamics. You can only do so much of reading or searching on the web about a species before you get to wonder what the real look of them are or how they can change there different skills in captivity. I have been having an issue with zoos not buckling down and trying to acquire a different species than most zoos. I know it has to do with availability ( which is a good point ) but why can't zoos go to Southern Africa and capture a couple of these Least Concerned primates. I know some people view wild capture as unethical and wrong but for a species that could be over populating an area or have been captured as pests can easily go through quarantine and find there why into an old Guinea Baboon cage. I'm sure visitors will find these creatures fascinating with there longish snouts. I saw the documentary Life , where they sowed a little piece on how these monkeys will forage for sea life food. I thought that would make a great exhibit designs.
I would think that South Africa would be glad to get rid of some of their 'problem' Chacma baboons to zoos , rather than having to shoot them . They can be a real problem around Picnic sites and Built-up areas where they become fearless . I heard some scary stories of attacks on picnics and raids on houses when out there . I certainly would not want to find one in my house !
Saw plenty of them hanging around at road-sides . It is not really their fault as some people feed them , despite notices telling you not to .
But I can't see any zoos outside of S.A. bothering to go to the expense of importing any, when there are Yellow/Olive/Guinea baboons available for anyone intending to exhibit Grass baboons (which are generally only a Safari Park species nowadays.)
@ Pertinax - That's the problem. Aren't zoos supposed to create a world where you can see different species from all over? Aren't they supposed to educate the public and save endangered animals? I know the Chacma's aren't endangered but that is a rare animal to see in a zoo. Why aren't zoos doing there job? Why are they calling themselves zoos if they don't pay for a round trip to southern Africa to get a baboon that has rarely been exhibited? Give your large pack of commonly seen baboons to a smaller zoo and try to succeed and do your job. Why do zoos emphasize on saiga or echidna? Because their endangered. Well, what if a small zoo can't contain a saiga or enchidna. What do they do. They get a mara or llama. Try asking a primate reserve or a local village to send some of their chacmas their about to shoot or get ride of. Why? Why? Why?
I think no is the answer to that. Zoos are supposed to follow the regional collection plan and work collaboratively to managed species. Assuming that the chacma baboon is not part of the European regional collection plan for baboons then how would any zoo be able to justify giving the available exhibit space to them, when there are species which have been identified as having a greater need for that space.
I think no is the answer to that. Zoos are supposed to follow the regional collection plan and work collaboratively to managed species. Assuming that the chacma baboon is not part of the European regional collection plan for baboons then how would any zoo be able to justify giving the available exhibit space to them, when there are species which have been identified as having a greater need for that space.
Any zoo is free to import any animals it likes if it can arrange the correct paperwork, and weird animals continue to come into Europe. I can easily envisage somewhere like Prague, for example, or even Belfast, bringing in Chacma Baboons if they felt like it - they have form for interesting imports. And if they brought in a good sized group I don't think there's any reason that quite a healthy population couldn't result.
But that's the thing - because they're not already in Europe, you'd have to really want Chacmas to get them, and I guess nowhere does at the moment.
I do think it's important for zoos to try new species from time to time, otherwise the overall number of species is only going to go one way - down - as is the case with exotics in Australia at the moment. This applies doubly to species already in good populations in other regions (I'm looking at you, North America, and your Chacoan Peccaries! ).
They are just a larger, greyer version of the other Grass baboon subspecies, so I can't see anywhere deliberately importing them when other subspecies are already available.
