Altina Wildlife Park Altina Wildlife Park News 2021

Kifaru Bwana said:
Makes me wonder how widely distributed in zoos the yellow-footed are?
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They are not as common as I once thought they were but they are still present in healthy numbers. The native mammal thread lists them as uncommon (between 5 to 10 holders) across the zoos and wildlife parks in Australia. Off the top of my head, I can think of around eleven: Australian Reptile Park (NSW), Altina Wildlife Park (NSW), Featherdale Wildlife Park (NSW), Hunter Valley Zoo (NSW), WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo (NSW), Adelaide Zoo (SA), Monarto Safari Park (SA), Cleland Wildlife Park (SA), Gorge Wildlife Park (SA), Halls Gap Zoo (VIC) and Caversham Wildlife Park (WA). Some of these places might not have this species currently but they at least did up until recently. According to the ZAA website, the programme for them is managed by Monarto and South Australia seems to be their stronghold. I am sure some smaller facilities have them as well. There are none in Queensland zoos as far I can tell as we mainly seem to reserve space for the Brush-tails instead. I could certainly see the Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies working for some of the Queensland zoos situated in more arid conditions.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
They are not as common as I once thought they were but they are still present in healthy numbers. The native mammal thread lists them as uncommon (between 5 to 10 holders) across the zoos and wildlife parks in Australia. Off the top of my head, I can think of around eleven: Australian Reptile Park (NSW), Altina Wildlife Park (NSW), Featherdale Wildlife Park (NSW), Hunter Valley Zoo (NSW), WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo (NSW), Adelaide Zoo (SA), Monarto Safari Park (SA), Cleland Wildlife Park (SA), Gorge Wildlife Park (SA), Halls Gap Zoo (VIC) and Caversham Wildlife Park (WA). Some of these places might not have this species currently but they at least did up until recently. According to the ZAA website, the programme for them is managed by Monarto and South Australia seems to be their stronghold. I am sure some smaller facilities have them as well. There are none in Queensland zoos as far I can tell as we mainly seem to reserve space for the Brush-tails instead. I could certainly see the Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies working for some of the Queensland zoos situated in more arid conditions.
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I believe there is one collection in the UK with them and another possible two zoos in Europe with them!
 
Zorro said:
I believe there is one collection in the UK with them and another possible two zoos in Europe with them!
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Yes if we are talking about collections overseas they are present in Europe across France (four collections), Germany (two collections) and single holdings in the UK, Czech Republic and Spain. A zoo in Israel also have them according to ZTL: ZootierlisteHomepage

A few zoos in the USA also house them - Los Angeles, Omaha, Palm Beach Zoo, Sacramento (still?), San Antonio, Living Desert and Zoo Tampa (give or take a few).
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
They are not as common as I once thought they were but they are still present in healthy numbers. The native mammal thread lists them as uncommon (between 5 to 10 holders) across the zoos and wildlife parks in Australia. Off the top of my head, I can think of around eleven: Australian Reptile Park (NSW), Altina Wildlife Park (NSW), Featherdale Wildlife Park (NSW), Hunter Valley Zoo (NSW), WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo (NSW), Adelaide Zoo (SA), Monarto Safari Park (SA), Cleland Wildlife Park (SA), Gorge Wildlife Park (SA), Halls Gap Zoo (VIC) and Caversham Wildlife Park (WA). Some of these places might not have this species currently but they at least did up until recently. According to the ZAA website, the programme for them is managed by Monarto and South Australia seems to be their stronghold. I am sure some smaller facilities have them as well. There are none in Queensland zoos as far I can tell as we mainly seem to reserve space for the Brush-tails instead. I could certainly see the Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies working for some of the Queensland zoos situated in more arid conditions.
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Way back yellow-footed used to be "the" rock wallaby and very popular. Melbourne Zoo for instance used to have an exhibit about where the Sumatran tiger is now. You're right spaces went to the brush-tails for the conservation program, but also some zoos such as Melbourne dropped rock wallabies altogether. I'm sure they are still in quite a few non-ZAA parks though, and in many ways they are the most attractive rock wallaby and make the best display.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Yes if we are talking about collections overseas they are present in Europe across France (four collections), Germany (two collections) and single holdings in the UK, Czech Republic and Spain. A zoo in Israel also have them according to ZTL: ZootierlisteHomepage

A few zoos in the USA also house them - Los Angeles, Omaha, Palm Beach Zoo, Sacramento (still?), San Antonio, Living Desert and Zoo Tampa (give or take a few).
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I am surprised there are that many overseas zoos holding them. I agree with MRJ that they are the most attractive of the rock Wallaby a little surprised more zoos here are not holding them!
 
A first for Altina Wildlife Park! The park has welcomed their first ever Waterbuck calf. Only three zoos hold this species in Australia (Altina, Werribee and Monarto) along with two NZ zoos (Orana and Auckland):
ALTINA is extremely excited to announce a first for Altina!!!!Success after many years of waiting this beautiful little baby WATERBUCK ANTELOPE!!!!
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Altina Wildlife Park
 
tetrapod said:
How many waterbuck are there between Australia and NZ? I was surprised that breeding was still a possibility.
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The waterbuck population across Australia and NZ sits around 20-25 individuals. There have been a few recent moves especially in New Zealand. Notably, two males arrived from Werribee to form breeding groups at Auckland and Orana. From previous posts I can find, Monarto first bred them in 2016 (another calf was born in 2018 as well), Werribee last bred them in 2017 and Orana in 2018. There is always the chance that more births have since occurred. They are one of the many species that desperately needs new blood.
 
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Very unfortunate news. Altina's only bongo has passed due to a long-term illness:
RIP MSHINDI Over the last few months our beautiful Bongo Mshindi has been in intensive care with a condition Vets from all around the world could not diagnose. Countless tests and investigations amounted to no results. Altina Managers and Staff could only keep Mshindi comfortable and follow our vets directions. When our beautiful baby boy departed from this world the autopsy results were also inconsistent. Vets are putting it down to a ‘mechanical abnormality’ knowing our boy had many difficulties. This has been extremely heart breaking for all of the Altina Family as I’m sure many of the public loosing this critically endangered animal that was so special to us and has left a massive hole in our hearts!
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Altina's male white rhino, Mtoto has died unexpectably due to a cardiac arrest. This leaves the park with two females:

"RIP MTOTO It’s with a very heavy heart that Altina announces the death of our beloved male Southern White Rhino. Mtoto died unexpectedly in the middle of the day after being seen approximately 15minutes prior, running and playing in the enclosure with one of his girlfriends, Mango. Our Vets have confirmed that Mtoto died of a cardiac arrest (sudden loss of heart function).Mtoto was an extremely affectionate gentleman that will always be missed, especially by the Altin family. Fly high big boy! We're sure Gino is keeping a close eye on you wherever you may be."
Altina Wildlife Park
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Altina's male white rhino, Mtoto has died unexpectably due to a cardiac arrest. This leaves the park with two females:

"RIP MTOTO It’s with a very heavy heart that Altina announces the death of our beloved male Southern White Rhino. Mtoto died unexpectedly in the middle of the day after being seen approximately 15minutes prior, running and playing in the enclosure with one of his girlfriends, Mango. Our Vets have confirmed that Mtoto died of a cardiac arrest (sudden loss of heart function).Mtoto was an extremely affectionate gentleman that will always be missed, especially by the Altin family. Fly high big boy! We're sure Gino is keeping a close eye on you wherever you may be."
Altina Wildlife Park
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Very sad news indeed. Condolences to all the staff at Altina. :(
 
Zorro said:
I am surprised there are that many overseas zoos holding them. I agree with MRJ that they are the most attractive of the rock Wallaby a little surprised more zoos here are not holding them!
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Very attractive species. Pleased when I found Bristol had got a group, only to see that despite breeding, they moved them out again and they are now miles away at Flamingo Park in Yorkshire. I can only think it was due to exhibit problems- they seem to have a more suitable exhibit with a 'rockpile' where they are now.
 
Pertinax said:
Very attractive species. Pleased when I found Bristol had got a group, only to see that despite breeding, they moved them out again and they are now miles away at Flamingo Park in Yorkshire. I can only think it was due to exhibit problems- they seem to have a more suitable exhibit with a 'rockpile' where they are now.
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Yes a properly constructed rockpile is essential. Rock wallabies like ledges and "verandahs" that are open each end so they can escape. They also like an open area where they can come down from the rockpile at night to graze.
 
Pertinax said:
Very attractive species. Pleased when I found Bristol had got a group, only to see that despite breeding, they moved them out again and they are now miles away at Flamingo Park in Yorkshire. I can only think it was due to exhibit problems- they seem to have a more suitable exhibit with a 'rockpile' where they are now.
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Bristol's effort was pretty pathetic given they should have known better. Rock wallabies are skittish and do well with a good flight distance from the public. BZ created a narrow walk-through with viewing into the housing. No real height or climbing opportunities. Sadly was never going to work.
 
tetrapod said:
Bristol's effort was pretty pathetic given they should have known better. Rock wallabies are skittish and do well with a good flight distance from the public. BZ created a narrow walk-through with viewing into the housing. No real height or climbing opportunities. Sadly was never going to work.
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I agree 100% . They were not the right species for the exhibit, but very disappointed that they simply got rid of them instead of renovating the exhibit. They seem to make rather a habit of this- one female Drill dies- result, disband the group just a few years after getting them. At least at Flamingo Park the wallabies have got more space by the look of it.
 
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