Australasian Mandrill Population

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15

Would <3 to see this start to grow in individuals and number of holders across the next decade

Same here. I was so disappointed when I learned the rumours Melbourne would be reacquiring this species were unsubstantiated.

Adelaide at least are committed to this species long term and will hopefully import multiple individuals to form a thriving troop. This will hopefully inspire others to acquire the species.

 

[Zoofan15]

Adelaide Zoo are phasing out Mandrill:

https://www.zoossa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AZ_masterplan_addendum_2023.pdf

A disappointing omission from the latest Adelaide Zoo masterplan is Mandrill. Their exhibit is to be replaced with a gibbon/otter exhibit.

Given Tasmania Zoo hold an elderly female Mandrill and the future of this species in the region previously rested on Adelaide’s plans to import more Mandrill, it appears this species will disappear from the region in the near future.

Once their elderly pair pass on, Adelaide will presumably export their young male Mandrill, who will be the sole survivor of a previously thriving colony. A sad loss for Adelaide after a decades long association with this species - and a huge loss for the region.

 

[Jambo]

Adelaide Zoo are phasing out Mandrill:

https://www.zoossa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AZ_masterplan_addendum_2023.pdf

A disappointing omission from the latest Adelaide Zoo masterplan is Mandrill. Their exhibit is to be replaced with a gibbon/otter exhibit.

Given Tasmania Zoo hold an elderly female Mandrill and the future of this species in the region previously rested on Adelaide’s plans to import more Mandrill, it appears this species will disappear from the region in the near future.

Once their elderly pair pass on, Adelaide will presumably export their young male Mandrill, who will be the sole survivor of a previously thriving colony. A sad loss for Adelaide after a decades long association with this species - and a huge loss for the region.

Unfortunately expected with Melbourne doing the same in recent years. Taronga also had plans for Mandrills for their Congo precinct but have apparently emitted them too.

It seems the region has lost interest in them, but hopefully in favour of another species.

 

[Zoofan15]

Tasmania Zoo No Longer Hold Mandrill

Some unfortunate news that Lara has died at Tasmania Zoo. Lara was born to Yonaton and Louise at Melbourne Zoo in 2002 and originally joined Tasmania Zoo’s collection as a companion to an elderly male.

With Lara’s death, Tasmania Zoo no longer hold Mandrill; with Adelaide’s 2.1 being the last in the region.

It seems inevitable that upon the death of Adelaide’s elderly pair, their seven year old son will be exported to a zoo overseas. Adelaide Zoo are planning to phase this species out (as indicated in their masterplan).

Adelaide Zoo:

1.0 Tabah (05/04/2005) Yonaton x Timbiri
0.1 Niari (00/05/1996) Unknown x Unknown
1.0 Jumoke (09/10/2017) Tabah x Niari

 

[Zoofan15]

Australasian Mandrill Population 2025

The first Mandrill population list update required in two years, sadly owing due to the inevitable loss of a holder (Tasmania Zoo) last year - via the death of their last Mandrill, Lara. Lara was born 2002 at Melbourne Zoo; later moving to Tasmania Zoo, where she lived out the rest of her life.

Adelaide Zoo’s masterplan indicates Mandrill are to be phased out of their collection, which will also see this species disappear from the region after close to a century of them being held in Australian zoos. It seems probable Jumoke, who is approaching his prime, will be exported to an overseas zoo once his elderly parents pass. Considering she turns 29 years old in May, Niari is certainly doing well.

Adelaide Zoo:

1.0 Tabah (05/04/2005) Yonaton x Timbiri
0.1 Niari (00/05/1996) Unknown x Unknown
1.0 Jumoke (09/10/2017) Tabah x Niari

Total regional population: 2.1

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

That list is pretty depressing. To revive a regional population would require many imports. A real shame.

 

[Zoofan15]

That list is pretty depressing. To revive a regional population would require many imports. A real shame.

Agreed. Adelaide formerly had a thriving troop in the double digits, with a succession of infants bred throughout the 80’s and 90’s.

To recover, the region would require at least 1.4 Mandrill to join Jumoke in forming two unrelated troops of 1.2. This would hopefully produce enough first generation female offspring to supply each other’s troops and bolster numbers. Males can live amicably in bachelor troops (as evidenced by Taronga’s), so a third holder would then be beneficial to accomodate the inevitable crop of male offspring.

 

[Trua]

Australasian Mandrill Population 2025

The first Mandrill population list update required in two years, sadly owing due to the inevitable loss of a holder (Tasmania Zoo) last year - via the death of their last Mandrill, Lara. Lara was born 2002 at Melbourne Zoo; later moving to Tasmania Zoo, where she lived out the rest of her life.

Adelaide Zoo’s masterplan indicates Mandrill are to be phased out of their collection, which will also see this species disappear from the region after close to a century of them being held in Australian zoos. It seems probable Jumoke, who is approaching his prime, will be exported to an overseas zoo once his elderly parents pass. Considering she turns 29 years old in May, Niari is certainly doing well.

Adelaide Zoo:

1.0 Tabah (05/04/2005) Yonaton x Timbiri
0.1 Niari (00/05/1996) Unknown x Unknown
1.0 Jumoke (09/10/2017) Tabah x Niari

Total regional population: 2.1

No regional support sadly for this beautiful species anymore. Taronga were interested. And then they weren't. Melbourne would've needed to build a new enclosure for them too but have chosen not too, partly for the reason I mentioned. Adelaide's last male will certainly be transferred out once his parents pass on.

 

[Jambo]

No regional support sadly for this beautiful species anymore. Taronga were interested. And then they weren't. Melbourne would've needed to build a new enclosure for them too but have chosen not too, partly for the reason I mentioned. Adelaide's last male will certainly be transferred out once his parents pass on.

That sounds about right. Taronga did have them included in their initial Congo precinct plans. Don't know why this was canned. Whether Melbourne jumped off the ship first, or Taronga, or both!

I do know Adelaide's youngest male was unplanned. So it doesn't seem there has been any regional breeding plans for them in a long time now; even when Adelaide and Melbourne still had their breeding groups.

 

[Zoofan15]

That sounds about right. Taronga did have them included in their initial Congo precinct plans. Don't know why this was canned. Whether Melbourne jumped off the ship first, or Taronga, or both!

I do know Adelaide's youngest male was unplanned. So it doesn't seem there has been any regional breeding plans for them in a long time now; even when Adelaide and Melbourne still had their breeding groups.

Melbourne Zoo last bred Mandrill in 2007. The decision to cease breeding was presumably made first and foremost around capacity of the exhibit, which by then would have only been considered adequate for 3-4 Mandrill. It appears that last offspring (Leroy) died as a juvenile, so I don’t know whether he would have gone to Tasmania long term or have been retained as a fourth member of Melbourne’s troop.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 if just two zoos in our region went for importing the 1.4 Mandrills like your wise suggestion; if Adelaide was not among those hypothetical 2 zoos future-tense unfortunately: when Niari & Tabah pass and do export Jumoke like @Trua wisely points out is pretty much inevitable unfortunately as it seems; but if just 2 zoos came onboard and did that import in partnership of those five 1.4 Mandrills aswell as one taking on Jumoke and having three 1.2 Mandrills each; am really confident in believing that other zoos in the region would come onboard too shortly after and be keen to hold Mandrills too, being such charismatic and strikingly beautiful species like you point out. Have personally been 'what-if-ing' that because part of Perth Zoo's masterplan is to renovate and expand their Lesser Primates precinct (by moving the Noc' House possibly and doubling the site size of the Lesser Primates comlex as the 'Primates Precinct' if that indeed is still the plan however), wish PZ would consider holding Mandrills again (their last Mandrill(s) died in April '94), would really be a great contrast experience in their 'Primates Precinct' to have both the worlds largest monkey (Mandrills) and the worlds smallest (Pygmy Marmosets).

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 if just two zoos in our region went for importing the 1.4 Mandrills like your wise suggestion; if Adelaide was not among those hypothetical 2 zoos future-tense unfortunately: when Niari & Tabah pass and do export Jumoke like @Trua wisely points out is pretty much inevitable unfortunately as it seems; but if just 2 zoos came onboard and did that import in partnership of those five 1.4 Mandrills aswell as one taking on Jumoke and having three 1.2 Mandrills each; like 'clockwork' other zoos in the region would come onboard too shortly after and be keen to hold Mandrills too, being such charismatic and strikingly beautiful species like you point out. Have personally been 'what-if-ing' that because part of Perth Zoo's masterplan is to renovate and expand their Lesser Primates precinct (by moving the Noc' House possibly and doubling the site size of the Lesser Primates comlex as the 'Primates Precinct' if that indeed is still the plan however), wish PZ would consider holding Mandrills again (thet last had in '94), would really be a great contrast experience in their 'Primates Precinct' to have both the worlds largest monkey (Mandrills) and the worlds smallest (Pygmy Marmosets).

Though Mandrill certainly dwell in larger troops, infanticide is sometimes observed between unrelated females. The region has deftly avoid this (in part by circumstance) by holding troops consisting of small numbers of related females (mothers and daughters, half-sisters etc).

With this in mind, medium sized troops could certainly be established with two founder females in each, or even from a pair - with the view of swapping males once each female had a daughter or two. This would give a healthy social structure and ensure maximum cohesion.

 

[steveroberts]

Though Mandrill certainly dwell in larger troops, infanticide is sometimes observed between unrelated females. The region has deftly avoid this (in part by circumstance) by holding troops consisting of small numbers of related females (mothers and daughters, half-sisters etc).

With this in mind, medium sized troops could certainly be established with two founder females in each, or even from a pair - with the view of swapping males once each female had a daughter or two. This would give a healthy social structure and ensure maximum cohesion.

Wow thats really interesting, didn't know about the infanticide occurence between unrelated females grouped together; if PZ ever decided to house Mandrills again -unlikely as 'a cinder in snow' but a 'cinder glow-burns' perhaps still/a 'particle' of hope) and their potentially expanded 'Primates Precinct' could accomodate for a very small troop of an adult male and a few related females (and hopefully some offspring of which the 90th percentile would need to be homed elsewhere at other zoos upon maturity); it would most likely not be the biggest exhibit anyway considering that area of the zoo is 'hemmed in' spatial-wise and would have to be a minimal population for accomodating them properly; imo would still need to be at least 900 square meters of outdoor space or more, obvs' would wish for more space the better (big ''if'' though obvs' with Mandrills at PZ again, lol this repsonse post here now probably seems like am 'on the cusp' of asking the moderators to move to a new PZ speculation thread lol).

 

[Steve Robinson]

Wow thats really interesting, didn't know about the infanticide occurence between unrelated females grouped together; if PZ ever decided to house Mandrills again -unlikely as 'a cinder in snow' but a 'cinder glow-burns' perhaps still/a 'particle' of hope) and their potentially expanded 'Primates Precinct' could accomodate for a very small troop of an adult male and a few related females (and hopefully some offspring of which the 90th percentile would need to be homed elsewhere at other zoos upon maturity); it would most likely not be the biggest exhibit anyway considering that area of the zoo is 'hemmed in' spatial-wise and would have to be a minimal population for accomodating them properly; imo would still need to be at least 900 square meters of outdoor space or more, obvs' would wish for more space the better (big ''if'' though obvs' with Mandrills at PZ again, lol this repsonse post here now probably seems like am 'on the cusp' of asking the moderators to move to a new PZ speculation thread lol).

Just to guide the speculation a bit - Mandrill are a CITES 1 species.

In order to import a CITES 1 species endorsement must first be obtained from a recognised Association.

Thus there must be a CMP/CCP for that species and a program established.

Although Mandrill are certainly a spectacular species there is very little interest in the zoo community at the moment to establish a program for them.

Far too many priorities at the moment and, in my opinion, far too many programs and not enough capable coordinators to run them.

 

[steveroberts]

@Steve Robinson

Oh right, thankyou Steve for the information in regards to them being a CITES 1 species and the 'lay of the land' at the moment with the zoo community's trajectory plans; yeah really think it is a crying shame that there is little interest in the zoo community for establishing a program for them. Will miss them when Niari & Tabah have passed and Jumoke is probably exported, and know will be far from alone in that regard.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Steve Robinson

Oh right, thankyou Steve for the information in regards to them being a CITES 1 species and the 'lay of the land' at the moment with the zoo community's trajectory plans; yeah really think it is a crying shame that there is little interest in the zoo community for establishing a program for them. Will miss them when Niari & Tabah have passed and Jumoke is probably exported, and know will be far from alone in that regard.

It will be a great shame to see Mandrill disappear from Adelaide Zoo’s collection (and Australia). They’re a very charismatic species and have been held at Adelaide Zoo continuously since 1963.

A female Mandrill from Zoo Berlin arrived with two Mandrill/Drill hybrids in 1963. The hybrids were later sent to a circus and Adelaide Zoo received a male Mandrill from Taronga Zoo in 1975.

Adelaide Zoo’s ninth Mandrill infant (Penny) was born 1988; and their twelfth Mandrill infant (Sanaga) was born 1991. These females bred with Brazza (born 1987 at Taronga Zoo) to produce Niari (born to Sanaga in 1996) and Moabi (born to Penny in 1998).

It’d be interesting to know if all births descended from that one original pair (the female imported 1963) and the male (transferred in 1975), with the above females perhaps being their grandaughters and great grandaughters. Louise (sent to Melbourne Zoo) was born at Adelaide Zoo in 1986, so was likely a sister or half-sister to Penny and Sanaga; while Brazza sired at least one son in the 1990’s (to Penny), who was transferred to Tasmania Zoo.

 

[Jambo]

Just to guide the speculation a bit - Mandrill are a CITES 1 species.

In order to import a CITES 1 species endorsement must first be obtained from a recognised Association.

Thus there must be a CMP/CCP for that species and a program established.

Although Mandrill are certainly a spectacular species there is very little interest in the zoo community at the moment to establish a program for them.

Far too many priorities at the moment and, in my opinion, far too many programs and not enough capable coordinators to run them.

Thanks for the confirmation Steve, and I've pretty much heard along the lines of that too. There just isn't the support to re-establish a breeding program, hence the phase out.

Being such a small region (as in numbers of accredited facilities), there is a strong requirement for a fair amount of zoos to be on board with a specific species, and willing to dedicate their resources to them.

It makes things much easier to have say four zoos operating a regional breeding program for Snow Leopard, then one for Sri Lankan, one for Clouded and so on. At the moment we seem to have a lot of this as you mentioned, which has it's own repercussions!

 

[Steve Robinson]

Thanks for the confirmation Steve, and I've pretty much heard along the lines of that too. There just isn't the support to re-establish a breeding program, hence the phase out.

Being such a small region (as in numbers of accredited facilities), there is a strong requirement for a fair amount of zoos to be on board with a specific species, and willing to dedicate their resources to them.

It makes things much easier to have say four zoos operating a regional breeding program for Snow Leopard, then one for Sri Lankan, one for Clouded and so on. At the moment we seem to have a lot of this as you mentioned, which has it's own repercussions!

The species you mention aren't the real problem and could certainly justify their being here on collection diversity grounds alone.

However, there are lots of programs for species of little conservation value that are tying up capable SCs - most of whom are volunteers.

Equally, there are a significant number of SCs who are just not up to the task.

Solution? Reduce the number of programs to truly worthwhile ones and deploy the "cream of the crop" SCs to those programs.

Getting off topic here -sorry.

 

[Zorro]

The species you mention aren't the real problem and could certainly justify their being here on collection diversity grounds alone.

However, there are lots of programs for species of little conservation value that are tying up capable SCs - most of whom are volunteers.

Equally, there are a significant number of SCs who are just not up to the task.

Solution? Reduce the number of programs to truly worthwhile ones and deploy the "cream of the crop" SCs to those programs.

Getting off topic here -sorry.

I have long expected that was the case and may explain why some species are languishing instead of thriving!

 

[Jambo]

The species you mention aren't the real problem and could certainly justify their being here on collection diversity grounds alone.

However, there are lots of programs for species of little conservation value that are tying up capable SCs - most of whom are volunteers.

Equally, there are a significant number of SCs who are just not up to the task.

Solution? Reduce the number of programs to truly worthwhile ones and deploy the "cream of the crop" SCs to those programs.

Getting off topic here -sorry.

Yeah I was more so making an example, that genus was just the first that came to mind!

I do think your on the right track however; if only there was an overarching organisation that manages these coordinators and conservation programs within captivity however I do acknowledge how unlikely this would be for a variety of reasons.