Osedax
Well-Known Member
Wow, it does not seem like two years. And how many bovid imports have we had since then? Hmm...let me think...oh, that's right - zero.
Australasian Hippo Population
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
Nil to zipper indeed! It’s been very disappointing considering there’s 13 species on the live import list Australia can now import. Six of those are already held in the region and while nyala and oryx have thriving populations, bongo are at crisis point.
The utilisation of New Zealand’s Giraffe IRA has been equally underwhelming. No zoo has imported as of yet and I’ve heard nothing to suggest Australian zoos will be importing via New Zealand.
Updates
Common hippopotamus:
There are no longer plans to transfer Kani (2020) to Monarto Safari Park. It’s been close to a year since this plan was first mentioned, so perhaps in that time the Hippopotamus IRA has progressed enough for import to be considered a feasible alternative in the near future. Monarto importing a bull would certainly be preferable to further inbreeding our already inbred hippopotamus population.
Pygmy hippopotamus:
Sadly Kamina has been seen on exhibit without a newborn calf. She and Fergus have recently been reintroduced for breeding, so fingers crossed for a successful calf in 2024.
Common hippopotamus:
There are no longer plans to transfer Kani (2020) to Monarto Safari Park. It’s been close to a year since this plan was first mentioned, so perhaps in that time the Hippopotamus IRA has progressed enough for import to be considered a feasible alternative in the near future. Monarto importing a bull would certainly be preferable to further inbreeding our already inbred hippopotamus population.
Pygmy hippopotamus:
Sadly Kamina has been seen on exhibit without a newborn calf. She and Fergus have recently been reintroduced for breeding, so fingers crossed for a successful calf in 2024.
Considering the terrible history with transferring young bulls in the region; I'm not disappointed with this.
I'd rather Kani breed at Dubbo and sire some calves (hopefully male!) before he himself is sent down to Monarto later on, or any sons of his born at Dubbo. The most theoretical pairing in the meantime will be with his aunty Nile, while his mothers and sisters remain in a cohesive pod.
Last we heard the Hippopotamus IRA was still a decent while away, but hopefully it's progressed since.
When I asked, I was told there’s no plans to breed Kani to his mother/sisters (which is understandable); but I see no reason he couldn’t be paired with Nile (even if was just for companionship purposes).
The Hippopotamus IRA will open up possibilities to import more valuable bloodlines and the eventual outcome could well be importing bulls for Werribee and Monarto; with Dubbo importing an unrelated pair once Kani/Nile or the Cuddles/Kibibi/Kendi transfer out to a new facility who will hold them as a non breeding pod. The emphasis to date has been on importing bulls for demographic reasons, but at least one additional founder cow would be advantageous from a genetic standpoint.
Hopefully there is a game plan with what's left of the remaining hippos in the country, Who would of thought that things would of become so dire and got down to one young male in the whole region.
I certainly believe our major zoos dropped the ball with this one with a spectacular home goal just letting the Mareeba hippos be exported from a country that can not even import hippos, I believe this was a case or either they expected to get them for free or at minimal coast if they waited long enough or they are just amateurs not knowing what they are doing.
As for the Pygmy hippo situation was also badly handled, look how long it took (years) to pair up what was finally remaining of them in our zoos, with a lone male in one major zoo and others alone (females) in other major zoos going no where fast apart from getting older.
Then the case of the female feral PH roaming around in the NT outback for 6-7 years only to be shot by a local pig hunter
.So much waste of animals and wasted time due to plain bad management.
I believe a couple of New Zealand zoos could hold and become part of the regions holders with the species, Perhaps Auckland and one other zoo could do this!
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Hopefully there is a game plan with what's left of the remaining hippos in the country, Who would of thought that things would of become so dire and got down to one young male in the whole region.
I certainly believe our major zoos dropped the ball with this one with a spectacular home goal just letting the Mareeba hippos be exported from a country that can not even import hippos, I believe this was a case or either they expected to get them for free or at minimal coast if they waited long enough or they are just amateurs not knowing what they are doing.
As for the Pygmy hippo situation was also badly handled, look how long it took (years) to pair up what was finally remaining of them in our zoos, with a lone male in one major zoo and others alone (females) in other major zoos going no where fast apart from getting older.
Then the case of the female feral PH roaming around in the NT outback for 6-7 years only to be shot by a local pig hunter
So much waste of animals and wasted time due to plain bad management.
I believe a couple of New Zealand zoos could hold and become part of the regions holders with the species, Perhaps Auckland and one other zoo could do this!
The loss of Tippi (2004) from Tipperary/Cairns has had a profound effect on the region. I would assume Werribee, who had a mature bull at the time; and Dubbo, who had two mature bulls, simply didn’t have the capacity to take him on. Though Cuddles (2002) is a genetically valuable cow (and it’s lucky she was retained via SeaWorld), her mother, Solucky (1987), was of even great genetic value and like her son, a great loss.
Werribee was the logical application for Tippi, who could have sired the next generation of hippopotami to any of their five females.
I’d long hoped Auckland Zoo would consider Pygmy hippopotamus, but confirmation their elephant complex will become a rhinoceros complex appears to rule that out. There’s not a lot of other places within the zoo they could be held. A lack of funding limits Orana’s participation, which is shame considering they’re New Zealand’s only open range zoo.
Its quite likely that the major zoos had known that the Mareeba hippos were going to become available well before they were sold and could of made provision to house them, if they kept them in very cramped conditions at Taronga and Adelaide for decades accomodating them at open range zoos would not of been a big issue, The fact is they lost a golden opportunity of which has put them in the very situation they find themselves in today!
Looking back, I see Taronga Western Plains Zoo had an opening as Rumbin died in 2011. She was the fourth grouping, with the others being Suzie/Nile, Happy and Mana. Theoretically they could have taken Solucky and Cuddles, who could have lived in a cohesive pair; with the option to integrate the two females pairs with Happy and Mana.
It’s possible the original decision not to receive Cairns Common hippopotami was about wanting a contingency of a spare yard in case of a fall out between Suzie and Nile.
In any case, the acquisition of Cuddles in 2012 allowed Dubbo to receive a breeding recommendation, which likely wouldn’t have been given to Happy/Nile or Mana/Nile due to their relatedness.
Monarto Safari Park now have Common Hippopotamus
We have a third holder!!!
Brindabella and Pansy were safely transferred to Monarto Safari Park two days ago.
The population of each facility are as follows:
Werribee:
0.1 Primrose (01/12/1990) Harold x Unknown
0.1 Tulip (01/01/2003) Harold x Primrose
0.1 Lotus (28/03/2008) Harold x Primrose
Monarto:
0.1 Brindabella (09/12/1990) Harold x Beatrice
0.1 Pansy (18/11/2013) Harold x Brindabella
We have a third holder!!!
Brindabella and Pansy were safely transferred to Monarto Safari Park two days ago.
The population of each facility are as follows:
Werribee:
0.1 Primrose (01/12/1990) Harold x Unknown
0.1 Tulip (01/01/2003) Harold x Primrose
0.1 Lotus (28/03/2008) Harold x Primrose
Monarto:
0.1 Brindabella (09/12/1990) Harold x Beatrice
0.1 Pansy (18/11/2013) Harold x Brindabella
Very glad to hear the transfer has occurred successfully. Also very exciting to have hippos back in South Australia and it's going to be really exciting to see them settle into the new complex over there.
Fingers crossed this is the beginning of a rejuvenation of the breeding program with the IRA being completed soon!
Article announcing the arrival of Monarto’s hippopotami:
Hip-hip Hooray, Hippos Return to SA! - Monarto Safari Park
The transfer of these two females is a nice link to Adelaide’s old pair (Albert/Brutus and Victoria/Susie):
Hippos have been part of Zoos SA’s history for 120 years, with many people in the community holding fond memories of Brutus and Susie who called Adelaide Zoo home for more than 45 years. Their legacy continues as Brindabella and Pansy just happen to be Brutus’ and Susie’s granddaughter and great granddaughter!
Hip-hip Hooray, Hippos Return to SA! - Monarto Safari Park
The transfer of these two females is a nice link to Adelaide’s old pair (Albert/Brutus and Victoria/Susie):
Hippos have been part of Zoos SA’s history for 120 years, with many people in the community holding fond memories of Brutus and Susie who called Adelaide Zoo home for more than 45 years. Their legacy continues as Brindabella and Pansy just happen to be Brutus’ and Susie’s granddaughter and great granddaughter!
1.0 Albert (18/05/1965) Died 07/05/2020
0.1 Victoria (30/12/1967) Died 20/07/2017
Albert and Victoria produced 17 calves:
0.1 Unnamed (13/10/1976) Died 14/10/1976
0.1 Unnamed (13/07/1977) Died 23/07/1977
1.0 Unnamed (01/08/1978) Died 02/08/1978
0.1 Unnamed (24/04/1979) Died 27/04/1979
0.1 Alice (19/01/1980) Transferred 25/03/1981 (Werribee)
0.1 Beatrice (08/04/1981) Transferred 13/09/1982 (Werribee)
1.0 Unnamed (22/07/1983) Died 24/07/1983
0.1 Unnamed (07/08/1984) Died 18/08/1984
0.1 Unnamed (02/04/1985) Died 08/04/1985
0.1 Rumbin (22/02/1986) Transferred 19/10/1989 (Dubbo)
1.0 Unnamed (18/12/1987) Died 19/12/1987
0.1 Leopolda (21/04/1989) Transferred 28/11/1990 (Werribee)
0.1 Kibu (29/03/1991) Exported 22/10/1992 (Kuala Lumpur)
0.1 Unnamed (26/09/1996) Died 28/09/1996
1.0 Makoko (12/02/1998) Transferred 27/06/1999 (Werribee)
1.0 Unnamed (20/05/2007) Died 00/05/2007
0.1 Unnamed (00/00/2009) Died 00/00/2009
0.1 Victoria (30/12/1967) Died 20/07/2017
Albert and Victoria produced 17 calves:
0.1 Unnamed (13/10/1976) Died 14/10/1976
0.1 Unnamed (13/07/1977) Died 23/07/1977
1.0 Unnamed (01/08/1978) Died 02/08/1978
0.1 Unnamed (24/04/1979) Died 27/04/1979
0.1 Alice (19/01/1980) Transferred 25/03/1981 (Werribee)
0.1 Beatrice (08/04/1981) Transferred 13/09/1982 (Werribee)
1.0 Unnamed (22/07/1983) Died 24/07/1983
0.1 Unnamed (07/08/1984) Died 18/08/1984
0.1 Unnamed (02/04/1985) Died 08/04/1985
0.1 Rumbin (22/02/1986) Transferred 19/10/1989 (Dubbo)
1.0 Unnamed (18/12/1987) Died 19/12/1987
0.1 Leopolda (21/04/1989) Transferred 28/11/1990 (Werribee)
0.1 Kibu (29/03/1991) Exported 22/10/1992 (Kuala Lumpur)
0.1 Unnamed (26/09/1996) Died 28/09/1996
1.0 Makoko (12/02/1998) Transferred 27/06/1999 (Werribee)
1.0 Unnamed (20/05/2007) Died 00/05/2007
0.1 Unnamed (00/00/2009) Died 00/00/2009
Swanson02
Well-Known Member
Great news and our first good look at their quarters! Looks large, so could indicate many more hippos to come. I hope they plant a few trees as it's very prison-ish
. I'd wager it will at least be another 6 months before they go on display. Hopefully we get an import within the next 18 months too Maybe if you ask nicey they might let you take a few picsGreat news and our first good look at their quarters! Looks large, so could indicate many more hippos to come. I hope they plant a few trees as it's very prison-ish
Great news and our first good look at their quarters! Looks large, so could indicate many more hippos to come. I hope they plant a few trees as it's very prison-ish
That’s just their off display quarters, so I’ll imagine they’ll leave it as it is. It’s bare, but easy to clean and serves it’s purpose (provides them with a submersible pool).
I too hope we’ll see an import in the next 1-2 years. I imagine Monarto will just import a bull at this stage since they already have two cows to breed with. It’d be fantastic if Brindabella and Pansy can remain together in a cohesive pod following the birth of any calves (and the necessary isolation period following the birth).
Exciting times ahead!
Great news and our first good look at their quarters! Looks large, so could indicate many more hippos to come. I hope they plant a few trees as it's very prison-ish
Hate to spoil the excitement but the photo is actually an old photo from when they were at Werribee!That’s just their off display quarters, so I’ll imagine they’ll leave it as it is. It’s bare, but easy to clean and serves it’s purpose (provides them with a submersible pool).
I too hope we’ll see an import in the next 1-2 years. I imagine Monarto will just import a bull at this stage since they already have two cows to breed with. It’d be fantastic if Brindabella and Pansy can remain together in a cohesive pod following the birth of any calves (and the necessary isolation period following the birth).
Exciting times ahead!
Hate to spoil the excitement but the photo is actually an old photo from when they were at Werribee!
We were referring to the video in the linked article. 0.33 onwards has footage of them exploring their yards at Monarto, including the submersible pools:
Hip-hip Hooray for Hippos! | We're excited to welcome a new species to the wild family... Introducing Brindabella and Pansy! The girls are settling into their habitat in the new Wild... | By Monarto Safari Park | Facebook
Looks really nice. I like the design; and it's really beneficial that the hippos will have access to submersible water overnight. Well done Monarto!
I would have to agree from what is visible it looks amazing, Monarto is raising the bar!
It’s great because Monarto have the space to further expand; so potentially can add more yards to accomodate additional imports. The initial plan beyond acquiring these two cows is apparently to grow the pod to 5-6 hippos; but long term, they may even wish to manage a second female line.