I believe they were apart of a second import; and were therefore loaned to Sydney in the meantime before they're required to pair with second generation fillies. Good forward thinking on Steve's behalf!
History of Australasia’s Zebra Population
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
Not sure when this photo was taken, but it was published in January of 2007 by @MARK. Taking into account other photos published at the same time, I'd assume this was from sometime in the 90's.
It clearly shows a small herd of Grants, and supports the notion that a purebred Grants breeding group were at Dubbo at that point in time.
taken by @MARK
It clearly shows a small herd of Grants, and supports the notion that a purebred Grants breeding group were at Dubbo at that point in time.
taken by @MARK
That sounds familiar and if so, will be an asset to the region long term. The plan would be to retain them within Australia, but potentially the colts at ZooDoo could be sent to Altina and Hamilton as they’re priority with regards to the age of their mares.
Duke (stallion at ZooDoo) could potentially swap out for a DDZ stallion/Sydney stallion as there’s now 2.1 offspring from him and Duchess and an unrelated male could mate with his daughter.
Not sure when this photo was taken, but it was published in January of 2007 by @MARK. Taking into account other photos published at the same time, I'd assume this was from sometime in the 90's.
It clearly shows a small herd of Grants, and supports the notion that a purebred Grants breeding group were at Dubbo at that point in time.
taken by @MARK
That’s encouraging to see. Even the smallest zebra (top left) appears to be a purebred Grant’s, which is encouraging as it looks to be around 10 months old (or just under a year).
Auckland Zoo’s import of Itika (1992) from Monarto Safari Park in 2005 always seemed strange to me, considering her age. I couldn’t understand why they hadn’t sourced a filly of two years, rather than a middle aged mare (albeit the fact she was pregnant upon export, which could have potentially supplied the zoo with two females for the price of one).
However, it occurred to me today that Itika was likely a purebred Burchell’s re. our assumptions on Monarto. I’m wondering if it was part of Monarto’s plan to filter out Burchell’s from their main herd; or a simpler explanation such as her decade or reproduction (she was 13) in that herd.
That would make a lot of sense as @Zoofan15 previously mentioned Dubbo acquired four purebred mares that same year.
Yep, four purebred Grant’s zebras were imported that year (two colts and two fillies). It’s good to know they were the sole focus as I wasn’t 100% on whether other subspecies were present/breeding at the zoo at. Thanks for confirming. Let us know if you uncover anything on their offspring.
At the risk of upsetting some of you can I please, once again, caution about posting speculation and misinformation on a site such as this. Future historians may waste their time, and sully their reputation, if they quote some of these posts as fact.
To correct this particular record:
Zulu Born 10/07/2013 Imported 20/01/2014
Zambezi Born 24/08/2013 Imported 20/01/2014
These animals are privately owned and are currently located at Sydney Zoo prior to their homing at a wildlife park currently under construction.
Thanks for supplying the correct information @Steve Robinson. We will also make a concerted effort not to make assumptions in this thread.
I appreciate you can’t comment on upcoming transfers (which are are subject to change and not public knowledge); but are you able to inform us of any DDZ bred Grant’s zebras that have been previously transferred to other facilities? I’m only aware of Zinty and Zavannah’s son (Spartacus) at Australia Zoo. No worries if you’re unable to share this, but would be interesting to know and useful to @Jambo in updating the population list.
That would be my fault, sorry.
The information Zoofan15 was referring to was initially published by me; I received it directly from Sydney. So obviously they misinformed me there re. birthdates, which isn’t a first.
Thank you for taking the time to correct them though.
Where are they held?
Its stated they are held privately!
Yes I can read, thought there might be more context such as just individuals on a private farm, on a station etc, thats all!
Osedax
Well-Known Member
The individuals at Sydney Zoo are privately owned.
Just a few questions re. Marbles. I know she was born to Shane and Maria who were both purebreds; and Maria was born to Stormy and Sheena in 1987 at Auckland.
Were Stormy and Sheena both born at Auckland? And was Shane too? Considering he shares the 'Sh' name as Sheena; I'm assuming he must be related to her in some way or another, unless it's simply a coincidence.
Maria was born at Auckland Zoo in 1986 to Stormy and Mindy.
Shane was born at Auckland Zoo in 1986 to Stormy and Sheena.
Stormy was born at Auckland Zoo; while Sheena was imported from Toronto Zoo in 1980.
I’ll be doing some posts in the next couple of weeks on the Grant’s zebra held in New Zealand zoos, which will expand on this.
Grant’s Zebra - Auckland Zoo (1959-1979)
In January 1959, Auckland Zoo imported a Grant’s zebra stallion named Shiner from Chester Zoo. He was wild born and approximately three years old upon arrival (born circa 1956).
In August 1963, a pregnant Grant’s zebra mare named Dot was imported from Chester Zoo. Dot was born at Chester Zoo in 1960; and shipped to New Zealand along with a female giraffe named Anita from Regent’s Park Zoo.
Dot gave birth to a colt in February 1964. He was named Dasher and was noted in newspaper articles to be the first of his species born in New Zealand. His name was a reference to his mother’s (Morse Code).
Dot gave birth to a second colt named Candy in October 1965; followed by a filly named Jan in January 1967, who was noted to be the first female of her species born in New Zealand. According to an article I found, her birth took the zoo’s population to five zebras (the other four zebras being Shiner, Dot, Dasher and Candy).
Dot gave birth to a colt named Stormy in April 1974; and a filly named Cindy in October 1975. Shiner was the sire of both these foals.
Shiner and Dasher died in 1978, aged 22 and 14 years respectively. Candy and Jan were no longer at the zoo at this time, implying they’d died or were transferred out at some point.
In April 1979, Dot gave birth to a colt named Strider, sired by Stormy.
In January 1959, Auckland Zoo imported a Grant’s zebra stallion named Shiner from Chester Zoo. He was wild born and approximately three years old upon arrival (born circa 1956).
In August 1963, a pregnant Grant’s zebra mare named Dot was imported from Chester Zoo. Dot was born at Chester Zoo in 1960; and shipped to New Zealand along with a female giraffe named Anita from Regent’s Park Zoo.
Dot gave birth to a colt in February 1964. He was named Dasher and was noted in newspaper articles to be the first of his species born in New Zealand. His name was a reference to his mother’s (Morse Code).
Dot gave birth to a second colt named Candy in October 1965; followed by a filly named Jan in January 1967, who was noted to be the first female of her species born in New Zealand. According to an article I found, her birth took the zoo’s population to five zebras (the other four zebras being Shiner, Dot, Dasher and Candy).
Dot gave birth to a colt named Stormy in April 1974; and a filly named Cindy in October 1975. Shiner was the sire of both these foals.
Shiner and Dasher died in 1978, aged 22 and 14 years respectively. Candy and Jan were no longer at the zoo at this time, implying they’d died or were transferred out at some point.
In April 1979, Dot gave birth to a colt named Strider, sired by Stormy.
Chapman’s Zebra - Orana Wildlife Park (1979-1989)
I’ve managed to dig up some information on Orana’s early zebra holdings. Their herd was founded in 1980 with 1.2 Chapman’s zebras, which produced their first foals in 1983. Other births followed in due course, including the first second generation foal in 1989.
A summary can be found below:
———————————————
In December 1979, a campaign was launched to bring zebras to Orana. The original plan was to import two males and two females by September 1980. An update on these plans dated April 1980 noted the zebras were being imported from England as this was the only country with zebras available that New Zealand could import from.
In August 1980, Orana Wildlife Park’s first zebra arrived. A male Chapman’s zebra named Fred (born 1978) was transferred in from Wellington Zoo.
On 30/09/1980, Orana Wildlife Park imported two female Chapman’s zebra from Midway Manor (England). They were named Tana (born 1978) and Tina (born 1979).
Orana’s first zebra foal was born 27/04/1983 to Fred and Tana. The filly was named JaJa. It was noted that Tina was pregnant also and due June 1983.
Orana’s first colt was born 02/08/1984 to Fred and Tana. While I can find no record of Tina’s 1983 foal, it’s noted the aforementioned colt was the third foal for Orana, joining two fillies born last year.
On 13/10/1984, a colt was born to Fred and Tina.
The birth of foal to Tina was announced in December 1985. It appears this foal died in infancy. Tana was noted to be heavily pregnant. In April 1986, a filly was named Zara in an adoption ceremony, which appears to have been the foal Tana was carrying.
A colt was born to Fred and Tana on 02/02/1988.
Orana’s first second generation zebra foal was born to Kala on March 9. It would appear that Kala was the filly born in 1983 to Tina. The colt was named Myali and noted to be one of eight zebras held at Orana.
I’ve managed to dig up some information on Orana’s early zebra holdings. Their herd was founded in 1980 with 1.2 Chapman’s zebras, which produced their first foals in 1983. Other births followed in due course, including the first second generation foal in 1989.
A summary can be found below:
———————————————
In December 1979, a campaign was launched to bring zebras to Orana. The original plan was to import two males and two females by September 1980. An update on these plans dated April 1980 noted the zebras were being imported from England as this was the only country with zebras available that New Zealand could import from.
In August 1980, Orana Wildlife Park’s first zebra arrived. A male Chapman’s zebra named Fred (born 1978) was transferred in from Wellington Zoo.
On 30/09/1980, Orana Wildlife Park imported two female Chapman’s zebra from Midway Manor (England). They were named Tana (born 1978) and Tina (born 1979).
Orana’s first zebra foal was born 27/04/1983 to Fred and Tana. The filly was named JaJa. It was noted that Tina was pregnant also and due June 1983.
Orana’s first colt was born 02/08/1984 to Fred and Tana. While I can find no record of Tina’s 1983 foal, it’s noted the aforementioned colt was the third foal for Orana, joining two fillies born last year.
On 13/10/1984, a colt was born to Fred and Tina.
The birth of foal to Tina was announced in December 1985. It appears this foal died in infancy. Tana was noted to be heavily pregnant. In April 1986, a filly was named Zara in an adoption ceremony, which appears to have been the foal Tana was carrying.
A colt was born to Fred and Tana on 02/02/1988.
Orana’s first second generation zebra foal was born to Kala on March 9. It would appear that Kala was the filly born in 1983 to Tina. The colt was named Myali and noted to be one of eight zebras held at Orana.
Great research.
Is it possible Zelda was born to one of the initial two foals (Tana or Tina)?
I'm assuming this group stopped breeding once the initial animals died?