Bronx Zoo how many species of giraffes are Bronx Zoo have?

[Don Majeski]

Hi Don, I'm sure that the AZA would love to reboot their giraffe program with non-hybridized populations of reticulated, Masai, and Rothschild's (Nubian) giraffes, but there is no way to import giraffes into the United States because of USDA regulations to prevent hoof stock diseases. The existing giraffe breeding program is to keep what exists in American zoos genetically healthy, and to recognize that the Masai giraffes are genetically distinct as a probable species.

It is frustrating that exceptions would not be made by USDA would not be made for scientific organization (ie AZA breeding programs (Not roadside menageries or circuses) as it is unlikely that giraffe would become feral populations like swine or equids and spread disease among domestic livestock

 

[DavidBrown]

It is frustrating that exceptions would not be made by USDA would not be made for scientific organization (ie AZA breeding programs (Not roadside menageries or circuses) as it is unlikely that giraffe would become feral populations like swine or equids and spread disease among domestic livestock

I share your views, and I'm sure that the AZA does too. Unfortunately the cattle lobby has infinitely more lobbying power than the wildlife conservation science world does.

 

[Gabby]

That keeper was either messing with you, or hilariously uninformed.

Kordofan giraffes have never even been imported to the US, much less established a breeding population here.

And the term "Nubian giraffe" is just another name for the Rothschild's giraffe. Those were imported in the past, in decent numbers at that, but because no one really understood just how many subspecies of giraffes existed at the time... they were indiscriminately bred with Reticulated giraffes.

Ergo, that's how the US population of "Generic giraffes" came to be.

The only purebred subspecies of giraffe in the US is the Masai giraffe.

All other giraffes are of mixed-blood. Yes, even when they're signed as Reticulated or Rothschild's. They aren't pure, the AZA knows that, they just allow member zoos signpost their generic giraffes as whatever subspecies they most physically resemble.

As you know a great deal about giraffes, I hope you might be able to explain something to me.
Why is it that even major zoos like the Bronx Zoo have non-pedigree giraffes, which is to say giraffes of parentage or grand-parentage unknown?

 

[Wisp O' Mist]

As you know a great deal about giraffes, I hope you might be able to explain something to me.
Why is it that even major zoos like the Bronx Zoo have non-pedigree giraffes, which is to say giraffes of parentage or grand-parentage unknown?

The parentage and grand-parentage of generic giraffes is known, the problem with them is that they're hybrids between Rothschild's and Reticulated giraffes. They were hybridized in American zoos long before it was realized that there were multiple subspecies of Giraffe.

Zoos (Even major zoos like Bronx) keep generic giraffes around because giraffes are extremely popular with the public and there simply aren't enough Massi giraffes to go around to meet demand. So generic giraffes fill in.

I just wish zoos would stop signposting them as Reticulated or Rothschild's giraffes and admit to the public that they're hybrids who have no conservational value, but still provide *valuable educational value.

(*At least until the AZA Massi giraffe population is finally big and successful enough to meet giraffe demand on its own. Hopefully, then, generic giraffes will stop being bred and will instead be managed to extinction.)

 

[lintworm]

The parentage and grand-parentage of generic giraffes is known, the problem with them is that they're hybrids between Rothschild's and Reticulated giraffes. They were hybridized in American zoos long before it was realized that there were multiple subspecies of Giraffe.

Knowledge about giraffe subspecies has been since the start of the 20th century and especially since the 70s has become more established to what we know now. So lack of interest more than lack of knowledge seems to be the main case I would say.

 

[Gabby]

The parentage and grand-parentage of generic giraffes is known, the problem with them is that they're hybrids between Rothschild's and Reticulated giraffes. They were hybridized in American zoos long before it was realized that there were multiple subspecies of Giraffe.

Zoos (Even major zoos like Bronx) keep generic giraffes around because giraffes are extremely popular with the public and there simply aren't enough Massi giraffes to go around to meet demand. So generic giraffes fill in.

I just wish zoos would stop signposting them as Reticulated or Rothschild's giraffes and admit to the public that they're hybrids who have no conservational value, but still provide *valuable educational value.

(*At least until the AZA Massi giraffe population is finally big and successful enough to meet giraffe demand on its own. Hopefully, then, generic giraffes will stop being bred and will instead be managed to extinction.)

I am thinking about the giraffes who are excluded from breeding on the basis of being of unknown pedigree. There are according to the ssp 195 of them at AZA member institutions. Some are at prominent zoos, some not.