African Wild Ass: a possibility for Australian zoos?

[steveroberts]

It would be great if Hamilton could take the trajectory you are suggesting Zoofan. I feel like those Grant's stallions at ZooDoo are sort of 'wasted' being there (and if ZooDoo could be convinced to export them to New Zealand on the guarantee they will receive generic Plains Zebras from zoos on the Australian mainland in their stead). Thats great about the Giraffe IRA being completed, I like the idea that perhaps someday Auckland can potentially have a breeding pair of Zebras and hopefully have foals/colts born.

Re African Wild Ass: I agree Grant Rhino and Zoofan that Monarto, Werribee, Hamilton and Orana would be ideal places for them potentially (Dubbo too once their Onagers pass on). I thought DDZ and Altina because of their track record of taking independant initiative, thought of Nat' Zoo too but for some reason thought they might be full to the brim at the moment (also have this stereotype in my mind that Canberra is too cold, but that hasnt stopped them having Sri Lankan Leopards, Sun Bears, Cheetahs, Rhinos, Giraffes, Hyenas, Hunting Dogs, Zebras, Colobus Monkeys etc). I thought if perhaps these zoos took the African Wild Ass import and holding to a reality it would inspire Monarto, Werribee, Hamilton, Orana etc to request individuals from those other zoos especially if the former-mentioned zoos imported a few surplus not to mention the optimal outcome of successfully bred individuals.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thats great about the Giraffe IRA being completed, I like the idea that perhaps someday Auckland can potentially have a breeding pair of Zebras and hopefully have foals/colts born.

Hamilton as a giraffe import/quarantine centre (an idea):

Potentially, Hamilton Zoo could transfer their four female Plains zebra to Auckland Zoo. Auckland Zoo have four females and clearly have no plans to breed at this point in time. They could easily double their female zebra holdings with the upcoming expansion of the rhino exhibit into the elephant exhibit. This would leave Hamilton Zoo with three colts, who would need to transfer out either way. Potentially Orana could take them; or even Keystone.

Temporarily phasing out zebra would allow Hamilton Zoo to focus on importing giraffes for the next few years. Giraffes are usually imported as juveniles and removing zebra stallions from the equation eliminates any risk associated with cohabitating (a juvenile giraffe previously died at Hamilton Zoo after their last Grant’s stallion chased it into a fence).

Giraffes imported by Hamilton Zoo could be sent on to Australian zoos after 12 months quarantine and after 3-5 years, they could look to require zebra (ideally purebred Grant’s from Australia) and breed.

 

[Zoofan15]

It would be great if Hamilton could take the trajectory you are suggesting Zoofan. I feel like those Grant's stallions at ZooDoo are sort of 'wasted' being there (and if ZooDoo could be convinced to export them to New Zealand on the guarantee they will receive generic Plains Zebras from zoos on the Australian mainland in their stead).

I agree. I can’t even see why ZooDoo would want to hold onto their surplus colts. Zebras aren’t hard to breed and they’re just taking up space that could be allocated towards breeding more foals. I’d like to see their colts paired with fillies from Darling Downs Zoo; and as per the capacity reasoning, can’t even see ZooDoo wanting generic zebras in return. Transferring out their colts (which they can’t breed with) appears to be a win-win for everyone.

 

[Zorro]

Since I do get a broad news feed from across the Internet from zoo sources and among other outlets I have noticed a slow but steady stream of new born AWA babies being bred both in European and US collections. Since anyone collection will only hold a certain number in any given herd I would expect current holders would look at placing their future young into new/or other collections.
I am not sure of the current captive numbers at present but it has appeared to be a steady and contant increase overall, I would expect there is a current studbook being held at some zoo at the moment!

 

[Zoofan15]

Since I do get a broad news feed from across the Internet from zoo sources and among other outlets I have noticed a slow but steady stream of new born AWA babies being bred both in European and US collections. Since anyone collection will only hold a certain number in any given herd I would expect current holders would look at placing their future young into new/or other collections.
I am not sure of the current captive numbers at present but it has appeared to be a steady and contant increase overall, I would expect there is a current studbook being held at some zoo at the moment!

The captive population of the Somali subspecies numbers around 200 individuals across 34 zoos. This includes five zoos in North America, with the White Oak Conservation Centre being highly successful in breeding them since they first imported the species in 2008. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has a herd of around 10.

There would surely be a surplus of males and females for us to import, even if it was initially 1.1 pairs. Marwell Zoo hold a single pair and have bred several foals, their most recent being born this year.

 

[Zorro]

The captive population of the Somali subspecies numbers around 200 individuals across 34 zoos. This includes five zoos in North America, with the White Oak Conservation Centre being highly successful in breeding them since they first imported the species in 2008. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has a herd of around 10.

There would surely be a surplus of males and females for us to import, even if it was initially 1.1 pairs.

Thats a sound number also being a long lived species is going to help things.
Perhaps the studbook is held at the WOCC?

 

[Zoofan15]

Thats a sound number also being a long lived species is going to help things.
Perhaps the studbook is held at the WOCC?

Basel Zoo coordinate the EEP for Somali wild ass. They’ve held the species since 1970 and their first foal was born 1972. All captive individuals descend from Basel founders.

The North American facilities are part of the EEP, so it appears Australian and New Zealand zoos would have to similarly join.

 

[Zorro]

The captive population of the Somali subspecies numbers around 200 individuals across 34 zoos. This includes five zoos in North America, with the White Oak Conservation Centre being highly successful in breeding them since they first imported the species in 2008. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has a herd of around 10.

There would surely be a surplus of males and females for us to import, even if it was initially 1.1 pairs. Marwell Zoo hold a single pair and have bred several foals, their most recent being born this year.

I checked Wiki today which gives the same numbers but that was from 2011 perhaps the captive number is possibly higher by now?

 

[TNT]

In the UK they're bred intermittently nowadays in several(5) wildlife and Safari Parks ; Africa Alive, Banham, Marwell, Knowlsey and Woburn Safari Parks which all have them on a breeding basis.

Just to provide a tiny correction. The young male we now have at Banham came from Africa Alive as it was about time for him to leave the group. Him and female were born last year, with her since departing to another collection, whilst another youngster has been born at AA.

We'll hopefully have the young male on his own for a while (not breeding) but I imagine he'll find a place at another zoo once ready for breeding (just a guess on my part).

 

[tigris115]

I think it'd be a great idea. You could have several large herds of wild asses in these large enclosures. And they'd be fine in Australia as the environment is basically like home for them

 

[Zorro]

I think it'd be a great idea. You could have several large herds of wild asses in these large enclosures. And they'd be fine in Australia as the environment is basically like home for them

Your quite correct regarding the climate it would be ideal for them hot and dry like home.
This also suited the Onagar they held at Dubbo in the past before they decided to phase out these highly endangered species!

 

[tigris115]

Your quite correct regarding the climate it would be ideal for them hot and dry like home.
This also suited the Onagar they held at Dubbo in the past before they decided to phase out these highly endangered species!

Yeah I think Australia should really take more steps in acquiring endangered ungulates native to the hot, arid regions of the world, I imagine them being met when similar success to SDZSP

 

[Zoofan15]

Your quite correct regarding the climate it would be ideal for them hot and dry like home.
This also suited the Onagar they held at Dubbo in the past before they decided to phase out these highly endangered species!

Yeah I think Australia should really take more steps in acquiring endangered ungulates native to the hot, arid regions of the world, I imagine them being met when similar success to SDZSP

I’d like to see a greater focus regionally on endangered and critically endangered species:

Przewalski’s horse
African wild ass
Onager
Addax
Scimitar-horned oryx
Eastern bongo

Instead of generic zebra and Lowland nyala.

The Australasian Rhino Project will see 35 Southern white rhinoceros (near threatened) imported into Australia. I’d argue this space could be better allocated to Southern black rhinoceros (critically endangered), but acknowledge the white rhinoceros are semi-social and can be housed in herds (more space efficient).

 

[Zorro]

I’d like to see a greater focus regionally on endangered and critically endangered species:

Przewalski’s horse
African wild ass
Onager
Addax
Scimitar-horned oryx
Eastern bongo

Instead of generic zebra and Lowland nyala.

The Australasian Rhino Project will see 35 Southern white rhinoceros (near threatened) imported into Australia. I’d argue this space could be better allocated to Southern black rhinoceros (critically endangered), but acknowledge the white rhinoceros are semi-social and can be housed in herds (more space efficient).

I would have to fully agree with you, one would believe this to be a logical step but it all goes back to the team planners at the end of the day!

 

[Zoofan15]

I would have to fully agree with you, one would believe this to be a logical step but it all goes back to the team planners at the end of the day!

On a positive note, Eastern bongo are more common in open range zoos now compared to previous decades. This gives me hope that when more are imported, larger herds will be built up which will create a more sustainable population long term.

A herd of 1.2 could potentially produce enough first generation female calves to create a large breeding herd; but as we’ve seen at Dubbo (one female is infertile; the other has had a succession of sons), there’s no guarantees.

A minimum of four males and five females is really what the region needs to import to sustain the population for the next three decades:

1.2 at one zoo
1.3 at one zoo
2.0 at one or two zoos

 

[Zorro]

On a positive note, Eastern bongo are more common in open range zoos now compared to previous decades. This gives me hope that when more are imported, larger herds will be built up which will create a more sustainable population long term.

A herd of 1.2 could potentially produce enough first generation female calves to create a large breeding herd; but as we’ve seen at Dubbo (one female is infertile; the other has had a succession of sons), there’s no guarantees.

A minimum of four males and five females is really what the region needs to import to sustain the population for the next three decades:

1.2 at one zoo
1.3 at one zoo
2.0 at one or two zoos

After following our zoos for over 5 decades I will believe and then get excited "when" I see it happen. I am not as optimistic as you, Taronga were hardly serious when they were given 1 pair of Bongo from the San Diego zoo, a follow up of a couple more pairs should of been on the cards but only years later importing 1 only female from the Singapore zoo that was a breeding dud unfortunately. Also while they (the pair) bred well a succession of male calfs never helped the matter!.
As for the future I will as I said believe it when I see it, The most I could see anyone zoo in the region import would be 3 but in most cases one pair or perhaps just one. I would be more than happy to be proven wrong about this. We have to many zoos who are prepared to sit back and wait for off-spring from someone else who has spent the money and done the work.
When one asian zoo can import ten Bongo a few years ago from the USA in one go for its needs makes one wonder what in being done wrong here, this minimalistic approach is doing our zoos no favours.