Australasian Hippo Population

[Zoofan15]

This program management system has always confused me a little, for example, why is there a designated manager for Meerkats (least concern) and no listed management for either Snow or Sri Lankan leopards (both at-risk species)? Is it because species such as Hyenas, Leopards, and Black rhinos aren't breeding at enough facilities to consider them as 'regional' breeding programs?

Likewise, I find it strange how some facilities like Monarto which have only had chimpanzees for 12 years are calling the shots on institutions like Taronga which have had experience with breeding Chimpanzees since the 1930s. It also must not be based on the volume of births as Monarto and TWPZ have produced the majority of the regions Giraffes yet Melbourne is the designated manager?

I assume it must be a rotational system where whoever puts their hand up gets the job? If anyone could clear this up for me it would be much appreciated

Species like Snow leopard, Sri Lankan leopard and Western lowland gorilla are managed as an extension to the European breeding programme (due to us not having sufficient numbers to maintain a sustainable population), so they make the recommendations. We’re trusted to manage our own meerkats.

Being a studbook coordinator is a volunteer position and keepers frequently shift between zoos, taking it with them as they go. As you’ve observed, a species can be coordinated by someone at a zoo which hasn’t held the species long or has even ceased to hold the species.

 

[Swanson02]

We’re trusted to manage our own meerkats.

Being a studbook coordinator is a volunteer position and keepers frequently shift between zoos, taking it with them as they go. As you’ve observed, a species can be coordinated by someone at a zoo which hasn’t held the species long or has even ceased to hold the species.

Thank you very much for clarifying. I wonder how large the meerkat studbook is, there must be a few hundred within the region.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thank you very much for clarifying. I wonder how large the meerkat studbook is, there must be a few hundred within the region.

A Slender-tailed meerkat studbook featuring historical listings of every meerkat ever held (including pups that died as neonates) would be of a size to rival the fifth Harry Potter. They’re not a long lived species and can be prolific breeders user the right conditions.

I’d estimate the regional population to be around 400. We have around 40-50 across New Zealand’s zoos and Australia would have around 300-350 I’d imagine.

 

[Jambo]

A Slender-tailed meerkat studbook featuring historical listings of every meerkat ever held (including pups that died as neonates) would be of a size to rival the fifth Harry Potter. They’re not a long lived species and can be prolific breeders user the right conditions.

I’d estimate the regional population to be around 400. We have around 40-50 across New Zealand’s zoos and Australia would have around 300-350 I’d imagine.

I talked to a Melbourne keeper a few years ago and even they don’t keep comprehensive records on their own meerkats. They had a period where they breed about thirty in five years in the late 2000’s. Some don’t even receive names and are mainly identified by tags.

 

[Zoofan15]

I talked to a Melbourne keeper a few years ago and even they don’t keep comprehensive records on their own meerkats. They had a period where they breed about thirty in five years in the late 2000’s. Some don’t even receive names and are mainly identified by tags.

That’s surprising. In New Zealand there’s a requirement for all zoos to have their meerkats recorded in ZIMS and identifiable via microchips - not just for record keeping and animal care decisions; but as their duty towards containment management i.e. so they’d know if one was missing/escaped. I’d assumed the Australian zoos followed this as well.

Exemptions to records for individual are of course granted to fish etc. where it’s not practical to differentiate between them via microchips etc.

 

[Zorro]

An additional holder would be useful for holding an additional female line within the Common hippopotamus population. The priority is to import bulls, but the 2005 document also stressed the need to import a female given all the females descend from the Taronga line. The addition of Cuddles offers genetic diversity via the Kabete/Nada line; but I suspect she’s related to the others via her great grandmother, Bonnie, who was born at Taronga in 1996.

Obviously it’d be difficult to merge a new female with the existing herds, so a new facility would be her best option unless Monarto could manage two herds. @Swanson02 mentioned their capacity to hold multiple hippos, so this might be an option.

Importation of new cows would be a wise move even though bulls are desperately needed widening the bloodline base even more with new cows would certainly help in the regions future program

 

[Zoofan15]

Importation of new cows would be a wise move even though bulls are desperately needed widening the bloodline base even more with new cows would certainly help in the regions future program

A cow can breed at least into her early 30’s, so importing a young unrelated breeding pair could supply us with hippos for up to three decades, which could in turn be used for a further three decades.

The provision of bulls is as much about covering cows which have gone a significant part of their reproductive life unbred e.g. Tulip (2003) at Werribee; though of course some genetic diversity is needed here too and long overdue.

 

[Zorro]

A cow can breed at least into her early 30’s, so importing a young unrelated breeding pair could supply us with hippos for up to three decades, which could in turn be used for a further three decades.

The provision of bulls is as much about covering cows which have gone a significant part of their reproductive life unbred e.g. Tulip (2003) at Werribee; though of course some genetic diversity is needed here too and long overdue.

I am excited about the possibilities for Monarto zoos involvement with the regional hippo program I believe it could become the central hub for the species in the region as Werribee zoo could possibly become the central hub for the regions Asian elephants

 

[Zoofan15]

I am excited about the possibilities for Monarto zoos involvement with the regional hippo program I believe it could become the central hub for the species in the region as Werribee zoo could possibly become the central hub for the regions Asian elephants

It seems like Monarto have big plans for this species, which is exciting given their original intention was to house a small non-breeding pod. With the other open range zoos focussing on elephants, Monarto would be wise to invest in infrastructure for hippopotamus so that can at least compete with Dubbo and Werribee in terms of exhibiting and breeding them.

If they’re successful in securing imports, breeding recommendations will be granted providing they have the space and they could soon be breeding on a regular basis.

 

[Zorro]

It seems like Monarto have big plans for this species, which is exciting given their original intention was to house a small non-breeding pod. With the other open range zoos focussing on elephants, Monarto would be wise to invest in infrastructure for hippopotamus so that can at least compete with Dubbo and Werribee in terms of exhibiting and breeding them.

If they’re successful in securing imports, breeding recommendations will be granted providing they have the space and they could soon be breeding on a regular basis.

Just from my point of view I would like to see pygmy hippos at the city zoos with river hippos in zoos with a larger land mass such as country zoos and open range zoos focusing on the larger species

 

[Zoofan15]

Just from my point of view I would like to see pygmy hippos at the city zoos with river hippos in zoos with a larger land mass such as country zoos and open range zoos focusing on the larger species

That makes sense. Common hippopotamus require infrastructure on a scale most city zoos struggle to provide. This means smaller numbers can be kept and levels of aggression and conflict are higher due to the stress of a confined space. They’re thriving in the open range zoos and the mortality rate of calves has decreased.

Pygmy hippopotamus are perfect for the city zoos and suited to a shaded exhibit one wouldn’t expect to see at an open range zoo. It also provides a point of difference to those visiting Melbourne/Werribee, Taronga/Dubbo and Adelaide/Monarto.

 

[Zorro]

Species like Snow leopard, Sri Lankan leopard and Western lowland gorilla are managed as an extension to the European breeding programme (due to us not having sufficient numbers to maintain a sustainable population), so they make the recommendations. We’re trusted to manage our own meerkats.

Being a studbook coordinator is a volunteer position and keepers frequently shift between zoos, taking it with them as they go. As you’ve observed, a species can be coordinated by someone at a zoo which hasn’t held the species long or has even ceased to hold the species.

Perhaps any coordinator’s position could be shared between two zoos who are the main holder’s of a peculiar species since its voluntary, if one gets busy or requires leave then the task can be shared with out things coming to a halt.

 

[Zorro]

That makes sense. Common hippopotamus require infrastructure on a scale most city zoos struggle to provide. This means smaller numbers can be kept and levels of aggression and conflict are higher due to the stress of a confined space. They’re thriving in the open range zoos and the mortality rate of calves has decreased.

Pygmy hippopotamus are perfect for the city zoos and suited to a shaded exhibit one wouldn’t expect to see at an open range zoo. It also provides a point of difference to those visiting Melbourne/Werribee, Taronga/Dubbo and Adelaide/Monarto.

Just to add that Perth could be a possible holder for Pygmy’s and Australia zoo has the space the climate and a number of existing dams already there but just lacks the interest in exhibiting a broad spectrum of African animals perhaps the two current zebra and giraffes are enough for them

 

[MRJ]

I talked to a Melbourne keeper a few years ago and even they don’t keep comprehensive records on their own meerkats. They had a period where they breed about thirty in five years in the late 2000’s. Some don’t even receive names and are mainly identified by tags.

I'm surprised to hear this, and to be frank would be quite disappointed if this was the case.

Regarding names, see my previous comments. Names are only convenient handles for keepers or used for PR with high-profile individuals. Most animals in the zoo would not have names.

 

[MRJ]

Being a studbook coordinator is a volunteer position and keepers frequently shift between zoos, taking it with them as they go. .

That is not quite how it is meant to work. The zoo hosts the program, and must make sure the coordinator has time and resources to do the the job. Whether this is time off or part of their paid duties is up to the zoo and the coordinator to negotiate. At Moonlit staff with ZAA species management roles are paid for that as part of their duties.

If a keeper wishes to keep the position when transferring between zoos it requires the support of both zoos, ie the zoo they are leaving can retain the role if they wish. I think keepers staying in these roles when transferring zoos is becoming less common, although I do know of an individual who moved to a non-ZAA zoo was given an honorary position at a ZAA zoo so they could continue in the role.

 

[MRJ]

A Slender-tailed meerkat studbook featuring historical listings of every meerkat ever held (including pups that died as neonates) would be of a size to rival the fifth Harry Potter.

Except of course studbooks are now computer programs, so the more data included, the better. Data about neonate deaths are important to include.

 

[Matt_C]

Just to add that Perth could be a possible holder for Pygmy’s and Australia zoo has the space the climate and a number of existing dams already there but just lacks the interest in exhibiting a broad spectrum of African animals perhaps the two current zebra and giraffes are enough for them

Is the climate requirement for pygmy hippos quite restrictive?

Hamilton zoo keepers often joke about holding them as an aspiration but along with a number of other species the cold and swampy climate seems too inhospitable without capital investment they won't get.

 

[MRJ]

Perhaps any coordinator’s position could be shared between two zoos who are the main holder’s of a peculiar species since its voluntary, if one gets busy or requires leave then the task can be shared with out things coming to a halt.

In most programs the coordinator and the studbook keeper are the same person. Where they are separate it would be chaotic for them to be in different zoos.

 

[Zorro]

Is the climate requirement for pygmy hippos quite restrictive?

Hamilton zoo keepers often joke about holding them as an aspiration but along with a number of other species the cold and swampy climate seems too inhospitable without capital investment they won't get.

Not really but they are a tropical species so in cooler area’s the housing requirements would have to be different and more expensive

 

[Jambo]

Just to add that Perth could be a possible holder for Pygmy’s and Australia zoo has the space the climate and a number of existing dams already there but just lacks the interest in exhibiting a broad spectrum of African animals perhaps the two current zebra and giraffes are enough for them

Perth could a potential holder, they lack African forest species. They actually used to have a female Pygmy Hippo, Penny, until 1980. She was astonishingly 43 years of age at the time and was imported from Liberia.

Australia could easily also have the space for Common Hippos, and would compliment their current African collection nicely.