Australasian Rhino Population

Zorro said:
The difference is many rhino’s have been imported in resent year’s however hippos have not been imported for many years thats why letting the ones kept at Mareeba be exported was a major blow to the zoos here keeping them,a bad mistake by someone in zoo management
Click to expand...

Exactly. The region has benefited from several imports - the largest being from Kruger National Park in 1999. Many of these founders are still alive and reproducing in our zoos.

Australasia’s Southern white rhinoceros population has always been genetically healthy and will receive even more genetic diversity via the South African import some of the open range zoos (Orana, Dubbo, Monarto) will be making in the near future.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Exactly. The region has benefited from several imports - the largest being from Kruger National Park in 1999. Many of these founders are still alive and reproducing in our zoos.

Australasia’s Southern white rhinoceros population has always been genetically healthy and will receive even more genetic diversity via the South African import some of the open range zoos (Orana, Dubbo, Monarto) will be making in the near future.
Click to expand...
Overall the region’s zoos have done well with the white rhino’s and I wish it was the same with the black rhino species as well considering Taronga zoos rich history with this species. I know Monarto wants to find (a) female/s to join its two WPZ bred boys but I believe a second herd should of been formed some time ago instead of putting all the eggs in one basket to date.
 
Zorro said:
Overall the region’s zoos have done well with the white rhino’s and I wish it was the same with the black rhino species as well considering Taronga zoos rich history with this species. I know Monarto wants to find (a) female/s to join its two WPZ bred boys but I believe a second herd should of been formed some time ago instead of putting all the eggs in one basket to date.
Click to expand...

Southern white rhinoceros have gained favour due to their (comparatively) docile temperature and suitability for housing with other species - Springbok, Lowland nyala etc.

It’s great to see TWPZ’s commitment to three different species of rhino. Long term, I’m confident we’ll see more holders of Indian rhinoceros as well. Perth have previously talked about exhibiting them in place of their elephants.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Southern white rhinoceros have gained favour due to their (comparatively) docile temperature and suitability for housing with other species - Springbok, Lowland nyala etc.

It’s great to see TWPZ’s commitment to three different species of rhino. Long term, I’m confident we’ll see more holders of Indian rhinoceros as well. Perth have previously talked about exhibiting them in place of their elephants.
Click to expand...
Perhaps just perhaps when Melbourne zoos elephants exhibit is vacant would open the door to the now Indian rhino calf at the WPZ in a couple of years time, As far as I can tell they would not have to change much if anything, a ready made exhibit at no cost.:)
 
Zorro said:
Perhaps just perhaps when Melbourne zoos elephants exhibit is vacant would open the door to the now Indian rhino calf at the WPZ in a couple of years time, As far as I can tell they would not have to change much if anything, a ready made exhibit at no cost.:)
Click to expand...

Indian rhinoceros would be a great addition to Melbourne Zoo. Their elephant trail is set on 2.5 ha and comprises three exhibits. It would make a world class exhibit for a single bull or even a pair of Indian rhinoceros.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Indian rhinoceros would be a great addition to Melbourne Zoo. Their elephant trail is set on 2.5 ha and comprises three exhibits. It would make a world class exhibit for a single bull or even a pair of Indian rhinoceros.
Click to expand...
If they can keep a herd of elephants there in 3 different yards I believe they could keep a pair of rhino.
 
Zorro said:
If they can keep a herd of elephants there in 3 different yards I believe they could keep a pair of rhino.
Click to expand...

The elephant exhibit is small by modern standards - especially for the number of elephants they hold, but would certainly accomodate a pair of Indian rhinoceros.

Like you say, features of the existing exhibit such as the pool could be retained and the barns would require little modification. Potentially the seperate elephant yards would be useful for keeping the rhinos seperate as required - given this species is less social than the white rhino.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
1.0 Kei the Southern White Rhino has moved from Mogo to Altina for breeding with their two females: Log into Facebook | Facebook
Click to expand...

Considering this leaves Mogo Zoo with a single bull, it’ll be interesting to see where they go from here.

All of the reproductive age cows are currently in breeding herds - though there are some younger females - Zahra (2020) and Nyah (2020) that could be transferred in their third year if the region is following European guidelines for age of transfer.

Another option is to send Imami (2007) at Hamilton Zoo to Mogo, considering she’s never bred with Kruger. Her options in New Zealand are otherwise limited considering the Hamilton bulls are her father and brother; and Orana will soon be receiving new rhinos from South Africa.
 
Last edited:
Is TWPZ looking to import any more black rhinos to anyone’s knowledge? All four of their females are related to all of their males, unless Ibala is the current older male there (as opposed to Siabuwa), in which case there are still two females without mates. Sorry if this is common knowledge!
 
Polar bear fan said:
Is TWPZ looking to import any more black rhinos to anyone’s knowledge? All four of their females are related to all of their males, unless Ibala is the current older male there (as opposed to Siabuwa), in which case there are still two females without mates. Sorry if this is common knowledge!
Click to expand...

They haven’t publicly announced plans to import more, but Monarto Zoo are hoping to acquire cows and there’s been suggestion it could be tied in with the South African imports of Southern white rhinoceros by these two zoos, in conjunction with Orana Wildlife Park.

Though it hasn’t been mentioned in some time, this was the original plan.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo have a long and successful association with this species and will certainly be continuing with it in the foreseeable.
 
Zoofan15 said:
They haven’t publicly announced plans to import more, but Monarto Zoo are hoping to acquire cows and there’s been suggestion it could be tied in with the South African imports of Southern white rhinoceros by these two zoos, in conjunction with Orana Wildlife Park.

Though it hasn’t been mentioned in some time, this was the original plan.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo have a long and successful association with this species and will certainly be continuing with it in the foreseeable.
Click to expand...
Ahh, thank you. I hope you’re right. There is a desperate need for new blood.
 
Polar bear fan said:
Is TWPZ looking to import any more black rhinos to anyone’s knowledge? All four of their females are related to all of their males, unless Ibala is the current older male there (as opposed to Siabuwa), in which case there are still two females without mates. Sorry if this is common knowledge!
Click to expand...

Siabuwa is most likely the deceased male, although it’s hard to tell as Dubbo rarely mention their Black Rhinos in news articles, interviews ect.
 
Zorro said:
It was a sad loss that they lost so many males at the beginning from the original importation then having to import several replacements from the US to get the breeding program started.
Click to expand...

Losing both bulls from the 1992 Zimbabwe import was a huge blow to the region. Fortunately it was followed up by the import of four bulls from the USA in 1994, after which several births followed.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Losing both bulls from the 1992 Zimbabwe import was a huge blow to the region. Fortunately it was followed up by the import of four bulls from the USA in 1994, after which several births followed.
Click to expand...
I believe they lost a couple in quarantine before they got into the country.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top