Taronga Zoo Taronga Giraffe Names

[phoenix]

zoopro, this has been a massive cyclical topic of conversation here for some time.

and number of people (myself included) seem somewhat confused on the matter. one of the reasons is that the DEH website seems to imply that most artiodactyl species kept by zoos CAN be imported - yet clearly, importation has not occurred for the vast number of them for many, many years. adding to the confusion are inconsistencies - a giraffe that arrived recently from NZ or ARAZPA institutions listing intention to acquire impala, even though past proposals for philippine deer or mousedeer have gone nowhere. on top of this you yourself have made comments, a number of times, as have other zoo professionals and ARAZPA documents that suggest quite the opposite.

surely you can understand why there is such confusion?

so for the sake of putting this discussion to bed, or at least enlightening some of the more regular members so we can pass on the information - please tell us, in laymans terms in necessary - if it is possible to bring in artiodactyls then...

why haven't australian zoos imported any artiodactyls in such a long time?

 

[ZooPro]

(Lord knows we wouldn't want a thread to get too far off topic, so moderators, please feel free to move this to a new topic if you wish)

Phoenix et al, the answer to these questions is verbose, and unfortunately, cannot easily be condensed into a simple answer. Rather than me attempt to regurgitate Australia's myriad of importation rules. here's a few quotes from various documents, along with the online references so you can read them for yourselves. I'll also post a few links to some other documents which will hopefully enlighten you to the complex rules, regulations and restrictions of zoo animal importation. Phoenix, I know you in particular, will take the time to read through some of these links, and I hope others do too.

Imports of live zoo animals into Australia require permits from DEWHA and AQIS (now Biosecurity Australia). These two organisations are by no means the only two that have a say in what species can come in, and where from, but they have the final say.

"Import risk analyses (IRAs) are risk analyses with key steps that are conducted under regulation. They are conducted by Biosecurity Australia using technical and scientific experts in the relevant fields and involving consultation with stakeholders.

Biosecurity Australia provides recommendations for animal and plant quarantine policy to Australia’s Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine. The Director, or delegate, is responsible for determining whether or not an importation can be permitted under the Quarantine Act 1908, and if so, under what conditions. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is responsible for implementing appropriate risk management measures." (http://www.daffa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/399341/IRA_handbook_2007_WEB.pdf)

"Animal Biosecurity develops policies which allow for the safe importation of animals, their genetic material and other products. Major policy changes are based on an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) process that is conducted according to Government policy and in a manner consistent with the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement).
Animal Biosecurity is currently conducting the following Import Risk Analyses:" Current Animal IRAs - DAFF (this link will show you all the groups of animals currently under review. Many of these have been on the table for many years, with very little progress by the regulators.)

Here's a couple of links relevant to this discussion. these are for species currently under review - importation cannot be carried out until the reviews have been finished and adopted by the various government departments:

Zoo Bovidae - DAFF

Zoo Suidae and Dicotylidae from the EU and North America - DAFF

Here's the list of IRAs that have been completed, and hence, can be imported into Australia, as per the conditions set out in each IRA:

Finalised Animal IRAs - DAFF

And just for the naysayers out there who constantly slam zoos for doing nothing about their ability to import (I think I saw a mention of "heads buried in the sand" somewhere on here recently), this document might be of interest:

http://www.quarantinebiosecurityreview.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/671330/148a-arazpa-sub.pdf

Some might also find this report an interesting one: Report to the Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry - Quarantine and Biosecurity Review

As previously mentioned, unfortunately the answer isn't a short one. If members of this forum are concerned about what species zoos are able to import, I'd strongly suggest you read through these documents and do a little research so you can find out the facts about the matter, rather than base your thoughts on potentially misinformed comments. Fact is always arguably better than fiction - it's in everyone's interest for you to be well-informed.

Happy reading!

 

[Hix]

I have finally found my uni notes (I did a project on the Taronga giraffes about 10 years ago).

I have a recollection that Jamie wasn't actually named that at birth - it somehow became a nickname that everyone used and it stuck. But I can't for the life of me remember his real name.

His real name was 'Douma', the son of ''Clare and 'Peter' (also known as 'Lumpy'). As mentioned previoulsy, he sired 'Twigga' and 'Ricky' with his half-sister 'Faye', and 'Faith', 'Foo', 'Jessica', 'Mandela' and 'Felicity' with his half-sister 'Fiona'.

Melbourne recieved a pair in the early 1960's. "Edward" and "Matilda"(originally named Anna) were both offspring of the prolific breeding male "Jan". Maitlda's mother was "Clair" and i dont know Edward's mothers name but she was the daughter of "Betty" (Betty is Edward's grandmother) who was also born at Taronga to "Jan" and "Mighty".Edward and Matilda had a son, "William" in 1967. When Edward died in 1969, William became the breeding male. he sired ten calves with his mother - and two with his sister. Matilda mothered a total of 16 at Melbourne before this line died out.

'Edward' (also known as "Big Boy") was the son of 'Jan Smuts' and 'Parramatta'.

And while Matilda's line might have died out in Melbourne, one of the offspring with William was 'Pepper', who sired 'Hope' with 'Faye' at Taronga. 'Hope' passed away quite recently but produced three offspring with Charity - 'Nyota' was the last and is still on display at Taronga.



Hix

 

[Ara]

Wow! What a lot of great information! This is the sort of stuff that the average Australian zoo-nut like me just couldn't find anywhere else.

Thanks,guys.