EAZA news magazine

The nutrition conference was covered in one of the Zooquaria of 2015 so I would not expect any further reports on it published for non-EAZA members.
 
The 2018 TAG Reports have recently been released. All sorts of interesting things in there that I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere on the forum:

- The transfers of Jamaican iguanas Cyclura collei from the AZA to Europe
- The Asiatic black bear ESB is working to have an EEP for the Manchurian black bear subspecies
- The first group of marine bony fish for captive propagation have been announced, comprising three species of wrasse, four species of butterflyfish and the dwarf pygmy goby Pandaka pygmaea

Also, confirmation of something I had previously heard on here - as soon as birds become available, a second group of little penguins will be imported by Living Coasts, which will possibly allow an EEP to be established for the species.

The full TAG Report can be found below:
https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/Annual-report/TAG-reports-2018-web.pdf
 
The 2019 TAG report is now available online at: https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/Annual-report/TAG-reports-2019-webLR.pdf

Some interesting points:
  • An unnamed zoo holds a population of Eastern rockhopper penguin (E. chrysocome filholi) that is being kept separate from the more common (in captivity) nominate subspecies. ZTL lists no current holders for the this taxon.
  • Coquerel's sifaka import delayed by red tape, but all four pairs are expected this year (not sure how much recent events will have affected this).
  • And there is some thinly veiled disappointment at a decision by a certain director to send some of Europe's most genetically valuable moloch gibbons back to Java...
 
The 2020 TAG report is now available online [https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/Annual-report/2020-TAG-AR-final-WEB.pdf]. Some noteworthy, rather random, points pulled from the document:

  • Bilbies aren't arriving anytime soon from here in Australia so it seems: "So far, no animals available for EAZA." It is however hoped to establish more breeding populations of Tasmanian Devils in Europe: "Restocking of Copenhagen Zoo’s population (Denmark) with animals from ZAA. Plans to establish other breeding situations in Europe in addition to Copenhagen Zoo."
  • Two Belted Ruffed Lemurs are due to move to Tsimbazaza Zoo (Madagascar).
  • The phase-out of three baboon species is apparently planned: "As part of the RCP outcomes, it was agreed that some species of baboon will be phased out, namely olive baboons (Papio anubis), yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) and Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas)."
  • Some random small mammal news. The Palawan Porcupine population has reached the 20+ individuals. Livingstone’s Fruit Bats were at 78 (39.39) individuals as of Jan 2021 across three facilities with 8 successful pups at Jersey and one at Bristol born in 2020. Fossas are at 76 individuals and European Otters have reached its ideal size.
  • Some Indian Rhinos are potentially planned to be transferred to zoos in Peru and Brazil to allow the breeding ban to be carefully lifted for the species in Europe with these new holders.
  • Elephant transfers between Europe and the States are also planned: "The Asian elephant EEP collaborated closely with the SSP Studbook keeper Bob Lee (Oregon Zoo, US). The first pair of transfers has been arranged and planned. Furthermore, we are discussing further integration of our efforts."
  • Two female Brown Kiwi arrived from the United States; one went to one to Avifauna Birdpark (Netherlands) and one to Zlín Zoo (Czechia).
  • Some interesting penguin figures. The Northern Rockhopper Penguin EEP population increased up to 127 individuals with breeding success at Edinburgh (UK) and Vienna (Austria). Unsuccessful breeding attempts occurred at Whipsnade (UK) and Odense (Denmark). Sóstó Zoo (Hungary) and Kattegatcentret (Denmark) will receive young birds from Vienna. Southern Rockhoppers were only recorded breeding at Loro Parque (Spain) with four chicks. African Penguins received two new holders, potential transfers of Humboldt Penguins to Latin American zoos are being considered, and both Magellanics and Kings remain stable.
  • A Great Hornbill hatched at Zlín Zoo (Czechia) and three Palawan Hornbills hatched at Wrocław (Poland). Further information on hornbills: "The Rufous and Mindanao hornbills EEP will focus on establishing a viable population in the EAZA region for the rufous hornbills and seek to work together with colleagues in the Philippines on further management of an in situ breeding programme for the Mindanao hornbill (Penelopides affinis). It will be investigated if it is possible to send the last specimens of this species in Europe back to the Philippines."
  • Blue-crowned Laughing-thrushes finished the year strongly: "At the end of 2020, the global population in human care consisted of 311 individuals, of which 174 were within EAZA." A potential EEP will be established for Red Siskins.
  • Two Philippine crocodiles from Cologne Zoo (Germany) were repatriated in December.
  • Lots of notable amphibian breeding success among European zoos - Mountain Chicken Frogs bred at Nordens Ark (Sweden), Lake Titicaca Frogs bred at Munster Zoo (Germany) and Aquazoo Düsseldorf (Germany), Bicoloured Moss Frogs bred at Bristol (UK), Giant Mexican Leaf Frogs bred at Chester (UK) and the first F2 breeding of Vietnamese Crocodile Newts was achieved at Cologne (Germany).
 
The phase-out of three baboon species is apparently planned: "As part of the RCP outcomes, it was agreed that some species of baboon will be phased out, namely olive baboons (Papio anubis), yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) and Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas)."

It is possible than many zoo baboons are hybrids, of course.

But I hope they manage to retain as many monkey species in European zoos as possible. Once a monkey species is phased out, it is almost impossible to bring it back to European zoos, even if it becomes threatened.
 
It is possible than many zoo baboons are hybrids, of course.

But I hope they manage to retain as many monkey species in European zoos as possible. Once a monkey species is phased out, it is almost impossible to bring it back to European zoos, even if it becomes threatened.
That’s not good news for the Paignton baboon troop.
 
For the two first ones that is not surprising : the yellow baboon is poorly represented, olive baboon is unlikely to be threatened soon and population not being managed historically, presence of hybrids is possible.
Hamadryas baboons is trickier case. Their range is not so large, and several range countries (Erythrea, Somalia, Yemen...) are not able to put conservation actions in place. A total phase-out may be a mistake. However, the whole population is enormous and knowledge of ascendance difficult to establish so I understand that a reduction of the total population in favour of members of mandrillus genus and Guinea baboon are necessary.

I do not remember if that was previously discussed somewhere else but it appears that remaining Siberian Musk deer from AZA will be exported to EAZA following phase-out decision by Deer TAG.
Source: https://static1.squarespace.com/sta.../1616539083815/2021+-+TAG+Program+Updates.pdf
 
But I hope they manage to retain as many monkey species in European zoos as possible. Once a monkey species is phased out, it is almost impossible to bring it back to European zoos, even if it becomes threatened.

Agree with this. Already the range of species, particularly that of the Old World macaques, mangabeys and guenons are diminished compared to formerly. If species are lost from the zoos, as you say, they do not return.
 
That’s not good news for the Paignton baboon troop.
Hamadryas are a classic zoo display- for those relatively few that still exhibit them. They always make an interesting and active display behaviour-wise as a large social group, far more so than some rarer species that are only kept in much small numbers and consequently much less active. Paignton is a good example of that. Surprised to hear of plans for phasing-out though it sounds as if it may not be a complete one. Geladas already seem to be the main replacement species though.
 
Hamadryas are a classic zoo display- for those relatively few that still exhibit them. They always make an interesting and active display behaviour-wise as a large social group, far more so than some rarer species that are only kept in much small numbers and consequently much less active. Paignton is a good example of that. Surprised to hear of plans for phasing-out though it sounds as if it may not be a complete one. Geladas already seem to be the main replacement species though.


Hamadryas (and olive) baboons are a very attractive species, although rarely kept in an attractive enclosure.

You're right about the gelada, but I hope this brings also space for mandrill and drill. If I think of that awful enclosures for both species at f.e. Saarbrucken Zoo or Antwerp Zoo... Also a lot of langurs and guenons species need more participants in the breeding programs or they will disappear soon.

Too many major institutions lose their efforts in species which can perfectly kept by smaller zoos (f.e. cold weather species like Japanese or Barbary macaques or non threatened species like rhesus). How come Leipzig still keep Rhesus? And why is it that Colchester and Planckendael started with Barbary macaques as late as in 2019?
 
I have used ZTL to provide information about macaques, mangabeys and baboons etc. The first figure is the current number of zoos with the species; the second is the former number of zoos.

Assam macaque (Macaca assamensis): 2/6 [eastern Assam macaque (M.a. assamensis :0/2), western Assam macaque (M.a. ]pelops): 0/1; Barbary macaque (M sylvanus):155/88; bonnet macaque (M radiata): 12/31; booted macaque (M ochreata): 0/8; crab-eating macaque (M fascicularis): 68/132; crested black macaque (M nigra): 32/42; Gorontalo macaque (M grisescens): 0/1; Heck's macaque (M hecki): 1/1; Japanese macaque (M fuscata): 87/52; lion-tailed macaque (M silenus): 47/64; moor macaque (M maura): 6/36; northern pig-tailed macaque (M leonina): 5/9; Pagai macaque (M pagensis): 0/3; rhesus macaque (M mulatta): 76/186; stump-tailed macaque (M ursinus): 11/71; Sunda pig-tailed macaque (M nemestrina): 48/96; Taiwan rock macaque (M cyclopis): 1/6; Tibetan macaque (M thibetana): 0/4; Tonkean macaque (M tonkeana): 7/15; toque macaque: 3/20

Barbary and Japanese macaques are housed in more collections now than in the past.

Agile mangabey (Cercocebus agilis): 0/18; collared mangabey (C torquatus): 23/62; crested mangabey (C galeritus): 0/10; golden-bellied mangabey (C chrysogaster): 10/27; sooty mangabey (C. atys atys): 2/62; white-naped mangabey (C.a. lunulatus): 16/24

Black-crested mangabey (Lophocebus aterrimus): 21/38; grey-cheeked mangabey (L albigena): 3/24; Johnston's mangabey (L johnstoni): 0/2; Uganda mangabey (L ugandae): 0/1

Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus): 0/32 [grey-footed chacma baboon (P.u. griseipes): 0/1, Namibian chacma baboon (P.u. ruacana): 0/1, southern chacma baboon (P/u. ursinus): 0/2]; Hamadryas baboon (P hamadryas): 136/114; Kinda baboon (P kindae): 0/2; yellow baboon (P cynocephalus): 3/43 [northern yellow baboon (P.c. ibeanus): 0/1, southern yellow baboon (P.c. cynocephalus): 0/4]; olive baboon (P anubis): 30/67; western baboon (P papio): 39/11

Hamadryas and western baboons are housed in more collections now than in the past.

Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus): 16/70; mandrill (M sphinx): 65/100

Gelada (Theropithecus gelada): 30/29 [northern gelada (T.g. gelada): 0/1, southern gelada (T.g. obscurus): 0/1]
 
I found an interesting document that geladas are no longer rare in EAZA zoos: 465 individuals and considered safe:
https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/CCC/BPG-2021/Gelada-baboon-BPG-final-edit-070521-compressed.pdf
Side question are subspecies: whether they actually differ genetically, and what is the status of the EAZA population. Founders might (or might not) come from only one or few locations.

Actually, more precarious is situation of golden-bellied mangabeys (Endangered) and several macaques. Toque macaque (3 zoos) and moor macaque (6 zoos) are officially Endangered. Tonkean (7), bonnet (12), Hecks (1) and stump-tailed macaques (11) are Vulnerable. They suddenly went from common and not valued in zoos to seriously decreasing. Some are probably doomed in EAZA zoos, unless zoos take quick action, and probably import some founders in the medium term. I think macaques could also be good replacement of commoner baboons, because they can live in large multi-male groups on mostly grassy or rocky exhibits. Surefire visitor favorites.
 
The 2020 TAG report is now available online
  • Some Indian Rhinos are potentially planned to be transferred to zoos in Peru and Brazil to allow the breeding ban to be carefully lifted for the species in Europe with these new holders.


  • I do find this quite interesting that there is only one pair of Indian rhinos in Australia/New Zealand region which has been the case for many years while there is a breeding ban in place in another region until more holders can be found. TWPZ had planned on holding two pairs when this project first started but that appears to have stalled a while ago now. Also when Melbourne zoo and Tarongas elephants leave both city zoos they also leave behind two exhibits that would be ideal for Indian rhinos,So two exhibits ready to go without the cost of a new exhibits!. This species in our region needs more animals not just a pair for display, We need our major zoos to start stepping up to do a better job, I would even believe there would be at least one or two regional zoos that would have them if they were given the chance.
 
I have used ZTL to provide information about guenons etc. The first figure is the current number of zoos with the species; the second is the former number of zoos.

Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis): 4/24

Angolan vervet (Chlorocebus cynosuros): 0/15; vervet (C pygerythrus): 7/20 [black vervet (C.p. rufoviridis): 0/8; Hilgert's vervet (C.p. hilgerti): 0/2; Southern African vervet (C.p. pygerythrus): 4/11]; Budgett's tantalus monkey (C tantalus budgetti): 0/2; tantalus monkey (C.t. tantalus): 2/14; djam-djam (C djamdjamensis): 0/2; green monkey (C sabaeus): 14/49; grivet (C aethiops): 109/135; tota (C.aethiops): 0/31

Red-bellied guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster): 0/1 [Benin red-bellied guenon (C.e. erythrogaster): 1/5; Nigerian white-throated guenon (C.e. pococki): 0/3]; Bioko crowned guenon (C pogonias) [black-footed crowned monkey (C.p. nigripes): 0/2: 1/2, Gray's crowned monkey (C.p. grayi): 0/4]; red-tailed monkey (C ascanius): 0/13 [black-cheeked red-tailed monkey (C.a. ascanius): 4/12; black-nosed monkey (C.a. atrinasus): 0/1; Katanga red-tail guenon (C.a. katangae): 0/2, Schmidt's red-tailed monkey (C.a. schmidti): 5/26; yellow-nosed red-tail guenon (C.a. whitesidei): 5/13]; blue monkey (C mitis): 0/4 [Boutourlini's guenon (C.m. boutourlinii): 0/1; Pluto monkey (C.m. mitis): 0/4; Stuhlmann's monkey (C.m. stuhlmanni): 0/6]; Campbell's guenon (C campbelli): 0/14 [Campbell's guenon (C.c. campbelli): 0/3]; common mona monkey (C mona): 12/78; Congo Basin wolf monkey (C wolfi): 4/8; De Brazza's monkey (C neglectus): 63/73; Dent's mona monkey (C denti (1/3); Diana monkey (C diana): 24/55; spot-nosed monkey (C petaurista): 2/8) [eastern lesser white-nosed monkey (C.p. petaurista): 3/44; western lesser white-nosed monkey (C.p. buettikoferi): 1/9]; putty-nosed monkey (C nictitans): 0/5 [eastern putty-nosed monkey (C.n. nictitans): 5/25; red-rumped putty-nosed guenons (C.n. martini): 1/7]; golden monkey (C kandti): 0/5; moustached monkey (C cephus): 1/34 [grey-tailed moustached monkey (C.c. cephodes): 0/2]; red-tailed moustached monkey (C.c. cephus): 3/15]; Hamlyn's monkey (C hamlyni): 8/23; Sykes's monkey (C albogularis): 6/31 [Kolb monkey (C.a. kolbi): 0/3; Lowland Syke's monkey (C.a. kibonotensis): 0/5; Moloney's monkey (C.a. moloneyi): 0/2; Patta Island monkey (C.a. phylax); 0/1; Mousargue's Syke's monkey (C.a. a;botorquatus): 0/2; Samango monkey (C.a. labiatus): 0/4; Stairs's white-collared monkey (C.a. erythrarchus): 0/4; Tanzania Sykes' monkey (C.a. monoides): 0/3; Zanzibar white-throated guenon (C.a. albogularis): 0/23]; L'Hoest's monkey (C lhoesti): 17/20; Lowe's monkey (C lowei): 6/5; red-eared guenon (C erythrotis): 0/5; Roloway monkey (C roloway): 15/23; Sclater's monkey (C sclateri): 0/3; silver monkey (C doggetti): 0/1

There are more zoos holding Lowe's monkeys now than in the past

Preuss's monkey (Allochrocebus preussi): 0/10

Patas money (Erythrocebus patas): 51/99 [common patas monkey (E.p. patas): 0/15; eastern patas monkey (E.p. pyrrhonotus): 0/6); Heuglin's patas monkey (E poliophaeus): 0/2]

Northern talapoin (Miopithecus ogouensis): 19/32; southern talapoin (M talapoin): 1/7
 
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