Xenarthra in Australian Zoos

[captain alligator]

Currently, there are no Xenarthra in zoos in Australia, but it seems that some zoos have kept them in the past. Until recently, Adelaide Zoo kept a Hoffmann's Two-Toed Sloth, but it passed away in 2017. Why did zoos in Australia stop keeping Xenarthra?

 

[Jambo]

Currently, there are no Xenarthra in zoos in Australia, but it seems that some zoos have kept them in the past. Until recently, Adelaide Zoo kept a Hoffmann's Two-Toed Sloth, but it passed away in 2017. Why did zoos in Australia stop keeping Xenarthra?

There was no IRA, so they couldn't be imported. The last Sloth at Adelaide was born there in the 70's.

 

[captain alligator]

There was no IRA, so they couldn't be imported. The last Sloth at Adelaide was born there in the 70's.

In the 1970s, were sloths, anteaters, armadillos, etc. still kept in Australian zoos? I think that because Australia is a country with strict rules on the import of Exotic animals, Xenarthra were no longer kept in captivity.

 

[Jambo]

In the 1970s, were sloths, anteaters, armadillos, etc. still kept in Australian zoos? I think that because Australia is a country with strict rules on the import of Exotic animals, Xenarthra were no longer kept in captivity.

Yes they were held across the main zoos at the time.

 

[captain alligator]

Yes they were held across the main zoos at the time.

This may be because Australia has become stricter on the import of Exotic animals. (though monkeys and coatis from Central and South America are still kept in Australian zoos)

 

[captain alligator]

By the way, according to Zootierliste, Adelaide Zoo has previously kept Giant anteater, Hoffmann's Two-toed sloth, Nine-banded armadillo, Big Hairy armadillo, and Melbourne Zoo and Perth Zoo have also previously kept Big Hairy armadillo.

 

[Jambo]

By the way, according to Zootierliste, Adelaide Zoo has previously kept Giant anteater, Hoffmann's Two-toed sloth, Nine-banded armadillo, Big Hairy armadillo, and Melbourne Zoo and Perth Zoo have also previously kept Big Hairy armadillo.

Melbourne also held Giant Anteater in the past too from memory.

 

[Zoofan15]

By the way, according to Zootierliste, Adelaide Zoo has previously kept Giant anteater, Hoffmann's Two-toed sloth, Nine-banded armadillo, Big Hairy armadillo, and Melbourne Zoo and Perth Zoo have also previously kept Big Hairy armadillo.

Melbourne also held Giant Anteater in the past too from memory.

Taronga has also held Giant anteater.

A pair were imported from Rotterdam Zoo in 1936 along with a tapir and a capybara; while an earlier shipment of three Giant anteaters were imported in 1924. They held one by 1933, which may have been the last survivor of this trio.

 

[captain alligator]

By the way, it seems that Giant anteater were once kept at Auckland Zoo in New Zealand, Australia's neighboring country, and photographs from that time remain. was this species once common in Oceania?
895-A76109

 

[Zoofan15]

By the way, it seems that Giant anteater were once kept at Auckland Zoo in New Zealand, Australia's neighboring country, and photographs from that time remain. was this species once common in Oceania?
895-A76109

Oh wow, that’s interesting. It says Auckland Zoo acquired their first Giant anteater in 1964. I’ll have to have another read through their history book (A Tiger by the Tail) to see if I can find anything on them.

I wouldn’t say Giant anteater were common (and certainly not held in sustainable numbers). The region’s main zoos readily imported a wide variety of animals from the wild (via animal dealers) and so we had many species as a region that we don’t have today. Breeding success was scarce across many species, so once that individual died, that was it unless more were imported. Exceptions being species that were easy to breed such as African lion, Chacma baboon etc.

 

[captain alligator]

Oh wow, that’s interesting. It says Auckland Zoo acquired their first Giant anteater in 1964. I’ll have to have another read through their history book (A Tiger by the Tail) to see if I can find anything on them.

I wouldn’t say Giant anteater were common (and certainly not held in sustainable numbers). The region’s main zoos readily imported a wide variety of animals from the wild (via animal dealers) and so we had many species as a region that we don’t have today. Breeding success was scarce across many species, so once that individual died, that was it unless more were imported. Exceptions being species that were easy to breed such as African lion, Chacma baboon etc.

Although it is not common, it seems to be true that Giant anteater were kept in zoos in Oceania in the past. However, we do not know how long this individual lived.

 

[Zoofan15]

Although it is not common, it seems to be true that Giant anteater were kept in zoos in Oceania in the past. However, we do not know how long this individual lived.

Animal husbandry has evolved exponentially over the past century across all species. From the basics like housing and diet; to social needs, things have come a long way. Throughout the early to mid 20th century, mortality rates were high as wild animals struggled to adapt to new climates and the captive environment and breeding success was limited.

Production of young enabled exchange between the zoos, which became even more essential once taking animals straight from the wild became prohibited; but in the early years, it wasn’t uncommon to have single animals simply for the purpose of display.

 

[captain alligator]

I learned from this thread that Giant anteater were kept in captivity in Australia until 1990. It is not known why this species has not been seen in Australian zoos since then.
Exotic Mammals in Australian Zoos

 

[Zoofan15]

I learned from this thread that Giant anteater were kept in captivity in Australia until 1990. It is not known why this species has not been seen in Australian zoos since then.
Exotic Mammals in Australian Zoos

In one article, Taronga noted their Giant anteater was one of the most expensive animals to feed at the zoo - its natural diet being almost exclusively ants and termites. This likely didn’t help their cause (in addition to a lack of breeding meaning a sustainable population failed to establish).

I note a sloth was imported by Adelaide Zoo in the early 1990’s. It therefore appears the ban on importing Xenarthrans came into place in the late 1990’s (the same time as the ban on importing other species like Giraffe). I have always assumed this ban was influenced by the BSE outbreak in Europe.

 

[captain alligator]

In one article, Taronga noted their Giant anteater was one of the most expensive animals to feed at the zoo - its natural diet being almost exclusively ants and termites. This likely didn’t help their cause (in addition to a lack of breeding meaning a sustainable population failed to establish).

I note a sloth was imported by Adelaide Zoo in the early 1990’s. It therefore appears the ban on importing Xenarthrans came into place in the late 1990’s (the same time as the ban on importing other species like Giraffe). I have always assumed this ban was influenced by the BSE outbreak in Europe.

I see, but is it because zoos in North America, Europe and Asia continue to keep Xenarthra in captivity, unlike in Oceania, Is it possible to keep them in these regions without any problems?

 

[Zoofan15]

I see, but is it because zoos in North America, Europe and Asia continue to keep Xenarthra in captivity, unlike in Oceania, Is it possible to keep them in these regions without any problems?

Yes, according to Zootierliste there’s 88 holders of Giant anteater in Europe; 72 in North America; and 27 in Asia. This represents sizeable, sustainable populations in each of these continents.

Australia is working on developing a Xenarthra IRA as we speak, which will allow Australia to import species like Giant anteater. Previous IRA’s (Bovid and Hippopotamus) each took around three years, so I’d assume a similar timeframe for Xenarthrans.

Species of interest to Australian zoos are:

Giant anteater
Two-toed sloth [Linne's]
Tamandua
Yellow armadillo
Three-banded armadillo

 

[CGSwans]

@Steve Robinson, is there any ETA on the Xenarthran IRA yet?

 

[Jana]

I see, but is it because zoos in North America, Europe and Asia continue to keep Xenarthra in captivity, unlike in Oceania, Is it possible to keep them in these regions without any problems?

General knowledge about how to successfully keep more dificult zoo animals in captivity made a huuuge leap forward starting in 1980s (when concept of EEPs and SSPs got created).

An Australian zoo who would buy a pair of giant anteaters from a trader in 1970s would do its due diligence by asking the trader what it fed the animals before, would study available literature (browsing through IZN or similar and hoping to find at least something useful). Additional experience could be obtained through correspondence with zoos abroad who kept the species before.

A zoo that plans to obtain giant anteaters today can easily download free high-quality husbandry manuals for this species made available by AZA/EAZA, and then discuss any unclear details with respective species coordinators. Detailed photos and blueprinnts of enclosures from various zoos are also available on internet.

Failure to establish giant anteater in Oceania before 1980s is no surprise. Probably only a handful of animals got imported while reliable information on how to keep them was sparse. European zoos themself have "burned though" lots of imported animals due to poor husbandry before achieving a sustainable population you see today.

 

[captain alligator]

General knowledge about how to successfully keep more dificult zoo animals in captivity made a huuuge leap forward starting in 1980s (when concept of EEPs and SSPs got created).

An Australian zoo who would buy a pair of giant anteaters from a trader in 1970s would do its due diligence by asking the trader what it fed the animals before, would study available literature (browsing through IZN or similar and hoping to find at least something useful). Additional experience could be obtained through correspondence with zoos abroad who kept the species before.

A zoo that plans to obtain giant anteaters today can easily download free high-quality husbandry manuals for this species made available by AZA/EAZA, and then discuss any unclear details with respective species coordinators. Detailed photos and blueprinnts of enclosures from various zoos are also available on internet.

Failure to establish giant anteater in Oceania before 1980s is no surprise. Probably only a handful of animals got imported while reliable information on how to keep them was sparse. European zoos themself have "burned though" lots of imported animals due to poor husbandry before achieving a sustainable population you see today.

There are some native Australian mammals that feed primarily on ants and termites. (e.g. Numbat, Short-beaked Echidna) To be honest, I don't think it would be difficult to raise anteaters in Australia.

 

[Zorro]

Yes, according to Zootierliste there’s 88 holders of Giant anteater in Europe; 72 in North America; and 27 in Asia. This represents sizeable, sustainable populations in each of these continents.

Australia is working on developing a Xenarthra IRA as we speak, which will allow Australia to import species like Giant anteater. Previous IRA’s (Bovid and Hippopotamus) each took around three years, so I’d assume a similar timeframe for Xenarthrans.

Species of interest to Australian zoos are:

Giant anteater
Two-toed sloth [Linne's]
Tamandua
Yellow armadillo
Three-banded armadillo

It is highly likely that a lot of interest will be shown by a lot of the smaller zoos around the country for Xenarthra after the IRA is approved, While the importation of elephants/Rhinos ect are within financial reach of a few of the major government backed zoos are out of the reach of most if not all of the smaller regional zoos. This is likely to be affordable to import smaller species like these which is a good thing for the long term benefit of holding them within the region