Chester Zoo Tejas Update

Wow! Thanks Lee he looks amazing.

Will tejas be a breeding male, even after his initial problems? Were they genetic or just an u fortunate physical thing?
 
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Just saw one of the programs the other day: it was mentioned that his grandmother had the same problem, suggesting there may be a genetic element.

I do wonder if sometimes it might be better to allow a subspecies to go, or to be 'diluted' with outside genes, rather than breed from animals with genetic problems. In this case Tejas's problem has not been a long-term welfare issue, and I guess if it is genetic then it will be possible to breed the problem out in future, so I'm not totally against breeding him. But the question is still maybe valid. (I'm especially thinking of Cheetahs, where personally I'd advocate breeding Asian to African subspecies, as the species is so lacking in genetic diversity anyway. The same might be true of many zoo species, even if it's not true in the wild. If we are looking to have stock to re-introduce in some future where human population has reduced enough to allow it, then maybe it's more important to have healthy lions/cheetahs/whatever than subspecies that came from an area in the first place).

Trust me to be controversial on my first post here *G*
 
RowanGreen said:
Just saw one of the programs the other day: it was mentioned that his grandmother had the same problem, suggesting there may be a genetic element.

I do wonder if sometimes it might be better to allow a subspecies to go, or to be 'diluted' with outside genes, rather than breed from animals with genetic problems. In this case Tejas's problem has not been a long-term welfare issue, and I guess if it is genetic then it will be possible to breed the problem out in future, so I'm not totally against breeding him. But the question is still maybe valid. (I'm especially thinking of Cheetahs, where personally I'd advocate breeding Asian to African subspecies, as the species is so lacking in genetic diversity anyway. The same might be true of many zoo species, even if it's not true in the wild. If we are looking to have stock to re-introduce in some future where human population has reduced enough to allow it, then maybe it's more important to have healthy lions/cheetahs/whatever than subspecies that came from an area in the first place).

Trust me to be controversial on my first post here *G*
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I totally agree, from an Ecologist's perspective, it's only because we 'discover' subspecies that they exist in conservation terms. And there are many, many cryptic species we don't yet know of until mitochondrial DNA analysis of specific populations confirms they are genetically alike as a population, and different from others of their species. Gene flow is fluid. Exactly who does it matter to if a lion, elephant, or cheetah isn't pure? The Amur leopard programme is a case in point, as is the Asian elephant SSPs and EEPs.

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Aww thanks for posting these pics Lee, he's grown into a most handsome lion :) I also enjoyed watching his roller coaster of a life on Zoo Days and glad to see he is strong and well.

I was one of the unfortunates who didnt see him at Chester when he was there :(
 
Without knowing, I'd say that Alan finds it too difficult to walk away and leave Tejas behind!? I really admire the way they all put the gorgeous lion ahead of any feelings the keepers, vets and staff had. Thanks so much for the update.
 
We love Tejas in Holland.

Is there something on dvd or bluray about tejas??

What is the last news and pictures from Tejas.

Is he allright ?

Greetings from Holland
 
drummer38 said:
Is there something on dvd or bluray about tejas??

What is the last news and pictures from Tejas.

Is he allright ?

Greetings from Holland
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There is the Zoodays series on Youtube, the link below is the first episode of 'Tejas' journey'. He has apparently mated with the female (Lady) at Bescanón. There is a Facebook page called 'Friends of Tejas' with all latest updates of Tejas.
 
hai
here hellen from holland eindhoven. we in holland looking every day to one day in the zoo. i cryed today when alan has to say goodbey to tejas,,,, even now i am writing this ,, my eyes are fil with tears...... thank you very much for telling everything about tejas, and i was on the facebook, and saw the great picture of alan and tejas!!
i have very deep respect for alan , all the work he done for tejas, en his deep love for his baby lion.. and deep in my heart i hope that tejas coming back to his papa alan.
and i hope that de cups of him, are just as nice , sweet as tejas himself.
thanks ,,, and i wil stay following this site ,, en de facebook
greetings hellen
 
TEJAS

bedankt voor alle mooie foto s van tejas hij is groot geworden! maar in zijn ogen zie ik de kleine tejas zo lief! kijk uit naar de laatste foto s van hem.
 
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