ZSL OUGHT to have some options on Eastern Black Rhino - they sent no fewer than four animals (Bwana Mkubwa, Mama Kidogo, June, and later on Jos) down to Port Lympne. That is assuming ZSL ever wanted to keep the species again....
Ian, do you, or does anyone,know the current status of Jos and Rosie? Have they ever sired offspring? They're the last black rhino at London I can remember.
I feel sure that "Jos" sired a calf at Port Lympne. "Fred" and "Stumpy" (aka "Bwana Mkubwa" and "Mama Kidogo" both definitely bred at Port Lympne. "Rosie" is now 26, and I suspect a lost cause.
In any case, to have that high a proportion of Eastern Black Rhino held on one site is surely a risk in terms of biosecurity. Of all the zoos in the UK that have space for three or four Black Rhino,and do not currently hold the species, surely Whipsnade is unsurpassed.
You know as well I Ian, that the facility is already there! With a few minor adjustments (i.e. relocating the gemsbok) it's ready to go.
The Whipsnade (productive / high protein) grassed paddocks are unfit for highly specialised feeders like black rhino.
KB, with all due respect I find it hard to see what is so very different at Chester or Port Lympne. Whipsnade held a pair of Black Rhino for over 20 years with, as far as I'm aware, minimal health problems and reasonable breeding success.
I recall seeing calves in the old black rhino paddock, which the Indian rhino bull now uses (matching the gaur's paddock, which previously held the Indian rhinos). I think that this paddock has poor soil and sparse grass.
hi everyone i saw the baby elephant on sunday at howletts the baby not yet to be sexed was born saturday morning so i was lucky to see also would like your views about port lympe down the bottom where suliman is they closed it off so you cant go right down the bottom i though it was so the hiena could mate but one of them went think its silly becuase i never see dellia and calcuutter the two tigers or i never see suliman although i often hear him
many thanks berni