Xenarthra IRA coming soon

[Steve Robinson]

To clarify, IRAs and the live import list are separate processes - the IRA will presumably apply to all members of Xenarthra. Individual species then need to be added to the live import list.

Correct.

 

[Steve Robinson]

Because they identify what’s a priority for the region with regards to processing an IRA. It took me by surprise as I’d assumed a Giraffe IRA would be next for Australia after the Hippopotamus IRA.

Dangerous these days to assume too much - the times they are a-changing!!!

In terms of zoological matters, the Federal government regard ZAA and WEN as equal. They are complementary groups - not competitors.

Both organisations polled their members regarding the priority family for the next IRA process. A combination of ZAA and WEN members chose Xenarthra.

Species agreed to are:

 

[Zorro]

Dangerous these days to assume too much - the times they are a-changing!!!

In terms of zoological matters, the Federal government regard ZAA and WEN as equal. They are complementary groups - not competitors.

Both organisations polled their members regarding the priority family for the next IRA process. A combination of ZAA and WEN members chose Xenarthra.

Species agreed to are:

I agree far too much assuming going on in this forum!

 

[PossumRoach]

Species agreed to are:

Are they confidential?

 

[Steve Robinson]

Are they confidential?

No - I have had a big week and am not properly awake yet!! TBC.

 

[Steve Robinson]

Dangerous these days to assume too much - the times they are a-changing!!!

In terms of zoological matters, the Federal government regard ZAA and WEN as equal. They are complementary groups - not competitors.

Both organisations polled their members regarding the priority family for the next IRA process. A combination of ZAA and WEN members chose Xenarthra.

Species agreed to are:

Giant Anteater
Two-toed Sloth [Linne's]
Tamandua
Yellow Armadillo
Three-banded Armadillo

 

[Steve Robinson]

I wonder if any zoos will actually import any though? The ungulate IRA has been approved for a while (guessing like 2 years??) and no zoos have imported any ungulates (exception Altina with nyala from New Zealand - but we could always import ungulates from New Zealand so that doesn’t count)

There will be a lot more imports of these species than you may imagine. Even the big zoos are keen - driven by their marketing departments where Sloths are concerned, no doubt.

However, just compare the logistics of importing Xenarthra compared with Giraffe [or Bovids for that matter].

Most Xenarthra species are comparatively small so are affordable to pre-export quarantine and freight. They are also easier to house by the recipient zoo so more zoos will be in a financial position to contribute to their import and to maintain their upkeep. Many, many overseas zoos are reluctant to export to Australia because of the amount of red-tape involved and the infrastructure required - particularly in order to achieve compliance with pre-export quarantine protocols. Most Xenarthran species will not require such expensive infrastructure - either at the export or the import end.

Thus Xenarthra species are able to be imported by many more zoos than would be able to import Giraffe or Bovids.

This is not to downplay the importance of adding new genetic material to our Giraffe and Bovid populations. However, our government puts a lot of time and effort into IRA development and, in the past, has been less than impressed by our industry's slow [and low] take up of the finished product. A Xenarthra IRA should restore their faith in us!

 

[CGSwans]

@Steve Robinson , do you have a sense of timeline for the IRA being completed?

(hope you are feeling better, btw)

 

[Steve Robinson]

@Steve Robinson , do you have a sense of timeline for the IRA being completed?

(hope you are feeling better, btw)

Thanks mate.

From past experience I would think about 2 years. Would love it to be less - I'm not getting any younger!!

[Feeling better every day, thanks].

 

[Tiger91]

There will be a lot more imports of these species than you may imagine. Even the big zoos are keen - driven by their marketing departments where Sloths are concerned, no doubt.

However, just compare the logistics of importing Xenarthra compared with Giraffe [or Bovids for that matter].

Most Xenarthra species are comparatively small so are affordable to pre-export quarantine and freight. They are also easier to house by the recipient zoo so more zoos will be in a financial position to contribute to their import and to maintain their upkeep. Many, many overseas zoos are reluctant to export to Australia because of the amount of red-tape involved and the infrastructure required - particularly in order to achieve compliance with pre-export quarantine protocols. Most Xenarthran species will not require such expensive infrastructure - either at the export or the import end.

Thus Xenarthra species are able to be imported by many more zoos than would be able to import Giraffe or Bovids.

This is not to downplay the importance of adding new genetic material to our Giraffe and Bovid populations. However, our government puts a lot of time and effort into IRA development and, in the past, has been less than impressed by our industry's slow [and low] take up of the finished product. A Xenarthra IRA should restore their faith in us!

It's good to see our big zoos are also willing to import some.
Im not surprised about which IRA will go through. The giraffe IRA isn't needed, even if it gets approved. There are to many generics to just phase out and start breeding pure line animals. On top of that giraffe genetics is still very much up for debate. Our non Rothchilds giraffe are considered pure by some standards about how giraffe should be divided. Considering the work they put into the bovid IRA, which was no doubt driven by the cattle industry. The lack of zoo take up of new species or new genetics would not impress.

I think it is great that we are approving other IRA's. That will enable zoos to import some new fantastic species.