PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
I just hope werribee’s elephant trail doesn’t end up like the tiger trek… Did every single one of those jackals end up dying, or could I have a refresher course on the story please
Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
One jackal story coming up…
Taronga Zoo had three Black backed jackals, which were placed in with the chimps in 1982. The jackals had bolt holes, but predictably, one was eventually caught and ripped to pieces by the chimps. The two remaining jackals were removed.
Taronga then attempted to house Patas monkeys with the chimpanzees, which unsurprisingly failed.
Photo by @doctorkay
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Melbourne and Taronga tried to acquire Babirusa back in the mid 2000's for their respective Asian precincts. They sadly failed - as they weren't able to remove them from the IRA.
Would love for them to try again, but would probably be a similar result.
The same trail is set to at least feature the endangered breeding hub so unless this is scrapped, we're guaranteed to have additional species (albeit non asian).
As great as it’d be to see Babirusa in our zoos (they’re a fascinating species), I agree it’s unlikely to happen. There’s enough options to create a precinct around species that have an IRA and are on the live import list, without trying to organise the logistics and legislation of those that aren’t. Similarly, I believe any bovid imports will be from the live import list.
My uncle, who would have been a pre-teen in 1982, brought this up in conversation a few months ago - distinctly remembering visiting the zoo and seeing the chimps terrorising the jackals.
From what I've read from other visitors at the time - the jackals certainly didn't want to be anywhere near the chimps.
It’s interesting see misinterpretations of the interactions between the two in the media as friendly. In one photo, an adolescent male chimpanzee (Danny) is clearly pursuing a jackal that’s fled into the water. He’s captioned to be rescuing it.
Danny to the rescue..One of Taronga Zoo's three Black-backed Jackals... Nieuwsfoto's - Getty Images
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
No clue why they persisted with that for so long. I’d love to see the return of black backed jackal to the region though
It should have been obvious even back then that the species were incompatible. The zoo’s first chimpanzee brutally killed a macaque housed in an adjacent cage (the separating barrier failed), so even that early in the husbandry of this species, was an example of their violence. By the 1980’s, this should have been common knowledge in zoos.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Did the patas monkeys get brutally killed too?
I would imagine so, based on the interactions between chimpanzees and monkeys in the wild and the nature of chimpanzees.
This was the description given by @tetrapod:
https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/taronga-zoo-chimp-jackal.174259/?page=3#comments
From what I recall talking to a chimp keeper some time back, the bolt holes were fenced in a way that the chimps did not have access to them. The jackals were so scared of the chimps that they rarely left the holes until the chimps were bedded down for the night. When the fencing failed one day and a jackal was torn to pieces the remaining individual/s were removed. The patas monkey introduction wasn't any more successful...
I have been advised there are no immediate plans for the Congo precinct at Taronga. Apparently the priority now is the Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Centre (scheduled to open next year) and the Skyfari modifications (which will be completed in 2025).
Disappointing to hear that the precinct has been placed on the backburner. I really hope that the precinct won't be scrapped in it's entirety; which is usually the case for precincts that end up like this.
Obviously whether or not they can acquire Okapi will probably be driving decision making as to whether this precinct will go ahead or not; and the same can be said for the gorillas, as there's been talk of Taronga phasing them out (potentially in favour of orangutans).
Disappointing to hear that the precinct has been placed on the backburner. I really hope that the precinct won't be scrapped in it's entirety; which is usually the case for precincts that end up like this.
Obviously whether or not they can acquire Okapi will probably be driving decision making as to whether this precinct will go ahead or not; and the same can be said for the gorillas, as there's been talk of Taronga phasing them out (potentially in favour of orangutans).
That’s disappointing, though is hopefully just a reflection the current projects are the sole focus; rather than a disinterest in proceeding with the Congo precinct long term. Considering the species available within the region and within Taronga’s collection (gorillas, bongo and pygmy hippopotamus), it seems like the natural choice. The elderly male bongo could easily be replaced by the 1.1 non breeding pair from Dubbo.
It’s interesting to note the Sky Safari is scheduled for completion in 2025, which is a year after we’re anticipating the elephants will transfer to Monarto. This provides the ideal opportunity to re-route the SkySafari and the orangutans were previously suggested as a species to replace the elephants.
Where this leaves the gorillas is an unknown. The time is fast approaching for Mjukuu and Fabumi to transfer out of the troop and while Taronga can manage this, it would be advisable for Richard to transition out with them, if that’s the intention later on. This could potentially see Frala and Mbeli transfer to Melbourne (and Johari to Mogo). Interesting times ahead!
They also stated they were interested at that time the idea to import Philippine spotted deer, It sounded great but noting ever happened with this.
Osedax
Well-Known Member
Philippine Spotted Deer are still on the live import list, so if any zoo wanted to acquire them in the future they could, which would be amazing (though I don't know if there is currently an IRA for Cervidae).
They are a very attractive species I can't blame them for wanting them!
Phillipine spotted deer can apparently be imported by zoos:
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/72454/IPA-Deer-PSA.pdf
The importation of deer and deer genetic material into Australia is restricted for reasons of animal health under the Commonwealth Quarantine Act 1908 and subordinate regulations. There are no deer species that do not require an import permit and four species listed that require a permit. For three of these species—red deer (Cervus elaphus), sika deer (Cervus nippon), and wapiti or elk (listed in the regulations as Cervus canadensis but more usually identified as a subspecies of red deer, Cervus elaphus canadensis)—no conditions are imposed for importation. The fourth species—Philippine Spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi)—may be imported for ‘eligible non-commercial purpose only, excluding household pets’—and must be housed in high security facilities. Apart from these Commonwealth controls on imports, legislation affecting deer is the responsibility of individual states.
I would hope that Taronga and Melbourne would renew their interest.
I agree but with it likely a different set of managers now?I would hope that Taronga and Melbourne would renew their interest.