Exotic Mammals in Australian Zoos
- Thread starter Chlidonias
- Start date
Werribee Open Range Zoo no longer has African wild dogs:
From socials:
Werribee Open Range Zoo is deeply saddened to share the passing of Neo and Madash, the much-loved African Wild Dogs.
Neo the nine-year-old Wild Dog sustained an injury after being challenged by his pack member eight-year-old Madash. Keepers and veterinarians provided urgent care and monitored his condition. However, following a thorough veterinary examination under anaesthetic, they ascertained that Neo’s injury was untreatable and he would not survive, leading them to make the difficult but kindest welfare decision to peacefully euthanise him.
Madash was also euthanised, as there was no chance of him being safely integrated into another highly territorial African Wild Dog pack at another Zoo, and living alone is not an acceptable welfare state for such a social pack animal.
Rather disappointing to hear that what would otherwise be a healthy African wild dog ; had been euthanised instead of living as a solitary animal ; retained with the hopes of importing a female ; or being exported .
It takes too long to import/export the individual in short notice, and leaving them by themselves in the meantime would not be in the animal's best interests, being an incredibly social species.
Unfortunately there isn’t currently a surplus of females available within the region. Several zoos have non-breeding female packs, but the removal of a dog from one of those can incite fighting for status amongst the remaining dogs, so it’s unlikely any of those holders would have been willing to relinquish those dogs.
The alternative would have been to import, which is a lengthy process.
An import / export should have been considered.
I’m hopeful the region will be working towards some imports as the current Australasian African wild dog population is closely related and has been reduced to a single breeding pair (which are by no means young animals themselves).
Unfortunately it’s unlikely any facility overseas (who would have paid the shipping costs) would have wanted a single elderly African wild dog. Singapore Zoo imported a pack from Hamilton Zoo containing two males aged 10 years in 2015, but the pack also contained their younger brothers.
Mogo Wildlife Park now has Black-handed spider monkeys:
From socials:
Have you spotted one of our newest additions? Spider Monkeys, Mono and Sumatra recently arrived at Mogo Wildlife Park and are busy settling into their new enclosure.
National Zoo and Aquarium now have a male Cape Porcupine from Monarto - reported on their FB page.
Mogo now have a pair of Red-handed Tamarins - reported on their FB page.
Melbourne Zoo have acquired Brazilian tapir:
Melbourne Zoo have imported a male Brazilian tapir from Zoo Schmiding, where he was born.
The tapir is named Lupo and was born October 2022.
It's a good start to build upon!
N hopefully we hear the exiting news of other facilities importing them and hippos too !!
N hopefully we hear the exiting news of other facilities importing them and hippos too !!
Adelaide Zoo and Darling Downs Zoo will hopefully import Brazilian tapir in the future, which combined with Arturo and Lupo, would give us a decent founder base.
Wildlife HQ no longer have Serval. Their males moved to other unnamed facilities but they have plans to reacquire in the long-term - confirmed via email.
Crocodylus no longer have Maned wolf:
In researching Maned wolf holdings, I discovered the two elderly males at Crocodylus (Pacho and Rio) are deceased and Crocodylus subsequently no longer holds Maned wolf.
Oakvale now have a sibling pair of Red Panda from Taronga - reported on their FB page.
Perth Zoo do not currently have Sumatran tiger:
Perth Zoo are currently without Sumatran tiger following the announcement on socials this evening their elderly male tiger has died.
Perth Zoo no longer has Asian elephant:
Perth Zoo no longer have Asian elephant, following the departure of their remaining elephant (Putra Mas) today.
Reported in the elephant population thread by @Patrick Keegan
Northern White-cheeked Gibbon is no longer at Rockhampton Zoo with the last male being transferred out to an undisclosed (as of yet) zoo - reported on their FB page.