indian rhino » Western Plains Zoo

04-01-2009

... and have they changed the enclosure substrate so this one won't be able to eat sand (or will it be going straight to Western Plains?)

05-01-2009

The female rhino destined for Dubbo is currently in quarantaine at the LA Zoo. She is a female born in Oklahoma Zoo in 2006 and probably will be shipped out to Dubbo direct in early spring 2009 (when the weather has cooled down abit).

Regarding substrates ... yes stomach impaction of ingested sand substrate is an issue in some mega herbivores (rhino, elephant, giraffe). I personally assume - I said assume (so somewhat speculative) - that she will go direct out to Dubbo (they do have large quarantaine facilities on site). What is the point in bringing her first to Taronga and moving her on in 2-3 months time to Dubbo. It is just more stressful, requires more logistical preparations as well as conditioning/ training of the female) ...???

05-01-2009

yup, she is in quarantine at the LA zoo, but I don't know when she will be leaving to Australia.

05-01-2009

That's great news. Hopefully this time quarantine will be successful when it reaches Australia.

05-01-2009

I note that she is only two years old so it will be a few years yet before she is ready to breed.

05-01-2009

Hi Jay,

What do you expect ..... Instant breeding?

Anyhow, it is the wrong conclusion: end of January she is 3 years old. Fine, it will be at least another 2 years before she is ready to be introduced to Dora for the first time. Hence, one would be extremely lucky if she will give birth anytime before end 2012.

Besides, Indian rhinos in captivity in the recommended age classes and with suitable genetic background are not exactly in abundant supply ....

Regards,

Jelle

05-01-2009

She maybe young but thats not such a bad thing, at long last a female is on the way so thats got to be good news, so Jelle if any spare females are un-wanted in the EEP maybe we could have another one or two, lol

05-01-2009

the reason why asian rhinos have previously stopped at taronga is because in both cases their enclosures at dubbo werent yet finished; in Dora's case he was imported from Japan and was kept at Taronga as his Asian Wetland home at Dubbo was completed whilst in Kua's case the breeding facilites were being built. of course, she died tragically before she was relocated.

06-01-2009

Well...Yes.

So lets see. Late this year, early next year elephant babies, then pandas, and then hopefully - indian rhinos!

05-05-2009

Sorry to dig this up again but how is the transfer of this female going? Is it still going ahead?