Beluki is retired from breeding as I believe she has tumours within her womb. Though these are not life-threatening, the keepers decided it would be detrimental to any further breeding.
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ZSL Whipsnade Zoo ZSL Whipsnade Zoo 2019
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Beluki is retired from breeding as I believe she has tumours within her womb. Though these are not life-threatening, the keepers decided it would be detrimental to any further breeding.
Beluki:
• Rap (M) - born 2007, since 2010 in West Midlands
• Karamat (F) - born 2010, now in Planckendael
Behan:
• Asha (F) - born 2006, since 2012 in Chester
• Ajang (M) - born 2010, since 2015 in Branféré
• Jamil (M) - born 2012, since 2015 in Fota Wildlife Park
• Bali (M) - born 2015, now in La Fléche
Many thanks for the prompt reply!
just because they have been recorded to give birth doesnt mean its the norm, nor to be expected. IZW suggest a realistic cut off at around 20 years. also, even if a female older than 20 ish is cycling, is it always best practice to get her pregnant, as an older animal? considering IZW vets had to cone abd assist with this pregnancy, I dont think she will breedagain, do you?
I didn't state it was the norm; I am aware that it isn't. I merely asked why you were so sure it would be her last calf.
Hello Tim. A conversation I had with one of the Asia keepers roughly 18 months ago was that if they could get both cows pregnant one more time, before retiring them, they would. Obviously regarding Beluki, it was highly unlikely and not fair on her welfare. Regarding Behan, her bloodline was becoming over-represented so, if she is pregnant, this calf will be her final offspring.
Obviously studbook recommendations change as do circumstances, but I wouldn’t hold my breath regarding Beluki.
Thank you for this
Perhaps my earlier question should have been more explicit but I wondered if her final calf was an assumption based on her age or if there was information from ZSL that they wouldn't attempt to breed from her again.
In the Beluki case would it be tumours be operable at all (would it be worth the effort)?
Given her age, and welfare, it’s not worth the effort.
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The most recent ZSL Animal Inventory lists a single roan antelope (a male) at Whipsnade, as at 1st January 2019.
However, I don't think it is still there; I've not seen roan antelope on any of my many visits this year.
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I was in the zoo today as well, we didn't see any roan antelope. Double checked with a keeper and they confirmed the species is no longer in the collection.
dead.
and then there were three....
Are all the Red River Hogs leaving? If so any idea what may replace them? Wasn't there talk on here about a larger meerkat enclosure?
Oh dear God no! Utilise that enclosure and bring in something different!
There was talk at one time of housing Serval, but why not raise the enclosure's height, net it over and bring back the vultures?
why try to use thst enclosure for anything? the house is a ramshackle shanty and the paddock is like the somme. if you want vulrures or meerkats or anything else why not just build something for purpose? enough enclosures making do at whipsnade which house animals different to what they were intended for. and actially many supposedly purpose built enclosures are not fit for purpose either...
It's a good couple of enclosures for potential animals. I can't think of any enclosures that are not fit for purpose, that seems harsh to me