The AZA is not kind to caprines... Barbary Sheep aren't a phase-out, though, just non-subspecific ones.
~Thylo
Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Births, Deaths, and Transfers, 2019
- Thread starter TZFan
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The AZA is not kind to caprines... Barbary Sheep aren't a phase-out, though, just non-subspecific ones.
~Thylo
Toronto's barbary sheep are not of any pure line to the best of my knowledge which is why they have stopped breeding them. Once the current population is gone I'm not sure what they plan to do about the species. Either they will move to another species or replace them specifically with AZA supported Kordofan Aoudad.
The mouflon are European mouflon and the AZA wants to move to Armenian Mouflon but there isn't as firm a plan on that move for the AZA.
The tahr are also on phase out with all the males castrated. The clock is ticking on them. I'd love to see their exhibit flattened and opened up and connected to the rear rhino and babirusa exhibits. More space there would be nice.
The chamois phase out is nearly complete. Down to two and there will be an empty mountain exhibit to move something else into.
The tur should also be on phase out if they followed everything the AZA wants but they do what they want on that one. Glad to hear the males are being removed and maybe they will let them die out thus freeing up the exhibit for a number of other species with more conservation value. It's a big exhibit and could really do a lot.
To replace any of the species the zoo would probably be looking at Kordofan Aoudad, Armenian Mouflon, Tajik Markhor, Sichuan Takin (the most likely contender), Trans Caspian or Chinese Goral (again low likelihood with a tiny population). However any of the exhibits could be converted for other species entirely.
The mouflon are European mouflon and the AZA wants to move to Armenian Mouflon but there isn't as firm a plan on that move for the AZA.
The tahr are also on phase out with all the males castrated. The clock is ticking on them. I'd love to see their exhibit flattened and opened up and connected to the rear rhino and babirusa exhibits. More space there would be nice.
The chamois phase out is nearly complete. Down to two and there will be an empty mountain exhibit to move something else into.
The tur should also be on phase out if they followed everything the AZA wants but they do what they want on that one. Glad to hear the males are being removed and maybe they will let them die out thus freeing up the exhibit for a number of other species with more conservation value. It's a big exhibit and could really do a lot.
To replace any of the species the zoo would probably be looking at Kordofan Aoudad, Armenian Mouflon, Tajik Markhor, Sichuan Takin (the most likely contender), Trans Caspian or Chinese Goral (again low likelihood with a tiny population). However any of the exhibits could be converted for other species entirely.
The Armenian Mouflon program was abandoned some time ago due to an extremely small population size afaik.
~Thylo
~Thylo
Last I checked there are no actual AZA accredited zoos committed to the taxa, though. San Diego Zoo Safari Park was the last one and if they haven't phased their last animal or two out yet, they will.
~Thylo
Which more or less confirms my misgivings re. caprids and tur within AZA are quite valid.
Caribou - Rowan
Lemur - Stewie
Didn't find out where he came from but thru google found Earth Rangers in Vaughan has a lemur Animal Ambassador named Stewie.Maybe he is at TZ now or just on loan, or maybe not him.
Earth Rangers is a charitable organization educating children about conservation.
@Mr Wrinkly, I would not be surprised to hear the lemur is from Earth Rangers. Toronto does have a long history with them and loaning animals back and forth to each other. Usually its the educational birds but they also loaned them the singing dogs for quite awhile. It seems to be a beneficial relationship for both the organization and the zoo.
Komodo Dragon - so far no new female has been found for Kilat. His mate died two years ago and her replacement also died. There is a possibility at a Florida zoo but it takes a a while and he is 15 now.
Tree Kangaroo Puzzle has been in the holding for a while now but she is still nervous and has not been on exhibit yet. So no intro to Collins and no breeding plan yet.
Bennett's Wallabies - I heard two males arrived about a week ago and found out this morning that one is from Peterboro and one from High Park, one neutered and one not. He will be allowed to breed with Stevie although she is at the upper age limit so a joey is unlikely.
How they will manage over the winter I can't imagine. The kangaroo holding is not very big and I already thought it was crowded. There are 12 adult kangaroos, two joeys, 1 Swamp Wallaby, 1 Bennett's and now two more. Two Bettongs live in there also, but a keeper today said they are looking for another space for them, opening up some room.
Tree Kangaroo Puzzle has been in the holding for a while now but she is still nervous and has not been on exhibit yet. So no intro to Collins and no breeding plan yet.
Bennett's Wallabies - I heard two males arrived about a week ago and found out this morning that one is from Peterboro and one from High Park, one neutered and one not. He will be allowed to breed with Stevie although she is at the upper age limit so a joey is unlikely.
How they will manage over the winter I can't imagine. The kangaroo holding is not very big and I already thought it was crowded. There are 12 adult kangaroos, two joeys, 1 Swamp Wallaby, 1 Bennett's and now two more. Two Bettongs live in there also, but a keeper today said they are looking for another space for them, opening up some room.
A female red panda is to arrive from Woodland Park Zoo.
@TheGerenuk the new female is a young female named Ila. She will be breeding with Suva. Great timing on the arrival. She should clear quarantine and get a chance to settle in before breeding season kicks off. Maybe 2020 will be the first time since 1995 that we have had a red panda cub born. The last ones were twins Tingri and Phanta. Prior to them the only other one born was Tenszing in 1982. It would be great to kick off a red panda birth streak.
Talked to keeper about the new Wallabys. He said there proceeding slowly with introductions and its unlikely we'll see them in the walkthru this year.
They maybe shutting down early because apparently Lumina will run through there exhibit.
Was there a week back and they've begun a lot of construction, in the entrance area of the the zoo think for Lumina but can't confirm.
Amur tiger changes are coming. Vasili will be getting mate Mazyria from Granby while sister Kira will head to Granby later this week not on a breeding recommendation. Their male Jack is also a descendant of Tonghua our former male. Kira leaves next week which should mean Mazyria is arriving this week or about a week after Kira leaves. Cubs by spring? Maybe.
The cheetah brothers Chester, Dougie and Flash have gone to the Smithsonian where they will breed when the chance arrives. Patonga has passed away leaving unproven male Bakari our sole hope for cubs this spring with either Emarah or Laini.
Snow leopards are getting some new blood too. Male Pemba is due in shortly from Calgary to breed with Ena. Mylo and Kita have hopes picked out in the US and Mexico respectively but no word on departure dates.
Another departure coming up should be white rhino Tony. He is going to Parc Safari to make room for Teddy to be separated in the near future.
More changes hopefully being made in the savanna this fall or spring zebras Rey and Leia have new homes picked out. Rey to the Bronx and Leia get the prize of San Diego.
The cheetah brothers Chester, Dougie and Flash have gone to the Smithsonian where they will breed when the chance arrives. Patonga has passed away leaving unproven male Bakari our sole hope for cubs this spring with either Emarah or Laini.
Snow leopards are getting some new blood too. Male Pemba is due in shortly from Calgary to breed with Ena. Mylo and Kita have hopes picked out in the US and Mexico respectively but no word on departure dates.
Another departure coming up should be white rhino Tony. He is going to Parc Safari to make room for Teddy to be separated in the near future.
More changes hopefully being made in the savanna this fall or spring zebras Rey and Leia have new homes picked out. Rey to the Bronx and Leia get the prize of San Diego.
White Rhino Tony left early October.
Arctic Fox 1.0 Orage was euthanized in October because of poor health.
Red Panda 0.1 Ila has arrived.
Red River Hogs 0.0.2 were born in early November.
Indomalaya main free flight aviary is finally repopulated after roof repairs. So far many Nicobars and Crested Wood Partridge and 1.2 Cabot's Tragopan - KFed, Angelina and Britney. Six pairs arrived a few years ago for behind-the scenes breeding and these are the first to go on exhibit.
(Edit - it just popped into my head that it was six birds, three pairs)
Amurs - I have heard that Mazyria has arrived but Kira has not left yet.
Arctic Fox 1.0 Orage was euthanized in October because of poor health.
Red Panda 0.1 Ila has arrived.
Red River Hogs 0.0.2 were born in early November.
Indomalaya main free flight aviary is finally repopulated after roof repairs. So far many Nicobars and Crested Wood Partridge and 1.2 Cabot's Tragopan - KFed, Angelina and Britney. Six pairs arrived a few years ago for behind-the scenes breeding and these are the first to go on exhibit.
(Edit - it just popped into my head that it was six birds, three pairs)
Amurs - I have heard that Mazyria has arrived but Kira has not left yet.
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Oh thats a shame about Orage. I like his mangled ear. Made him special. At least we have Tempette and Elsa to keep the exhibit populated. Little concerning that the zoo can only seem to keep foxes alive for a few years. While lives may be short in the wild since Tundra Trek opening 10 years ago we have been through 7 foxes. 5 died well before old age. 1 of those we cant really count because it was due to a predator attack if we are being fair. But there was also several years with no foxes. Just seems like the zoo has poor luck with them.
Glad space as been freed up in the rhino barn. Hopefully the next year will bring a new calf or two. Beginning to lose hope with Sabi.
Psyched that Ila has arrived. She should have plenty of time to settle in before breeding season. Maybe this summer we will get the first red panda cubs in forever.
Pleasant surprise to hear about the hogs. I knew breeding would be attempted again but hadn't heard if attempts had started and honestly wouldn't have been surprised if they waited until the girls were sent out first. Bad timing on them though. They are at their peak cuteness now when no one is visiting. However its not like the zoo doesnt have some massive draws coming for 2020... a giraffe calf, several potential babies from big draw animals and oh walruses!
Glad space as been freed up in the rhino barn. Hopefully the next year will bring a new calf or two. Beginning to lose hope with Sabi.
Psyched that Ila has arrived. She should have plenty of time to settle in before breeding season. Maybe this summer we will get the first red panda cubs in forever.
Pleasant surprise to hear about the hogs. I knew breeding would be attempted again but hadn't heard if attempts had started and honestly wouldn't have been surprised if they waited until the girls were sent out first. Bad timing on them though. They are at their peak cuteness now when no one is visiting. However its not like the zoo doesnt have some massive draws coming for 2020... a giraffe calf, several potential babies from big draw animals and oh walruses!
Wrong fox - Tempette has the odd-shaped ear. Orage was the "blue" one.
Tree kangaroo Collins was euthanized on November 28 due to a rapidly worsening chronic respiratory issue.
That is a real shame Collins passed. He was a great legacy animal. He was our previous male Harrington's grandson and the son of the last tree kangaroo born at the zoo Noru. His offspring would have been the 4th generation to live at the zoo. And we have a brand new female Puzzle just for him. My hopes of tree kangaroo joeys have been dashed almost as quickly as they began to rise when I heard Nokopo was out and Puzzle was in. I'll just comfort myself with the next legacy baby on the way. Mstari's baby will be a 4th generation at the zoo but with a connection back to the opening of the zoo.