Xenarthra in Australian Zoos

Zorro said:
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
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You’re right. It’s very much an IRA that will benefit all zoos. It’ll be fascinating to see which of the focus species that Darling Downs, Altina and Mogo focus on as all three of these zoos have gone to considerable effort to import species in the past.

It’s difficult to know what to expect from the main zoos. Zoos Victoria have a prime opportunity to redevelop Melbourne Zoo’s Treetops Trail into something spectacular, but who knows.
 
Jana said:
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.
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It also didn't help that air transport was rarely available and many imports travelled in less than satisfactory conditions, and over extended time frames, by sea.
 
captain alligator said:
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.
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Both species are much smaller than giant anteaters and don’t need as much food. Having said that, I’m pretty sure that they can thrive on different diets in human care. I recall seeing a reel of a giant anteater whose favourite treat is avocado.
 
MattyP said:
Both species are much smaller than giant anteaters and don’t need as much food. Having said that, I’m pretty sure that they can thrive on different diets in human care. I recall seeing a reel of a giant anteater whose favourite treat is avocado.
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I recall a food (tinned) made for zoos for these type of species being made years ago called "instant ant" that was I believe formulated to be like a complete diet I assume this or similar I might be available today
 
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