I believe there needs to be a review by the ZAA and its members in what direction they are going with all three species of Rhino held within the region. What with the long awaited White rhino import being "uncertain" at this point, also with all but one Black rhino being held by one zoo (TWPZ) and badly needing some fresh bloodlines sooner rather than later. Also again just the one zoo only holding just one pair of Indian rhino (TWPZ) does not bode well for the future, I feel its time for a fresh look and review into all three species within the region with short to long term plans laid out!
@Kifaru Bwana
Very much agreed. It don't make sense that any of the city zoos with some pachyderm holding capacity only invest in the gregarious herd social structure white rhino. Indeed spacewise usually not being at premium both black and Indian rhino would be more at home and certainly over the open range zoo conditions. Added on value are an attractive and impressive animal for the zoo visitor to behold and endangered species to that with a feel good storyline!
Given that Monarto was already on board for quite a good number of years with the southern black rhinos, it would be good if Dubbo transfer out at least one of their cows. Perhaps the suggested move of the older experienced cow Bakhita would offer the best immediate and current potential for setting up that 2nd and much needed breeding group in Australia (and that the bull Induna is not that related with her).
Now that the US IRF sponsored southern black rhino program is more or less moribund and there seems to be an oversupply of available lone bulls. It would be good if one of the zoos with singletons (e.g. Austin Savannah, Abilene Zoo or Chehaw WAP) or a bachelor herd (Disney AK) transfer 1-2 bulls to Australia's ZAA southern black rhino program. That would alluviate pressure on the population and allow for introduction of unrepresented new genes.
Further down, it would be best if ZAA import via a third party (is that in the present IRA also the road to go ... like with white rhino imports from South Africa?) at least 2.4 from Africa with the quid pro quo that the program will also have an end objective to reintroduce southern black rhinos back to Africa ... That would be an extra bonus and win over for the general public and the conservation community at large.
NOTA BENE: I do not think the white rhino import from South Africa is ever going to happen in the short term. I - personally - view / feel it is wasted space after a decade of trying. The 2,000+ rhinos from John Hulme's private conservation estates have long gone to other buyers and conservation parties and f.i. the APF has bought most if not all off him and is set to redistribute and reintroduce these to countries within southern and central Africa where there is a white rhino component in the in country conservation strategy.
For Australia's sakes', if this rhino project had really been an emergency / rescue mission for the species out of South Africa - which it is admittedly not ..., as the species is not going to disappear from South Africa any time soon - allthough under severe poaching pressure - if Australia does not invest ... anything - those targetted rhinos would have been lost and poached yonkers years ago.
The travesty of it all really is that in 10 years time no one within the Antipodes Continent seems to have been able to get their act together enough. The constant wrangling and diddering on about outside forces (IRA or South Africa not permitting exports to take place or whatever other issue was at hand) - are IMO less relevant and just mere excuses for not have anything on the table.
All this not happening .... while European and US zoos have in the past and continue to import southern white rhino from in situ sources without any issues whatsoever. Further, quite a few countries in S.E. Asia and the P.R. of China seem neither to have any issues with importing direct from range state South Africa. I really do feel the Australian white rhino project requires that ZAA staff sit on the doorstep of the Minister for the Environment, the Natal Parks Board and the wildlife traders in South Africa and work directly in-country or nothing will ever give.
