Euthanasia of healthy animals in zoos, and "Breed to Cull"

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interesting that ruminants are hard to import, that have anything to do with laws like Alabama's that is specifically on Cervids?

Because Birmingham lost a male Hybrid Giraffe (though the herd is know as Reticulated) Edward was put down after a broken leg 2 years ago. Edward was specifically pointed out to be a "Baringo" but I am sure is hybrid like the rest he just looked more Baringo than the others.

But Birmingham has said they have had a lot of trouble sourcing a new male. The plan originally called for 2 males (Edward and Jalil) and 3-4 female. Jalil has been the only male since Edwards death. If he could have been imported I am sure his genes aren't overrepresented in the US population.
 
I'm pretty sure the U.S. is trying to phase-out hybrid giraffes (and apparently Baringos, too?) in favor of Masai Giraffes.

~Thylo:cool:
 
I was under the impression it was to keep the Masai as one lineage and to hybridize the rest the Roth/Retic Complex (that most zoos call Reticulated Giraffe)
 
interesting that ruminants are hard to import, that have anything to do with laws like Alabama's that is specifically on Cervids?
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Yes and no. The regulations on cervids deals with the spread of disease, specifically CWD, chronic wasting disease. This is a natural resources issue.

The difficultly of importing foreign ruminants has more to do the cattle lobby and the potential to introduce harmful disease to our domestic cattle herds. There isn't much concern of our native wildlife, but a heavy concern from our agriculture industry.

I was under the impression it was to keep the Masai as one lineage and to hybridize the rest the Roth/Retic Complex (that most zoos call Reticulated Giraffe)
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Indeed, but a number of zoos are beginning to switch to Masai.
 
I notice that most arguments defending Copenhagen zoo are based on gross distrortion.

Vasectomy "might" harm animal, contraception "might" harm animals - both are regularily used in zoo and domestic animals. Is EAZA policy to stop all contraception or vasectomy?

Transferring to non-EAZA zoo "might" result in animal landing in poor conditions. - again, there are many fine non-EAZA zoos. Copenhagen itself, in fact, is cramped city centre zoo gving animals close to the least acceptable space.

Children "might" think that animals are cute. Again, there is a middle ground between trying to shake hands with a lion and showing small kids an authopsy.

Considering children psychology, I think most likely children will grow into insensitive individuals, believing that killing things is OK as long as there is some excuse for it.
 
Is there a particular reason behind the Masai switch? Because the others are hybrids? Are Masai rarer? They seem to be the most populous sub-species in the wild according to IUCN numbers.
 
tschandler71 said:
Is there a particular reason behind the Masai switch? Because the others are hybrids? Are Masai rarer? They seem to be the most populous species in the wild according to IUCN numbers.
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Because the AZA doesn't want hybrids, there aren't enough pure Baringos apparently, and there aren't any hybrids in the Masai population.

~Thylo:cool:
 
tschandler71 said:
Is there a particular reason behind the Masai switch? Because the others are hybrids? Are Masai rarer? They seem to be the most populous sub-species in the wild according to IUCN numbers.
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Personal preference of the management at each zoo. This is what drives collection planning, and therefore TAG recommendations that are reviewed every 5 years or so.
 
SmallestGiraffe said:
Secondly, i agree it was the parents choice for the children to be present but i would definitely not imagine it to do them any good in the long run, as they may not have physically shown signs of being distressed by it who knows what is going through their mind and how they perceive it. If there is an 18 rating on movies in which blood and gore is shown then why were young children allowed in for this event which was a hell of a lot more real than a movie? If we are trying to encourage children and young people to grow up being respectful of animals and to fight for conservation then i fail to understand how publicly dissecting an animal in front of them is going to help towards that goal? Children simply do not think to themselves the reasons behind that one giraffe dying, so in the future when they are asked to consider conservation and they respond with the logic that a zoo can willingly kill and dissect animals publicly then how are they going to be encouraged to fight to keep animals alive?
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Eh, I don't understand the concern for the children a lot of people seem to have. Are you against children watching nature documentaries? They can be just as bloody and FAR more violent. Also, apparently Denmark doesn't have as much issue with kids seeing stuff like this. Taking kids on field trips to the slaughterhouse and all that.
 
Looking at the EZRA site I see they issued a statement in 2011 on their Euthanasia policy.

http://www.eaza.net/about/Documents/EAZA Euthanasia statement.pdf

I also notice that Bengt Holst (Copenhagen Zoo) is a serving member of the EZRA Executive Committee.

Perhaps EZRA should be less dictatorial in their policies and more responsive to the care of the unwanted animals that their policies have bred. I can't help feeling that as with many organisations some worthy individuals who have contributed much in the past are out of touch with current attitudes and thinking.
 
Nisha said:
Marius2 is saved: Statement from Jyllands Park Zoo

PROBLEM SOLVED

The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) have announced that Jyllands Park Zoo is not to recieve a female giraffe any time soon as part of the programme.

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Problem solved? I cannot see anything being solved by the EAZA announcement: One giraffe has been spared, more or less accidentally.
Many animals behind the scenes will be less lucky.

Some sort of dialogue with the irritated public, showing they do consider alternatives or reflect on a change of policy would have been a much appreciated signal.
 
BBC Radio 4 are making a programme on the debate around euthanasia of healthy zoo animals, with a focus on the practice in the UK.

They are doing background research at this stage, and are looking to speak with people who would be interested in contributing (anonymously or otherwise) to the debate, especially if you are currently working in the field/ are an ex-keeper, or know of specific events, articles, or publications you could point them to.

The researchers may be looking to include some people in the programme but are largely seeking just background research at this stage.

They have stressed that they are looking for people on all sides of the debate and intend this to be a balanced programme.

PM me if interested.
 
dean said:
Todays Daily Telegraph has an article on the death of Marius by Colin Tudge

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...heart-why-Marius-the-giraffe-had-to-die.htmle
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Thank you for this; an excellent, balanced piece from an exceptional writer. If the link does not work, this one might: Head over heart: why Marius the giraffe had to die - Telegraph.

If anyone has not read Tudge's Last Animals At The Zoo, they should - it is amongst the best zoo books to have been written over the past 50 years.
 
On February 11, Wildlife World Zoo in my state of Arizona posted the following response on their Facebook page.


After reading a recent news story involving a young male giraffe at a zoo in Europe, some visitors may have questions about our animal management policies, particularly with respect to giraffes.

While we are not privy to the animal management practices, policies and details at overseas institutions, Wildlife World does not cull animals as a means to reduce or manage its animal collection or to create enrichment opportunities for carnivores. (Our keepers do recognize that behavioral enrichment IS incredibly important for all species and work hard each day to provide such enrichment through variable diets, social groupings, activities, objects, odors, natural exhibits and substrates.)

Instead of culling as a management tool, we use a variety of means to help foster genetically diverse and sustainable populations at our institution and other known zoological partners across the US. These include, identification and tracking of breeding age individuals, the most up to date and veterinary approved forms of reversible and permanent contraception, physical separation, breeding loans and exchanges, importation and exportation, creation of socially compatible multi-species habitats, formation of bachelor and bachelorette groups, and so on.

Furthermore, the recent launch of an all new 15-acre Safari park has also enabled us to expand our popular giraffe exhibit, and total number of giraffe, by maintaining up to two breeding age males housed in different yards.
 
I've mentioned this before, but one way to avoid (or at least decrease the option) of culling could be to have offsite facilities that can take in surplus animals.
 
elefante said:
I've mentioned this before, but one way to avoid (or at least decrease the option) of culling could be to have offsite facilities that can take in surplus animals.
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Agreed, elefante, which as I have said before, means we need more zoo/ holding parks,:) unfortunately some one has to pay for them and as usual there in lies the problem. There isn't enough of the money side to go around.
 
dean said:
Agreed, elefante, which as I have said before, means we need more zoo/ holding parks,:) unfortunately some one has to pay for them and as usual there in lies the problem. There isn't enough of the money side to go around.
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I think more accredited safari parks could solve the problem. You are right that there is only so much money available. When I win the lottery I will build one. :D
 
So what happens when these new safari parks decide they want to breed their animals as well? Opening more parks may solve the problem for the time being, but eventually all you'll have done is created more breeding populations.

~Thylo:cool:
 
ThylacineAlive said:
So what happens when these new safari parks decide they want to breed their animals as well? Opening more parks may solve the problem for the time being, but eventually all you'll have done is created more breeding populations.

~Thylo:cool:
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They could just not breed their animals. I think that would solve the problem.
 
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