An interesting article posted at zoonaute, regarding the new Asian area proposed for next year.
The arrival of the Indian rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis) is normally planned for March 2010. It is a couple which is planned for the moment. The individuals must come from Madrid, for the male (Either Daan - born in 2000 - or Sahib - born in 2004 -) and the female of Tierpark Berlin: probably one of the two young people, is Saathi (born in 2005) or Manjula (born in 2008). Personally I put rather on the first Wink.
They will cohabit in the Asian plain of 2,5 hectares with three species of ongulés: stags axis (Axis axis); antelopes cervicapres (Antelope will cervicapra) and of the nilgauts (Boselaphus tragocamelus), a species still not very common in France.
Side of the forest, a large enclosure will be intended for a couple of Malayan tapirs (Tapirus indicus) which will cohabit with muntjacs (Muntiacus sp) and cranes with white neck (Grus vipio). It will be about the only cohabitation of the kind in Europe.
A birdcage will be intended for the family of entelle of India (Semnopithecus entellus) maintained inside the building of the large monkeys since 2007. It will be about the only species of primates of the extension.
In conclusion, one sees here that Beauval holds a very interesting innovation for us, first of all by accomodating large mammals still rare in captivity; but also by diversifying its collection (first species of deer tribe accomodated). The displacement of entelles is also a positive thing.
I amply thank Eric Bairrão Ruivo, Directeur Science and Conservation of Zooparc de Beauval, which answered my questions at the request of Rodolphe Delord.