I agree it would be the only sensible and logical thing to do in my view.
Can you say how the regions zoos are gearing up and what for?, so far ever since the IRA for antelopes was completed a few years ago nothing has happened that I am aware of?
Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)
- Thread starter Zoofan15
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Can you say how the regions zoos are gearing up and what for?, so far ever since the IRA for antelopes was completed a few years ago nothing has happened that I am aware of?
With what is Taronga's biggest draw now removed TZ really need to fill the void with something that's going to pull in the public!
It would be good to see the import of a female Indian rhinoceros. Hari isn’t at breeding age yet, so we can assume the Asian water buffalo are merely companions during his juvenile and adolescent years.
Taronga and Dubbo have certainly been at the centre of some disappointing cancellations to high profile imports:
0.2 Common chimpanzee
1.1 Sumatran Tiger
1.1 Okapi
Southern white rhinoceros (ARP)
I agree. Their biggest draws are arguably (in order):
1. Western lowland gorilla
2. Sumatran tiger
3. Common chimpanzee
4. African lion
5. Pinnipeds
6. Pygmy hippopotamus
Indian rhinoceros would probably take 2nd to 3rd place. Investment in these species would be the best move Taronga can make at this stage - starting with new exhibits for gorillas and Pygmy hippopotamus.
Tapirs, Hippos and a few more that I can't share as they're still in preliminary discussions.
Perhaps TZ may add a "possible" future Okapi exhibit under the guise of another species in the interim period
Had the Australian Eastern bongo population been in better shape, I would have said they’d be the ideal fill in for Okapi, with the bongo transferring to Dubbo (who are better equipped to manage a breeding herd) once the Okapi arrive.
I’d like to be proved wrong, but I can’t see the region continuing with Eastern bongo.
I believe most know about the Hippo and Tapir interest, I hope after waiting many years to finally get the IRA completed for antelopes someone can do some badly needed imports!
They could do that if they wanted theres nothing to stop them
Yes, the hippopotamus and tapir imports are public knowledge, with both reported in the media. Werribee’s bull Common hippopotamus was stated to be arriving this year; and a male tapir has been identified for import into Australia.
There’s so many species that are in need of imports that are within the means of Australian zoos to import - namely Sumatran tiger, Western lowland gorilla and Asian small-clawed otter to name a few.
Properly the bare minimum will be imported
Hence why I was able to mention them!
I have some further updates though - I am visiting Melbourne this weekend and looking to confirm re. Tapirs.
I think you will be quite surprised
They've certainly reached a dead end with the Bongo - I'm not sure where they end up going from here with what appears to be limited support from other regional facilities.
Further imports are really needed - like a large import from the US.
Eastern bongo really need to be managed in herds of at three or four breeding females. Having a pair doesn’t cut it as succession relies on the production of surviving female offspring. A run of male calves (as we saw with Djembe) and the line dies out.
Dubbo, Werribee and Monarto should all be holding breeding herds; while the city zoos hold surplus bulls.
The export of the first female never helped the species held at TZ.
The export of the first female never helped the species held at TZ.
Agreed. Djembe was only four years old when she gave birth to this female, so had she been retained then Taronga/Dubbo would have had two young females in their breeding herd. That was achieved with a one for one swap for the female from Singapore, who as we all know, has never bred.
I’m assuming the Taronga female was required for exchange for the Singapore female; otherwise having three have would have potentially set them up well. Like most ungulates, the region resorted to inbreeding.
Werribee have the perfect enclosure for a breeding group of Bongo. It's quite large and tucked away along the Waterhole trail - and currently houses a bachelor group of Zebra which could easily be accommodated elsewhere.
Monarto as know - already have a surplus male, and there's no reason to assume they won't at least be interested in continuing holding bachelor males long term.
Werribee also have numerous off display yards, so could manage bulls behind the scenes. Potentially the region could look at castration of surplus bulls, though I’d hate to see them undertake this rashly and see the population collapse.
Altina would surely excel at managing this species.