So I was wondering after the discussion in the Giraffe poll I posted several days ago which subspecies of Sable, Roan and Oryx are in captivity today. I thought of this thread after seeing that multiple game breeders in Africa seem to have Sables of mixed descent such as some will be more West Zambian (kirkii) than Southern (niger) or others will be more Shimba (roosevelti) than West Zambian etc..... I know for a fact that the highly endangered Giant Sable (Hippotragus niger variani) of Angola unfortunately isn't in any collections. Are Sable and Roan that are housed in most AZA & EAZA institutions of pure descent or are they of mixed heritage like the ones bred on game farms in Africa? From my research it looks like most Sable in captivity are the subspecies niger while most Roan are the subspecies equinus. I've seen a few photos online of some Roan in European zoos looking like koba.
In terms of Oryx, I know that Scimitar and Arabian Oryx have been part of the SSP's for a long time because of their endangered status, but what about East African (beisa), Fringe Eared (callotis) & Gemsbok (gazella)? I know that NC Zoo houses Fringe-Eared and World Wildlife Zoo has East African, but are there any others? Maybe on some ranches in Texas? Last night I learned that New Mexico has a feral population of Gemsbok that was brought into the White Sands Missile Range between 1969-1977 and are now being sustainably culled (can be hunted) to prohibit possible excessive harm to the environment. Maybe these Oryx subspecies aren't being maintained because of space needed for Scimitars and Arabians?
I think it'd be great if more of these Hippotragines could be seen at more zoos because of their unique coat patterns and impressive horns. Personally, I wish the Blaubok (Blue Antelope, Hippotragus leucophaeus) had a chance at survival instead of going extinct. They would've made for a great South African mixed species exhibit alongside Blue Cranes, Black Wildebeest, Bontebok, Springbok and Southern White Rhinos. As for the Angolan Giant Sable, I think they could do great at facilities like the Wilds, White Oak, Fossil Rim or the San Diego Safari Park. From what I've been reading from the Angolan Field Group at Cangandala National Park and Luando Special Reserve, I think that the herds there are faring well, I feel its just safer to have a backup population as well.
In terms of Oryx, I know that Scimitar and Arabian Oryx have been part of the SSP's for a long time because of their endangered status, but what about East African (beisa), Fringe Eared (callotis) & Gemsbok (gazella)? I know that NC Zoo houses Fringe-Eared and World Wildlife Zoo has East African, but are there any others? Maybe on some ranches in Texas? Last night I learned that New Mexico has a feral population of Gemsbok that was brought into the White Sands Missile Range between 1969-1977 and are now being sustainably culled (can be hunted) to prohibit possible excessive harm to the environment. Maybe these Oryx subspecies aren't being maintained because of space needed for Scimitars and Arabians?
I think it'd be great if more of these Hippotragines could be seen at more zoos because of their unique coat patterns and impressive horns. Personally, I wish the Blaubok (Blue Antelope, Hippotragus leucophaeus) had a chance at survival instead of going extinct. They would've made for a great South African mixed species exhibit alongside Blue Cranes, Black Wildebeest, Bontebok, Springbok and Southern White Rhinos. As for the Angolan Giant Sable, I think they could do great at facilities like the Wilds, White Oak, Fossil Rim or the San Diego Safari Park. From what I've been reading from the Angolan Field Group at Cangandala National Park and Luando Special Reserve, I think that the herds there are faring well, I feel its just safer to have a backup population as well.
