Does anywhere in the UK still breed Blackbuck?

P

Pertinax

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
As the title says;

I know of the following collections that still keep Blackbuck in the UK but do any of them still breed them?

West Midlands Safari Park- contracepted herd (one vasectomised/castrated male, 40-50 females). Breeding halted.
Knowsley Safari Park- still breeding or contracepted herd?
Longleat Safari Park. Still females only(?) No breeding?
Whipsnade. Still females only. No breeding.
Howletts/PL. Herds still at both? Contracepted or breeding?
Hoo Farm/Park. 1.1. + 1 offspring. (Remnant of Chester group). probably still breeding.
Dublin(Eire, not UK) Breeding?
Any other holders?

If you see baby/young Blackbuck at any of these collections during your visits this summer please post.
 
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The herd at Knowsley is still breeding. I visit regularly and have seen fawns this year.
 
They are lovely animals. I don't know why someone isn't trying to bring some new blood into the country as I think most of the UK stock is very inbred.
 
I'm sure imports from the US would be fairly easy. There are more about than what we know what to do with and they're even readily available in the pet trade.

~Thylo
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I'm sure imports from the US would be fairly easy. There are more about than what we know what to do with and they're even readily available in the pet trade.

~Thylo
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I know places like the USA and Australia have loads, but I don't think any of the UK zoos are that interested to be honest. Those that have them, do well with them, some to the extent of restricting breeding, but as GL says, some are from very inbred stock. Marwell imported some from Europe a long time ago now and I think they may be the foundation of the ones at West Midlands nowadays. Whipsnade imported a group of females a few years ago but still appear not have have sourced a male.
 
Tau said:
The herd at Knowsley is still breeding. I visit regularly and have seen fawns this year.
Click to expand...

I think Knowsley may be the only place still doing so (apart from Dublin). I was able to confirm the other day that Howletts now keep a female-only herd, while Port Lympne appear to have only a small group of castrated males. West Midlands don't breed from them anymore, Whipsnade has no male still and Longleat I think is in the same position. Hoo Farm have/had a breeding pair + single offspring.
 
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