Very sad news indeed. Hopefully MZ can source a new group of mandrills from overseas somewhere. It's hard to imagine MZ without them as they are such an iconic MZ species.
Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo News 2017
- Thread starter zooboy28
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Sad to hear Louise (born 1986) and Timbiri (born 1994) have both passed away. Louise especially had a long life, given their life expectancy is a maximum of 25-30 years. While I don't doubt it was necessary to euthanize Timbiri for health reasons, it was probably a greater mercy than subjecting her to a future without her mother and lifelong companion, Louise.
Tabah, the breeding male at Adelaide Zoo was born at Melbourne Zoo in 2005. I'm guessing he's Timbiri's son? I thought it would be nice if Tabah's adolescent son (born at Adelaide in 2011) moved to Melbourne to found a new breeding group with imported females, though I've heard he may have already been exported to Tasmania Zoo as a companion for their older female.
Either way, I really hope Melbourne continue with this species.
Tabah, the breeding male at Adelaide Zoo was born at Melbourne Zoo in 2005. I'm guessing he's Timbiri's son? I thought it would be nice if Tabah's adolescent son (born at Adelaide in 2011) moved to Melbourne to found a new breeding group with imported females, though I've heard he may have already been exported to Tasmania Zoo as a companion for their older female.
Either way, I really hope Melbourne continue with this species.
Hamadryas Baboon Birth
Baboon baby playmates | Zoos Victoria
This summer visitors to Melbourne Zoo’s Baboon Lookout will have the opportunity of watching three active and agile youngsters at play. Five-week-old Hamadryas Baboon Quasi will be a perfect playmate for four-month-old male Melako and their older sister Juju, born in May 2015.
Qetesh gave birth to Quasi on August 13, but because this has been such a cold winter mother and baby have been spending a lot of time indoors in the heated night dens. Now that Quasi is becoming more active and able to venture short distances from Qutesh, she and her mother will be spending their days outdoors with the rest of the troop.
Young male Melako is showing a lot of interest in the baby, already initiating play with her. He was born to mother Macey on May 20 and named after the Melako Conservancy in northern Kenya, partners in the Zoos Victoria Beads for Wildlife conservation campaign. It’s possible that either of the half-brothers Jabari or Azizi has fathered Quasi and/or Melako. The two seven-year-olds came from the Prospect Park Zoo in New York in 2012 to introduce new genes into the regional breeding program for their threatened species.
Hamadryas Baboons display a complex and active social life, with a status hierarchy and virtually constant interaction among group members.
The opening of their exhibit Baboon Lookout in 2011 was a major milestone for Melbourne Zoo, as it enabled the removal of an old and outdated exhibit and provided great opportunities for the group to display their natural behaviours.
Photo credit: Melbourne Zoo Website (Jay Town, Herald Sun)
Baboon baby playmates | Zoos Victoria
This summer visitors to Melbourne Zoo’s Baboon Lookout will have the opportunity of watching three active and agile youngsters at play. Five-week-old Hamadryas Baboon Quasi will be a perfect playmate for four-month-old male Melako and their older sister Juju, born in May 2015.
Qetesh gave birth to Quasi on August 13, but because this has been such a cold winter mother and baby have been spending a lot of time indoors in the heated night dens. Now that Quasi is becoming more active and able to venture short distances from Qutesh, she and her mother will be spending their days outdoors with the rest of the troop.
Young male Melako is showing a lot of interest in the baby, already initiating play with her. He was born to mother Macey on May 20 and named after the Melako Conservancy in northern Kenya, partners in the Zoos Victoria Beads for Wildlife conservation campaign. It’s possible that either of the half-brothers Jabari or Azizi has fathered Quasi and/or Melako. The two seven-year-olds came from the Prospect Park Zoo in New York in 2012 to introduce new genes into the regional breeding program for their threatened species.
Hamadryas Baboons display a complex and active social life, with a status hierarchy and virtually constant interaction among group members.
The opening of their exhibit Baboon Lookout in 2011 was a major milestone for Melbourne Zoo, as it enabled the removal of an old and outdated exhibit and provided great opportunities for the group to display their natural behaviours.
Photo credit: Melbourne Zoo Website (Jay Town, Herald Sun)
Melbourne Zoo just shared on its social media that male Asian elephant Bong Su has been euthanised at the age of 43.
Zoos Victoria
Zoos Victoria
I think three. A male and female calf in Melbourne and a male calf at Taronga.
Perhaps Melborne's best-known individual animal? I saw him three times over the years, I remember those distinctive tusks, one curved, one straight....
Bong Su fathered four calves at Melbourne, and one at Taronga (via AI).
At Melbourne:
Mali (F) 16 Jan 2010 (mother Dokkoon)
Ongard (M) 10 Sept 2010 (mother Kulab)
Man Jai (M) 8 Dec 2013 (mother Dokkoon)
Sanook (M) 17 Jan 2013 (mother Num-Oi) - died 3 Dec 2013 in an accident (Zoo Mourns Loss | Zoos Victoria)
At Taronga:
Pathi Harn (M) 10 March 2010 (mother Porntip)
Melbourne has had another calf also, the female Willow born to Num-Oi on 15 June 2016 - euthanised 1 August 2016 (Vale Willow | Zoos Victoria). She was fathered (via AI) by Perth Zoo's Putra Mas.
Technically the young bulls, Luk Chai (8 years), Pathi Harn (7 years) and Ongard (7 years), could be used for breeding. Luk Chai's father, Gung, had impregnated two cows by the time he was 8 years old.
Unless you're referring to Bong Su's status as a founder bull? Which yes, made him valuable. I understand he was regarded as a very fertile bull so I too would be interested to know if Melbourne stored any gametes of his, prior to his death for AI in the future @Kifaru Bwana.
I believe while African bull sperm has been frozen and used with success I don't believe that has been the case with the Asian species there "has" been problems with the freezing unless they have over come that now!
Possible he was!. I would hope perhaps Melbourne would plan to import a new young bull of a different bloodline to what we have in the region, Their would be enough young bulls in Europe to to spare!
It would be a goos idea to bring in a new breeding male. With four living sons bong sus male line would seem assurred
I believe the breeding programme for the Asian elephant works to the theory of prioritising the breeding of founders over first generation bulls, or even not breeding first generation bulls, while there are still viable founder options. The same philosophy is not applied to cows as it is necessary to breed them before the age of 24 for biological reasons, so this overides the founder philosophy.
With this in mind, I believe the best way to go is to import Gung (2000) from Taronga Zoo to breed naturally with Dokoon (1993), Kulab (2000), Num Oi (2001) and Mali (2010). Gung will not be needed for breeding at Taronga Zoo for the next couple of years at least and as a proven breeder, could naturally mate with the four cows at Melbourne, thus eliminating the need for AI (increased chance of male calves).
With this in mind, I believe the best way to go is to import Gung (2000) from Taronga Zoo to breed naturally with Dokoon (1993), Kulab (2000), Num Oi (2001) and Mali (2010). Gung will not be needed for breeding at Taronga Zoo for the next couple of years at least and as a proven breeder, could naturally mate with the four cows at Melbourne, thus eliminating the need for AI (increased chance of male calves).
I just wonder if moving the Perth bull to melbourne would be an option since they appear to have no breeding females at Perth zoo it could be logical to move him to a breeding group or maybe even to TWPZ since they have much more space and bull enclosures I believe leaving one of only two mature bulls in the country at Perth counter productive?
I agree Putra Mas (1989) at Perth Zoo should be relocated to a breeding situation since there are no females at Perth Zoo that he can breed with. Their enclosure is quite small so importing another female (and then breeding on top of that) would lead to things being quite cramped.
Personally, I still think Gung (2000) should move to Melbourne Zoo as he can't breed with his daughter at Taronga, Tukta (2010), and he's already bred twice with Pak Boon (1992). If Gung can move to Melbourne, then Putra Mas could then replace him at Taronga Zoo and breed with Pak Boon and Tukta.
Opinion piece by Peter Stroud on Bong Su's death:
Bong Su is dead, broken by cramped and impoverished zoo conditions
Peter Stroud was formerly a senior curator of Melbourne Zoo and a director of the Werribee Zoo. He is a member of the IUCN Asian Elephant Specialist Group and is an independent zoological consultant:
Bong Su, Melbourne Zoo's beloved bull elephant, is dead. His death is a tragedy: zoo veterinarians euthanised him after an assessment that the pain he felt from "arthritis" could not be relieved. While this may be the case, Bong Su's pain was not natural. It was due to the conditions in which he was kept for many years at Melbourne Zoo. In reality, Bong Su should have been in his prime.
Captured from the wild in Malaysia, Bong Su and a female elephant, Mek Kapah, were shipped to Melbourne in 1977-78. They were young calves, no more than five years old.
For many years, Bong Su and Mek Kapah lived alone in what the zoo now calls its "heritage elephant exhibit", an old-fashioned, moated enclosure. During their time in the exhibit, both elephants developed severe behavioural problems involving repetitive "stereotypic" actions that are now understood to help relieve chronic stress. Mek Kapah swayed in one spot for years, actually wearing away the concrete under her front feet. Bong Su walked in small circles for hours at a time, putting particular strain on his front feet; video evidence showed Bong Su walked up to 15 kilometres a night in a tight circle, in his own waste, inside his barn. The constant torsion on his front feet resulted in chronic infections.
Confined in separate small barn-stalls for 16 hours out of 24 for many years, both elephants led impoverished lives. In the late 1990s, new expertise was brought in and a radical new approach was taken to relieve the stereotypic behaviour. The elephants were no longer confined on concrete floors at night. A weight-loss program was introduced for Mek Kapah. Exercise and training regimes were implemented for both elephants with the aim of stimulating and engaging them and building their confidence. In 2003 the elephants were moved to more spacious facilities. They evidently were invigorated by their new surroundings. Still, the situation was far from ideal.
In the wild elephants move across large areas and lead complex social lives. They acquire deep knowledge of the landscapes in which they live, from direct experience and by learning from older and wiser relatives. This life experience was denied to Bong Su and Mek Kapah and is denied to all zoo elephants. There is scientific evidence that the result is life-long serious mental and physical health issues.
After 25 years in a too-small enclosure, Bong Su's life expectancy was severely compromised. Foot and joint problems are regarded as the most important health issue for captive elephants, and probably the leading reason for euthanasia.
As a senior curator at Melbourne Zoo, I knew Bong Su for five years from 1998 to 2003. I regarded him as very calm and co-operative for a bull elephant. He responded to his frequent medical treatment with stoicism even when he was in pain. His keepers and veterinarians were devoted but there were always limits to what could be done for him within the confines of a small enclosure. No one person had the power to make the major changes that might have helped Bong Su.
The zoo treated the symptoms of Bong Su's problems, but not the causes.
I last saw Bong Su at the zoo on the Saturday before he died. He looked composed and in otherwise good body condition, but was holding up one foot and placing the tip of his trunk in his mouth, suggesting discomfort. While walking around my former workplace, it was obvious to me that Melbourne Zoo's elephants continue to live in an environment that is cramped, sterile and inadequate compared to any conditions the animals might have enjoyed in the wild. Mek Kapah still sways from side to side.
I have come to the realisation that zoos are no place for elephants. It is long overdue for Australian zoos to courageously confront the substandard conditions their elephants endure and look for better ways to provide for them.
Bong Su is dead. Not because he reached old age, but because he was broken by cramped and impoverished zoo conditions and a terrible inability, through much of his life, to meet his true needs.
Bong Su is dead, broken by cramped and impoverished zoo conditions
Peter Stroud was formerly a senior curator of Melbourne Zoo and a director of the Werribee Zoo. He is a member of the IUCN Asian Elephant Specialist Group and is an independent zoological consultant:
Bong Su, Melbourne Zoo's beloved bull elephant, is dead. His death is a tragedy: zoo veterinarians euthanised him after an assessment that the pain he felt from "arthritis" could not be relieved. While this may be the case, Bong Su's pain was not natural. It was due to the conditions in which he was kept for many years at Melbourne Zoo. In reality, Bong Su should have been in his prime.
Captured from the wild in Malaysia, Bong Su and a female elephant, Mek Kapah, were shipped to Melbourne in 1977-78. They were young calves, no more than five years old.
For many years, Bong Su and Mek Kapah lived alone in what the zoo now calls its "heritage elephant exhibit", an old-fashioned, moated enclosure. During their time in the exhibit, both elephants developed severe behavioural problems involving repetitive "stereotypic" actions that are now understood to help relieve chronic stress. Mek Kapah swayed in one spot for years, actually wearing away the concrete under her front feet. Bong Su walked in small circles for hours at a time, putting particular strain on his front feet; video evidence showed Bong Su walked up to 15 kilometres a night in a tight circle, in his own waste, inside his barn. The constant torsion on his front feet resulted in chronic infections.
Confined in separate small barn-stalls for 16 hours out of 24 for many years, both elephants led impoverished lives. In the late 1990s, new expertise was brought in and a radical new approach was taken to relieve the stereotypic behaviour. The elephants were no longer confined on concrete floors at night. A weight-loss program was introduced for Mek Kapah. Exercise and training regimes were implemented for both elephants with the aim of stimulating and engaging them and building their confidence. In 2003 the elephants were moved to more spacious facilities. They evidently were invigorated by their new surroundings. Still, the situation was far from ideal.
In the wild elephants move across large areas and lead complex social lives. They acquire deep knowledge of the landscapes in which they live, from direct experience and by learning from older and wiser relatives. This life experience was denied to Bong Su and Mek Kapah and is denied to all zoo elephants. There is scientific evidence that the result is life-long serious mental and physical health issues.
After 25 years in a too-small enclosure, Bong Su's life expectancy was severely compromised. Foot and joint problems are regarded as the most important health issue for captive elephants, and probably the leading reason for euthanasia.
As a senior curator at Melbourne Zoo, I knew Bong Su for five years from 1998 to 2003. I regarded him as very calm and co-operative for a bull elephant. He responded to his frequent medical treatment with stoicism even when he was in pain. His keepers and veterinarians were devoted but there were always limits to what could be done for him within the confines of a small enclosure. No one person had the power to make the major changes that might have helped Bong Su.
The zoo treated the symptoms of Bong Su's problems, but not the causes.
I last saw Bong Su at the zoo on the Saturday before he died. He looked composed and in otherwise good body condition, but was holding up one foot and placing the tip of his trunk in his mouth, suggesting discomfort. While walking around my former workplace, it was obvious to me that Melbourne Zoo's elephants continue to live in an environment that is cramped, sterile and inadequate compared to any conditions the animals might have enjoyed in the wild. Mek Kapah still sways from side to side.
I have come to the realisation that zoos are no place for elephants. It is long overdue for Australian zoos to courageously confront the substandard conditions their elephants endure and look for better ways to provide for them.
Bong Su is dead. Not because he reached old age, but because he was broken by cramped and impoverished zoo conditions and a terrible inability, through much of his life, to meet his true needs.
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