Australasian Rhino Population

Jambo said:
Awesome news from Werribee this morning.

First time mum Kipenzi (2013) delivered a healthy female calf on Tuesday morning (4am on 21/03/2023)!:)

The calf was sired by first time father Kifaru (2009) and is Werribee’s first calf in almost a decade.

Very exciting for Werribee who have experienced limited success in breeding this species in the past.
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Sad to report that the female calf unfortunately died last night (26/03/2022) aged only five days old.

The five-day-old female calf suffered a neurological episode just before midnight Saturday, followed by cardiac arrest and sadly, zoo veterinary staff were unable to resuscitate her.

A necropsy (similar to a human autopsy) conducted at the University of Melbourne Veterinarian School confirmed the calf sustained a broken scapula, attributable to interactions with her mother in the immediate hours post-birth. It is suspected that blood clots at the fracture site led to the neurological signs and cardiac arrest. Further test results are pending and due in two weeks.

Zoos Victoria
 
Jambo said:
Sad to report that the female calf unfortunately died last night (26/03/2022) aged only five days old.

The five-day-old female calf suffered a neurological episode just before midnight Saturday, followed by cardiac arrest and sadly, zoo veterinary staff were unable to resuscitate her.

A necropsy (similar to a human autopsy) conducted at the University of Melbourne Veterinarian School confirmed the calf sustained a broken scapula, attributable to interactions with her mother in the immediate hours post-birth. It is suspected that blood clots at the fracture site led to the neurological signs and cardiac arrest. Further test results are pending and due in two weeks.

Zoos Victoria
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This makes me extremely sad to hear of her death. This is probably the saddest way for a rhinoceros to die ... killed by her own mother.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
0.1 Mopani the Southern White Rhino at Taronga Western Plains Zoo gave birth to a male calf on 16th June. Sire was Umfana: White Rhino Calf Born at Dubbo Zoo!
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Great news for Dubbo who have a relatively small population due to misfortune.

Hopefully the new Australian Rhino Import can bring in some new much needed cows, but in the meantime it’s good to see Dubbo’s only viable cow successfully giving birth.
 
Luke899 said:
Any updates on the Australian Rhino Project? Wild Africa Precinct at Monarto is still lying empty
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I believe the infrastructure is now in place for Orana Wildlife Park to receive the first shipment of 15 rhinos. The hold up is the CITES permits and arranging logistical aspects of the import.

I’m not aware of a date being confirmed yet, but bearing in mind transit in the hottest months is avoided (December to February), I’d say March/April 2024 is a reasonable guess.

After 12 months quarantine in New Zealand, Monarto and Dubbo will receive their rhinos - so again, March/April 2025 at a guess.

Either way, it appears elephants will be arriving at Monarto before the new rhinoceros; and in the meantime, I’m curious as to what the hold up is with the hippopotamus.
 
Luke899 said:
Do you think Dubbo will receive more rhinos then Monarto?
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Jambo said:
Monarto will have the bigger facilities so will obviously be receiving more than Dubbo, but in saying that Dubbo are in need of cows at the moment.
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If the total of the three imports comprises 35 rhinoceros, I’d anticipate at least five to be retained be Orana Wildlife Park across the three imports; with Monarto then receiving around 15 rhinos and Dubbo up to 10.

Whether the remainder (around five rhinos) are transferred out to other zoos in the region remains to be seen - but Werribee would benefit from additional cows and Auckland and Hamilton would benefit from new breeding bulls due to the overrepresentation of their lines.
 
Zoofan15 said:
If the total of the three imports comprises 35 rhinoceros, I’d anticipate at least five to be retained be Orana Wildlife Park across the three imports; with Monarto then receiving around 15 rhinos and Dubbo up to 10.

Whether the remainder (around five rhinos) are transferred out to other zoos in the region remains to be seen - but Werribee would benefit from additional cows and Auckland and Hamilton would benefit from new breeding bulls due to the overrepresentation of their lines.
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Werribee should be looking for additional cows (and an additional breeding bull too). They are currently in a unique position where their only viable cows have unfortunately both rejected their previous offspring.

They also have a new rhino breeding complex on the way too; so I'd imagine this would tie in nicely with recieiving some rhinos from Monarto and/or Dubbo in a few years time.
 
Jambo said:
Werribee should be looking for additional cows (and an additional breeding bull too). They are currently in a unique position where their only viable cows have unfortunately both rejected their previous offspring.

They also have a new rhino breeding complex on the way too; so I'd imagine this would tie in nicely with recieiving some rhinos from Monarto and/or Dubbo in a few years time.
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Once successful breeding herds kick off at Orana, Dubbo and Monarto, they’ll soon be a large surplus of first generation bulls and cows. Since cows of this species are widely believed to exert estrus suppression on their daughters, we’ll no doubt see several first generation cows transferred out in 5-10 years time.

I’m hopeful the imports include a number of bulls. Though it’s tempting to focus on cows, which can (usually) cohabit well, it’d be advisable to avoid the situation where a handful of males successfully breed and become very prolific/over represented. Bachelor herds don’t appear to work long term, so the zoo’s involved will hopefully be willing to dedicate the infrastructure to holding surplus bulls off display. It’s theorised to enhance breeding success (scent of competitors), so at worst they’ll act as stimulant bulls.
 
Zoofan15 said:
If the total of the three imports comprises 35 rhinoceros, I’d anticipate at least five to be retained be Orana Wildlife Park across the three imports; with Monarto then receiving around 15 rhinos and Dubbo up to 10.

Whether the remainder (around five rhinos) are transferred out to other zoos in the region remains to be seen - but Werribee would benefit from additional cows and Auckland and Hamilton would benefit from new breeding bulls due to the overrepresentation of their lines.
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Does anyone have any definite information on when the planned import is actually moving forward? How long before the actual import paperwork? When is the Orana quarantaine facility to be completed?.

From the original plan by ARP the entire import has been a decade in the making (and since transfer up to ZAA proper progress has been slow ... at best!).
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Does anyone have any definite information on when the planned import is actually moving forward? How long before the actual import paperwork? When is the Orana quarantaine facility to be completed?.

From the original plan by ARP the entire import has been a decade in the making (and since transfer up to ZAA proper progress has been slow ... at best!).
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My understanding is that the project started in 2013 as private persons idea!
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Does anyone have any definite information on when the planned import is actually moving forward? How long before the actual import paperwork? When is the Orana quarantaine facility to be completed?.

From the original plan by ARP the entire import has been a decade in the making (and since transfer up to ZAA proper progress has been slow ... at best!).
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Good question. It does seem to be dragging on. When I contacted Orana earlier this year I was told it’s difficult to put a time on when the paperwork will be completed (I imagine because once they’ve completed what they need to, it’s out of their hands how soon it’s processed). As for the infrastructure, I’m open to correction, but I believe it’s completed as it was close to completion over a year ago.

With the region reduced to a handful of viable cows, it’d be good to get these new founders into the region sooner rather than later. Even if they don’t receive any rhinos from the initial imports, I don’t doubt Auckland will be keen to acquire first generation offspring when they become available as they’re expanding their facilities; and also Werribee, who would benefit from additional cows.
 
I took a look at the other two rhino programs in the region and came up with this assessment.


Southern Black Rhino
The current population is 5.4 at TWPZ and 2.0 at Monarto Safari Park.

A. The breeding program at TWPZ is now fully functioning and on its own reasonably effective. The current breeding population is 0.2 as they lost their breeding bull Kwanzaa (US born) quite recently and a potential 1.0 in their bull Chikundo. The outlook with 2 currently reproducing cows (FF Bakhita and Kufara) and 2 young females (FF Mesi and Sabi Star) bodes well for the future.

B.i) The program requires other active holders with potential and needs for regular animal exchanges. Firstly, Monarto Safari Park has maintained a bachelor herd of 2.0 (MM Induna and Sentwali) and needs to come on board as a breeding institution and would require 0.2 to be added to their facility. TWZP should provide one of their current female calves to set up a first breeding pair at Monarto.
B.ii) An outside infusion of new blood is imperative fo the Australasian southern black rhino population both from Eswatini (MM + FF) and/or the US (mainly as they hold a surplus of unrelated bulls).


Indian Greater One-Horned Rhino
Currently, only one holder - TWPZ with 2.1 individuals:
Without another holder coming on board this program will prove not sustainable in the ZAA region and another dead end in the making. The tiny Australian population is not even co-coordinated with either AZA or EAZA. New founders and new holders in the region would be extremely helpful.
 
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Kifaru Bwana said:
I took a look at the other two rhino programs in the region and came up with this assessment.


Southern Black Rhino
The current population is 4.4 at TWPZ and 2.0 at Monarto Safari Park.

A. The breeding program at TWPZ is now fully functioning and on its own reasonably effective. The current breeding population is 0.2 as they lost their breeding bull Kwanzaa (US born) quite recently and a potential 1.0 in bull Chikundo. The outlook with 2 currently reproducing cows (FF Bakhita and Kufara) and 2 young females (FF Mesi and Sabi Star) bodes well for the future.

B.i) The program requires other active holders with potential and needs for regular animal exchanges. Firstly, Monarto Safari Park has maintained a bachelor herd of 2.0 (MM Induna and Sentwali) and needs to come on board as a breeding institution and would require 0.2 to be added to their facility. TWZP should provide one of their current female calves to set up a first breeding pair at Monarto.
B.ii) An outside infusion of new blood is imperative fo the Australasian southern black rhino population both from Eswatini (MM + FF) and/or the US (mainly as they hold a surplus of unrelated bulls).


Indian Greater One-Horned Rhino
Currently, only one holder - TWPZ with 2.1 individuals:
Without another holder coming on board this program will prove not sustainable in the ZAA region and another dead end in the making. The tiny Australian population is not even co-coordinated with either AZA or EAZA. New founders and new holders in the region would be extremely helpful.
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My view is there needs to be new bloodlines imported into the Black rhino breeding program sooner rather than later, I would hope that management are/have been looking for some new fresh imports to be imported to Dubbo so this group can be maintained in the long term. Also having a second breeding group within the region is certainly going to be a big bonus hopefully Monarto are trying to obtain a couple of females which are badly needed. The climate in South Australia would be about as perfect for this species as one could hope for.

I find it somewhat odd with 3 open range zoos within Australia that still after quite a few years of holding Indian rhino Western Plains zoo is still the only holder for this species. It was my understanding that originally the TWPZ were to hold 2 pairs but as expected settled just for the 1 pair. Yes they got off to a shaky start after losing the young imported female held at Taronga and yes that was a set back.Also losing the first calf a male at Dubbo was an added setback. I do hope that the second calf a male can be placed in another Australian zoo to set up a second pair which is badly needed. I believe the management of the rhino programs have become complacent and I have deep concerns about some stagnation settling in.
Since the zoos within the EEP at the moment have slowed/stopped breeding Indian rhinos due to lack of holders in Europe there should be little problems in obtaining the animals needed I believe it comes down to the desire or lack off to committ fully with this species lets not see them slip through our fingers!
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I took a look at the other two rhino programs in the region and came up with this assessment.


Southern Black Rhino
The current population is 5.4 at TWPZ and 2.0 at Monarto Safari Park.

A. The breeding program at TWPZ is now fully functioning and on its own reasonably effective. The current breeding population is 0.2 as they lost their breeding bull Kwanzaa (US born) quite recently and a potential 1.0 in their bull Chikundo. The outlook with 2 currently reproducing cows (FF Bakhita and Kufara) and 2 young females (FF Mesi and Sabi Star) bodes well for the future.

B.i) The program requires other active holders with potential and needs for regular animal exchanges. Firstly, Monarto Safari Park has maintained a bachelor herd of 2.0 (MM Induna and Sentwali) and needs to come on board as a breeding institution and would require 0.2 to be added to their facility. TWZP should provide one of their current female calves to set up a first breeding pair at Monarto.
B.ii) An outside infusion of new blood is imperative fo the Australasian southern black rhino population both from Eswatini (MM + FF) and/or the US (mainly as they hold a surplus of unrelated bulls).


Indian Greater One-Horned Rhino
Currently, only one holder - TWPZ with 2.1 individuals:
Without another holder coming on board this program will prove not sustainable in the ZAA region and another dead end in the making. The tiny Australian population is not even co-coordinated with either AZA or EAZA. New founders and new holders in the region would be extremely helpful.
Click to expand...

It would be great to see an import of Southern black rhinoceros given the high degree of relatedness of the Australasian population. The last calf was inbred and all the cows are related. 1.0 Induna (Monarto) and 0.1 Bakhita (Dubbo) represents the only remaining unrelated pairing; so in the event Dubbo could import more bulls to pair with their younger cows, it could be worth sending Bakhita to Monarto. That way they’d gain a proven breeder as well as creating an unrelated pairing.

Sadly, I don’t foresee a sustainable population of Indian rhinoceros developing in the future. They were speculated to replace elephants at Taronga, Melbourne and Perth; but that seems highly unlikely if recent information is anything to go by.
 
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