That’s interesting. I didn’t know Europe had ceased breeding them, but it explains the inevitable phase out of our regional population. I don’t anticipate they’ll be replaced with imports from North America.
Australasian Coati Population
- Thread starter akasha
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That’s interesting. I didn’t know Europe had ceased breeding them, but it explains the inevitable phase out of our regional population. I don’t anticipate they’ll be replaced with imports from North America.
I have never been able to follow the plan here with this species.
Is there anything that prevents Australian zoos from importing animals from other regions such as Japan?
Nope, but usually the Australian programs operate as an extension to the European programs, so any decisions made there will likely influence those made over here.
No, but a heightened awareness of their impact on biodiversity could lead to restrictions being placed on their import in the near future.
A technical review was undertaken by authorities in Tasmania in March this year and they’ve determined only permanently castrated male animals will be approved for import by Tasmanian zoos: South American Coati (Nasua nasua) | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
Combined with Europe’s stance (also castrating males), it doesn’t look like this a viable species to focus on long term.
Swanson02
Well-Known Member
Do Coati really present that great an invasive risk? I would have thought the Japanese Macaque in the Launceston city park would present a greater risk in Tassie
Theoretically yes, though I don’t imagine it’d ever get to that stage where a population would establish.
Incidents where they’ve been introduced to other islands would have involved the deliberate release of multiple adults, not the occasional escape from a zoo (an unlikely event from the outset).
Melbourne Zoo update:
Melbourne Zoo’s coati population has been reduced to 0.2 after the deaths of Luna and Kasey.
Bahia and Japura are now housed off display.
Information supplied to @Zoos Victoria Fan via email (05/09/2023).
That’s good to know, though the regional population is now in single digits with nine coati. Another couple of years and they’ll be gone from the region (likely forever).
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Osedax
Well-Known Member
Another reason why I need to get to Adelaide, quickly!
Brown-nosed Coati 2024
As expected, coati numbers in the region have dwindled, with just two holders left. I confirmed this week with Melbourne Zoo that they still have the 2 off-display animals. Adelaide Zoo is now the only zoo in the region with coati on exhibit. I confirmed this week that they still have 3 individuals.
Adelaide Zoo, SA, Australia
0.1 Cha Cha (Floppy x Mohawk) 25/11/2011 Transferred from Melbourne 2013
0.1 Rumba (Floppy x Margrethe II) 04/12/2011 Transferred from Melbourne 2013
0.1 Samba (Floppy x Margrethe II) 04/12/2011 Transferred from Melbourne 2013
Melbourne Zoo, VIC, Australia
0.1 Japura (Floppy x unk) 00/00/2011
0.1 Bahia (Floppy x unk) 00/00/2011
Brown-nosed Coati Population Total: 5 (0.5)
As expected, coati numbers in the region have dwindled, with just two holders left. I confirmed this week with Melbourne Zoo that they still have the 2 off-display animals. Adelaide Zoo is now the only zoo in the region with coati on exhibit. I confirmed this week that they still have 3 individuals.
Adelaide Zoo, SA, Australia
0.1 Cha Cha (Floppy x Mohawk) 25/11/2011 Transferred from Melbourne 2013
0.1 Rumba (Floppy x Margrethe II) 04/12/2011 Transferred from Melbourne 2013
0.1 Samba (Floppy x Margrethe II) 04/12/2011 Transferred from Melbourne 2013
Melbourne Zoo, VIC, Australia
0.1 Japura (Floppy x unk) 00/00/2011
0.1 Bahia (Floppy x unk) 00/00/2011
Brown-nosed Coati Population Total: 5 (0.5)
Unfortunately as they aged, their activity levels did play a huge part in the decision to retire them off display. It wasn't unusual to visit the exhibit and not catch a glimpse of them; I was told they preferred to spend most of their time in their indoor area.
However if your lucky, you may be able to spot them in the distance from a certain point in the Treetop Monkey Boardwalk. They're currently being kept in the off display cages behind the Tiger complex.
I caught the briefest glimpse of Melbourne’s coati from the Treetops boardwalk. They would certainly have made for a more exciting exhibit than the seldom seen Binturong in my opinion.
It’s really unfortunate that only one founder male contributed to the dwindling population, given every coati was either a full or half sibling of the other first generation coati.
scallywag2024
Well-Known Member
Incredibly disappointing that the big zoos let this species die out in Australia (the remaining population is functionally extinct)! It seems that the large zoos that were breeding this species only sent out non-breeding or single sex groups out to smaller non-government zoos… so silly!
Maybe some of the smaller zoos could import some? They are a great species!
Maybe some of the smaller zoos could import some? They are a great species!
That’s unfortunate but not unexpected given the age of their females (13 years) and the captive lifespan which is around 10-14 years (in rare cases, up to 16 years).
@akasha was advised by Adelaide Zoo that they had three in the week leading up to November 22. That means two have passed away between then and now. I only saw two on my visit November 24, but assumed the third was BOH or something.
0.1 Cha Cha (25/11/2011) Floppy x Mohawk
0.1 Rumba (04/12/2011) Floppy x Margrethe II
0.1 Samba (04/12/2011) Floppy x Margrethe II
The entire regional population (the one now at Adelaide; and Melbourne’s two females) turn 14 this year, so sadly I doubt it’ll be long before this species disappears from the region. I personally really enjoyed seeing them on my visit to Adelaide last month.
Brown-nosed Coati 2025
Coati numbers continue to decrease, with two elderly females at Adelaide Zoo being euthanised due to age-related issues. This leaves one female on display at Adelaide (confirmed 14/01/25), now the only coati on exhibit in Australia. Melbourne's two coati remain off-exhibit.
Adelaide Zoo, SA, Australia
0.1 Samba (Floppy x Margrethe II) 04/12/2011 Transferred from Melbourne 2013
Melbourne Zoo, VIC, Australia
0.1 Japura (Floppy x unk) 00/00/2011
0.1 Bahia (Floppy x unk) 00/00/2011
Brown-nosed Coati Population Total: 3 (0.3)
Coati numbers continue to decrease, with two elderly females at Adelaide Zoo being euthanised due to age-related issues. This leaves one female on display at Adelaide (confirmed 14/01/25), now the only coati on exhibit in Australia. Melbourne's two coati remain off-exhibit.
Adelaide Zoo, SA, Australia
0.1 Samba (Floppy x Margrethe II) 04/12/2011 Transferred from Melbourne 2013
Melbourne Zoo, VIC, Australia
0.1 Japura (Floppy x unk) 00/00/2011
0.1 Bahia (Floppy x unk) 00/00/2011
Brown-nosed Coati Population Total: 3 (0.3)