Taronga Zoo African Savannah and Congo Forest development plans

If any okapi are exported from the United States to Australia, they will not not be breeding individuals. There are only 20 viable females in the population, and so each and every one of them is critical to the survival of the population here. Any exports would be surplus males and surplus males only.
 
Kudu21 said:
If any okapi are exported from the United States to Australia, they will not not be breeding individuals. There are only 20 viable females in the population, and so each and every one of them is critical to the survival of the population here. Any exports would be surplus males and surplus males only.
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Their export to Australia would not preclude them from remaining part of the breeding programme. They’re not a gift. The theoretical pair at Taronga would function as an extension of the North American breeding programme in the same was our Sri Lankan leopards remain part of the European breeding programme.

According to this document, they’re planning to import a breeding pair and there’s suggestion other regional facilities will come on board (exciting news for Australasians if this were to go ahead):

https://www.awe.gov.au/sites/defaul...2b332b/files/draft-asessment-report-okapi.pdf

Importation of Okapi would allow Australia to participate in and contribute to the species survival plan (SSP), including breeding to support the ongoing conservation of this species in captivity for education, advocacy and genetic insurances for remaining wild populations.

An initial import of a breeding pair of Okapi is intended, however it is hoped that additional imports may be facilitated through the AZA species survival plan of genetically suitable captive-bred animals may follow.

Establishment of additional holdings of this species in participating institutions will open up research opportunities into reproductive biology, health and physiology.

As part of an international breeding program plans in there may be recommendations for transfers of individuals to maintain genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding with individuals within program. Trade will be via open exchange between AZA/ZAA institutions, as per normal practice with SSP programs.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Their export to Australia would not preclude them from remaining part of the breeding programme. They’re not a gift. The theoretical pair at Taronga would function as an extension of the North American breeding programme in the same was our Sri Lankan leopards remain part of the European breeding programme.

According to this document, they’re planning to import a breeding pair and there’s suggestion other regional facilities will come on board (exciting news for Australasians if this were to go ahead):

https://www.awe.gov.au/sites/defaul...2b332b/files/draft-asessment-report-okapi.pdf

Importation of Okapi would allow Australia to participate in and contribute to the species survival plan (SSP), including breeding to support the ongoing conservation of this species in captivity for education, advocacy and genetic insurances for remaining wild populations.

An initial import of a breeding pair of Okapi is intended, however it is hoped that additional imports may be facilitated through the AZA species survival plan of genetically suitable captive-bred animals may follow.

Establishment of additional holdings of this species in participating institutions will open up research opportunities into reproductive biology, health and physiology.

As part of an international breeding program plans in there may be recommendations for transfers of individuals to maintain genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding with individuals within program. Trade will be via open exchange between AZA/ZAA institutions, as per normal practice with SSP programs.
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That might have been the initial plan, but as someone who works with okapi and the SSP, I can say that it would be extremely unlikely that this ever happens. The SSP is not going to risk sending genetically valuable, few-far-and-in-between breeding animals all the way around the world. The SSP needs their breeding animals to be centralized and easily transportable (there’s a reason why you have okapi breeding hubs like San Diego, White Oak, Dallas, and now the SSC in New Orleans). With the amount of red tape, time, and stress it would take to move as valuable and sensitive of an animal as an okapi, once it leaves the country, it’s not coming back. Australian zoos functioning as an extension of the SSP no longer makes logistical sense and is not in the best interest of the population.
 
Kudu21 said:
That might have been the initial plan, but as someone who works with okapi and the SSP, I can say that it would be extremely unlikely that this ever happens. The SSP is not going to risk sending genetically valuable, few-far-and-in-between breeding animals all the way around the world. The SSP needs their breeding animals to be centralized and easily transportable (there’s a reason why you have okapi breeding hubs like San Diego, White Oak, Dallas, and now the SSC in New Orleans). With the amount of red tape, time, and stress it would take to move as valuable and sensitive of an animal as an okapi, once it leaves the country, it’s not coming back. Australian zoos functioning as an extension of the SSP no longer makes logistical sense and is not in the best interest of the population.
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Okapi appear to have been dropped from the plans, so this could explain why. Taronga’s resources would be better spent on breeding programmes we can actively participate in such as the Eastern bongo rather than holding North America’s surplus.

As outlined, the idea was for other zoos to come onboard (and breed), so if this isn’t possible either, then the idea has probably fallen flat.

PS. We want our Platypus back. :p
 
Just a note to remember - we didn’t send over a breeding pair of Platypus to San Diego either. They are a related pair comprising of an old female who is now approaching her 20s and her nephew.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Just a note to remember - we didn’t send over a breeding pair of Platypus to San Diego either. They are a related pair comprising of an old female who is now approaching her 20s and her nephew.
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I think you will find they sent them a couple of older animals to see how they go since it’s been a while since they they have been kept overseas and it’s unlikely they would send a breeding pair straight up. I believe it was mentioned that more would follow at a later date
 
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Zoofan15 said:
Their export to Australia would not preclude them from remaining part of the breeding programme. They’re not a gift. The theoretical pair at Taronga would function as an extension of the North American breeding programme in the same was our Sri Lankan leopards remain part of the European breeding programme.

According to this document, they’re planning to import a breeding pair and there’s suggestion other regional facilities will come on board (exciting news for Australasians if this were to go ahead):

https://www.awe.gov.au/sites/defaul...2b332b/files/draft-asessment-report-okapi.pdf

Importation of Okapi would allow Australia to participate in and contribute to the species survival plan (SSP), including breeding to support the ongoing conservation of this species in captivity for education, advocacy and genetic insurances for remaining wild populations.

An initial import of a breeding pair of Okapi is intended, however it is hoped that additional imports may be facilitated through the AZA species survival plan of genetically suitable captive-bred animals may follow.

Establishment of additional holdings of this species in participating institutions will open up research opportunities into reproductive biology, health and physiology.

As part of an international breeding program plans in there may be recommendations for transfers of individuals to maintain genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding with individuals within program. Trade will be via open exchange between AZA/ZAA institutions, as per normal practice with SSP programs.
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The document is actually from October, so Taronga are obviously still trying to do everything they can to get Okapi.

In my opinion it work better if other zoos in Australia join in with the breeding Okapis too. Sending Okapis back in forth from Taronga to the US might not be the best option over time.
 
That’s the thing, though— there aren’t enough breeding okapi in the United States for the SSP to spare one female— let alone multiple. In my knowledgeable opinion, it’s a pipe dream, at best. Maybe in the distant future if the population gets turned around, but not now. The SSP and current holding facilities are doubling down on trying to get the species breeding because things are not looking good as it stands. We need calves on the ground, and we need them to be females. You can’t support a population on 20 females that can only produce one calf every two years.
 
Jambo said:
The document is actually from October, so Taronga are obviously still trying to do everything they can to get Okapi.

In my opinion it work better if other zoos in Australia join in with the breeding Okapis too. Sending Okapis back in forth from Taronga to the US might not be the best option over time.
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So if Taronga are still trying to get Okapi after sending San Diego Platypus one could assume there is some sort of argument between them?
 
Kudu21 said:
That’s the thing, though— there aren’t enough breeding okapi in the United States for the SSP to spare one female— let alone multiple. In my knowledgeable opinion, it’s a pipe dream, at best. Maybe in the distant future if the population gets turned around, but not now. The SSP and current holding facilities are doubling down on trying to get the species breeding because things are not looking good as it stands. We need calves on the ground, and we need them to be females. You can’t support a population on 20 females that can only produce one calf every two years.
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There are currently almost 100 Okapi in the US. They could at least spare a pair to Taronga, to begin with; and then build the regional population amongst other zoos as time goes on. Okapis would be much better suited to the Australian climate.
 
Jambo said:
The document is actually from October, so Taronga are obviously still trying to do everything they can to get Okapi.

In my opinion it work better if other zoos in Australia join in with the breeding Okapis too. Sending Okapis back in forth from Taronga to the US might not be the best option over time.
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Agreed. It’s completely unsustainable to import surplus bulls from the United States every time ours die. If enough zoos come on board, a sustainable population could be formed.

Interestingly the document says the region aims to manage populations of around 50 animals, though given the solitary nature of the Okapi (and lack of availability) this wouldn’t be feasible with the number of holders - Taronga; and if we’re lucky three or four more.

The negotiations to receive a pair of Okapi may be between Taronga and the US, but it’s worth noting the Okapi population in Europe is in the high 70’s with 26 holders. Other zoos may long term be able to negotiate an import with them also - for the sake of diversity as much as availability.
 
Jambo said:
There are currently almost 100 Okapi in the US. They could at least spare a pair to Taronga, to begin with; and then build the regional population amongst other zoos as time goes on. Okapis would be much better suited to the Australian climate.
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Yes, we can definitely send over a pair of males as there is certainly a surplus of males. But we do need all the females we have as there are a number of older, post-reproductive females in the population as well as a few with reproductive issues. And not enough younger females are being born to balance this out, unfortunately. A better idea might be to export a male from here and export a female from Europe, though I don't know if Europe's population is doing much better. I definitely trust what @Kudu21 is saying as, like they said, they work with the SSP and know what they are talking about.
 
Jambo said:
There are currently almost 100 Okapi in the US. They could at least spare a pair to Taronga, to begin with; and then build the regional population amongst other zoos as time goes on. Okapis would be much better suited to the Australian climate.
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As I have stated, there are only 20 viable females.The population, is, of course, larger, but when it comes down to breeding, that’s all we have to work with. We have a number of post-reproductive females or females that are medically unable to breed (they are particularly susceptible to gestational heart failure). There are simply not breeding animals to spare. We do, however, as @Animals R AMAZING! has stated, have a population of surplus males, which is why I suggested any okapi coming from the United States at this time would have to be males.
 
Jambo said:
There are currently almost 100 Okapi in the US. They could at least spare a pair to Taronga, to begin with; and then build the regional population amongst other zoos as time goes on. Okapis would be much better suited to the Australian climate.
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I tend to agree the climate would be well suited for them. Perhaps a female from Europe might be a good idea also they might be more agreeable to sending one
 
Zorro said:
I tend to agree the climate would be well suited for them. Perhaps a female from Europe might be a good idea also they might be more agreeable to sending one
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Given the parameters we have (surplus bulls in North America; and no surplus females) I think the best way forward is to take what we can get from North America at this point in time i.e. two bulls.

The second bull will be redundant in forming a breeding pair with the cow we could potentially import from Europe; but will be come into use when forming a breeding pair with the female first generation offspring at another facility in the region.

Yes, Taronga wants a breeding pair, but if we (and more importantly they) see the bigger picture, it could benefit the region in the long run by working to establish a sustainable population.
 
steveroberts said:
Like everyone am wondering which other zoos in the Aus & NZ might consider joining a regional Okapi breeding program?
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Given their focus on ungulates, I’d imagine Altina would have an interest in acquiring them - even if it’s holding a surplus bull.

To my knowledge, none of the main zoos have plans to acquire Okapi; but Auckland, Melbourne and Perth would be wise to consider them as they look to phasing out their elephants. They’d compliment the African collections of all three zoos - especially Melbourne, who already has Western lowland gorilla and Pygmy hippopotamus.
 
I've been following this discussion with interest, and I'd love for Taronga and Melbourne to house okapis, but I've got one major question/concern about the whole thing - even if it is possible:

How on earth can okapis be displayed in a way that the exhibit is interesting and engaging to the public?

I'm no expert on okapis, but from my understanding they are a shy animal - they don't like noise, they avoid people, they like tree cover and they don't live in a herd.

I can picture this: the lone okapi (or pair) simply spends all of its time at the very back of the enclosure under the trees and as far away from the public as possible. We've all been to zoos and seen an exhibit with one lone ungulate doing this.

I'd love to have okapis in Australia, but when I look at it from a visitor engagement perspective, I can't see how this is going to work. Perhaps it touches on a broader question regarding how to house ungulates in an interesting manner. My suggestions:

1. Ungulates are always more interesting when housed in a herd - but this is redundant with okapis because they are a solitary animal - so that's not possible. And even if it was possible we are hardly going to be able to import many anyway.

2. Can they be housed in a mixed species exhibit? Perhaps house them with colobus monkeys for example - that would make for an interesting exhibit.

Suggestion 2 seems to me the only way in which they could be housed in an interesting manner.

I'm very curious to hear what Kudu21 thinks of this - how are they generally housed in the US?

Cheers
 
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