Blackbuck in African Savanna enclosures

[Enzo]

The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is a medium-sized antelope native to the Indian Subcontinent. It is one of the most widespread antelope species in captivity, being present at zoos in all inhabited continents.

I have realized recently they are one of the most commonly Asiatic species used in African savannas, mostly in order to supply the demand for gazelles, which are absent in places like Australia and Brazil.

I know Rio de Janeiro, Animália Park and Werribee all have blackbuck mixed with African species. Does anyone know any other zoo that does this and is anyone besides most Brazilian ZooChatters frustrated by said practice?

I myself find it a bummer. Blackbuck were neat the first and second times I saw them at my local zoo, but their presence became really an issue because they have remained in the African savanna ever since arriving.

 

[Jambo]

The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is a medium-sized antelope native to the Indian Subcontinent. It is one of the most widespread antelope species in captivity, being present at zoos in all inhabited continents.

I have realized recently they are one of the most commonly Asiatic species used in African savannas, mostly in order to supply the demand for gazelles, which are absent in places like Australia and Brazil.

I know Rio de Janeiro, Animália Park and Werribee all have blackbuck mixed with African species. Does anyone know any other zoo that does this and is anyone besides most Brazilian ZooChatters frustrated by said practice?

I myself find it a bummer. Blackbuck were neat the first and second times I saw them at my local zoo, but their presence became really an issue because they have remained in the African savanna ever since arriving.

I do agree, it's disappointing to see, especially when there's an array of African antelope species that they could select from.

In the case of Werribee, they have theirs currently grouped in a mixed species exhibit with Nyala, so not bad as they're not technically in the 'Main African Savannah'. The plan is to move the group (or at least a bachelor group of males) into the new Asian Elephant complex, so that will at least restore some geographic theming.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Australia and Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand also have Blackbucks mixed into their African Savannahs. Both facilities have theirs grouped with Ostrich and Zebra; Western Plains also have Giraffe, Rhino and Eland in the mix too.

 

[Enzo]

I do agree, it's disappointing to see, especially when there's an array of African antelope species that they could select from.

In the case of Werribee, they have theirs currently grouped in a mixed species exhibit with Nyala, so not bad as they're not technically in the 'Main African Savannah'. The plan is to move the group (or at least a bachelor group of males) into the new Asian Elephant complex, so that will at least restore some geographic theming.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Australia and Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand also have Blackbucks mixed into their African Savannahs. Both facilities have theirs grouped with Ostrich and Zebra; Western Plains also have Giraffe, Rhino and Eland in the mix too.

I think we both agree more antelope species at open range zoos would be a great sight! Even having more African herbivores in general (Cape buffalo, Somali wild ass, etc.) would already be an improvement.

Blackbuck are a good-looking species IMO, but they look even better when displayed in geographically correct exhibits!!! Giving our local elephant some company by sending a few blackbuck there would be great too, but no moves have taken place.

Besides Indian antelope, the African savanna at my local zoo is home to Barbary sheep and Javan rusa, which means we are out of actual Sub-Saharan bovids, even if big numbers of eland and waterbuck are available in the private sector.