Exotic Mammals in Australian Zoos

*White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) – Adelaide; Melbourne; Perth; Taronga; Tasmania Zoo

Adelaide's pair are a male born at Duisburg Zoo (Germany), imported 2006, and a female born at Melbourne. Melbourne's current pair (arrived 2017) is a Perth-bred female and a male imported to Perth from Toledo Zoo (USA) in 2016; Melbourne's previous pair were both wild-born, the male imported in 1978 from Nagoya Zoo (Japan) [still at the zoo] and the female from Brownsville Zoo (USA) in 1981 [died 2017]. Perth's original pair were wild-caught (imported direct in 1974) - the male is still alive and partnered with a Melbourne-bred female. Perth's other pair is a male imported from France c.2010, and a Perth-bred female. Taronga's pair came from Perth in 2010: the male was born at Doue la Fontaine (France), imported 1999, while the female was born at Wellington Zoo (NZ), imported 2005. Tasmania Zoo's pair came from Adelaide Zoo in December 2018.
Wildlife HQ have received a pair of Northern White-cheeked Gibbons from Perth Zoo. This pair is comprised of the male imported from France in 2010 (Tao) and an Adelaide-bred female (Tien), forming a new pair: How do two primates find love? They sing for it
 
Two Australian zoos have Grant’s zebra - Darling Downs Zoo and ZooDoo. They were sourced from the USA in a group import. Regionally, speaking, Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand has a Grant’s zebra mare; while a Grant’s stallion is also held at a private facility (Gibb’s Farm).

All other facilities in the region hold generic zebra, though Werribee formerly held Chapman’s zebra, which have since be hybridised with generic stock.
Likewise, are all Australian giraffes hybrids?
 
Likewise, are all Australian giraffes hybrids?

Unfortunately yes. Our giraffes descend from a mixture of South African, Nubian and Masai stock via Taronga’s prolific herd that produced over 90 calves throughout the 20th century; combined with imports from North America that are a hybrid of Rothschild’s and Reticulated stock. With a giraffe IRA in the works for Australia, hopefully some new genetics will come in, though I doubt they’ll be much interest in establishing purebred herds.
 
Some exotic mammal notes with a brief regulatory update. Both Red-bellied Tamarin and Bat-eared Fox were rejected for inclusion onto the live import list in May 2021 according to a new section available on the department’s website. Additional updates:
  • sad to announce the region’s last Pacific Harbour Seal was euthanised earlier this year at SeaWorld Gold Coast. The male lived well into his 30s and marks the end of a long history of this species persisting in the region.
  • five Francois’ Langurs from Taronga have been exported to Singapore Zoo. The group includes the 2010 male from China and four of his male offspring. This leaves the zoo with the females and their two male offspring born in 2019 and 2021 respectively.
  • there are only two Malayan Tapirs remaining in Australia; one at Melbourne and one at Adelaide. The older female at Adelaide died on 21st October 2021 according to the zoo’s records officer.
  • Tasmania Zoo only has one female Mandrill according to @Riley on their news thread.
  • Wings Wildlife Park in Tasmania have reacquired two male Capybara so they can be added back on the list for this species – reported on social media.
 
Some exotic mammal notes with a brief regulatory update. Both Red-bellied Tamarin and Bat-eared Fox were rejected for inclusion onto the live import list in May 2021 according to a new section available on the department’s website. Additional updates:
  • sad to announce the region’s last Pacific Harbour Seal was euthanised earlier this year at SeaWorld Gold Coast. The male lived well into his 30s and marks the end of a long history of this species persisting in the region.
  • five Francois’ Langurs from Taronga have been exported to Singapore Zoo. The group includes the 2010 male from China and four of his male offspring. This leaves the zoo with the females and their two male offspring born in 2019 and 2021 respectively.
  • there are only two Malayan Tapirs remaining in Australia; one at Melbourne and one at Adelaide. The older female at Adelaide died on 21st October 2021 according to the zoo’s records officer.
  • Tasmania Zoo only has one female Mandrill according to @Riley on their news thread.
  • Wings Wildlife Park in Tasmania have reacquired two male Capybara so they can be added back on the list for this species – reported on social media.
Was there a reason given for the import rejection of the tamarin and fox?
 
*Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus goodfellowi) – Adelaide; Australian Reptile Park; Ballarat Wildlife Park; Caversham; Currumbin; Featherdale; Healesville; Melbourne; National Zoo; Perth; Taronga; Wildlife HQ; WILD LIFE Sydney
Gumbuya World in Victoria has received a male Goodfellow's Tree-Kangaroo from Taronga Zoo. This creates 14 holders for this species among Australian zoos - reported on social media.
 
California sea lion:

I only just realised California sea lion isn’t listed in this thread. To my knowledge, there’s only two holders in the region - Sea World Gold Coast and Taronga Zoo; as the other pinniped holders hold native species.
 
California sea lion:

I only just realised California sea lion isn’t listed in this thread. To my knowledge, there’s only two holders in the region - Sea World Gold Coast and Taronga Zoo; as the other pinniped holders hold native species.

I have Taronga's individuals somewhere written down which i'll have to find later; they have about three I believe.
 
I have Taronga's individuals somewhere written down which i'll have to find later; they have about three I believe.

Unless one has died recently, I believe they have:

1.0 Murphy (born 2003) - transferred from Sea World
1.0 Pepper - imported from Emmen 2009
1.0 Cooper (born 2008) - imported from Cologne 2009
 
Unless one has died recently, I believe they have:

1.0 Murphy (born 2003) - transferred from Sea World
1.0 Pepper - imported from Emmen 2009
1.0 Cooper (born 2008) - imported from Cologne 2009

Yes I recognise Murphy and Pepper. But I believe they may have at least one female too, i'll have to check. Most were European imports.
 
Yes I recognise Murphy and Pepper. But I believe they may have at least one female too, i'll have to check. Most were European imports.

They’ve only held bulls in recent years.

As of 2015, they had six bulls, which in addition to the above included Michi (imported 2000 from Stuggart); and Cisco and Diego (imported 2015 from Rotterdam). Michi I’m assuming would be deceased based on his age.

Cisco and Diego haven’t been mentioned since their import, so may have died or been transferred to Sea World. I can’t find mention of Pepper beyond 2013 - so unless you’re confident there’s three bulls, it’s possible only Murphy and Pepper remain (both mentioned recently).
 
They’ve only held bulls in recent years.

As of 2015, they had six bulls, which in addition to the above included Michi (imported 2000 from Stuggart); and Cisco and Diego (imported 2015 from Rotterdam). Michi I’m assuming would be deceased based on his age.

Cisco and Diego haven’t been mentioned since their import, so may have died or been transferred to Sea World. I can’t find mention of Pepper beyond 2013 - so unless you’re confident there’s three bulls, it’s possible only Murphy and Pepper remain (both mentioned recently).

This was all based on signage (which can possibly be incorrect):

But anyhow, Cisco and Diego are both still there. There was no mention of Michi. Pepper and Murphy were also mentioned too I believe, which makes four. They live alongside the two male NZ fur seals, Franklin and Bondi (I believe those are their names?).
 
Can confirm Taronga's four Californian Sea Lions are:

1.0 Murphy (2003) - from Seaworld
1.0 Pepper - from Emmen
1.0 Cisco - from Rotterdam
1.0 Diego - from Rotterdam
 
California sea lion:

I only just realised California sea lion isn’t listed in this thread. To my knowledge, there’s only two holders in the region - Sea World Gold Coast and Taronga Zoo; as the other pinniped holders hold native species.
Between Procyonidae and Lagomorpha (i.e. at the end of the Carnivore section), where it has always been.
 
Melbourne's last two male African Wild Dogs have passed; and according to signage it seems they will be phased out.
 
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