Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2024

[Zoofan15]

Rhino Groupings

An update from socials that the following rhinos are on exhibit in Wild Africa:

1.0 Ibutho (16/08/1999) Cyrano x Utani
0.1 Uhura (26/05/1996) Hatari x Shova
0.1 Carrie (04/12/2018) DJ x Inyeti

What’s interesting about this grouping is that it appears to be for social purposes only. Uhura hasn’t produced a calf in 12 years and would no longer be a viable breeder; while Carrie has just turned five years of age and would be pre-reproductive (cows typically give birth for the first time at 7-8 years).

This makes sense as Ibutho descends from the globally well represented San Diego line and Monarto have traditionally favoured the use of the imported bulls over him.

The remaining rhinos are as follows:

1.0 Umfana (00/00/1994) Wild x Wild
0.1 Umqali (00/00/1994) Wild x Wild
0.1 Savannah (12/04/2011) Kruger x Caballe

Umqali has produced seven calves, but has only one surviving offspring in the region (Kei), who has yet to breed; while Umfana’s has only one surviving offspring, a seventh month old male (Jabulani) at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Considering this pair are wild born, they’re almost as valuable as the upcoming imports from South Africa and it’s easy to see why breeding from them would be a priority. Umqali last bred in 2020, so should stand an excellent chance of conceiving.

Savannah is less valuable genetically due to the success of her father (and paternal half siblings); but is the only one of her wild born mother’s surviving offspring in a breeding situation.

 

[Tiger91]

With wild Africa having such large exhibits. I wonder if they are large enough to have multiple males and females mixed in, creating a more natural living arrangement. That would also be more beneficial for display purposes as more rhino would make it easier to see on tours.

 

[Zoofan15]

With wild Africa having such large exhibits. I wonder if they are large enough to have multiple males and females mixed in, creating a more natural living arrangement. That would also be more beneficial for display purposes as more rhino would make it easier to see on tours.

Male Southern white rhinoceros occupy a territory of approximately one square mile, so it’s possible they might trial this. I feel like it’s more likely to take the form of a breeding bull siring bull calves that are allowed to remain in their natal herd until conflicts arise; with the possibility that due to the size of the exhibit, the conflicts either won’t eventuate or will be delayed significantly compared to what you’d see in a city zoo. It was very clear at Hamilton Zoo that Kruger (and even the cows) wanted Samburu gone once he reached four years of age, but this was in a comparatively small paddock.

While I don’t believe they had multiple bulls on exhibit, San Diego Safari Park held a large number of integrated cows in the 70’s and 80’s, with most of them producing large numbers of calves - the size of the herd (or at least the size of the exhibit) seemingly negating the effects of estrus suppression.

 

[Tiger91]

While I don’t believe they had multiple bulls on exhibit, San Diego Safari Park held a large number of integrated cows in the 70’s and 80’s, with most of them producing large numbers of calves - the size of the herd (or at least the size of the exhibit) seemingly negating the effects of estrus suppression.

This was something I was curious about as well, good to see it can actually be achieved. As the larger paddocks would also allow the females to live in a more naturally arranged set up instead of the way we currently do in most zoos. It would be great to see the juveniles seperate and become satellite juveniles around unrelated females like they do in the wild. Which would also help to control estrus suppression.

 

[Zoofan15]

This was something I was curious about as well, good to see it can actually be achieved. As the larger paddocks would also allow the females to live in a more naturally arranged set up instead of the way we currently do in most zoos. It would be great to see the juveniles seperate and become satellite juveniles around unrelated females like they do in the wild. Which would also help to control estrus suppression.

Having the larger space would also assist the introduction of cows back into the herd once they’ve given birth to calves. This typically takes a couple of months and in once case took over a year to accomplish at one of the city zoos.

Daughters being suppressed by their mothers is apparently the main phenomenon of estrus suppression, with the current recommendation to transfer daughters out. This too may change, with bulls regularly rotated through the herds instead (as they’ll otherwise be covering a larger number of cows). You want to avoid a handful of bulls e coming overrepresented.

 

[Tiger91]

Having the larger space would also assist the introduction of cows back into the herd once they’ve given birth to calves. This typically takes a couple of months and in once case took over a year to accomplish at one of the city zoos.

Daughters being suppressed by their mothers is apparently the main phenomenon of estrus suppression, with the current recommendation to transfer daughters out. This too may change, with bulls regularly rotated through the herds instead (as they’ll otherwise be covering a larger number of cows). You want to avoid a handful of bulls e coming overrepresented.

Rotating bulls through would be easy with current and intended facilities if a large number of cows are able to be kept in wild Africa.
With the new imports and increased facility space, Monarto are set to be able to have a fair amount of breeding take place. With good genetic management, current over represented lines will be able to be of use again where they would currently be limited.

 

[Zoofan15]

African lion cubs named:

Monarto’s lion cubs have been named as follows:

1.0 Bahati (meaning lucky in Swahili)
0.1 Mshindi (meaning champion in Swahili)
0.1 Lela (meaning dark beauty in Swahili)
0.1 Kadija (meaning respected and trustworthy in Swahili)

Predictably, the general public voted for Bahati as the name for the male cub - joining a legion of other Bahati’s in the region (including the male lion cub born two months later at Dubbo ).

 

[Tiger91]

Bahati really needs to be retired from the naming pool. It isn't hard to google names from there respective languages they want to name from.

 

[boof]

African lion cubs named:

Monarto’s lion cubs have been named as follows:

1.0 Bahati (meaning lucky in Swahili)
0.1 Mshindi (meaning champion in Swahili)
0.1 Lela (meaning dark beauty in Swahili)
0.1 Kadija (meaning respected and trustworthy in Swahili)

Predictably, the general public voted for Bahati as the name for the male cub - joining a legion of other Bahati’s in the region (including the male lion cub born two months later at Dubbo ).

That's enough zoos. Time to retire the African names for African animals. So boring. Name him Lucky or Champ.

 

[Zoofan15]

Elephant Complex Design

A schematic of Monarto’s elephant complex is now on their website:



The work now begins on designed a world-class habitat for the three Asian Elephants.

Peter Clark, the Director of Monarto Safari Park, is teaming up with Auckland Zoo’s Elephant team leader Andrew Coers and Perth Zoo’s Manager of Zoology John Lemon to design the 14 hectare habitat.

Andrew and John’s wealth of experience with Asian Elephants will help us create the ideal habitat to support the elephants’ socialisation!

—————————————

There was previously some discussion on the intended uses for this area; but the labelling of this schematic “Elephant Habitat” implies Area 1 through to Area 5 have been allocated to the elephant complex; with the rhinoceros habit clearly marked. The addition of mixed species exhibits with Indian antelope etc. has previously been discussed on here; which remains a strong possibility, even with the introduction of multiple incoming cows requiring the use of at least three paddocks.

I will discuss this (and an additional elephant website update) further in the elephant population thread:

Australasian Asian Elephant Population 2024

 

[Osedax]

Elephant Complex Design

A schematic of Monarto’s elephant complex is now on their website:

View attachment 680084

The work now begins on designed a world-class habitat for the three Asian Elephants.

Peter Clark, the Director of Monarto Safari Park, is teaming up with Auckland Zoo’s Elephant team leader Andrew Coers and Perth Zoo’s Manager of Zoology John Lemon to design the 14 hectare habitat.

Andrew and John’s wealth of experience with Asian Elephants will help us create the ideal habitat to support the elephants’ socialisation!

—————————————

There was previously some discussion on the intended uses for this area; but the labelling of this schematic “Elephant Habitat” implies Area 1 through to Area 5 have been allocated to the elephant complex; with the rhinoceros habit clearly marked. The addition of mixed species exhibits with Indian antelope etc. has previously been discussed on here; which remains a strong possibility, even with the introduction of multiple incoming cows requiring the use of at least three paddocks.

I will discuss this (and an additional elephant website update) further in the elephant population thread:

Australasian Asian Elephant Population 2024

Glad they're keeping the black rhino exhibits!

 

[Tiger91]

Monarto are really setting the bar for open range zoos of late. This looks like a fantastic set up and with the talk of mixing blackbuck into the complex it will hopefully make for a great exhibit.

If they do manage to achieve a breeding herd and increase herd size. The black rhino paddocks are always there for expansion.

 

[Zoofan15]

Monarto are really setting the bar for open range zoos of late. This looks like a fantastic set up and with the talk of mixing blackbuck into the complex it will hopefully make for a great exhibit.

If they do manage to achieve a breeding herd and increase herd size. The black rhino paddocks are always there for expansion.

My hope is the retention of the black rhinoceros paddocks will be to accomodate the arrival of cows long term (even if it’s another decade or two away). Regionally, imports are needed unless we want to continue inbreeding the stock we have at Dubbo, which isn’t ideal.

Unless Monarto can acquire two reproductively viable cows, expansion of the herd could be slow. Pak Boon alone could potentially produce three calves over the next decade, which would hopefully include at least one or two females. This would promote succession within the herd (with Burma and Permai ageing); with a bull calf/calves able to be accommodated on site.

 

[StoppableSan]

Elephant Complex Design

A schematic of Monarto’s elephant complex is now on their website:

View attachment 680084

The work now begins on designed a world-class habitat for the three Asian Elephants.

Peter Clark, the Director of Monarto Safari Park, is teaming up with Auckland Zoo’s Elephant team leader Andrew Coers and Perth Zoo’s Manager of Zoology John Lemon to design the 14 hectare habitat.

Andrew and John’s wealth of experience with Asian Elephants will help us create the ideal habitat to support the elephants’ socialisation!

—————————————

There was previously some discussion on the intended uses for this area; but the labelling of this schematic “Elephant Habitat” implies Area 1 through to Area 5 have been allocated to the elephant complex; with the rhinoceros habit clearly marked. The addition of mixed species exhibits with Indian antelope etc. has previously been discussed on here; which remains a strong possibility, even with the introduction of multiple incoming cows requiring the use of at least three paddocks.

I will discuss this (and an additional elephant website update) further in the elephant population thread:

Australasian Asian Elephant Population 2024

I'm curious how the elephants will be able to shift into Area 2 - would it be overpasses or underpasses? The viewing area/bus stop seems like a place to put an underpass...

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm curious how the elephants will be able to shift into Area 2 - would it be overpasses or underpasses? The viewing area/bus stop seems like a place to put an underpass...

My assumption is something like the elephant crossing they have at Melbourne Zoo:



It’d be an exciting experience for visitors to see them passing over what’s usually the visitor path and is simple and cost effective; though your idea of an underpass is even more exciting.

 

[Tiger91]

My hope is the retention of the black rhinoceros paddocks will be to accomodate the arrival of cows long term (even if it’s another decade or two away). Regionally, imports are needed unless we want to continue inbreeding the stock we have at Dubbo, which isn’t ideal.

Unless Monarto can acquire two reproductively viable cows, expansion of the herd could be slow. Pak Boon alone could potentially produce three calves over the next decade, which would hopefully include at least one or two females. This would promote succession within the herd (with Burma and Permai ageing); with a bull calf/calves able to be accommodated on site.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Monaro import black rhino cows in the future. I don't foresee western plains releasing any of there females. Or if western plains imports more bulls I could see Monaro being sent extra bulls.
Im surprised they haven't been a candidate for the new wild Africa precinct. While they are more aggressive then the whites. Large enclosures have allowed mixing at other zoos. And these paddocks would have ample space for them to be mixed in with the antelope.

ETA unless that's a future plan for them.

 

[Zoofan15]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Monaro import black rhino cows in the future. I don't foresee western plains releasing any of there females. Or if western plains imports more bulls I could see Monaro being sent extra bulls.
Im surprised they haven't been a candidate for the new wild Africa precinct. While they are more aggressive then the whites. Large enclosures have allowed mixing at other zoos. And these paddocks would have ample space for them to be mixed in with the antelope.

ETA unless that's a future plan for them.

It makes more sense to house white rhinoceros in the Wild Africa precinct as even if black rhinoceros can be housed with antelopes in large spaces, they can’t cohabit with other rhinos.

White rhinoceros are semi-social and can be kept in herds, therefore allowing a larger number to be held in the precinct (maximising chances the visitor will see something, rather than searching high and low for a solitary black rhinoceros).

They’ll initially be three white rhinoceros housed in Wild Africa; but following the import under the Australian Rhino Project, I’d anticipate multiple cows will be joining the main herd (with the most genetically valuable bulls rotating access to them).

 

[Zoofan15]

Spotted hyena update:

Hyena Cub in Howling Good Health - Monarto Safari Park

The cub born in November had passed its first health check. DNA samples have been sent to Berlin to confirm its sex.

Male hyena, Gamba (and sire of the latest cub), passed away in December.

The article notes 15 successful hyena have been successfully bred at Monarto, nine of which were raised by Gamba and Forest.

 

[Zoofan15]

Asian Elephant Update

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/subs...k=bfb54ef4af46695650b65c1a62ad2455-1705800987

According to this source (unfortunately behind a paywall), the plan is for Burma to be imported later this year; with Putra Mas and Permai to arrive in 2025.

The difference in arrival dates between the cows is presumably to allow Burma to establish herself as the matriarch of the pair. Burma was the matriarch when living with Anjalee for seven years; whereas Permai was subordinate to her companion, Tricia.

I will discuss this further in the elephant population thread:

Australasian Asian Elephant Population 2024

 

[WhistlingKite24]

A first-time captive breeding. Mallee Emu-Wrens have successfully bred at Monarto with three chicks. Fantastic news for such a threatened and cryptic species: World First Milestone Sees Conservation Project Take Flight - Monarto Safari Park