Monarto Safari Park Bears at Monarto

[Swanson02]

{Note from mods - this thread split from here: Monarto Safari Park News 2022 [Monarto Safari Park]}



I can't think of many more carnivore species that would suit Monarto maybe Tigers (Generic/Sumatran passed off as Bengal) and Sloth bears in a Subcontinental safari-themed area. Sloth bears would do the best in Monartos weather, but I don't know how easy they are to source. Canids are risky with Monartos bus format, the buses can't stop anymore in the Wild Dog exhibit as this new pack has developed a bad habit of chasing the bus if it stops moving.

 

[Jambo]

I mentioned Sri Lankan Leopards to the carnivore keeper yesterday, she hadn't heard anything. I believe the initial plan was for leopards to replace lions at Adelaide (All lions being held at Monarto), but then there was a public uproar about it as they are a big-ticket species. I think leopards would be better at Adelaide too, they are elusive and you would never see them in the large bushy exhibits at Monarto. I can't think of many more carnivore species that would suit Monarto maybe Tigers (Generic/Sumatran passed off as Bengal) and Sloth bears in a Subcontinental safari-themed area. Sloth bears would do the best in Monartos weather, but I don't know how easy they are to source. Canids are risky with Monartos bus format, the buses can't stop anymore in the Wild Dog exhibit as this new pack has developed a bad habit of chasing the bus if it stops moving.

Tigers could be displayed at Monarto; although they are a forest animal, Bengals do tend to roam fields, woodlands as well (Sumatrans could easily substitute for this). Regarding bears, Sloth Bears would be a nice option; especially fitting in an Indian woodland theme, with Tigers, Asian Elephants, Blackbuck ect. Another option would be Brown Bears, who i'd like to see return to the region. They could fit into a Northern Hemisphere theme with Bison.

 

[Swanson02]

Tigers could be displayed at Monarto; although they are a forest animal, Bengals do tend to roam fields, woodlands as well (Sumatrans could easily substitute for this). Regarding bears, Sloth Bears would be a nice option; especially fitting in an Indian woodland theme, with Tigers, Asian Elephants, Blackbuck ect. Another option would be Brown Bears, who i'd like to see return to the region. They could fit into a Northern Hemisphere theme with Bison.

Monarto is heavily bushed, so they could cut out a new exhibit for say Tigers or bears interspersed with mallee. A few questions also -
How well do Eurasian Brown Bears do in the hot and dry?
How sourceable are both Sloth and Eurasian Brown Bears (of the Himalayan subspecies as well if possible) and how do both species go in captivity?

We definitely do already have plenty of species already present within Australasia for a successful Subcontinent-themed safari with Indian Antelope, Water buffalo, Sambar, Chital, Hog Deer, Indian Rhinos, Asian Elephants, Sri Lankan Leopards, and substituted Sumatran or generic Tigers.
We also have a plethora of smaller species native to the subcontinent region perfect for a walking trail as well. Import wise I think a bear species and the return of Nilgai could really round out an area like this. It's a shame as TWPZ has almost all of the species I just named. It would be a monumental cost though to reconfigure the zoo around this one theme.

 

[Zoofan15]

Monarto is heavily bushed, so they could cut out a new exhibit for say Tigers or bears interspersed with mallee. A few questions also -
How well do Eurasian Brown Bears do in the hot and dry?
How sourceable are both Sloth and Eurasian Brown Bears (of the Himalayan subspecies as well if possible) and how do both species go in captivity?

We definitely do already have plenty of species already present within Australasia for a successful Subcontinent-themed safari with Indian Antelope, Water buffalo, Sambar, Chital, Hog Deer, Indian Rhinos, Asian Elephants, Sri Lankan Leopards, and substituted Sumatran or generic Tigers.
We also have a plethora of smaller species native to the subcontinent region perfect for a walking trail as well. Import wise I think a bear species and the return of Nilgai could really round out an area like this. It's a shame as TWPZ has almost all of the species I just named. It would be a monumental cost though to reconfigure the zoo around this one theme.

In addition to being held in European zoos, the Eurasian brown bear is kept at a zoo in Maryland, which has temperatures into the mid 30’s in summer (their record is 41 C vs Adelaide’s 46 C); however they do originate from a much colder environment, where the average annual temp is -1 C.

Personally I think Sloth bear are a much better choice. They’re native to India and Sri Lanka, which frequently record high temperatures (average summer temp of India 36-39 C) and are found at many North American and European zoos. It would be very easy to source this species.

The Sloth bear would nicely compliment the variety of Indian species you’ve identified including Sri Lankan leopard, Banteng, Indian antelope etc.

 

[Jambo]

Monarto is heavily bushed, so they could cut out a new exhibit for say Tigers or bears interspersed with mallee. A few questions also -
How well do Eurasian Brown Bears do in the hot and dry?
How sourceable are both Sloth and Eurasian Brown Bears (of the Himalayan subspecies as well if possible) and how do both species go in captivity?

Eurasian Brown Bears could do well in the hot and dry, Monarto would need to ensure they do have cooler rooms/cages though. Melbourne used to hold Syrian Brown Bears and they did well; the Victorian Summers can get quite hot!

Sloth Bears are very easily sourceable from overseas, and Eurasian Brown Bears would be relatively easy too. Both species do well in captivity.

An indian area would be welcome though, especially with all the indian antelope species that could possibly be included.

 

[Swanson02]

The Sloth bear would nicely compliment the variety of Indian species you’ve identified including Sri Lankan leopard, Banteng, Indian antelope etc.

I too think Sloth bears are more suitable and are found commonly on the dry Indian savanna. Perhaps Sloth bears could be a good replacement for our region's dwindling sun bear population if a regional phase-out is decided on. I assume due to their high prevalence overseas the issues with breeding Sloth bears aren't as big as with Sun bears. Both are considered vulnerable in the wild.
I however believe the region should on really focus on one, at absolute most two bear species (Pandas excluded). Sloth bears would also be comfortable in the coldest of Tassie and NZ weather along with the tropics of Queensland.

That also makes me wonder what species should be recommended for phase-out/discontinuation? I personally believe the Giant Panda at Adelaide for one.

 

[Zoofan15]

I too think Sloth bears are more suitable and are found commonly on the dry Indian savanna. Perhaps Sloth bears could be a good replacement for our region's dwindling sun bear population if a regional phase-out is decided on. I assume due to their high prevalence overseas the issues with breeding Sloth bears aren't as big as with Sun bears. Both are considered vulnerable in the wild.
I however believe the region should on really focus on one, at absolute most two bear species (Pandas excluded). Sloth bears would also be comfortable in the coldest of Tassie and NZ weather along with the tropics of Queensland.

I think Australasian zoos should phase out sun bear and focus on Sloth bear. There’s a lack of male Malayan sun bears in Europe (similar to Australasia), which makes it difficult to source bears. The rescue ones we get from Cambodia etc. come with a range of social issues that make them unsuitable for captivity and for breeding.

Sloth bears appear much easier to breed and are equally as charismatic in my opinion. In an ideal world, we’d see both species kept, but the region generally struggles to multitask, so it’s better to accept the inevitable and phase out sun bears.

 

[Jambo]

I too think Sloth bears are more suitable and are found commonly on the dry Indian savanna. Perhaps Sloth bears could be a good replacement for our region's dwindling sun bear population if a regional phase-out is decided on. I assume due to their high prevalence overseas the issues with breeding Sloth bears aren't as big as with Sun bears. Both are considered vulnerable in the wild.
I however believe the region should on really focus on one, at absolute most two bear species (Pandas excluded). Sloth bears would also be comfortable in the coldest of Tassie and NZ weather along with the tropics of Queensland.

I also agree, Sloth Bears are much better suited to Monarto, and i've always thought they should be considered a replacement within our region for Sun Bears. Sloth Bears also don't suffer the same reproductive issues, and breed much easier and more efficiently.

Alongside Sloth Bears, i'd like to see Andean Bears, who are also suitable for the region and vulnerable.

 

[Swanson02]

I also agree, Sloth Bears are much better suited to Monarto, and i've always thought they should be considered a replacement within our region for Sun Bears. Sloth Bears also don't suffer the same reproductive issues, and breed much easier and more efficiently.

Alongside Sloth Bears, i'd like to see Andean Bears, who are also suitable for the region and vulnerable.

Are Sloth bears also suitable for mixed-species exhibits? I saw a few pictures of them mixed with monkeys

I know Andean bear certainly can be mixed with a few other species

 

[Zoofan15]

Are Sloth bears also suitable for mixed-species exhibits? I saw a few pictures of them mixed with monkeys

I know Andean bear certainly can be mixed with a few other species

I’ve found details of Sloth bear mixed with Corsac fox (Beekse Bergen), Rhesus macaque (Leipzig), Hanuman langur (London), Lar gibbon (London) and Golden jackal (NaturZoo Rheine).

It could potentially be an enriching experience for both species and a fascinating exhibit.

 

[Jambo]

Are Sloth bears also suitable for mixed-species exhibits? I saw a few pictures of them mixed with monkeys

I know Andean bear certainly can be mixed with a few other species

Yes, I believe so. Monarto could easily import a species such as Hanuman Languar to live alongside them. They'd be equally popular with the public, as would the mixed species exhibit itself!

 

[Grant Rhino]

Yes, I believe so. Monarto could easily import a species such as Hanuman Languar to live alongside them. They'd be equally popular with the public, as would the mixed species exhibit itself!

Common langurs would be absolutely perfect for Monarto.

I love Monarto but my one single criticism of the place is that it does not display a single species of monkey!

Seriously - a zoo without a species of monkey???? It's like a pub with no beer!

I'm not convinced that Monarto needs a species of bear at all, but if they are going to have one then Sloth Bears would certainly be the most appropriate - especially if an India theme is going to be adopted.