Australasian Rhino Population

[WhistlingKite24]

0.1 South-central Black Rhino Bahkita at Taronga Western Plains Zoo gave birth to a healthy female calf last Wednesday. Sire was the late Kwaanza (1992-2020). This is Bahkita’s four calf and this female is a much needed addition for the regional population: https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/the...rhino-calf-born-at-dubbo-zoo-ng-s-2051508.amp

The Australasian population of black rhino now stands at approximately 11 (7.4) individuals.

 

[jay]

Whistlingkite. Can you tell me if kufara(black rhino) is pregnant?

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Whistlingkite. Can you tell me if kufara(black rhino) is pregnant?

Nothing has been announced indicating a pregnancy from Kufara. They have been trying a few pairings according to this 2019 article though [Keepers hoping love is in the air]: "There has been a number of introductions between Black Rhino pairs over the past few months and keepers are hopeful that they have been successful."

 

[Zorro]

Nothing has been announced indicating a pregnancy from Kufara. They have been trying a few pairings according to this 2019 article though [Keepers hoping love is in the air]: "There has been a number of introductions between Black Rhino pairs over the past few months and keepers are hopeful that they have been successful."

It is pleasing to see the Black rhino breeding program working well. There appears to be next to nothing mentioned in regards to their pair of Indian rhinos I do hope they can breed more calfs!

 

[jay]

Nothing has been announced indicating a pregnancy from Kufara. They have been trying a few pairings according to this 2019 article though [Keepers hoping love is in the air]: "There has been a number of introductions between Black Rhino pairs over the past few months and keepers are hopeful that they have been successful."

I hope that they succeed. The birth of this latest female calf is great but I would like to see more

 

[Zoofan15]

It’d be nice to see more holders of South-central black rhinoceros in the region, given that it’s critically endangered. There’s currently only two holders (and one of these holds two males).

The Southern white rhinoceros is now classified as near threatened, yet remains the most represented in our zoos (12 holders). I suspect much of this is down to availability and their more docile/semi-social nature, which makes white rhinoceros more suited to city zoos; yet many city zoos in the USA hold black rhinoceros without issue.

Several of the zoos that hold white rhinoceros could easily hold a surplus bull (or even a pair) of black rhinoceros; while the open range zoos (Orana, Dubbo, Monarto, Werribee) could focus on breeding.

 

[toothlessjaws]

I suspect much of this is down to availability and their more docile/semi-social nature, which makes white rhinoceros more suited to city zoos; yet many city zoos in the USA hold black rhinoceros without issue.

Specifically, I think its to do with the fact that white rhinoceros, cohabitate well with other african ungulates like giraffe, zebra and antelope. Not sure any zoos have had great success doing the same with the black rhino.

 

[Zoofan15]

Specifically, I think its to do with the fact that white rhinoceros, cohabitate well with other african ungulates like giraffe, zebra and antelope. Not sure any zoos have had great success doing the same with the black rhino.

Yes, they are generally more amenable with each other and with other species. And the overall larger number of white rhinos vs black rhinos in zoos around the world (around a 6:1 ratio in Europe) would of course be attributed to the fact white rhinos can generally be kept in herds/crashes without issue.

Nonetheless, I hope to see other facilities acquire black rhinoceros in the future. There’s been much talk about zoos acquiring Indian rhinoceros to replace their elephants; but from a conservation status perspective, I’d argue they should be prioritising the black rhino if possible.

 

[Zorro]

Yes, they are generally more amenable with each other and with other species. And the overall larger number of white rhinos vs black rhinos in zoos around the world (around a 6:1 ratio in Europe) would of course be attributed to the fact white rhinos can generally be kept in herds/crashes without issue.

Nonetheless, I hope to see other facilities acquire black rhinoceros in the future. There’s been much talk about zoos acquiring Indian rhinoceros to replace their elephants; but from a conservation status perspective, I’d argue they should be prioritising the black rhino if possible.

I believe the Black rhino numbers atm are around 6000 with Indian rhinos at 3500 so from a conservation perspective far fewer Indian rhinos!

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe the Black rhino numbers atm are around 6000 with Indian rhinos at 3500 so from a conservation perspective far fewer Indian rhinos!

You’re correct, but the black rhinoceros is further divided into subspecies - South central and Eastern black rhinoceros. The population of the South central black rhinoceros (critically endangered) is around 2000.

The Indian rhinoceros is not divided into further subspecies and is currently at around 3600. It’s listed as Vulnerable.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

0.1 South-central Black Rhino Bahkita at Taronga Western Plains Zoo gave birth to a healthy female calf last Wednesday. Sire was the late Kwaanza (1992-2020). This is Bahkita’s four calf and this female is a much needed addition for the regional population: https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/the...rhino-calf-born-at-dubbo-zoo-ng-s-2051508.amp

The Australasian population of black rhino now stands at approximately 11 (7.4) individuals.

0.1 South-central Black Rhino calf born in February to female Bahkita has been named Sabi Star - in honour of a species of African flower:"Taronga Western Plains Zoo keepers named the calf after the beautiful, rare and much loved flower found in Zimbabwe. The Sabi Star only flowers during harsh dry periods which keepers felt signified the struggle for life all livings things face in the wild."
Watch Black Rhino calf Sabi Star enjoying his first mud bath

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Nothing has been announced indicating a pregnancy from Kufara. They have been trying a few pairings according to this 2019 article though [Keepers hoping love is in the air]: "There has been a number of introductions between Black Rhino pairs over the past few months and keepers are hopeful that they have been successful."

When was this exactly in 2019, it might as well have refered to Bakhita breeding and conceiving given time past. Any info since 2019 more recent?

 

[Jambo]

When was this exactly in 2019, it might as well have refered to Bakhita breeding and conceiving given time past. Any info since 2019 more recent?

It was from February 2019. It could have been referring to the attempt of breeding Bakhita, but also Kufara at the same time. Hopefully the zoo can breed Kufara in the near future, with her calf approaching the age of four.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

1.0 Mtoto the Southern White Rhino at Altina Wildlife Park has died unexpectedly due to cardiac arrest. This is very unfortunate news and leaves the park with 0.2 rhinos: Log into Facebook | Facebook. I will provide a full update of the population list for the rhinos at the end of the year in December.

The Australasian population of white rhinos now stands at approximately 49 (22.27) individuals.

 

[Zoofan15]

1.0 Mtoto the Southern White Rhino at Altina Wildlife Park has died unexpectedly due to cardiac arrest. This is very unfortunate news and leaves the park with 0.2 rhinos: Log into Facebook | Facebook. I will provide a full update of the population list for the rhinos at the end of the year in December.

The Australasian population of white rhinos now stands at approximately 49 (22.27) individuals.

That’s really sad to hear of the loss of this young bull, who I’ve followed since he was a calf. I did an encounter with the Hamilton herd when he was a few months old and remember how excited everyone was he was born. Mtoto’s birth made Hamilton Zoo the first zoo in New Zealand to breed two white rhino calves, after he was born almost two years to the day of his mother’s first calf.

The logical move from here is to send Inkosi (2002) from Auckland Zoo to Altina. Inkosi is a full sibling to Mtoto and currently lives alone; while their sire lives in a family herd with the cow and their new calf.

I’m not aware of any pregnancies at Altina, but it’ll be interesting to see if Mtoto sired any calves to the females before his death.

 

[Zorro]

Specifically, I think its to do with the fact that white rhinoceros, cohabitate well with other african ungulates like giraffe, zebra and antelope. Not sure any zoos have had great success doing the same with the black rhino.

I believe the San Deigo Safari Park have Black rhino in a muti species East African exhibit, The White Rhino also in a muti species exhibit in the South African section.

 

[Jambo]

I believe the San Deigo Safari Park have Black rhino in a muti species East African exhibit, The White Rhino also in a muti species exhibit in the South African section.

Yes, it really depends on the individual. In some cases, such as SDSP, they have successfully managed to introduce a lot of individuals to a mixed species habitat.

Most species in an African savannah exhibit are social species, ones that live in groups. Black Rhinos, who are solitary, don't fit into this category, and hence struggle to get along well with other species in this sort of format. It would be cool for a zoo like Monarto or TWPZ to experiment with this.

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe the San Deigo Safari Park have Black rhino in a muti species East African exhibit, The White Rhino also in a muti species exhibit in the South African section.

That’s correct. The Eastern black rhinoceros share their exhibit with Mule deer; while the Indian rhinoceros cohabit with Malayan sambar.

According to their website:

The Park holds the record for the most rhinos born in a zoo: 187 from 3 species, including 5 generations of black rhinos and 7 generations of greater one-horned rhinos. One of our youngest calves is a fifth-generation greater one-horned rhino, the first such birth in the world!

 

[Zorro]

That’s correct. The Eastern black rhinoceros share their exhibit with Mule deer; while the Indian rhinoceros cohabit with Malayan sambar.

According to their website:

The Park holds the record for the most rhinos born in a zoo: 187 from 3 species, including 5 generations of black rhinos and 7 generations of greater one-horned rhinos. One of our youngest calves is a fifth-generation greater one-horned rhino, the first such birth in the world!

Quite correct, They got 20 White Rhinos in the 1970 import from South Africa. This was the same time that Whipsnade zoo also got their 20 White rhino from the same source. Both parks rhinos joined a pair already at both zoos.

 

[Zorro]

Yes, it really depends on the individual. In some cases, such as SDSP, they have successfully managed to introduce a lot of individuals to a mixed species habitat.

Most species in an African savannah exhibit are social species, ones that live in groups. Black Rhinos, who are solitary, don't fit into this category, and hence struggle to get along well with other species in this sort of format. It would be cool for a zoo like Monarto or TWPZ to experiment with this.

I believe most of the muti species exhibits were/are around the 100 acre size, Which would help with what species they could keep together!