Keeping invasive introduced species in Australian zoos

[Zoofan15]

Moderator note: Topic split from this thread: Werribee Open Range Zoo News 2025 [Werribee Open Range Zoo]

At least with dromedary camels they are not in short supply!. Hopefully they will get some more to add in now with the oryx. Now that they have extra viewing into the arid paddock and they passed out addax.

Very true. Few Australian zoos appear to breed Dromedary camels, with the majority seeming to come from feral populations (orphaned calves etc).

From Dubbo’s site:

Samera was born in the Northern Territory in 2006 and brought to Taronga Western Plains Zoo with a few other camels in 2007.

Contributing to the lack of breeding is cows are typically more placid than bulls, so some zoos keep only females.

 

[Tiger91]

Is it worth breeding them though, the bulls are impressive and baby camels very cute. Given we have a few mil in the outback, I reckon they will be able to find a few easily. There is also a young sheila that farms them for milk that posts on TikTok. She would be an easy way for them to acquire young camels that are used to humans.

 

[Jambo]

Is it worth breeding them though, the bulls are impressive and baby camels very cute.

There's really no huge conservation value in breeding them. I got the impression Werribee previously bred theirs purely for numbers purposes to have individuals just for display.

 

[Tiger91]

There's really no huge conservation value in breeding them. I got the impression Werribee previously bred theirs purely for numbers purposes to have individuals just for display.

I mean there extinct in the wild!.
Not our wild tho, there wild

 

[Zoofan15]

Is it worth breeding them though, the bulls are impressive and baby camels very cute. Given we have a few mil in the outback, I reckon they will be able to find a few easily. There is also a young sheila that farms them for milk that posts on TikTok. She would be an easy way for them to acquire young camels that are used to humans.

There's really no huge conservation value in breeding them. I got the impression Werribee previously bred theirs purely for numbers purposes to have individuals just for display.

Sourcing calves is probably the simplest option as evidenced by the number of zoos who do this as opposed to breeding them.

I have heard than handraised bulls can exhibit aggression to keepers (similar to hand raised Llamas and Alpacas) as they view humans as their own kind and endeavor to test their strength.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

There's really no huge conservation value in breeding them. I got the impression Werribee previously bred theirs purely for numbers purposes to have individuals just for display.

Exhibition only for purposes of showing how invasive species are extremely damaging to the local native species' environment. The very fact that in the Australian outlook there exists a huge population of dromedary .... is just mindboggling.

 

[Zoofan15]

Exhibition only for purposes of showing how invasive species are extremely damaging to the local native species' environment. The very fact that in the Australian outlook there exists a huge population of dromedary .... is just mindboggling.

They also pair well with Scimitar-horned oryx, which is an arid species and doesn’t otherwise fit in with the generalised savannah setting - not to mention it can hybridise with antelope such as Addax and Gemsbok.

Despite being an invasive species, they remain popular with the general public as an ABC animal and the fact the vast majority of the Australian population is concentrated in the cities and surrounding suburbs, so consider the camel a novelty compared to macropods etc.

 

[tigris115]

I think camels would be a nice ambassador animal; they can be trained for petting and feeding.

 

[Jambo]

They also pair well with Scimitar-horned oryx, which is an arid species and doesn’t otherwise fit in with the generalised savannah setting - not to mention it can hybridise with antelope such as Addax and Gemsbok.

Despite being an invasive species, they remain popular with the general public as an ABC animal and the fact the vast majority of the Australian population is concentrated in the cities and surrounding suburbs, so consider the camel a novelty compared to macropods etc.

Werribee keeps/kept a bachelor group of Scimitar Horned Oryx in their main African Savannah anyway! Not that it matters too much in that aspect; although the same couldn't be said for having Blackbucks in an African Savannah mixed exhibit.

Your absolutely correct in saying that most people here wouldn't even be aware we have Camels living out there in the wild! Especially as they're mainly found in the Northern and Central Australian region ie. they're not a species like kangaroos that you can still essentially see near most cities.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Werribee keeps/kept a bachelor group of Scimitar Horned Oryx in their main African Savannah anyway! Not that it matters too much in that aspect; although the same couldn't be said for having Blackbucks in an African Savannah mixed exhibit.

Your absolutely correct in saying that most people here wouldn't even be aware we have Camels living out there in the wild! Especially as they're mainly found in the Northern and Central Australian region ie. they're not a species like kangaroos that you can still essentially see near most cities.

Second paragraph: It remains high time that the urbanised Australian general public gets a bit more educated upon the wildlife conservation issues in general and why camels are not the fluffy troupe in the Outback and Up North and quite damaging to the flora as well as the fauna of the niche habitats they have come to occupy.

Further, it would be a nice off-shoot - I know it is not easy and here in Europe we are faced with the same urbanised unsensitised crowds (interestingly both urban and city people are equally afflicted as rural folks) - that Aussies start valueing their local native wildlife and yes even the seemingly numerous and swimmingly average and also abundant (red and grey) kangaroos ... right on the doorstep. The zoo community as well as other environmental NGO's and natural history and life museums have a great task on their hand!

 

[Zoofan15]

Second paragraph: It remains high time that the urbanised Australian general public gets a bit more educated upon the wildlife conservation issues in general and why camels are not the fluffy troupe in the Outback and Up North and quite damaging to the flora as well as the fauna of the niche habitats they have come to occupy.

Further, it would be a nice off-shoot - I know it is not easy and here in Europe we are faced with the same urbanised unsensitised crowds (interestingly both urban and city people are equally afflicted as rural folks) - that Aussies start valueing their local native wildlife and yes even the seemingly numerous and swimmingly average and also abundant (red and grey) kangaroos ... right on the doorstep. The zoo community as well as other environmental NGO's and natural history and life museums have a great task on their hand!

Myself, @Swanson02 and @The Sleepy Hippo have all said in the past couple of weeks how it would be nice to see the zoos do more to highlight feral species and their impact on the eco-system. Very few make an effort to do this beyond signage boards; or the inclusion of a feral species (such as deer) in a mixed species exhibit with American bison etc.

Feral species Australian zoos like Werribee could highlight include (a couple of which they already have):

Dromedary camel
Sambar deer
European fallow deer
Red deer
Javan rusa
Banteng
Asian water buffalo

 

[Swanson02]

Myself, @Swanson02 and @The Sleepy Hippo have all said in the past couple of weeks how it would be nice to see the zoos do more to highlight feral species and their impact on the eco-system. Very few make an effort to do this beyond signage boards; or the inclusion of a feral species (such as deer) in a mixed species exhibit with American bison etc.

Feral species Australian zoos like Werribee could highlight include (a couple of which they already have):

Dromedary camel
Sambar deer
European fallow deer
Red deer
Javan rusa
Banteng
Asian water buffalo

I highly agree, I believe that most of our feral species (especially ungulates) are underutilized. However, I find it funny that WORZ dropped holding Addax yet kept holding Dromedary Camel. I still believe endangered exotics should always be prioritized over invasives. Monarto has never held Camel (to my knowledge). Odd because Camels were instrumental in the construction of the overland Telegraph/Railway to Darwin, it'd be the perfect opportunity to hold them to teach South Australian history!

The general public knows very little of all these invasive species. My mum was unaware Australia had invasive Asiatic Water Buffalo until we visited the NT last year! Having non-breeding groups (or minimal breeding only to maintain captive numbers) would be very advantageous educationally IMO. Teaching people the variation and differences between Red Deer, Sambar, and Fallow Deer would be very useful IMO. Especially in Victoria where they have huge numbers of all 3 up in the high country.

Saying all this I was thinking the other day about our invasive Red Fox.
Foxes are an anomaly to me, they are the only mammalian invasive species that are neither kept as pets nor displayed in zoos. Like literally every other invasive can be your pet/livestock (Rats, Cats, Rabbits, etc) or are displayed in at least a few Zoos/Wildlife Parks (Sambar, Rusa, water buffalo, etc.)
Why don't we display Foxes in Zoos? I couldn't name a zoo that has ever held Red Fox? Most people will never see one alive (Most likely as roadkill), yet they are literally everywhere! Does displaying them in Zoos humanize them too much? I feel like displaying Red Fox could provide an educational opportunity? Or am I way off here?

 

[Zoofan15]

I highly agree, I believe that most of our feral species (especially ungulates) are underutilized. However, I find it funny that WORZ dropped holding Addax yet kept holding Dromedary Camel. I still believe endangered exotics should always be prioritized over invasives. Monarto has never held Camel (to my knowledge). Odd because Camels were instrumental in the construction of the overland Telegraph/Railway to Darwin, it'd be the perfect opportunity to hold them to teach South Australian history!

The general public knows very little of all these invasive species. My mum was unaware Australia had invasive Asiatic Water Buffalo until we visited the NT last year! Having non-breeding groups (or minimal breeding only to maintain captive numbers) would be very advantageous educationally IMO. Teaching people the variation and differences between Red Deer, Sambar, and Fallow Deer would be very useful IMO. Especially in Victoria where they have huge numbers of all 3 up in the high country.

Saying all this I was thinking the other day about our invasive Red Fox.
Foxes are an anomaly to me, they are the only mammalian invasive species that are neither kept as pets nor displayed in zoos. Like literally every other invasive can be your pet/livestock (Rats, Cats, Rabbits, etc) or are displayed in at least a few Zoos/Wildlife Parks (Sambar, Rusa, water buffalo, etc.)
Why don't we display Foxes in Zoos? I couldn't name a zoo that has ever held Red Fox? Most people will never see one alive (Most likely as roadkill), yet they are literally everywhere! Does displaying them in Zoos humanize them too much? I feel like displaying Red Fox could provide an educational opportunity? Or am I way off here?

I’ve often wondered this regarding red foxes. I feel like they would be hugely popular with the general public and invaluable in raising awareness of their impact on native wildlife. Historically, zoos in the region held them such as Auckland Zoo, but I’m talking close to a century ago. The closest we’ve had in recent decades is the Fox on Stilts (Maned wolf).

Yes, the decision to phase out the critically endangered Addax from Werribee was baffling. It was a reverse of Orana phasing out Scimitar-horned oryx and acquiring Addax; while acknowledging Werribee had also held the former for many years. The two can hybridise, so perhaps Werribee just wanted to dedicate maximum space (including off display) to one species.

 

[Jambo]

I highly agree, I believe that most of our feral species (especially ungulates) are underutilized. However, I find it funny that WORZ dropped holding Addax yet kept holding Dromedary Camel. I still believe endangered exotics should always be prioritized over invasives. Monarto has never held Camel (to my knowledge). Odd because Camels were instrumental in the construction of the overland Telegraph/Railway to Darwin, it'd be the perfect opportunity to hold them to teach South Australian history!

I believe Werribee phased them out in anticipation of the Elephant complex being built. Their enclosure (now with zebra) has actually remained and is viewable along the walking trail towards the elephants but this wasn't the case in the masterplan and they've obviously just decided to keep this paddock as the other plans for the area (an AWD/Cheetah breeding hub) hasn't eventuated as of yet.

The Addax previously used to be in the mixed species drive through with the Camels and Scimitar Horned Oryx however they unfortunately learnt how to tip toe over the cattle grates and escape. So they had to move them to a neighboring habitat where they obviously wouldn't have the opportunity to do that.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

I highly agree, I believe that most of our feral species (especially ungulates) are underutilized. However, I find it funny that WORZ dropped holding Addax yet kept holding Dromedary Camel. I still believe endangered exotics should always be prioritized over invasives. Monarto has never held Camel (to my knowledge). Odd because Camels were instrumental in the construction of the overland Telegraph/Railway to Darwin, it'd be the perfect opportunity to hold them to teach South Australian history!

The general public knows very little of all these invasive species. My mum was unaware Australia had invasive Asiatic Water Buffalo until we visited the NT last year! Having non-breeding groups (or minimal breeding only to maintain captive numbers) would be very advantageous educationally IMO. Teaching people the variation and differences between Red Deer, Sambar, and Fallow Deer would be very useful IMO. Especially in Victoria where they have huge numbers of all 3 up in the high country.

Saying all this I was thinking the other day about our invasive Red Fox.
Foxes are an anomaly to me, they are the only mammalian invasive species that are neither kept as pets nor displayed in zoos. Like literally every other invasive can be your pet/livestock (Rats, Cats, Rabbits, etc) or are displayed in at least a few Zoos/Wildlife Parks (Sambar, Rusa, water buffalo, etc.)
Why don't we display Foxes in Zoos? I couldn't name a zoo that has ever held Red Fox? Most people will never see one alive (Most likely as roadkill), yet they are literally everywhere! Does displaying them in Zoos humanize them too much? I feel like displaying Red Fox could provide an educational opportunity? Or am I way off here?

I agree - when living in the West Wimmera a few years back two were bounding in a field. Lush thick coats - most healthy pair I'd ever seen. Quite beautiful. I know they are destructive and would hope they were not there, but they are captivating to see!

 

[Zorro]

I highly agree, I believe that most of our feral species (especially ungulates) are underutilized. However, I find it funny that WORZ dropped holding Addax yet kept holding Dromedary Camel. I still believe endangered exotics should always be prioritized over invasives. Monarto has never held Camel (to my knowledge). Odd because Camels were instrumental in the construction of the overland Telegraph/Railway to Darwin, it'd be the perfect opportunity to hold them to teach South Australian history!

The general public knows very little of all these invasive species. My mum was unaware Australia had invasive Asiatic Water Buffalo until we visited the NT last year! Having non-breeding groups (or minimal breeding only to maintain captive numbers) would be very advantageous educationally IMO. Teaching people the variation and differences between Red Deer, Sambar, and Fallow Deer would be very useful IMO. Especially in Victoria where they have huge numbers of all 3 up in the high country.

Saying all this I was thinking the other day about our invasive Red Fox.
Foxes are an anomaly to me, they are the only mammalian invasive species that are neither kept as pets nor displayed in zoos. Like literally every other invasive can be your pet/livestock (Rats, Cats, Rabbits, etc) or are displayed in at least a few Zoos/Wildlife Parks (Sambar, Rusa, water buffalo, etc.)
Why don't we display Foxes in Zoos? I couldn't name a zoo that has ever held Red Fox? Most people will never see one alive (Most likely as roadkill), yet they are literally everywhere! Does displaying them in Zoos humanize them too much? I feel like displaying Red Fox could provide an educational opportunity? Or am I way off here?

Australia Zoo use to have Red Foxes on display near their otter exhibit!

 

[Zoofan15]

Additional red fox information:

Thanks to @WhistlingKite24 for this information:

Calmsley Hill City Farm in the Sydney area has five Red Foxes (social media post: 01/09/2023)

The Exotic Mammals thread further advises Caversham and Cooberrie as holders.

For those interested, here’s a photo of Australia Zoo’s red fox exhibit in 2007. It later housed Binturong, which have since left the collection.


Photo credit to @Baldur

 

[Tiger91]

Myself, @Swanson02 and @The Sleepy Hippo have all said in the past couple of weeks how it would be nice to see the zoos do more to highlight feral species and their impact on the eco-system. Very few make an effort to do this beyond signage boards; or the inclusion of a feral species (such as deer) in a mixed species exhibit with American bison etc.

Feral species Australian zoos like Werribee could highlight include (a couple of which they already have):

Dromedary camel
Sambar deer
European fallow deer
Red deer
Javan rusa
Banteng
Asian water buffalo

I get why they do camels but no zoo should have feral species, we have struggling exotics due to 'limited' space. Why have ferals most people associate as feral or with petting zoo/ roadside farm visits

 

[Zoofan15]

I get why they do camels but no zoo should have feral species, we have struggling exotics due to 'limited' space. Why have ferals most people associate as feral or with petting zoo/ roadside farm visits

Aside from their value from an educational stand point, they can make a nice accompaniment to other species in a mixed species setting. Hamilton Zoo houses fallow deer with North American bison for example.

Furthermore, species like Asian water buffalo have value as a stand in for their African counterparts, which has been useful for African themed open range zoos.

 

[Tiger91]

I’ve often wondered this regarding red foxes. I feel like they would be hugely popular with the general public and invaluable in raising awareness of their impact on native wildlife. Historically, zoos in the region held them such as Auckland Zoo, but I’m talking close to a century ago. The closest we’ve had in recent decades is the Fox on Stilts (Maned wolf).

.

Foxes are kept most people do not have the room, you need special licensing to keep them as they are a kill on sight feral type deal. If you want to keep them they have to be fully contained in an essentially a giant aviary type cage. Most people dont have that room. But i have met a few people over the years who have kept the odd fox. Usually finding an abandoned kit and raising it.