Exotic Mammals in Australian Zoos

[Zoofan15]

Not sure if this has been asked already, but is there still interest in bringing African elephants back to the Australasian region? Given Monarto, Werribee and Taronga Western Plains are set on Asian elephants...

There’s no possibility of African elephants returning to the region for the foreseeable.

There’d previously been speculation that Monarto Safari Park could import them in the future; but that can now be ruled out given their commitment to Asian elephants and the numerous other projects they have lined up. Same goes for Werribee and Dubbo.

Monarto Safari Park holding African elephants would have worked best with the support of at least one additional holder. Sydney Zoo and Australia Zoo theoretically could have collaborated with Monarto on a joint import; but did not, weakening support for establishing a breeding population of this species in Australia.

 

[Tiger91]

There’s no possibility of African elephants returning to the region for the foreseeable.

There’d previously been speculation that Monarto Safari Park could import them in the future; but that can now be ruled out given their commitment to Asian elephants and the numerous other projects they have lined up. Same goes for Werribee and Dubbo.

Monarto Safari Park holding African elephants would have worked best with the support of at least one additional holder. Sydney Zoo and Australia Zoo theoretically could have collaborated with Monarto on a joint import; but did not, weakening support for establishing a breeding population of this species in Australia.

Sydney zoo is hard pressed holding asian elephants. They would not have the space for African elephants.
Australia zoo would have been a better option.

 

[Zorro]

Sydney zoo is hard pressed holding asian elephants. They would not have the space for African elephants.
Australia zoo would have been a better option.

I believe there is a lot of land next to Sydney zoo not sure if they could expand into that.
Forget Australia zoo they appear to have no expansion plans that we know of!

 

[Steve Robinson]

There’s no possibility of African elephants returning to the region for the foreseeable.

Correct. Monarto did have mild interest but the opportunistic acquisition of the Asians has put the kibosh on that. [Not that I'm complaining about that. Losing Silup would have been a national zoological disaster].

I don't have the resources to go it alone with Africans.

 

[Tiger91]

I believe there is a lot of land next to Sydney zoo not sure if they could expand into that.
Forget Australia zoo they appear to have no expansion plans that we know of!

Sydney zoo sits in the western Sydney parklands precinct which is a big stretch of parks and nationals parks with recreation sites that stretches from north western Sydney down through south western Sydney. With the emphasis on an interconnected parkland/national park corridor. with recreation sites scattered through it. There is land but the ability to expand would only be into the surrounding parks and rec areas. Not into the surrounding national parks/reserves. If the zoo was to expand, of memory you would have a site similar in size to Taronga.

 

[Zorro]

Sydney zoo sits in the western Sydney parklands precinct which is a big stretch of parks and nationals parks with recreation sites that stretches from north western Sydney down through south western Sydney. With the emphasis on an interconnected parkland/national park corridor. with recreation sites scattered through it. There is land but the ability to expand would only be into the surrounding parks and rec areas. Not into the surrounding national parks/reserves. If the zoo was to expand, of memory you would have a site similar in size to Taronga.

It sounds like they may have future options

 

[WhistlingKite24]

A male Sri Lankan Leopard has arrived at Tasmania Zoo from Darling Downs Zoo. There are now four holders of leopard in Australia: New spotted addition to Tasmania zoo is just purr-fect

 

[steveroberts]

@WhistlingKite24

Such awesome news and very exciting. Only zoo in Australia to have both (Sri Lankan) Leopards and Snow Leopards right since Melbourne in 2013 with the passing of last (Persian) Leopard Kashmar.
Tasmania Zoo really is a great and exciting institute species wise hey, I remember some of our amigos making really meaningful comments recently with excellent close up photos of Mandrill, last Crested Macaque and De Brazzas about the significance of the photos considering two soon to be gone charismatic species and one excitingly returning one. To tie both comments together cos realise tangent lol is that once again Tasmania Zoo has made a really worthwhile decision about its residents with Banduka's arrivals.

 

[ReturnOfPaddyRick]

Definitely showing that the smaller zoos have a much better agenda for improvement than the government funded ones

 

[That Aussie Guy]

Hi all,
Not sure if this is the right thread or not, but does anyone know of any exotic animals (specifically mammals or reptiles) that zoos around Australia are considering importing, but are not on the current Exotic Animal Import List?
Also, would anyone happen to have links to the masterplans of various different Australian Zoos? I've found and extensively read through the ZoosSA Masterplans (and Addendum), however I've found it really difficult to find similar style plans for other Australian zoos.
Thanks

 

[Zoofan15]

Hi all,
Not sure if this is the right thread or not, but does anyone know of any exotic animals (specifically mammals or reptiles) that zoos around Australia are considering importing, but are not on the current Exotic Animal Import List?
Also, would anyone happen to have links to the masterplans of various different Australian Zoos? I've found and extensively read through the ZoosSA Masterplans (and Addendum), however I've found it really difficult to find similar style plans for other Australian zoos.
Thanks

There’s been talk of Okapi (following the completion of the Giraffe/Okapi IRA), but it appears Taronga have now lost interest in this species as per the latest updates. Anything else regarding new species is speculation as plans are rarely shared on a public level. The only incoming new species we’re aware of is the Red ruffed lemur.

Similarly masterplans typically aren’t disclosed, but you can find Werribee’s and Perth’s here:

Future of Werribee Open Range Zoo (Speculation/Fantasy) [Werribee Open Range Zoo]

https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/PerthZooWebsite/media/PerthZoo/All PDFs/8331-Master-Plan-RCII_A4-Digital-Brochure_website.pdf

We also have these discussion threads for Taronga and Zoos Victoria:

The Future of Zoos Victoria 2024 (Speculation/Fantasy)

Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy) [Taronga Zoo]

 

[That Aussie Guy]

There’s been talk of Okapi (following the completion of the Giraffe/Okapi IRA), but it appears Taronga have now lost interest in this species as per the latest updates. Anything else regarding new species is speculation as plans are rarely shared on a public level. The only incoming new species we’re aware of is the Red ruffed lemur.

Similarly masterplans typically aren’t disclosed, but you can find Werribee’s and Perth’s here:

Future of Werribee Open Range Zoo (Speculation/Fantasy) [Werribee Open Range Zoo]

https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/PerthZooWebsite/media/PerthZoo/All PDFs/8331-Master-Plan-RCII_A4-Digital-Brochure_website.pdf

We also have these discussion threads for Taronga and Zoos Victoria:

The Future of Zoos Victoria 2024 (Speculation/Fantasy)

Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy) [Taronga Zoo]

Awesome, cheers mate.

 

[FunnyJamie]

Hi all,
Not sure if this is the right thread or not, but does anyone know of any exotic animals (specifically mammals or reptiles) that zoos around Australia are considering importing, but are not on the current Exotic Animal Import List?
Also, would anyone happen to have links to the masterplans of various different Australian Zoos? I've found and extensively read through the ZoosSA Masterplans (and Addendum), however I've found it really difficult to find similar style plans for other Australian zoos.
Thanks

Hi, I often check out the Live import list tab where invitations to comment on proposed changes to the list are made, and from what I can tell Silvery Marmoset (this has been approved for the list), Bat Eared Fox and White Lipped Tamarin are all are all species that 3 facilities are aiming to import, as within the documents they mention importing a founding population of 3.3. Within the Bat-Eared Fox document at least Darling Downs is one of the importing zoos, White Lipped Tamarin is attached to that application too so I assume they may be aiming for that species too. The silvery Marmoset however I am unsure who was looking to import these

 

[steveroberts]

@FunnyJamie

Thats very very exciting news indeed, three new charismatic exotic mammal species for our region hopefully if they are approved and the imports can be done. Not surprised Darling Downs is mentioned they have been absolutely incredible in importing so many awesome species over the last decade+

 

[That Aussie Guy]

Hi, I often check out the Live import list tab where invitations to comment on proposed changes to the list are made, and from what I can tell Silvery Marmoset (this has been approved for the list), Bat Eared Fox and White Lipped Tamarin are all are all species that 3 facilities are aiming to import, as within the documents they mention importing a founding population of 3.3. Within the Bat-Eared Fox document at least Darling Downs is one of the importing zoos, White Lipped Tamarin is attached to that application too so I assume they may be aiming for that species too. The silvery Marmoset however I am unsure who was looking to import these

That's going to be awesome if we can manage to get those species imported - the bat-eared fox especially will be awesome to see, as opposed to zoos only having the option of fennecs when it comes to exotic foxes.

Could you please send me a link to that tab? I'm having trouble finding it online, sorry!

 

[Zoofan15]

Hi, I often check out the Live import list tab where invitations to comment on proposed changes to the list are made, and from what I can tell Silvery Marmoset (this has been approved for the list), Bat Eared Fox and White Lipped Tamarin are all are all species that 3 facilities are aiming to import, as within the documents they mention importing a founding population of 3.3. Within the Bat-Eared Fox document at least Darling Downs is one of the importing zoos, White Lipped Tamarin is attached to that application too so I assume they may be aiming for that species too. The silvery Marmoset however I am unsure who was looking to import these

That's going to be awesome if we can manage to get those species imported - the bat-eared fox especially will be awesome to see, as opposed to zoos only having the option of fennecs when it comes to exotic foxes.

Could you please send me a link to that tab? I'm having trouble finding it online, sorry!

This is the latest version of the live import list (updated 06/02/2024):

https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2006B01053/2024-02-06/2024-02-06/text/original/word

Silvery marmoset are on the live import list.

Bat-eared fox and Red-bellied tamarin were rejected for addition to the live import list in May 2021. A review of this action was launched, with the decision to uphold the refusal to import Red-bellied tamarin announced in December 2023.

 

[That Aussie Guy]

This is the latest version of the live import list (updated 06/02/2024):

https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2006B01053/2024-02-06/2024-02-06/text/original/word

Silvery marmoset are on the live import list.

Bat-eared fox and Red-bellied tamarin were rejected for addition to the live import list in May 2021. A review of this action was launched, with the decision to uphold the refusal to import Red-bellied tamarin announced in December 2023.

Awesome, cheers mate.

Could we realistically expect to see many new antelope species added to the Import List anytime soon? We are yet to have any wildebeest, springbok, Thomson's gazelle, or many other species of antelopes, all of which could really level up "African Savannah style enclosures, or large mixed-species enclosure at Dubbo, Werribee, or Monarto. Even just one of the aforementioned species would be awesome to see, but I don't think any of them feature on the Import List.

Could they feasibly be added to the list if there was enough interest, or are there reasons that they haven't appeared on the list thus far?

 

[Jambo]

Could they feasibly be added to the list if there was enough interest, or are there reasons that they haven't appeared on the list thus far?

I know Wildebeest were excluded from the list due to concerns with Malignant Catarrhal Fever.

Neither Springbok and Thomsons Gazelle were also on the list (possibly due to lack of interest) and the list would have to be revised and approved before they could be added and imported.

 

[Zoofan15]

Awesome, cheers mate.

Could we realistically expect to see many new antelope species added to the Import List anytime soon? We are yet to have any wildebeest, springbok, Thomson's gazelle, or many other species of antelopes, all of which could really level up "African Savannah style enclosures, or large mixed-species enclosure at Dubbo, Werribee, or Monarto. Even just one of the aforementioned species would be awesome to see, but I don't think any of them feature on the Import List.

Could they feasibly be added to the list if there was enough interest, or are there reasons that they haven't appeared on the list thus far?

Wildebeest are unable to be imported due to the risk of Malignant Catarrhal Fever.

These are the bovids on the live import list (species in bold are what we already hold in the region):

Nilgai, Boselaphus tragocamelus
Waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Red Lechwe, Kobus leche
Dama Gazelle, Nanger dama ruficollis
Grant's Gazelle, Nanger granti
Scimitar-horned Oryx, Oryx dammah
Gemsbok, Oryx gazella
Addax, Addax nasomaculatus
Sable Antelope, Hippotragus niger
Eland, Taurotragus oryx
Nyala, Tragelaphus angasii
Bongo, Tragelaphus eurycerus
Sitatunga, Tragelaphus spekii
Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros

It will take additional paperwork to add Bovid species not on this list, so it’s my opinion it’s unlikely anyone will go to the effort when there’s plenty of new options here to work with (as well as boosting managed populations of the speices already held in the region).

 

[That Aussie Guy]

Wildebeest are unable to be imported due to the risk of Malignant Catarrhal Fever.

These are the bovids on the live import list (species in bold are what we already hold in the region):

Nilgai, Boselaphus tragocamelus
Waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Red Lechwe, Kobus leche
Dama Gazelle, Nanger dama ruficollis
Grant's Gazelle, Nanger granti
Scimitar-horned Oryx, Oryx dammah
Gemsbok, Oryx gazella
Addax, Addax nasomaculatus
Sable Antelope, Hippotragus niger
Eland, Taurotragus oryx
Nyala, Tragelaphus angasii
Bongo, Tragelaphus eurycerus
Sitatunga, Tragelaphus spekii
Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros

It will take additional paperwork to add Bovid species not on this list, so it’s my opinion it’s unlikely anyone will go to the effort when there’s plenty of new options here to work with (as well as boosting managed populations of the speices already held in the region).

Ah, rightio. This may be a dumb question, but why can we import Red Lechwe and not Nile Lechwe? Would it be easier to get added as they're similar species?