I hope they would consider breeding Mark to both females if possible there is a chance they could double the possible number of cubs. This is the only place within the region that has them I would be sure there would be some other zoos more than happy to become holders for this species!
Wild Cat Conservation Centre News
- Thread starter Riley
- Start date
While I understand the focus will be on breeding from Mark and Moana, they could down the line pair Mark with the female of the sibling pair and then Moana with the male. This means the resulting cubs would be first cousins to each other - and will ensure neither Mark or Moana doesn’t become over represented before the breeding programme has even begun. Imports would still be needed to breed with these cubs, but it’d increase the genetic diversity in the long run.
What a coincidence!
The DDZ imported twin Serval females from UK and our Senior Keeper named them Moana and Aurora.
What am I missing?
They're both Disney princesses, perhaps? Moana from the 2016 film by the same name, and Aurora being Sleeping Beauty.
Aha! Thanks @Abbey.
My knowledge of anything Disney ended in the days of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.
I was going to accuse you of having Lion King knowledge as Kovu and Nala at Hunter Valley Zoo were bred at Darling Downs Zoo, but I see looking back on notes that you gave them different names originally.
If this species is to become established in the long term we need cubs on the ground, at this point there are only 2.2 animals in the region, One is a sibling pair and the other is not, If Mark were bred to both females further imports (which would be needed anyway) can be obtained to expand on what we have now. I would be sure that someone will be keeping a studbook on the population.
The US population exceeds 120 Clouded leopards and is an example of a thriving breeding programme. Pairs can be formed as juveniles from unrelated litters born at the same time.
While we can’t expect to attain those numbers, support from other zoos would be invaluable with those zoos needing to be realistic about whether they’re in a position to breed. Any zoo that can’t provide off display accomodation should be holding non breeding surplus.
True we don't need to try and hold numbers even anywhere close to this but on the up side they are small and easy transportable so shipping in or out is not really much of a problem.
Do we know the current EEP numbers?.
Plus being small, zoos can hold multiple pairs. Some of the US facilities were holding up to 20 of these cats. The WCCC would be well placed to hold multiple pairs and will likely be the breeding hub for the region, with non breeding surplus held by the city zoos, who just want a pair for display.
The European population was 42.60 in 2021, so slightly smaller than the North American population.
I remember back in the 80s Howletts held multiple pairs and produced some litters. But things might be quite different there these days.
Howletts remain the European stronghold with nine cats in 2021, followed by Mulhouse Zoo. No European facility appeared to have double digits of this species - at least not in 2021, so it’s run a little differently from the US population.
Hamilton Zoo have stated an interest in this species and may decide to phase out Fishing cats to dedicate their resources to Clouded leopard instead. Hamilton Zoo have never had success breeding Fishing cat and they have little appeal to the general public considering you never see them.
Perhaps Hamilton then might be better sending their pair of Fishing cats to Australia unless they are passed it for breeding?.
I hope they do obtain a pair of Clouded Leopards having a few more holders will certainly be a big bonus for them in the region.
They certainly do still have a chance. Taronga don't have the facilities for additional cats, so I guess WCC is the only option if they were to be sent to Australia.
I guess once the last of Taronga elephants have left they will have room to place a pair of Clouded I leopards in there somewhere!
The current Bongo exhibit is a really nice choice for a non breeding pair. All they really need to do is add some more foliage to the enclosure, and cover the whole enclosure with mesh and it should be good to go.
Coincidentally, the enclosure already has a fake leopard perched in a tree in the centre enclosure - with the design meaning to reflect the predator, prey relationship between the leopards and the antelope below. Of course, a real leopard would be a big improvement though!
It’d be beneficial to have the five Fishing cats in the region in one place to allow for multiple pairings to be made, but unfortunately Taronga don’t have the facilities to hold them off display, which is what’s needed.
Melbourne Zoo represented the optimum - of multiple off display exhibits, combined with on display exhibits to showcases the kittens from three months of age (to acclimitise them to the public).
Its likely now the IRA is completed Taronga may want to include Bongos in the new African rain forest exhibit along with the gorillas.
I can't see why they would want to keep a non breeding a pair since the region needs more holders for the Clouded Leopard!
Eastern bongo would likely take the place of Okapi in the Congo precinct if plans to import this species never materialise. A breeding pair or a surplus bull to support the holding of a larger herd at Dubbo are both good options.
Unless Taronga are going to invest in off display facilities to breed Clouded leopard, I’d prefer they were realistic about likelihood of breeding them and support the region by holding a non breeding sibling pair.
Release of Cheetah into the wild:
From socials (first mentioned by @Tigergal in the felids thread):
We are proud to announce that we have become the first organisation in Australia to return a captive born cheetah back to the wilds of Africa.
Our beautiful Edie has undergone a phased return to the wild, with plans carefully laid to ensure her success. She began her preparations here at the Wild Cat Conservation Centre, undergoing fitness development, changes to her diet and support whilst she honed her predatory skills. Once on African soil, she began her second phase, adjusting to changes in climate and prey, as well as moving to various sized bomas at each new milestone. This phased rewilding allowed Edie to sharpen her wild instincts, improve her hunting skills to bring down predator-aware prey animals and develop her vigilance to co-exist with competing predators.
Since the inception of our centre 8 years ago, our goal has always been to return cats to the wild. The cheetah we originally brought to Australia were DNA tested to ensure that they were as varied as possible and that their genetics were also suitable for any progeny to return to Africa, with our insurance population here in Australia helping to safeguard the long term future of Africa’s remaining cheetah population.
Full article on socials.
From socials (first mentioned by @Tigergal in the felids thread):
We are proud to announce that we have become the first organisation in Australia to return a captive born cheetah back to the wilds of Africa.
Our beautiful Edie has undergone a phased return to the wild, with plans carefully laid to ensure her success. She began her preparations here at the Wild Cat Conservation Centre, undergoing fitness development, changes to her diet and support whilst she honed her predatory skills. Once on African soil, she began her second phase, adjusting to changes in climate and prey, as well as moving to various sized bomas at each new milestone. This phased rewilding allowed Edie to sharpen her wild instincts, improve her hunting skills to bring down predator-aware prey animals and develop her vigilance to co-exist with competing predators.
Since the inception of our centre 8 years ago, our goal has always been to return cats to the wild. The cheetah we originally brought to Australia were DNA tested to ensure that they were as varied as possible and that their genetics were also suitable for any progeny to return to Africa, with our insurance population here in Australia helping to safeguard the long term future of Africa’s remaining cheetah population.
Full article on socials.