If memory serves I believe they constructed a hippo exhibit but was turned over to I believe cappys?
Future of Zoos SA zoos (Speculation)
- Thread starter Abbey
- Start date
They didn’t even get as far as building it. Capybara occupy the site where it was supposed to be built though yes.
Perhaps another possible holder for Pygmy hippos.
Perhaps another possible holder for Pygmy hippos.
I think that’d be their best option. Taronga (their closest main zoo) also hold this species, so it’d even open up opportunities for collaboration. They could hold a female each, with a male transferred between the zoos on alternate years as the previous calf is being weaned (to mate with the female again).
Teamwork makes the dream work Taronga!
This is so true Term work appears to be a big factor in as to why our regional zoos are streaking ahead at this time perhaps a lesson some of our big city zoos could take note of!
It was greatly frustrating none of the zoos were willing to send their surplus elephant bulls to Sydney Zoo; or that Sydney Zoo weren’t willing to hold out a couple of years. They could now be receiving Man Jai (2013) and Sabai (2016), who are taking up space at their respective zoos and have no apparent use to the breeding programme at this point in time.
True but this maybe a blessing in disguise with the importation of other breeding bull options!
It’ll be interesting to see what role Kavi and Ashoka play in the breeding programme. Internationally speaking, they’re well represented and our founder bulls are significantly more valuable. However, within 20-30 years, we’ll need them. Mali’s unborn calf (if female) will descend from the Bong Su and Gung lines, so a match with Putra Mas (or a son from his line) would be the only option. There’s then no option within the region for the generation that follows without looking to the Sydney imports.
Perhaps that can pan out that way but over that sort of time frame things can happen!
I can see the region only needing to use one (with the other possibly being left at Sydney or sent to Werribee to be part of a bachelor group where he’ll act as a back up).
Dubbo are closest but Werribee will need one of them much earlier (possibly in a two decades time) if Mali’s calf is female. Dubbo won’t need to make use of them for at least another 25-30 years though. Considering Gung’s representation though, especially through Luk Chai, it wouldn’t be bad if one of the males is moved into the breeding program to replace him sooner rather than later.
There’s no guarantees and it would be complacent of the zoos involved to assume the elephant breeding programme will be the unbridled success it’s been to date. We’ve been lucky to remain relatively free of EEHV to date (one case/fatality in 2018), but Werribee with multiple calves could be hit hard at any time and the current testing regimen in the region is comparatively relaxed compared to that at many European zoos.
Chimpanzeearescary
Member
It would be great for the region if Altina became a holder. Halls gap zoo also could be a good option for either River or Pygmy hippo. Australia Zoo becoming a holder would be unbelievable since I’m pretty sure they’ll construct Irwin Family Crazy Chaotic Crikey Crocoaster before even hinting at getting a hippo. But who knows.
I too would be surprised if we saw Australia Zoo invest in Common hippopotamus. I could see them considering Pygmy hippopotamus if there was a surplus available, but their import initiatives in recent years appear to have started and ended with Sumatran elephant cows. If they can follow this up with a bull import I’ll be surprised.
Chimpanzeearescary
Member
You’re right, Pygmy hippopotamus would be a lot more likely there. What are Adelaide zoos long term plans with Obi? (I’m pretty sure that’s there Pygmy hippos name) Do they plan on getting a female?
Yes, Adelaide Zoo have a male named Obi. They’d love to receive a female but I think a pairing between Melbourne’s male and the surplus female at Darling Downs Zoo is more likely.
We currently only have one breeding pair (at Taronga), so the DDZ female should really be paired with the Melbourne or Adelaide bull sooner rather than later if imports aren’t on the horizon.
For interest’s sake, this is our region’s Pygmy hippopotamus holdings:
Taronga Zoo:
1.0 Fergus (06/08/2009) Frank x Fluffy
0.1 Kambiri (26/06/2010) Timmy x Petre
Melbourne Zoo:
1.0 Felix (17/11/2006) Frank x Fluffy
Adelaide Zoo:
1.0 Obi (25/05/2015) Felix x Petre
Darling Downs Zoo:
0.1 Kamina (21/02/2017) Fergus x Kambiri
The Pygmy hippopotamus population descends from a small number of founders - including Pi and Carolyn. Their calves included Janice (mother of Petre; grandmother of Kambiri) and Frank (father of Felix and Fergus).
Chimpanzeearescary
Member
Thanks, I’m surprised there are only 5 individuals in the region for species that doesn’t need too much room and would fit into most zoos pretty easily. I’m not too familiar with Pygmy hippos but is there any reason Taronga haven’t been able to breed there pair?
Taronga’s pair have bred twice. They produced Kamina in 2017 and a non surviving calf in 2021. That would be considered a relatively large birth interval for a species which can produce a calf every 1-2 years however.
The low numbers regionally can be attributed to a lack of breeding efforts in the past. Petre was only bred at the eleventh hour and her own mother (Janice) was bred only once, producing Petre. There was also an export of a cow (Fluffy) to Indonesia in 2013 and another went feral (literally), before being shot five years later.
They were poorly managed by the holders in the past
Chimpanzeearescary
Member
That’s disappointing, hopefully the Taronga pair and Kamina and Obi/Felix will be able to sustain the population enough until new imports come in (if that ever happens).