Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2024

[Zoofan15]

Sneak peak of the progress of the new elephant enclosure

View attachment 712746 View attachment 712747 View attachment 712748 View attachment 712749 View attachment 712750 View attachment 712751 View attachment 712752 View attachment 712753 View attachment 712754 View attachment 712755

Some great progress, though it seems a little optimistic to imagine Burma will be on site in October (three months time). There’s still a way to go.

It will be fascinating to see the differences between Werribee’s herd and Monarto’s. Monarto’s herd will need to establish a matriarch (my money is on Pak Boon), who will take a pivotal role in leading the herd as they explore the 14ha complex. Burma came to New Zealand as an eight year old in 1990 from a logging camp; while Permai came Malaysia in 1992 as a three year old. This exhibit will be unlike anything they have ever experienced within a captive setting.

 

[Zoofan15]

Elephant Update

Elephant arrival dates:

An update from Auckland Zoo that Burma is scheduled to arrive early November:

Burma’s new home progressing at pace | Auckland Zoo News

Burma will be the first of five Asian elephants to arrive at Zoos South Australia’s (ZSA) Monarto Safari Park - with two elephants (female Permai and male Putra Mas) from Perth Zoo expected mid-2025, then two females (Pak Boon and Tang Mo) from Taronga Zoo - to arrive later in 2025.

Elephant complex size:

An additional note that the elephant habitats will be 12ha in size:

“Once fully complete, the habitat will give Burma and her new elephant companions an expansive 12ha made up of four separate areas (as well as visitor arrival and viewing spaces) – and capacity to also grow the herd. Along with providing maximum flexibility to manage both cows and bulls and support their social dynamics, it’ll be an enriching environment with plenty of vegetation for grazing, varied terrain and water/swimming holes and mud wallows,” explains Andrew.

 

[Luke899]

This pool is going to be concrete lined apparently, and the other 2 pools clay lined. (ft. Andrew, Burma's keeper). Shows the scale of how deep it is, which is apparently necessary.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

Looks about the depth of the deep pool at Melbourne Zoo - just far larger. The SA Eles will love it!!!

 

[Zoofan15]

This pool is going to be concrete lined apparently, and the other 2 pools clay lined. (ft. Andrew, Burma's keeper). Shows the scale of how deep it is, which is apparently necessary.

Looks about the depth of the deep pool at Melbourne Zoo - just far larger. The SA Eles will love it!!!

If Andrew (in the above photo for scale) is around 6ft tall (give or take four inches), I’d estimate the Monarto pool would be around 3 metres deep.

The Melbourne Zoo elephant pool is 4.5 metres deep; and the deepest pool in the Werribee complex will be 3.5 metres deep. The pools are designed to allow the elephants (even tall bulls like the late Bong Su) to fully submerge.

 

[Jambo]

The Melbourne Zoo elephant pool is 4.5 metres deep; and the deepest pool in the Werribee complex will be 3.5 metres deep. The pools are designed to allow the elephants (even tall bulls like the late Bong Su) to fully submerge.

Melbourne's pool was designed to specifically allow Bong Su to submerge. Bong Su himself was almost 3.5 metres tall so giving him a pool where he could fully submerge was a priority.

Considering he was quite a large bull it's unlikely we'll see a bull of his stature again, so pools that are around 3-3.5 metres would be quite suitable for still allow them to completely submerge.

This pool also looks to be quite large in surface area too, which isn't something we've seen in the region thus far. Without a full shot it's difficult to determine exactly how big it is but certainly looks bigger than Melbourne's and Taronga's. Werribee plans to have a large pool (designed as a river) which will potentially be one of the biggest worldwide.

 

[Luke899]

Werribee plans to have a large pool (designed as a river) which will potentially be one of the biggest worldwide.

On that note, I hope Google Earth update their satellite images of werribee soon, would like to see the progress. Hasn't been updated since 2022, so surely there's a refresh soon.

Without a full shot it's difficult to determine exactly how big it is but certainly looks bigger than Melbourne's and Taronga's.

Heres a slightly better angle (ignore reporter). Right side slopes down gently to the deeper end, so its shape is sort of semi circle 'C' shape, with a sloped entrance. So it'll be large, but not super big. Theres 2 other pools so no need to make this one monumentally humongous I guess.

 

[Zoofan15]

On that note, I hope Google Earth update their satellite images of werribee soon, would like to see the progress. Hasn't been updated since 2022, so surely there's a refresh soon.



Heres a slightly better angle (ignore reporter). Right side slopes down gently to the deeper end, so its shape is sort of semi circle 'C' shape, with a sloped entrance. So it'll be large, but not super big. Theres 2 other pools so no need to make this one monumentally humongous I guess.

View attachment 712944

Monarto will be mindful in the design that these pools are fit for purpose. The youngest elephant will be 26 years upon arrival and Burma is in her senior years. The amount of time they spend in the pool will be less compared to younger elephants. Anjalee was far more enthusiastic about Auckland’s pool than Burma; and upon my last visit to Melbourne Zoo, Aiyara and Kati were having the time of their lives in there (while the adults watched).

Long term, Monarto plan to breed. Calves will initially require a habitat with no water (pool drained). They will have to ensure in the design that the pool doesn’t present a greater hazard as a whole in the ground, which explains the sloping (helpful for any elephant getting in and out).

 

[Tiger91]

Monarto will be mindful in the design that these pools are fit for purpose. The youngest elephant will be 26 years upon arrival and Burma is in her senior years. The amount of time they spend in the pool will be less compared to younger elephants. Anjalee was far more enthusiastic about Auckland’s pool than Burma; and upon my last visit to Melbourne Zoo, Aiyara and Kati were having the time of their lives in there (while the adults watched).

Long term, Monarto plan to breed. Calves will initially require a habitat with no water (pool drained). They will have to ensure in the design that the pool doesn’t present a greater hazard as a whole in the ground, which explains the sloping (helpful for any elephant getting in and out).

I dont think you can compare how much time they will spend in the pools, given monarto is going to be far hotter then any of the other zoos that hold elephants. If anything the elephants will use the pools to cool down in summer, there activity in the pools will be far greater, then say at zoos like Auckland, Melbourne and taronga where the weather is more mild.

 

[Zoofan15]

I dont think you can compare how much time they will spend in the pools, given monarto is going to be far hotter then any of the other zoos that hold elephants. If anything the elephants will use the pools to cool down in summer, there activity in the pools will be far greater, then say at zoos like Auckland, Melbourne and taronga where the weather is more mild.

The fact remains that given the demographics of the herd, the elephants will primarily be using the water to cool down; as opposed to younger elephants, which would engage in play at a much higher frequency. What Monarto is building is more than sufficient for this.

If we’re to assume that no additional reproductive cows will be transferred be to Monarto beyond Pak Boon; then the first calf will be waiting at least three years before the next calf/sibling is born.

 

[Luke899]

From Monarto's socials:

Construction is full steam ahead to create a mammoth sized habitat for five Asian Elephants!

Four huge waterholes have been excavated - big enough for the elephants to fully submerge!

New pipework across the park has been laid to connect water to the habitat.

Concrete foundations have been laid for cosy overnight rest areas.

The hay and browse shed is almost finished!

As you can see, it takes an elephant sized team to get the habitat ready!

All going well, the first elephant, Burma, will make the journey to the park before the end of 2024 from Auckland Zoo. In mid-2025 we'll welcome Permai and Putra Mas from Perth Zoo and Tang Mo and Pak Boon from Taronga Zoo Sydney.

A trumpet of special thanks to ElectraNet, Corporate Partners of Asian Elephants.

An Elephant sized construction site | Construction is full steam ahead to create a mammoth sized habitat for five Asian Elephants! Four huge waterholes have been excavated - big enough... | By Monarto Safari ParkFacebook

 

[Zoofan15]

Welfare assessment for Burma prior to export:

From socials:

"Our Animal Welfare and Research Manager, Justine, and Animal Behaviour and Creative Programs Manager, Nic, have recently returned from visiting @AucklandZoo! Nic and Justine got to meet Burma, they learnt about her personality and behaviours, and undertook a welfare assessment. Trips like this will help our team monitor and support Burma’s welfare when arriving at Monarto Safari Park. Burma will be the first of the five elephants to arrive at the park, and all going well will make the journey towards the end of this year. "

 

[Zoofan15]

Successful surgery for Sandali (chimpanzee) following fractured ankle:

Successful surgery has much-loved Chimpanzee back on his feet - Monarto Safari Park

 

[WhistlingKite24]

A female giraffe calf was born to experienced female Korongo - reported on their FB page.

 

[Luke899]

A female giraffe calf was born to experienced female Korongo - reported on their FB page.

This brings the total number of giraffe calves born at Monarto to around 60+. Giraffes must love it there.

I'm disappointed we haven't seen a Rhino pregnancy recently, though. Hopefully soon.

 

[Zoofan15]

This brings the total number of giraffe calves born at Monarto to around 60+. Giraffes must love it there.

I'm disappointed we haven't seen a Rhino pregnancy recently, though. Hopefully soon.

A male calf named Makumno (born November 2023) was their 58th calf and no births have been reported since then, so it appears this is their 59th giraffe calf. It’s an impressive breeding record, though they’re not difficult to breed and have bred equally well at city zoos. Taronga were the main breeding hub throughout the 20th century, producing a huge number of calves.

Yes, I hope the bull swap between Dubbo/Monarto will stimulate breeding in their rhino herd. It’d be nice to see a pregnancy from Savannah as although her founder mother has produced several calves to date, none have bred; three are deceased and one of her surviving offspring appears to be a behavioural non-breeder.

 

[Luke899]

A male calf named Makumno (born November 2023) was their 58th calf and no births have been reported since then, so it appears this is their 59th giraffe calf. It’s an impressive breeding record, though they’re not difficult to breed and have bred equally well at city zoos. Taronga were the main breeding hub throughout the 20th century, producing a huge number of calves.

Yes, I hope the bull swap between Dubbo/Monarto will stimulate breeding in their rhino herd. It’d be nice to see a pregnancy from Savannah as although her founder mother has produced several calves to date, none have bred; three are deceased and one of her surviving offspring appears to be a behavioural non-breeder.

Has the bull swap already happened or do you think its happening in the near future?

 

[Zoofan15]

Has the bull swap already happened or do you think it’s happening in the near future?

It happened in April 2022:

https://www.monartosafari.com.au/rhino-swap/#:~:text=To ensure breeding success and,in South Australia last week.

To ensure breeding success and genetic diversity within the ex situ population, the organisations exchanged Southern White Rhinoceros breeding bulls with Monarto Safari Park’s 29-year-old Satara making the trip to Dubbo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s 27-year-old Umfana arriving in South Australia last week.

Last I heard, the Monarto rhino groupings are:

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

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

The first grouping appears to be a non-breeding grouping as Uhura hasn’t produced a calf in 12 years (likely no longer a viable hreeder); and Carrie is not quite mature. Ibutho comes from a well represented line (San Diego line).

 

[Luke899]

It happened in April 2022:

https://www.monartosafari.com.au/rhino-swap/#:~:text=To ensure breeding success and,in South Australia last week.

To ensure breeding success and genetic diversity within the ex situ population, the organisations exchanged Southern White Rhinoceros breeding bulls with Monarto Safari Park’s 29-year-old Satara making the trip to Dubbo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s 27-year-old Umfana arriving in South Australia last week.

Last I heard, the Monarto rhino groupings are:

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

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

The first grouping appears to be a non-breeding grouping as Uhura hasn’t produced a calf in 12 years (likely no longer a viable hreeder); and Carrie is not quite mature. Ibutho comes from a well represented line (San Diego line).

Yeah, I believe Ibutho, Uhura, and Carrie currently have free range in the Wild Africa area.

While Umfana, Umqali and Savannah are still in the smaller enclosure.

I think the ultimate goal is to have them all in Wild Africa together eventually

 

[Zoofan15]

Yeah, I believe Ibutho, Uhura, and Carrie currently have free range in the Wild Africa area.

While Umfana, Umqali and Savannah are still in the smaller enclosure.

I think the ultimate goal is to have them all in Wild Africa together eventually

That’s correct re. where they’re held (at least last I heard), though the two bulls will never cohabit. While Ibutho is not genetically valuable, they could rotate him with Umfana as a stimulant bull. The scent of another bull (perceived rival) has been reported to encourage breeding in zoos.

Of course, Monarto will receive founders from the Australian Rhino Project in the coming years, who will surpass their current stock in genetic value. This will be a great opportunity to review groupings and mix and match under-performing rhinos (if they’re desired to breed) to see if a change of bull enhances their breeding performance.