It seems such a familiar story- the gradual loss of these species in your zoos as the animals die out without replacements, or through lack of breeding until just a few old animals are left.
I am aware of the Quarantine laws that are largely responsible but out of interest when was the last time any new Ungulate species- or additions to supplement existing zoo stock, were allowed into Australia/New Zealand?
Hamilton had 1.3 last time I visited (November 2011), as a phase-out species these should be maintained as non-breeding, but there was a birth 3-4 years ago I think.
Last new species import = nyala to Wellington NZ in 2010, with supplement in 2011. No new species for 15+ years before that. Australia probably hasn't had any for many years now, maybe Taronga's Bongo are the most recent, but I'm not too sure? Hopefully with the nyala success, NZ will get the ball rolling with importation and supplementation from South Africa, but key leader Orana has, understandably, not shown any recent signs of this happening. I think Australia can only reasonably import from NZ now (?), so will have to wait for us.
Hamilton had 1.3 last time I visited (November 2011), as a phase-out species these should be maintained as non-breeding, but there was a birth 3-4 years ago I think.
Last new species import = nyala to Wellington NZ in 2010, with supplement in 2011. No new species for 15+ years before that. Australia probably hasn't had any for many years now, maybe Taronga's Bongo are the most recent, but I'm not too sure? Hopefully with the nyala success, NZ will get the ball rolling with importation and supplementation from South Africa, but key leader Orana has, understandably, not shown any recent signs of this happening. I think Australia can only reasonably import from NZ now (?), so will have to wait for us.
Sorry to bring up an old topic but I believe the most recent import was bongo from San Diego to Taronga in the early 2000's. It still was only a pair though.
