Jaguars

If a Zoo/zoo board like Taronga/Dubbo or Melbourne/Werribee has committed space to each of the managed species (as they have with big cats), I see absolutely no ethical dilemma with them importing non-managed species.

So it might cost them a bit more. If they want to do it, it's up to them!
 
CGSwans - thats exactly why i had no problem with dubbo importing indian rhino. they already held breeding herds of both african species, whilst all other zoos had only whites.
 
I emphatically agree with phoenix. I would rather see 5 pairs of tigers? jaguars? or whatever in 5 modest but suitable enclosures than just 1 pair in some over-the-top hideously costly display.

The whole purpose of cooperation between zoos as represented by the formation of ARAZPA was to increase the effectiveness of breeding programs. Instead it has been used to reduce the number of cats held by each zoo. In the 1960's, for instance, Taronga had capacity to accommodate up to 10 lions and 10 tigers . At the same time Melbourne had 12 lions and 8 tigers. Both also had a good number of leopards, jaguars, and pumas.Nowadays the total capacity of all Australian mainstream zoos wouldn't be much more than that.

currently houses four Sumatran Tigers and has the ability to house more. I get a bit frustrated by Taronga always having the breeding animals when Dubbo has a purpose built back of house facility for breeding????

I also don't understand why it was ok for them to bring in indian rhino but they will be frowned upon if they bring in other animals???? Don't get me wrong I am very happy there are indians at the zoo.
 
I also don't understand why it was ok for them to bring in indian rhino but they will be frowned upon if they bring in other animals???? Don't get me wrong I am very happy there are indians at the zoo.

its a partially floored argument but the theory goes that since dubbo was already meeting its commitment to the only regional rhino program (for white rhinos) nobody has a right to tell them they can't up it and keep blacks and indians as well. if they had imported indians but held no whites it might be a different story.

of course "the floor" in this argument is that the money for black and indian rhino could instead go towards another program species dubbo does not have - say chimps or orangutans. i suppose you could say that a zoo only should really bring in new species after its done its best to provide space for ALL program species, and even then you could say that the money could be better spent on EVEN MORE sumatran tigers or chimps.

of course this doesn't much work with the whole idea of zoos showing off different animals, so for the record i'm totally cool with there being a third rhino species in the region. as far as i'm concerned werribee and monarto need to play catch up to dubbo in terms of number of species held.
 
currently houses four Sumatran Tigers and has the ability to house more. I get a bit frustrated by Taronga always having the breeding animals when Dubbo has a purpose built back of house facility for breeding????


Maybe this is one of the reasons why few people visit the WPZ as so much focus is placed upon Taronga while WPZ is seen to be treated like a poor sister with to little attention, as we know all zoo's need some draw cards to keep the public coming though to gates so I can see little changing untill more focus is put upon WPZ ;)
 
Monarto, Western Plains and Orana are all trying to breed cheetahs and the species are a priority for the region. Werribee only have two males currently.

Australia zoo also have two pairs of Cheetahs

werribee do only have two males.. on display. ;) Werribee has A HUGE collection off display. And yes, they are trying to breed cheetahs. (As well as many other animals that are off display :P )
 
from what I saw they, until recently, only had one male on display, the other was out back with a female..
 
Back
Top