Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2024

[Jambo]

I believe they are listed on some zoos collection plans but as to when is another question.

They really are a beautiful species - shame we can't see any here in SA

Bongo aren't really suitable for majority of Monarto's experience (being bus tours) being a notoriously shy species, so it's not surprising.

Monarto previously mentioned interest in importing females down line for Isaac, but whether this will actually occur remains to be seen. The region is in dire need of new individuals to further sustain the regional population with only one unproven female left at Dubbo.

 

[Luke899]

I was then told that "we" had 12 rhinos in South Africa ready to be imported, but restrictions and such were prolonging the process

Knowing whether these 35 rhinos will be the first or only import Australia will receive will be interesting.

Also great to know that its still going ahead despite Orana facing financial difficulties. It'll be magical to see these animals running around Australia's open-range zoos and providing the world with a stable insurance population. However, South Africa are doing better in protecting rhinos now, with Kruger National Park poaching declining by 50% this year alone with a tough crackdown.

The Australian Rhino Project should have gotten in on the notorious Rhino farm sale which was looking for a buyer last year. Over 2000 rhinos looking for an owner. Could have added to the 35 we're importing.

 

[Zoofan15]

Knowing whether these 35 rhinos will be the first or only import Australia will receive will be interesting.

Also great to know that its still going ahead despite Orana facing financial difficulties. It'll be magical to see these animals running around Australia's open-range zoos and providing the world with a stable insurance population. However, South Africa are doing better in protecting rhinos now, with Kruger National Park poaching declining by 50% this year alone with a tough crackdown.

The Australian Rhino Project should have gotten in on the notorious Rhino farm sale which was looking for a buyer last year. Over 2000 rhinos looking for an owner. Could have added to the 35 we're importing.

To be honest, 35 additional rhinoceros is more than enough for a region the size of Australasia. Captive cows have the potential to produce 15 calves in their lifetime, but assuming most of these rhinos are female, we’d struggle to accomodate the offspring of each cow (theoretically) breeding twice.

I say theoretically because not all the rhinoceros will breed. For every cow we’ve imported into the region, there’s been one that hasn’t bred and so some cows will soon become better represented than others (perhaps allowed to produce 3-4 calves). Long periods of non-breeding can cause sterility, so that issue will have to be managed - prompt breeding of first generation females for example; and maintaining the reproductive condition of founders via semi-regular breeding.

The ideal would be if zoos outside the region developed an interest in importing the first generation offspring from these founders; but for those who can also import from Sourh Africa, there’s no guarantee this will be a viable long term solution. We may well have to accomodate what we breed.

 

[Luke899]

To be honest, 35 additional rhinoceros is more than enough for a region the size of Australasia. Captive cows have the potential to produce 15 calves in their lifetime, but assuming most of these rhinos are female, we’d struggle to accomodate the offspring of each cow (theoretically) breeding twice.

I say theoretically because not all the rhinoceros will breed. For every cow we’ve imported into the region, there’s been one that hasn’t bred and so some cows will soon become better represented than others (perhaps allowed to produce 3-4 calves). Long periods of non-breeding can cause sterility, so that issue will have to be managed - prompt breeding of first generation females for example; and maintaining the reproductive condition of founders via semi-regular breeding.

The ideal would be if zoos outside the region developed an interest in importing the first generation offspring from these founders; but for those who can also import from Sourh Africa, there’s no guarantee this will be a viable long term solution. We may well have to accomodate what we breed.

The more rhinos the merrier!

However Monarto have plans to eventually receive African elephants in the Wild Africa precinct so maybe limiting their numbers to allow space is a good thing.

 

[Zoofan15]

The more rhinos the merrier!

However Monarto have plans to eventually receive African elephants in the Wild Africa precinct so maybe limiting their numbers to allow space is a good thing.

What I mean is that we as a region will not only have to accomodate these 35 rhinoceros, but the majority of their offspring. If females are not bred at least semi-regularly, they will become sterile; and similarly nulliparous cows are recommended to be bred for the first time at least by young adulthood.

I wasn’t aware Monarto are planning to import African elephant and would be very surprised if they did. Regional support would be required and the region is firmly committed to Asian elephant. It appears the Asian elephants will function as African ambassadors at Monarto as evidenced by their link to the black rhinoceros.

 

[Luke899]

What I mean is that we as a region will not only have to accomodate these 35 rhinoceros, but the majority of their offspring. If females are not bred at least semi-regularly, they will become sterile; and similarly nulliparous cows are recommended to be bred for the first time at least by young adulthood.

I wasn’t aware Monarto are planning to import African elephant and would be very surprised if they did. Regional support would be required and the region is firmly committed to Asian elephant. It appears the Asian elephants will function as African ambassadors at Monarto as evidenced by their link to the black rhinoceros.

Not happening in the short term, but a long-term goal of the master plan speaks about the acquisition of a small herd of African elephants to add the African theme aesthetic of Wild Africa. Would be lovely to see. Admittedly it would also help these new wild rhino import feel more at home.

Not sure if the African elephants would need a barn built or whether they'd just wander around at night.

 

[Zorro]

Not happening in the short term, but a long-term goal of the master plan speaks about the acquisition of a small herd of African elephants to add the African theme aesthetic of Wild Africa. Would be lovely to see. Admittedly it would also help these new wild rhino import feel more at home.

Not sure if the African elephants would need a barn built or whether they'd just wander around at night.

That idea has been around for years now and unlikely to happen now they are getting Asian elephants.

 

[Luke899]

That idea has been around for years now and unlikely to happen now they are getting Asian elephants.

Hasn't been ruled out though Definitely have the space.

I think preferably if we had the choice we would have taken African, but asian is just as good

Asian elephants need more conservation care then their african cousins so makes more sense

 

[Zoofan15]

Not happening in the short term, but a long-term goal of the master plan speaks about the acquisition of a small herd of African elephants to add the African theme aesthetic of Wild Africa. Would be lovely to see. Admittedly it would also help these new wild rhino import feel more at home.

Not sure if the African elephants would need a barn built or whether they'd just wander around at night.

Theoretically speaking, the African elephants would require a barn; but I agree with @Zorro that it’s highly unlikely to happen now they’re committing to Asian elephants.

African elephants would arguably do little to enhance Monarto’s collection and the costs/logistics would make it prohibitive. They would also be of no benefit to assisting the rhinos in settling in.

Hasn't been ruled out though .

I think preferably if we had the choice we would have taken African, but asian is just as good

Asian elephants are better as it provides valuable support to an existing breeding programme. It increases the regional holding capacity and allows for the creation of a new multigenerational herd (built around a currently unrepresented founder cow).

It also ensures the retention of Putra Mas, who is one of the most genetically valuable captive bulls in the world.

 

[Zorro]

Knowing whether these 35 rhinos will be the first or only import Australia will receive will be interesting.

Also great to know that its still going ahead despite Orana facing financial difficulties. It'll be magical to see these animals running around Australia's open-range zoos and providing the world with a stable insurance population. However, South Africa are doing better in protecting rhinos now, with Kruger National Park poaching declining by 50% this year alone with a tough crackdown.

The Australian Rhino Project should have gotten in on the notorious Rhino farm sale which was looking for a buyer last year. Over 2000 rhinos looking for an owner. Could have added to the 35 we're importing.

This whole idea has been in the pipeline for more than a decade and yet we still have not seen one rhino appear out of it as yet. As some would know it was an idea of one private individual man until it was put into the hands of a group of zoos. The original idea was to import 80+ rhinos in 3 groups but since it's been in zoo hands that number has kept getting smaller to a point now of 30+ I believe.
I hope it really does happen as it would be a nice back up plan having a reserve group away from the poaching in Africa which is still on-going and a nice add of new genes for the numbers already held within our region. I believe Monarto will become the main focal point from this species here in the region partly due to the massive amount of space available to them and the huge off exhibit facilities. From a personal view I would hope Monarto could be allowed to import 2 or 3 female Black rhino from South Africa (if possible) to set up a second breeding group so as to work in conjunction with the group held at the Western plains zoo in Dubbo, Two groups with different bloodlines (as much as possible) is going to be a better option than just one captive breeding group at one zoo only within our region.

I would not be surprised if Monarto zoo also became the breeding centre within our region of River Hippos again for the same reason as with the White rhinos, the massive scale of available space and off exhibit facilities.
I believe Monarto's now involment with the Asian elephant program is certainly a big bonus overall for the program within this country, Having 3 open range zoos with good sized herds has to be the very best option we have ever had to date. If they can start a breeding program so there are 3 herds breeding is even better, perhaps "if possible" obtain a couple of unrelated cows from overseas would be a major boost to the region into the future.

 

[Zoofan15]

I would not be surprised if Monarto zoo also became the breeding centre within our region of River Hippos again for the same reason as with the White rhinos, the massive scale of available space and off exhibit facilities.
I believe Monarto's now involment with the Asian elephant program is certainly a big bonus overall for the program within this country, Having 3 open range zoos with good sized herds has to be the very best option we have ever had to date. If they can start a breeding program so there are 3 herds breeding is even better, perhaps "if possible" obtain a couple of unrelated cows from overseas would be a major boost to the region into the future.

Monarto are aiming to hold around 5-6 Common hippopotami as a starting point and I imagine once they’re able to import a bull, this will be done via building up the pod from breeding from Brindabella and Pansy. Being a mother and daughter, this stands them in the best stead for expanding the pod, with it ideally remaining cohesive. Of course there’s no guarantees, but conflicts are more likely amongst unrelated cows.

Although unrelated Asian elephant cows would be genetically valuable additions to the breeding programme, Monarto are already integrating four elephants from three herds. It makes more sense to attempt to establish a multigenerational herd around Pak Boon and her daughters as a starting point, resorting to imports only if they fail to succeed in doing so (Pak Boon has only sons for example).

 

[Luke899]

Wish we were a little more moist out here ngl. Part of the reason why we should have held off for African elephants instead of asian, but I'm still grateful.

Its prefect of rhinos, giraffe, hippos and lion breeding, yes. Giraffes especially breed well out here

 

[Zoofan15]

Wish we were a little more moist out here ngl. Part of the reason why we should have held off for African elephants instead of asian, but I'm still grateful.

Its prefect of rhinos, giraffe, zebra, hippos and lions tho. Giraffes especially breed well out here

I agree Monarto’s site is naturally very dry, but the water supply system they have in place is fantastic:

10 million litres of water flow into Monarto Safari Park's waterholes to enhance animal habitat

Monarto Safari Park’s largest waterhole stores up to 15 million litres of water and has been purpose-built for the hippos, with a maximum depth of three metres, enabling them to swim.

 

[Luke899]

The original idea was to import 80+ rhinos in 3 groups but since it's been in zoo hands that number has kept getting smaller to a point now of 30+ I believe.
I hope it really does happen as it would be a nice back up plan having a reserve group away from the poaching in Africa which is still on-going and a nice add of new genes for the numbers already held within our region.

80 sounded a bit ambitious from the start, our region would really struggle to handle them and their offspring. Best to go down to 35. With breeding, we'll rocket past 80 rhinos nationally within the first decade of their import regardless, unless we can ship off a few. Can add additional cows or bachelors later.

I believe Monarto will become the main focal point from this species here in the region partly due to the massive amount of space available to them and the huge off exhibit facilities. I would not be surprised if Monarto zoo also became the breeding centre within our region of River Hippos again for the same reason as with the White rhinos, the massive scale of available space and off exhibit facilities.

There is roughly 5 square kilometres of the "Wild Africa" precinct ready today for multi-functional use, so a lot of potential with breeding both. Just comes back to money I'm afraid, with ZoosSA being a private charity unlike other Australian zoos. We'd have to rely on other zoos to help fund hippo imports. You may have heard how much money the public was responsible to raise for the new elephant exhibit, 2 million. Perth zoo and Auckland zoo actually helped fund a large portion of the rest of what was needed, it very generous of them. They didn't have to do that.

Quite a marvel how Monarto managed to find funds and donors for the elephants on short notice. As Elaine Bedstead (CEO ZoosSA) said on radio after the pandemic they had a zero dollar bank balance for a period.

Put simply, we often go broke and need help.

From a personal view I would hope Monarto could be allowed to import 2 or 3 female Black rhino from South Africa (if possible) to set up a second breeding group so as to work in conjunction with the group held at the Western plains zoo in Dubbo, Two groups with different bloodlines (as much as possible) is going to be a better option than just one captive breeding group at one zoo only within our region.

I partly agree, although its highly unlikely we'll see black rhino included in the first, second, or even third import. The rhino project has had enough hurdles to jump, would tangle things up more to include black rhino, we could get some separately from the United States maybe?

In the mean time, I think Monarto should temporarily move Induna and Sentwali to TWPZ who can better utilize them while Monarto handles the elephant arrivals, hippos, and eventual white rhino imports. Personally, I think we're wasting time keeping them here, but maybe its best to wait for new cows. Lets not resort to inbreeding shall we haha.

After Monarto gets itself organised and settled we can think about bringing the Black rhino back. Again, ZoosSA struggles with finances so they'll focus on one thing at a time. Obviously we'll need the help of the Australian Rhino project team or equivalent. But yes, eventually it would be a top priority to bring in further cows for Induna and Sentwali at Monarto. Baby black rhino are the cutest

 

[Zoofan15]

80 sounded a bit ambitious from the start, our region would really struggle to handle them and their offspring. Best to go down to 35. With breeding, we'll rocket past 80 rhinos nationally within the first decade of their import regardless, unless we can ship off a few. Can add additional cows or bachelors later.



There is roughly 5 square kilometres of the "Wild Africa" precinct ready today for multi-functional use, so a lot of potential with breeding both. Just comes back to money I'm afraid, with ZoosSA being a private charity unlike other Australian zoos. We'd have to rely on other zoos to help fund hippo imports. You may have heard how much money the public was responsible to raise for the new elephant exhibit, 2 million. Perth zoo and Auckland zoo actually helped fund a large portion of the rest of what was needed, it very generous of them. They didn't have to do that.

Quite a marvel how Monarto managed to find funds and donors for the elephants on short notice. As Elaine Bedstead (CEO ZoosSA) said on radio after the pandemic they had a zero dollar bank balance for a period.

Put simply, we often go broke and need help.



I partly agree, although its highly unlikely we'll see black rhino included in the first, second, or even third import. The rhino project has had enough hurdles to jump, would tangle things up more to include black rhino, we could get some separately from the United States maybe?

In the mean time, I think Monarto should temporarily move Induna and Sentwali to TWPZ who can better utilize them while Monarto handles the elephant arrivals, hippos, and eventual white rhino imports. Personally, I think we're wasting time keeping them here, but maybe its best to wait for new cows. Lets not resort to inbreeding shall we haha.

After Monarto gets itself organised and settled we can think about bringing the Black rhino back. Again, ZoosSA struggles with finances so they'll focus on one thing at a time. Obviously we'll need the help of the Australian Rhino project team or equivalent. But yes, eventually it would be a top priority to bring in further cows for Induna and Sentwali at Monarto. Baby black rhino are the cutest

I agree. To say importing 80 rhinos into the region is ambitious is an understatement. 35 rhinos are a more manageable number and account for accomodating breeding from those founders.

I would assume around 5-8 of the incoming rhinos are bulls, which means we could have at least 25 cows coming into the region. While I note that founder cows housed in large herds (e.g. San Diego/Whipsnade) have historically bred better than those housed in small herds within our regions zoos, it’s not unreasonable to assume around 1/3 of the cows will not breed. Even if this reduces our viable founders cows to around 15, that’s still a lot of calves if we’re to assume those cows will produce at least 2-4 calves each over the next two decades.

I would also agree importing additional black rhinoceros is a low priority compared to the acquisition of the elephants; the white rhino import; and the long-awaited import of hippopotamus into the region. Retaining their two black rhinoceros bulls makes sense in that it’ll fill the exhibit and compliment the adjacent elephants. My preference would be to see Bakhita transferred over from Dubbo in the future to breed with Induna, but who knows whether that would eventuate.

 

[Zorro]

80 sounded a bit ambitious from the start, our region would really struggle to handle them and their offspring. Best to go down to 35. With breeding, we'll rocket past 80 rhinos nationally within the first decade of their import regardless, unless we can ship off a few. Can add additional cows or bachelors later.



There is roughly 5 square kilometres of the "Wild Africa" precinct ready today for multi-functional use, so a lot of potential with breeding both. Just comes back to money I'm afraid, with ZoosSA being a private charity unlike other Australian zoos. We'd have to rely on other zoos to help fund hippo imports. You may have heard how much money the public was responsible to raise for the new elephant exhibit, 2 million. Perth zoo and Auckland zoo actually helped fund a large portion of the rest of what was needed, it very generous of them. They didn't have to do that.

Quite a marvel how Monarto managed to find funds and donors for the elephants on short notice. As Elaine Bedstead (CEO ZoosSA) said on radio after the pandemic they had a zero dollar bank balance for a period.

Put simply, we often go broke and need help.



I partly agree, although its highly unlikely we'll see black rhino included in the first, second, or even third import. The rhino project has had enough hurdles to jump, would tangle things up more to include black rhino, we could get some separately from the United States maybe?

In the mean time, I think Monarto should temporarily move Induna and Sentwali to TWPZ who can better utilize them while Monarto handles the elephant arrivals, hippos, and eventual white rhino imports. Personally, I think we're wasting time keeping them here, but maybe its best to wait for new cows. Lets not resort to inbreeding shall we haha.

After Monarto gets itself organised and settled we can think about bringing the Black rhino back. Again, ZoosSA struggles with finances so they'll focus on one thing at a time. Obviously we'll need the help of the Australian Rhino project team or equivalent. But yes, eventually it would be a top priority to bring in further cows for Induna and Sentwali at Monarto. Baby black rhino are the cutest

It has been mentioned a few times on the forum recently that zoos South Australia do receive generous amounts of money from the government, yes correct they are run by a zoological society but still receive a lot of funding which is wonderful to hear.

 

[Zoofan15]

It has been mentioned a few times on the forum recently that zoos South Australia do receive generous amounts of money from the government, yes correct they are run by a zoological society but still receive a lot of funding which is wonderful to hear.

Monarto have previously received funding from the Australian Government and the State Government.

As one example:

https://www.monartosafari.com.au/hu...project received,new entry and Visitor Centre.

The Visitor Centre project received $11.25m of funding from the Australian Government and $4.55m from the State Government towards a total $16.8m cost of building the new entry and Visitor Centre. The Rural City of Murray Bridge also contributed to the project through the construction of a new slip lane entry from Monarto Road.

 

[Luke899]

It has been mentioned a few times on the forum recently that zoos South Australia do receive generous amounts of money from the government, yes correct they are run by a zoological society but still receive a lot of funding which is wonderful to hear.

Yeah they've had a couple of bailouts from the government and support for large projects such as the new visitors centre at monarto, but nothing like what government owned zoos like perth, taronga, Melbourne get on a regular basis. Kudos to ZoosSA for getting this going with limited funds.

 

[Tiger91]

This whole idea has been in the pipeline for more than a decade and yet we still have not seen one rhino appear out of it as yet. As some would know it was an idea of one private individual man until it was put into the hands of a group of zoos. The original idea was to import 80+ rhinos in 3 groups but since it's been in zoo hands that number has kept getting smaller to a point now of 30+ I believe.
I hope it really does happen as it would be a nice back up plan having a reserve group away from the poaching in Africa which is still on-going and a nice add of new genes for the numbers already held within our region. I believe Monarto will become the main focal point from this species here in the region partly due to the massive amount of space available to them and the huge off exhibit facilities. From a personal view I would hope Monarto could be allowed to import 2 or 3 female Black rhino from South Africa (if possible) to set up a second breeding group so as to work in conjunction with the group held at the Western plains zoo in Dubbo, Two groups with different bloodlines (as much as possible) is going to be a better option than just one captive breeding group at one zoo only within our region.

I would not be surprised if Monarto zoo also became the breeding centre within our region of River Hippos again for the same reason as with the White rhinos, the massive scale of available space and off exhibit facilities.
I believe Monarto's now involment with the Asian elephant program is certainly a big bonus overall for the program within this country, Having 3 open range zoos with good sized herds has to be the very best option we have ever had to date. If they can start a breeding program so there are 3 herds breeding is even better, perhaps "if possible" obtain a couple of unrelated cows from overseas would be a major boost to the region into the future.

It should of ideally been kept out of zoo hands. The original idea of throwing some rhino on a farm and letting them roam free and create a back up population. Will be of more use then letting the zoos manage it. The number of rhinos to import has shrunken and they dont have the space to actively breed to accomodate the numbers for an effective back up population. However there is plenty of space out in a zone where the climate and terrain are near identical. Monoarto by itself really could throw 80 rhino out the back of the zoo in a big fenced area and let them roam and breed. Perhaps that is the intent with the ones they are getting. Given the zoo has more then enough room for them.

Although I dont think we need anymore elephant cows. We have not fully utilised what have, we realistically should have had double the amount of calves by now. Before melbournes cohort was born we have 50% survival rate. Which isnt ideal heading into the future for a breeding program that is producing limited calve numbers.

 

[Tiger91]

I agree Monarto’s site is naturally very dry, but the water supply system they have in place is fantastic:

10 million litres of water flow into Monarto Safari Park's waterholes to enhance animal habitat

Monarto Safari Park’s largest waterhole stores up to 15 million litres of water and has been purpose-built for the hippos, with a maximum depth of three metres, enabling them to swim.

Until the next proper drought. Monarto have water storage but are also blessed with the wettest 20+ years the region has seen in centuries. The next proper drought that scorches the country will see how there water supply goes, of which a large amount hinges on what comes out of NSW and we seem to think we can drain the Murray darling dry.