In Mexico the Parque Zoologico de Centenario in Merida ( Yucatan ) had a trio Gaurs when I visited it in Dec. 2013.
Gaur (Bos gaurus) in Captivity
- Thread starter German Zoo World
- Start date
ATM, the entire effective population is only 24 individuals across the entire North American continent with 6 AZA institutions, hardly a robust population. This includes SD-WAP, The Wilds and the new St. Louis breeding station.
This population was also severely affected when 22 individuals were transferred out of AZA due to lack of interest from zoos in the network in 2004 to the private sector. I assume the most important ones were Micanopy and CCTU in Rum Creek.
Given these stats and the number of gaur around in US zoos, I wonder whether it is really only a question of space constraints. One would hope the C2S2 large holdings community may step in or up where gaur are concerned. It remains my firm belief at least 2 zoo regions should have regional gaur conservation breeding strategies in place. Phase out or in should be discussed at the global scale.
What I know of gaur breeding in India - the relatively secure subpopulation - that it is developing and performing better now. I am unaware of any zoo managed regional programs in S.E. Asia or IndoChina. If I am correct Malaysia might have a government run breeding scheme by NP authorities. Not sure on Thailand which might have similar efforts. Both no managed zoo schemes.
I think NY Bronx will follow AZA policy and opt for phase out.
Wild Animal Safari's Pine Mountain, GA facility has a few including an older bull named "Big Boy". It also seems that their Missouri location has some as well as Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Texas.
Gaur - Wild Animal Safari - Georgia
Wild Animal Wednesday: Gaur
I only got to see them once before they left for Parc Safari Quebec. The experience made me like them more than Indian Rhinos! The two remaining cows had to be at least 5.5 feet tall!I saw the herd at the Toronto zoo something I will never forget, Impressive!
I don't know why they would need to get rid of Gaur at SDZWAP since Brad Kelley's Rum Creek Ranch & Center For Conservation of Tropical Ungulates as of 2016 had 338 of them. San Diego should've kept the Gaur and moved the Banteng to another facility.
It is nice that they sent their intact bull to Bronx for breeding. Bronx really is, like stated here, the Gaur's last hope for survival in the AZA unless Omaha can get back into the Gaur SSP by getting new younger herd members for breeding.
Which one left? Bull or cow? Such as shame as they were the only ones in FL that I know of.
Is Glady's Porter's herd still reproducing or is it post-reproductive?
I think if the EAZA/BIAZA wants to keep them longer than the AZA has they need to keep a certain portion of the population in a Fossil Rim/White Oak like setting so that they can keep the population going. I think its great that there are numerous facilities with them left such as:
-Whipsnade Zoo
-Paris (Jardin des Plantes)
-The Reserve de la Haute-Touche
-Zoo Berlin
-Zoo Dortmund
and more!
I don't know why there isn't more attention to them since they are the largest remaining of the wild cattle and can fit in really well into Indian/Southeast Asian exhibits with tigers and elephants. Perhaps the best part is that unlike Asian Elephants and Indian Rhinos they can take the colder temperatures!
Not that I d have more information than the rest of you but I do not see any indication that europe d phase out gaur.
Not one of the current holders exchanged them. And in general europe remained by the original broad spectrum of species presented in opposite to aza. So I personally do not think they d get phased out and d not even be suprised if there d not be some new imports one day or the other.
Not one of the current holders exchanged them. And in general europe remained by the original broad spectrum of species presented in opposite to aza. So I personally do not think they d get phased out and d not even be suprised if there d not be some new imports one day or the other.
ZSL for example have stopped breeding them
Those three, plus Tennessee Safari Park, Franklin Drive-Thru Safari, Wild Wilderness in AR, and a new place I haven't found a name for in Friendswood, TX.
I think San Diego Safari Park shifted to a larger on banteng because they are less difficult than Guar which are aggressive. I think that’s a dumb excuse considering the Safari Park also manages like three species of Rhino and a large African Bush Elephant herd but er can’t do much about it anymore.I don't know why they would need to get rid of Gaur at SDZWAP since Brad Kelley's Rum Creek Ranch & Center For Conservation of Tropical Ungulates as of 2016 had 338 of them. San Diego should've kept the Gaur and moved the Banteng to another facility.
I do wish the Safari Park had kept the Gaur herd up and running but I think it was the smart move for them. Seeing that they are transitioning into maintaining the Javan Banteng program, it’s a better alternative for them. The Banteng is currently more endangered as whole according to the current IUCN assessments. I know it’s a bitter pill to swallow for many of us but I do feel like this is the better choice for them so far :/I don't know why they would need to get rid of Gaur at SDZWAP since Brad Kelley's Rum Creek Ranch & Center For Conservation of Tropical Ungulates as of 2016 had 338 of them. San Diego should've kept the Gaur and moved the Banteng to another facility.
https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/Annual-report/TAG-reports-2019-webLR.pdf
Search (ctrl+f) for"gaur" in the last report published by EAZA. I think the decision was already taken for a few years but is badly applied. While some institutions stop breeding, some others continue and Zlin even imported new blood ! What a coordination !
@JCC, I contend that looking from a regional perspective, Indian Subcontinent gaur are more protected and safer than the S.E. and IndoChina populations and subspecies of gaur. So, I would tend to disagree that gaur are somehow less endangered or at risk than banteng. It is more or less equal a question of any wild cattle in natural habitat ... Remember also that banteng have a Javan island and a mainland Asian component. All captive banteng in Europe, North America and Indonesia are Javan subspecies.
Also the feral Banteng in Australia are pure I believe even though they cam from once domestic stock back in the mid 1800s!
I do agree that it shouldn’t take away from gaur having a captive population and do require proper breeding programs globally if possible. I did have the honor of seeing a couple gaur at the SDZ Safari park about 2 years ago and they’re wonderful creatures. Are Indian gaur the only subspecies maintained in captivity with breeding programs or are they zoomix from multiple subspecies?