Replacing elephants with rhinos

[Kifaru Bwana]

The current complex Taronga will have them in will give them the opportunity to separate the Water Buffalos from Hari when desired.

Initially, it's been advised the two species will be kept separately before introductions commence with the goal being to have them as a mixed species display down the line.

In the long term, Taronga do have the facilities to breed as has been mentioned. In the event that occurs, the Water Bufallo could easily be sent back to Dubbo.

If additional zoos don't end up coming on board regionally; the best option would indeed be to utilise Taronga's facilities for an additional breeding pair imo.

I really do hope some of Australia's city zoos (losing elephants) will decide to get involved in a new pachyderm venture named GOHR. I know Perth Zoo seems out of the question ..., that leaves 2 options at least including Taronga itself.

 

[Jambo]

I really do hope some of Australia's city zoos (losing elephants) will decide to get involved in a new pachyderm venture named GOHR. I know Perth Zoo seems out of the question ..., that leaves 2 options at least including Taronga itself.

Taronga have already confirmed they will be receiving a young male Indian Rhino (Hari) from Western Plains where he was born. In the meantime, he'll be accompanied by Water Buffalo but I and others on here hope a mate is acquired for him down the line.

Melbourne's really the only other option here - but I'm still skeptical about whether they'd want to acquire Indian Rhinos when they have Werribee that would be better equipped to housing (and breeding) the species. Not to mention, new imports would need to be made if this was Melbourne's intentions.

 

[Zoofan15]

I really do hope some of Australia's city zoos (losing elephants) will decide to get involved in a new pachyderm venture named GOHR. I know Perth Zoo seems out of the question ..., that leaves 2 options at least including Taronga itself.

Taronga have already confirmed they will be receiving a young male Indian Rhino (Hari) from Western Plains where he was born. In the meantime, he'll be accompanied by Water Buffalo but I and others on here hope a mate is acquired for him down the line.

Melbourne's really the only other option here - but I'm still skeptical about whether they'd want to acquire Indian Rhinos when they have Werribee that would be better equipped to housing (and breeding) the species. Not to mention, new imports would need to be made if this was Melbourne's intentions.

Werribee are the obvious candidates, with Monarto’s resources allocated to Asian elephant and black rhinoceros; and Perth and Auckland having no plans to replace their Asian elephants with Indian rhinoceros.

When I say Werribee, I mean long term however since the elephants have been a massive investment; and rhinos would be a completely wasted expense (over shadowed by the elephants) any time in the next five years.

Melbourne Zoo would need to import Indian rhinoceros (since there’s currently no option to receive them from within the region; and I’m inclined to believe they’d rather allocate their resource to species like Sumatran orangutan, Komodo dragon etc. which are already on site.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Taronga have already confirmed they will be receiving a young male Indian Rhino (Hari) from Western Plains where he was born. In the meantime, he'll be accompanied by Water Buffalo but I and others on here hope a mate is acquired for him down the line.

Melbourne's really the only other option here - but I'm still skeptical about whether they'd want to acquire Indian Rhinos when they have Werribee that would be better equipped to housing (and breeding) the species. Not to mention, new imports would need to be made if this was Melbourne's intentions.

@Jambo, would that really tie in with the medium and long-term plans for Werribee at all (a more robust Asia section)?

 

[Zoofan15]

@Jambo, would that really tie in with the medium and long-term plans for Werribee at all (a more robust Asia section)?

Arguably not as Werribee have outlined plans to remain African centric going forward. Future species mentioned include Spotted hyena; but otherwise most of the developments centre around expanding facilities for existing African species (e.g. lions) - in addition to the SkySafari.

The Asian elephants have been a necessary deviation from the African theme; and as such exist as their own precinct given the scale of their complex. On the map, the fact they’re Asian elephants is downplayed somewhat - supporting reports on here the intention was for them to exist as stand ins for their African counterparts.

Personally I think expanding into Asian species would be a good long-term goal for Werribee since Australia is unable to acquire the diversity of African species available to North American zoos etc. and that will inheritanly limit their potential otherwise. In that sense Werribee are an obvious candidate for acquiring Indian rhinoceros, but like I said in my post above, Zoos Victoria will be mindful of both the futility in acquiring a species that will be overshadowed by the elephants; as well as deviating funds from priority projects.