Baby hippo at werribee » Werribee Open Range Zoo

15-04-2008

there is no confirmation at this stage of any transfer. is Cairns Wildlife Safari even accreditited by ARAZPA yet?
there was talk of a male being transferred from Western Plains Zoo. if any hippo are to leave CWS anytime soon it will probably be to Seaworld for its proposed hippo exhibit.

15-04-2008

so whats the sex of the latest calf- any news?

15-04-2008

well there are 3 animals at cairns and one recommended dubbo/werribee pairing. thats four potential new pairings and four zoos to distribute that amongst (cairns, seaworld, werribee and dubbo).

15-04-2008

Amazing seaworld is getting a hippo exhibit?! So it is only talk that there will be a transfer or is there a confirm but the individual hippo hasn't been confirmed?

15-04-2008

the individual hippo would have been selected already based on bloodlines, age and sex as per breeding recommendations.
the transfer may follow on from there. but thats a logisitical exercise the zoos need to work out some point down the track.

16-04-2008

So selection is based on the aperance and bloodlines. Are hippo born in the wild more valuable or are the ones born in captivity are?

16-04-2008

age, sex and bloodlines has nothing to do with appearance (how the animal "looks").

are hippo born in the wild more valuable than those born in zoos? it all depends how much genetic diversity (different bloodlines) there are in a captive population. if there are few, then ANY new bloodline is valuable, wether it be born in the wild or not. in cases of species uncommon in zoos, often the few animals there are are related, (even if they are scattered all over the world). thus a wild-born animal is the only way to get new blood and the term "wild-born" is often mentioned in regards to their value.

16-04-2008

[quote=patrick;47246]age, sex and bloodlines has nothing to do with appearance (how the animal "looks").

QUOTE]

I guess that is ture but the apperance must come into some factor e.g what if the animal looked dieseased?

16-04-2008

for example.... if a gorilla was supposed to be moved to taronga zoo from melbourne to breed, but then just before departure the vet says, "you know what, i just noticed, that animal looks diseased, better take that one instead"... and points to another?

sure....

16-04-2008

I know what dragon nerd means. Though for breeding recommendations, thing such as appearance would have little to do with breeding, nor movement for breeding, if a pairing needs to occur, as long as both participating institutions follow along, then it will occur.

But i spose for exhibit purposes, if an animal looked unwell, or 'shabby' that animal could be held off exhibit for a while and be given extra attention, ie vert checks, blood smaples, and maybe even a clean. By shabby, or diseased, i asume you mean hair falling out, maybe a runny nose, basically un appealing apperance for the public, and animal may be lacking in a vitamen, and may certainly be tested for it, and supplementted or diet changed for it.

If you were going to import an animal from overseas for education purposes, hence exhibit purposes, most zoos would very well 'select' the best looking ones, as they would not go to the trouble to import an unappelaing animal, but rather asses the animals health and see if its due to diet or treatemnt at the institute it's at- maybe under nourished and you see ribs.

But if an animal did look unwell, and changed in condition before an imidiate move, then it would not be moved, and would be assesed before any de[ature.

16-04-2008

Zooboy has given new insight most people just like the experince of seeing animals but the good looking ones that for example cause trouble in a zoo and they have to be relocated will be just for show ( if they aren't a proven breeder) Though some breeding individuals may look not so much shabby in a dieseased was but shabby for instance ugly that individual would possibly be off exhibit to the public eye and paired up. Then agian there are some instances in where some zoos put there breeding individuals off exhibit because zoos are a major attraction for young kids.

But thank you both again.

16-04-2008

Arrrr- i will pull you up on one thing- don't say just for show- that would be for commercial resons then, say for education exhibitation purposes.

Often, if animals have the best care, they will not be 'ugly', rather thick, heathly coats, and be provided shelter from weather, and other aniamls to keep them socially heathly- ie not stress to loose condition.

But often animals that apprear shabby, are often healthy. For example, did you know in chimp society, you will often find one animal with very little hair. You may think 'ew yuck' ,or even that individual is sick, but rather than animal is actually the healthiest.

In chimp society, they groome each other to rid parasites, and for social bonding. The most dominant animal will also have the least hair, as it will be the animal most groomed by it's fellow troop members. As a result of the grooming behavior, hair is also removed.

So the baldest chimp,most unattractive in someones opinions, could actually very well be the healthiest, and in the best social position.

16-04-2008

boys, go talk about your hypothetical scenarios in which zoos might substitute an "ugly" animals for a "good-looking" specimen someplace else....

*patrick walks them to the door*

16-04-2008

-patrick sulks behind closed door-

16-04-2008

[quote=Zoo_Boy;47254]Arrrr- i will pull you up on one thing- don't say just for show- that would be for commercial resons then, say for education exhibitation purposes. QUOTE]

Sorry i'll stop trying -Jonathan puts head down behind door-