Is there any information on the origin of Southwicks' vicunas?
Are These in Captivity?
- Thread starter MonkeyBat
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They were imported from Europe- I believe Berlin and a few other places.
I don't think this is true. The AZA import was to come from Berlin.
There are no Lesser Rhea in the US afaik.
~Thylo
I could be wrong with the Berlin part. I do know they were from overseas though.
According to information on ZIMS, the vicunas came from Canada - the Assiniboine Park Zoo and the Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Center in Langley.
Why are Andean and James’s flamingos so rare in zoos outside South America (not sure if they’re held in zoos in their native countries). Are there export bans on them that no other flamingo species have? It’s weird that we see every other flamingo species in so many zoos, but have to go to Berlin or that one British park for these two.
They are rare, they are protected and they live in areas which are difficult to reach.
To collect these species would cost a lot of money and every 'normal' zoo won't make these costs just to collect a species from which relatives are among the most commonly kept birds in zoos and from which the 'normal' zoo-visitor don't even see the difference.
Having taken care for both species myself I know they are beautifull birds but I'm afraid we won't see them becoming more common in the future...
I'd like to hear the story behind when and how the ones in Europe were collected; sounds interesting. Also, why is the Chilean flamingo so common if it comes from similar range?
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They are as rare in South American zoos as they are in Europe. Maybe 2 collections in SA keep them and none ever bred them (at least I haven´t found any mention).
Chilean Flamingo have a much much wider range.
In the past these lakes were remote, but now some are regular tourist attractions. You can even see Andean and James Flamingos on Google Street View:Google Maps
Google Maps
I also read that they are more suspectible to diseases than other flamingos, but I think it is sorted out with the current zoo hygiene.
Google Maps
I also read that they are more suspectible to diseases than other flamingos, but I think it is sorted out with the current zoo hygiene.
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Slight tangent from the main topic but fun fact about those flamingos: Bronx became the first zoo in the world to keep James's when they were imported with a flock of Andean in 1960. The former was feared extinct until 1957.
~Thylo
~Thylo
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I agree with the other posters below, they are unlikely to make it to zoos outside of South America in the forseeable future.
I think it is a better idea (post COVID-19) to travel and see them in the wild and through doing this support ecotourism in the region which is in dire need.
They were I believe collected in the days of large scale importation and dealing. Any that aren’t captive bred are now really old.
drill
Well-Known Member
Last one at Tucson Petting zoo in Arizona
Last one of which?
drill
Well-Known Member
Chacoan mara
I don't believe there are any gundi or viscacha
But yes, after a lot of digging I found one with Chacoan Mara in addition to Patagonian - https://tucsonpettingzoo.com/- Status