West Midland Safari and Leisure Park 'Big' news from West Midlands

And it was mentioned on another thread that one of the males at Edinburgh would likely be replaced by another, much younger, male as they matured, so one of these two may require re-homing in the next year or so?
 
johnstoni said:
And it was mentioned on another thread that one of the males at Edinburgh would likely be replaced by another, much younger, male as they matured, so one of these two may require re-homing in the next year or so?
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There is some discussion on this also on the West Midland's 'gallery'- there is a picture of the 'banner' but I wouldn't draw any conclusion from that.

The 'trench' design and a 'big pool' does suggest Rhinos to me however and I know they have been interested in Indian Rhino before. I would have thought replacing one male with another at Edinburgh might upset the balance & stimulate fighting(AFAIK the current two are still compatable) but it is possible I suppose. I think its a case of 'wait and see' until someone identifies the species for sure.
 
I have been waiting years for a Safari park to exhibit Indian Rhinos. IF WMSP our acquiring them I can't see them exhibiting more than 3 animals in that part of the safari. I would much prefer somewhere like Knowsley to exhibit them in a decent sized herd.
 
taun said:
I would much prefer somewhere like Knowsley to exhibit them in a decent sized herd.
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They are not 'herd' animals. In the wild they space themselves out- the most you see close together are a couple or so.
 
If chester have problems with their paddock becoming think what will happen at wmsp, and wont the enclosure be a bit small?
 
I think they will be more of a holding unit for a spare male/s. I can't see them going in for a breeding group.

As for Knowsley keeping a herd, i think it would be very doubtful, they have a good track record with their white rhino's to swop over.
 
Paulkarli08 said:
I think they will be more of a holding unit for a spare male/s. I can't see them going in for a breeding group.
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I think a new holder, particularly a Safari Park, would be more likely to be alloted males only in the first instance. Edinburgh got males first (despite a good previous breeding record with White rhino) but Chester got a pair (despite having bred less rhinos than Edinburgh!)
 
Let me just nip this in the but before it goes off-topic, I was stating my preferences nothing more! Let’s not get off WMSP.

And Cat-man they don't have an African reserve let only an Asian one, but check their website out they have a few Asian species.
 
taun said:
I have been waiting years for a Safari park to exhibit Indian Rhinos. IF WMSP our acquiring them I can't see them exhibiting more than 3 animals in that part of the safari. I would much prefer somewhere like Knowsley to exhibit them in a decent sized herd.
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They are not known to live in "herds" wouldnt be the best idea .:confused: They may come together for drinking, but thats about it except for mating.
 
The San Deigo Wild Animal Park exhibit a very large herd of Indian rhinos with little problems also in the wild these animals do spend some time near each other around mud/water holes. Males are a different story as only one male can be with the herd at any one time
 
Apart from cow-calf pairs, Indian rhinos rarely form groups. Adult males are usually solitary, but they sometimes occur in temporary associations of up to nine rhinos of various sex and age classes. These groups form at wallows and grazing grounds where the rhinos often feed or rest together but move independently of each other. In one study in Chitwan, Nepal, only 15% of the sightings of Indian rhinos were groups other than cow-calf pairs. Only seven groups consisted of more than three individuals and the most common type of group was comprised of two or three subadults, usually subadult males, which had recently left their mothers. The largest group recorded in Chitwan was of six subadults. (Laurie et al. 1983)
Among Indian rhinos, there is some degree of range exclusivity but no true territoriality. The home ranges of dominant bulls overlap with one another, with ranges of weaker males that do not attempt to mate, and with ranges of females. When two dominant Indian rhino males meet, they may fight using their tusk-like lower incisors. These conflicts can end in the death of one of the combatants. (Laurie et al. 1983, Nowak 1999, Burnie & Wilson 2001)
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Animal Info - Indian Rhinoceros

While I agree it they do not live in groups, the pressures on their habitat are forcing more rhinos together, also due to the fact they are not exclusively territorial means they are not like the Black Rhino and are more socially similar to the White Rhino.

Therefore I think its acceptable to house them in a decent sized herd, maybe this was were I was not clear before but am not talking more than 10 animals here. I was suggest 3 or 4 females + Plus any additional calves and a breeding male. Also I am only suggesting this set up in a safari park due to the size of land available in the reserves, meaning plenty of space for them to avoid each other if needs be. Whipsnade held their females together until they had calves.

Also I think it could serve another educational point, that these rhino did not live like this in there natural habitat but due to habitat loss they are have to compete for resources and can be seen together more often than they were.
 
MARK said:
The San Deigo Wild Animal Park exhibit a very large herd of Indian rhinos with little problems also in the wild these animals do spend some time near each other around mud/water holes. Males are a different story as only one male can be with the herd at any one time
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Forgot about SDWAP. :o
 
I've seen them in the wild. They behave independently of each other, even where small 'assemblages' occur.

San Diego must have an enormous enclosure to house a large group- otherwise I imagine there would be serious fighting. Males are territorial- females may be so too- not sure on that.

I can't see any UK establishment being able to give over enough land to house more than a few of these huge animals and even then they may have to be seperated from each other. Whipsnade even keep their two females -which grew up together- in seperate enclosures(inside and out) since they had their calves.
 
Pertinax said:
I've seen them in the wild. They behave independently of each other, even where small 'assemblages' occur.

San Diego must have an enormous enclosure to house a large group- otherwise I imagine there would be serious fighting. Males are territorial- females may be so too- not sure on that.

I can't see any UK establishment being able to give over enough land to house more than a few of these huge animals and even then they may have to be seperated from each other. Whipsnade even keep their two females -which grew up together- in seperate enclosures(inside and out) since they had their calves.
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Most of the San Deigo Wild Animal Park field exhibits are around 100 acres so there is a bit of elbow room for them also they have a number of smaller pens behind the scenes, there are a few photos in the gallery of the exhibit
 
MARK said:
Most of the San Deigo Wild Animal Park field exhibits are around 100 acres
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I think in a UK zoo(or even Safari Park) an enlosure a 10th of that size e.g. 10 acres, would be considered collosal!

I would estimate each of Whipsnade's outdoor paddocks to be about 3 or 4acreas in size.
 
Has it actually been officialy confirmed that West Midlands are getting Indian Rhino? Or is this speculation :confused:
 
This thread is entirely speculation ;)
 
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