Hystrix & Macropus in U.S. Zoos

Coelacanth18

Coelacanth18

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10+ year member
Premium Member
Hello ZooChatters,

After some extensive personal research about species holdings in the US, I have many questions wanting answers. In this thread, I wanted to specifically ask about the management of Hystrix (crested porcupines) and Macropus (kangaroos, wallabies, etc) in U.S. zoos. Does anybody know what species the AZA is recommending programs for, and what species are on the way in/out? So far, it seems like there is a fairly big hodgepodge of Macropus species, with the only clearly sustainable population being M. rufus (red kangaroo). As for Hystrix, it seems like most are H. africaeaustralis, but there are also H. indica and H. cristata listed also.

Any information would be appreciated.
 
I think western gray kangaroos are on their way in. There are now 12 institutions with them (which 12, I couldn't say, but I've seen them in Los Angeles, Brownsville, and Dallas). Gladys Porter Zoo has a crazy amount of western gray (upwards of 15) and has all 3 subspecies.
 
Last edited:
There are SSP's for the following species in the genus Macropus:
  • giganteus
  • fuliginosus
  • rufus
  • robustus
  • rufogriseus
  • eugenii
  • parma
 
Regarding Hystrix, it appears africaeaustralis is the only program species.
 
Ituri said:
There are SSP's for the following species in the genus Macropus:
  • giganteus
  • fuliginosus
  • rufus
  • robustus
  • rufogriseus
  • eugenii
  • parma
Click to expand...

Huh. So all of the species I've seen. I wonder what the benefit is to managing both species of gray kangaroo, since they look very similar. I've wondered the same thing about managing both species of two-toed sloth when you literally have to do genetic analysis to tell them apart.

Thanks for the info, y'all.
 
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