Australasian African Wild Dog Population

[Zoofan15]

Aren't these guys at Monarto Safari Park?

Yep, typo.

Monarto Safari Park:

1.0 Baraka (21/04/2017) Hasani x Kisuri (Perth)
0.1 Bulu (14/01/2016) Jengo x Kibi (Monarto)
1.0 Masikio (27/04/2021) Baraka x Bulu (Monarto)
1.0 Ajani (27/04/2021) Baraka x Bulu (Monarto)
0.1 Amani (27/04/2021) Baraka x Bulu (Monarto)
0.1 Sanaa (27/04/2021) Baraka x Bulu (Monarto)

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

0.1 Masego (17/11/2015) Guban x Kimanda (Dubbo)
0.1 Mambo (25/08/2016) Guban x Kimanda (Dubbo)
0.1 Spot (25/08/2016) Guban x Kimanda (Dubbo)
0.1 Bayana (25/08/2016) Guban x Kimanda (Dubbo)

 

[scallywag2024]

What is the breakdown for the entire region?

 

[Zoofan15]

What is the breakdown for the entire region?

An update is coming (waiting on replies from a few more holders). There’s been a number of deaths of ageing or elderly dogs in the region over the last year and one facility (Hamilton) has phased out since the original population list was created.

 

[steveroberts]

What is the breakdown for the entire region?

This thread

 

[scallywag2024]

An update is coming (waiting on replies from a few more holders). There’s been a number of deaths of ageing or elderly dogs in the region over the last year and one facility (Hamilton) has phased out since the original population list was created.

Awesome… thanks

 

[Rosheen.1]

An update is coming (waiting on replies from a few more holders). There’s been a number of deaths of ageing or elderly dogs in the region over the last year and one facility (Hamilton) has phased out since the original population list was created.

Thank you for tracking and update the APD list (when you get information) . Really hope in the future that this species (even though can be challenging to breed in managed facilities, your threads are great) is once again focused on and Australiasian facilities hold more . Thank you

 

[Zoofan15]

Birth Announcement - Altina Wildlife Park

Altina have welcomed the first successful litter born in the region since 2023!

From socials:

A rare breeding pack of African Cape Hunting Dogs have now improved the population adding 2 amazing puppies to the conservation program!

This Altina pack are first time parents! “Pari” (our Altina born female) was introduced to her mate as an alpha female, just over 3 years ago! She bonded quickly, with her Alpha male “Seimon” as her mate (imported from Czech Republic). Despite their obvious love for each other they never really decided to “settle down and raise a family” until now!

The 2 Puppies are the 2nd litter born in the country, that represent the new imported bloodline with their 4 male cousins, also born at Altina in 2023. These two pups are starting to emerge from their dens during the day when the weather is warmer. If you are lucky you may spot them playing in the sun.

 

[Rosheen.1]

Yah! Was starting to be concerned (as others were) that the APD population in Australisia would not have pups. Thank you for sharing

 

[Zoofan15]

Yah! Was starting to be concerned (as others were) that the APD population in Australisia would not have pups. Thank you for sharing

It’s fantastic news. Altina’s other breeding female (Rita) unfortunately passed away recently (update from me to follow), so Pari is the only female in the region in a breeding situation.

Altina’s dedication and perseverance has paid off!

 

[Zoofan15]

Ziggy (2016-2025)

From Zoos Victoria’s socials:

We're deeply saddened to share the passing of Ziggy, a much-loved African Wild Dog, at Werribee Open Range Zoo this week.

Following an altercation with his pack members, keepers and vets intervened swiftly to examine him under anesthetic. They found a puncture wound that had damaged a nerve, impacting Ziggy's mobility. With his quality of life in mind, the difficult but most compassionate decision was made to peacefully euthanise him.

Keepers continue to provide dedicated care to the two remaining African Wild Dogs, Neo and Madash, along the African River Trail.

 

[Zoofan15]

Altina Wildlife Park - Gender Reveal

Altina Wildlife Park’s two pups have been revealed to be a male and a female.

Reported on socials.

 

[Zoofan15]

Population Update

At the time the last population list for this species was posted in October 2023 (see Post #8), the regional population was reported to be 39.35 African wild dogs.

Since then, there have been the following events:

—————

Hamilton Zoo:

1.0 has died (species phased out)

Altina Wildlife Park:

4.1 have died
1.1 have been born (the first litter in the region since 2023)

Monarto Safari Park:

1.2 has died
0.1 actually 1.0

Sydney Zoo:

0.1 has died

Tasmania Zoo:

1.1 has died

Werribee Open Range Zoo:

2.0 has died

—————

The regional population therefore stands at 32.30 African wild dogs as of June 2025.

A full population list (names, DOB’s etc.) will be posted once Altina’s 1.1 pups have been named. Their parents are the only breeding pair in the region, so I don’t anticipate there will be any further births for at least 12 months.

 

[scallywag2024]

Seems like another species in the region that might be phased out… there used to be breeding over the years at multiple zoos, now down to one viable pair (that had an unusually small litter) in the region is sad.

is there scope to establish new breeding pairs in the region?

 

[Zoofan15]

Seems like another species in the region that might be phased out… there used to be breeding over the years at multiple zoos, now down to one viable pair (that had an unusually small litter) in the region is sad.

is there scope to establish new breeding pairs in the region?

I’m not aware of any plans to phase out African wild dog from the region. Of the 10 current holders, six have same sex non-breeding packs; three hold the remnants of former breeding packs; and the tenth, Altina, is actively breeding (with multiple packs on site).

Considering the large litter size of this species, the current model of a small number of holders breeding large litters which are dispersed to non-breeding holders is probably what the region will continue with. It’s likely most of the holders with same sex non-breeding packs would be willing to acquire more from the breeding holders upon the passing of their dogs.

New founders would be welcome considering the population is largely related through their pairing of Travis and Zahra at Altina; though there’s currently no imminent plans to import. Altina’s current paring involves a seven year old female, who is past her prime and while I hope this litter is the first of more to come, breeding from younger dogs would surely be desirable (females can breed from about 18 months).

 

[Tiger91]

Seems like another species in the region that might be phased out… there used to be breeding over the years at multiple zoos, now down to one viable pair (that had an unusually small litter) in the region is sad.

is there scope to establish new breeding pairs in the region?

Canines are easily imported, I remember I think around the mid 2000's the zoos went through a similar thing. Then the odd import of a few animals or transfers occurs and we suddenly have large numbers again.

However monarto have a litter of 4 from 2021, and Altina have a litter of 4 from 2023. These could easily be used to create one or two new breeding pairs. 1 or 2 litters for each pair and suddenly we are back up near capacity. Wild dogs seem to be a boom and bust cycle species in our zoo's.

 

[Zoofan15]

Canines are easily imported, I remember I think around the mid 2000's the zoos went through a similar thing. Then the odd import of a few animals or transfers occurs and we suddenly have large numbers again.

However monarto have a litter of 4 from 2021, and Altina have a litter of 4 from 2023. These could easily be used to create one or two new breeding pairs. 1 or 2 litters for each pair and suddenly we are back up near capacity. Wild dogs seem to be a boom and bust cycle species in our zoo's.

No species is “easy” to import, but you’re correct that Australasian zoos imported a number of founders from South Africa in the early 2000’s. New Zealand zoos alone imported 0.2 (Orana), 2.2 (Wellington) and Hamilton Zoo (2.1), which led to successful breeding from the Wellington and Hamilton packs.

Monarto’s 2021 litter are related to Altina’s 2023 litter, so imports from overseas would be preferable. Like you say, 2-3 litters are often sufficient to supply numerous non-breeding holders; and facilities like Dubbo, Werribee and Orana will require new dogs within the next few years.

 

[Tiger91]

No species is “easy” to import, but you’re correct that Australasian zoos imported a number of founders from South Africa in the early 2000’s. New Zealand zoos alone imported 0.2 (Orana), 2.2 (Wellington) and Hamilton Zoo (2.1), which led to successful breeding from the Wellington and Hamilton packs.

Monarto’s 2021 litter are related to Altina’s 2023 litter, so imports from overseas would be preferable. Like you say, 2-3 litters are often sufficient to supply numerous non-breeding holders; and facilities like Dubbo, Werribee and Orana will require new dogs within the next few years.

Try and import a canine then try and import a macaw or a rhino then get back to me with the difficulties of importing a species that can be imported and quartanied directly, by a zoo which we see some of our private zoos do quite regularly. To which I dare say if they had the money of the larger public funded zoos would be doing far more often. Then A species not eligible for import and a spices that needs X time in offshore processing during the process. So yeas canines are 'easy' to import. Especially if we use our private zoos as an examples with coati or hyena also easy imports, yet how is that import of white rhino going ?

Yes all imports take, time money and planning. But some species and or genera are much easier with less hoops then others.

 

[Zoofan15]

Try and import a canine then try and import a macaw or a rhino then get back to me with the difficulties of importing a species that can be imported and quartanied directly, by a zoo which we see some of our private zoos do quite regularly. To which I dare say if they had the money of the larger public funded zoos would be doing far more often. Then A species not eligible for import and a spices that needs X time in offshore processing during the process. So yeas canines are 'easy' to import. Especially if we use our private zoos as an examples with coati or hyena also easy imports, yet how is that import of white rhino going ?

Yes all imports take, time money and planning. But some species and or genera are much easier with less hoops then others.

I feel like anyone who has worked on an exotic animal import would disagree with you that it’s an “easy” process, irrespective of the species.

In fact, I recall @Steve Robinson (somebody who has been involved in numerous imports) giving you the following advise back in January when you made similar comments:

It's probably a bit disingenuous to define "ease" by comparison with species that are not possible to be imported.

You are correct to state that domestic species imports for private individuals are comparatively easy. That highlights the fact that exotic species for zoos are not so easy to import. And yes, some species will be easier than others but none are "easy".

When assessing the ease of an import you also have to take into account whether or not the sending zoo considers the transaction to be easy. Most of them definitely do not. Just in the last twelve months two major overseas zoos [Beauval and Wildlands] have both failed to complete globally recommended transfers of animals to Australia because they found them too difficult.

I appreciate your interest in this topic and look forward to discussing it further with you should you ever have the opportunity to participate in an import process.

 

[Tiger91]

I feel like anyone who has worked on an exotic animal import would disagree with you that it’s an “easy” process, irrespective of the species.

In fact, I recall @Steve Robinson (somebody who has been involved in numerous imports) giving you the following advise back in January when you made similar comments:

What exactly is your axe to grind. So what would you call the difference in a species like coati that can be easily sourced, imported directly into Steves quarantine facilities. Do the required time then sent to other facilities. Versus Parrots that cannot be imported. Penguins which had to go via NZ for 12 months or rhino which have to go by NZ for 12 months. Which is no easy feat when you have to do all your normally required work and costs for import of species like coati. But then have to house and feed for 12 months at an another facility if a suitable and willing facility can be found. Then from that facility then import into Australia where there is likely another stay at a quarantine facility before going on display or to another facility for display.

I dont know what English you speak, but the version I do. There is a clear ease of importing coati compared to rhino or penguins. And one could also argue it's easy to import a species compared to a species that isnt eligible. Im not sure why your arguing over my use of saying some species are easier to import then others. Some have more rules and regulations and some have less.

But since your pulling old posts to deliberately be obnoxious, go and look at the darling downs zoo, which probably dont really even care to be mentioned or brought into this argument. Look at there thread and that thread. And see how 'hard' it was for Steve to suddenly import new animals at that same time. Effectively proving that some species can be imported easier than others. Then look at the talk of the zebras and how getting pure grants from the USA is 'harder' because of how much longer importing form the states is. Im sure you won't need to look tho, since you yourself were part of this conversations and you were also part of conversations acknowledging that imports of species from the USA is harder then importing from Europe. So again im not sure why your being deliberately obnoxious and argumentative.

ETA: Your not going to win brownie points over arguing colloquial use of hard or easy in relative terms of import. When like I mentioned above. Even yourself has mention multiple times previously importing from Europe is easier then importing from the USA, you also told me relatively recently how importing elephants from Europe is far easier then more genetically valuable ones from south east Asia. But then are you the only one allowed to reference easy and hard when it comes to imports ?

 

[Zoofan15]

What exactly is your axe to grind. So what would you call the difference in a species like coati that can be easily sourced, imported directly into Steves quarantine facilities. Do the required time then sent to other facilities. Versus Parrots that cannot be imported. Penguins which had to go via NZ for 12 months or rhino which have to go by NZ for 12 months. Which is no easy feat when you have to do all your normally required work and costs for import of species like coati. But then have to house and feed for 12 months at an another facility if a suitable and willing facility can be found. Then from that facility then import into Australia where there is likely another stay at a quarantine facility before going on display or to another facility for display.

I dont know what English you speak, but the version I do. There is a clear ease of importing coati compared to rhino or penguins. And one could also argue it's easy to import a species compared to a species that isnt eligible. Im not sure why your arguing over my use of saying some species are easier to import then others. Some have more rules and regulations and some have less.

But since your pulling old posts to deliberately obnoxious, go and look at the darling downs zoo, which probably dont really even care to be mentioned or brought into this argument. Look at there thread and that thread. And see how 'hard' it was for Steve to suddenly import new animals at that same time. Effectively proving that some species can be imported easier than others. Then look at the talk of the zebras and how getting pure grants from the USA is 'harder' because of how much longer importing form the states is. Im sure you won't need to look tho, since you yourself were part of this conversations and you were also part of conversations acknowledging that imports of species from the USA is harder then importing from Europe. So again im not sure why your being deliberately obnoxious and argumentative.

ETA: Your not going to win brownie points over arguing colloquial use of hard or easy in relative terms of import. When like I mentioned above. Even yourself has mention multiple times previously importing from Europe is easier then importing from the USA, you also told me relatively recently how importing elephants from Europe is far easier then more genetically valuable ones from south east Asia. But then are you the only one allowed to reference easy and hard when it comes to imports ?

If you bothered to read the post you’ve quoted, you will see my objection was to you saying African wild dogs are easy to import. To quote the specific part of your text:

So yeas canines are 'easy' to import.

I don’t deny some exotic animal imports are easier others (including importing from some regions over others), but no import is easy.

Training to be an airline pilot is ‘easier’ than training to become an astronaut, but that doesn’t mean training to become an airline pilot is ‘easy’.