PaddyRickMFZ
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Is there not an IRA in the works for okapi and giraffe?
Melbourne Zoo Future of Melbourne Zoo 2023 (Speculation / Fantasy)
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The cow barn definitely. The old barn is very small and on the older side too. Not sure if it's fit to house animals at the moment.
The bull barn is located right behind the bull paddock. It's hard to miss; it sits in the top right corner if your looking from the front of the enclosure.
No I already mentioned that
I wouldn't say Okapi are a 'dream' if Taronga are considering them. If Taronga was absolutely sure this couldn't be done, I don't think they would go to the lengths of adding them to their masterplan and advising members of the public they're looking into holding them.
They must have some sort of chance.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Oh, I thought you meant there was another the public couldn’t see. I misinterpreted not open to the publicThe cow barn definitely. The old barn is very small and on the older side too. Not sure if it's fit to house animals at the moment.
The bull barn is located right behind the bull paddock. It's hard to miss; it sits in the top right corner if your looking from the front of the enclosure.
Yes there is, which will hopefully be completed in the next three years. New Zealand completed their’s last year.
The biggest hurdle with regards to Okapi is convincing North America to part with a breeding pair. Taronga are keen to import them.
Thought there was for Australia? Or has this changed?
Perhaps you are referring to bovine
It was my understanding that Giraffe/Okapi and Hippopotamus were next; but this may have changed @Zorro?
PaddyRickMFZ
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Yeah, as you stated it would probably be more beneficial to import 2 breeding pairs for insurance and pair swapping
As has been mentioned the hippo IRA is in the process, my understanding is giraffe come after it could take years unfortunately
I wouldn't say Okapi are a 'dream' if Taronga are considering them. If Taronga was absolutely sure this couldn't be done, I don't think they would go to the lengths of adding them to their masterplan and advising members of the public they're looking into holding them.
Also on that topic, there was talk a few years ago of a Taronga and San Diego deal- Platypus for Okapi.
This has been *partially carried out with the Platypus sent to San Diego. We could possibly see the other end of the bargain fulfilled. I'd assume this is where Taronga would get their Okapi from, if any.
I’m hopeful the AZA would see it that way. Taronga’s negotiations will be with them and presumably Melbourne would go that route to join their breeding programme. The alternative is for these zoos to negotiate with Europe, but they have a similar sized population to North America.
Wonderful to see the Hippo one in progress.
It's much much more important compared to the giraffe one.
Wonderful to see the Hippo one in progress.
The giraffes couldn’t be more inbred, but the Common hippopotamus population is critical given all hopes are resting on an adolescent bull. I expect great things from him at Monarto; and Werribee would surely like to import a bull to cover one or both of their younger cows.
All this stuff takes years unfortunately governments move like snailsWonderful to see the Hippo one in progress.
At least NZ can import giraffe
I was stunned to see aspirations of a hippopotamus IRA discussed as far back as 2005. The mass phase out from city zoos didn’t help.
Hopefully NZ will import some soon. Australia could then at least import a few individuals via NZ in the meantime whilst their IRA is on the backburner.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
And we can import from there yes?
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