A look at the Melbourne Zoo masterplan » Melbourne Zoo

12-05-2008

This isn't strictly true zookiah. Birds/eggs of certain species can be imported from selected countries, depending on the species. But it's very expensive, and complicated. Australian zoos imported a small shipment of birds (red lories amongst other thngs) several years ago, in conjunction with a shipment of private birds that came in.

The quarantine centre at Spotswood can handle bird imports.

12-05-2008

The giant gourami (Julie) died a while ago. She/he (not sure how to tell the difference) was a great specimen to look and it was a shame when she died.

12-05-2008

Zoopro, I was told ages ago by one of the bird keepers (at Melbourne) that the import restriction on birds was really tight and it was difficult (or as I said, impossible) to import birds and/or eggs. It was in answer to a question that came up about getting more birds in and the ones at Melbourne were 'expiring'.

Most of the comments went along the lines of "when these ones go that's it for the region".

You are right about the red lorries as the ones at Melbourne Zoo were imported a long time ago (at great cost) but I just assumed the restrictions had tightened since then.

I believe the macaws were purchased from a private breeder.

If our local collection is dying off, and if what you say is correct, then why aren't more bird species being imported by either the zoos or private collectors? When was the last time a bird was imported?

(I'm just curious.)

Or......does the importation of certain species depend on the current 'climate'? i.e bird flu rumours put a stop to bird imports, mad cows disease puts a stop to cattle imports, an ebola break out puts a stop to primate imports, etc.

12-05-2008

Oh, and also......I can't find the post (and I've been away from this site for ages) but someone asked a while back if the hamadryas baboons are going to Werribee after I said there's talk of an exhibit update......the answer is 'no'. They are staying in Melbourne.

12-05-2008

Unfortunately, it's a long. long answer. There's some limited information here:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiv.../pet-birds.pdf and here: Import Conditions Database - ICON - AQIS although these relate to the import of pet birds (scary if you ask me!).

Also, AQIS (now Biosecurity Australia) rules for the import of pigeons:
Import Conditions Database - ICON - AQIS (even scarier again - think of all those pigeons flying free while they race!)

DEWHA have a list of specimens taken to be suitable for live import:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiv...mport-list.pdf although this doesn't mean that permits will be approved for these species.

There's a start on your answer, anyway!

12-05-2008

Thanks ZooPro (I think)

12-05-2008

the last time exotic bird species were imported into Australia was in the 1990s. since then egg smugglers have been busted and some smugglers may have slipped through the nets but in general many exotic bird populations are in critical decline.
flamingoes, condors, victoria crowned pigeons and currasow are all down to less than 5 individuals in Australia. bleeding heart pigeons, on the other hand, are 'safe' and thanks to private keepers a safety net for this species beyond zoos does exist.
most exotic parrot, finch, pheasant and pigeon/dove species are considered viable or savable, but the prohibitive cost surrounding the importation of bird species into Australia has dissuaded the Australian zoo community from further imports. this may change in the future but at the moment i guess our zoos ave greater conservation priorities. for example, a breeding program for endangered hornbills in Australia would be considered far less viable than one for, say black rhino which can be imported with less restrictions.

12-05-2008

thanks cuz ;-)

13-05-2008

Thanks for that Glyn and Zoopro.

What you've said (and I believe you) is totally opposite to what I was told by a bird keeper at the zoo. It was a long time ago and he's not at the zoo anymore.

I was always under the impression that there will be no future imports and we have to work with what we have.....which seems to be declining. It just seems that once a bird dies or is taken off display for some reason it isn't replaced (eg. fireback pheasant) and there are other birds that don't have a mate (green peafowl).

You have said there have been no imports since the 90's which ties in what I believed to be total ban (silly me). But then I'm no expert.

13-05-2008

Just to use this as an example, and only a quick reply I'm afraid, but hopefully this might help. I'm no aviculturalist, but I'd bet that fireback pheasants and green peafowl are probably available in the private bird market in Australia (I'm happy to be corrected if this is wrong). The region's zoos have nine different pheasant species listed in their collection plans, and this is probably overkill, so deleting one or two of these is no hardship in the bigger scheme of things.

There are 24 green peafowl in the region's zoos (granted, 12 of these are in Fiji), so there is no shortage of them, if Taronga (presumably the zoo you are talking about that only has one) wants to obtain more. In fact, Taronga are phasing the species out of their collection, so are intentionally not obtaining any more.

But let's say, there were only a few fireback pheasants left in the country. Zoos are not going to go through the massive logistics of sourcing animals overseas, from countries where they can be imported, and then go through extremely costly import procedures and quarantine procedures for this species, especially when there are plenty of other pheasants around. And since only 3 zoos are showing any interest in the species, the small number of birds that zoos would be interested in importing, would make it totally cost-prohibitive.

The comment from the regional bird TAG for this species is:

"Species potentially reproductively extinct within the region. Although a small number of specimens are known to exist in private hands and a smaller number in zoos there has been no reported breeding success for a number of years despite serious attempts in recent times. It appears that repeated inbreeding has resulted in the loss of fertility in this species. Institutions with spaces available for Lophura pheasants should allocate these to the regionally available Kalij, Swinhoe or Silver Pheasants. There are no import health standards in place for this species to facilitate import from outside of the region."

As Glyn mentioned, there are far higher priority non-avian species that can be imported, with a lost less cost and hassle. And since Australia has one of the most exciting collections of wild bird species - we can still have wonderful displays of those.

I hope this helps.

13-05-2008

where are these green peafowl in Fiji? If its at Kula, I was there in August and they had only blue peafowl

03-01-2009

This is my favorite thread on Zoochat and sometimes I re-read it just for fun but my real reason for raising it from the dead is to try and find out what species of pheasant are in Australia. I love pheasants but have only seen a few different types and would like to know which ones are out there.

04-01-2009

Taronga has Golden's, Nepal Kalij and Lady Amherst's on display. And the omnipresent Blue Peafowl.

Many years ago they had Swinhoe's, Himalayan Monal's, Ring-necks, Reeve's and Silver, but I don't think they have any of these anymore (unless they are in off-display breeding facilities). There might have even been a tragopan, but I'm not 100% certain on that one.



Hix

04-01-2009

Thanks Hix. The only ones that I've seen at Melbourne are Golden.

04-01-2009

HIx, did they used to keep the monal in the aviary which up until recently was used for sun conure and agouti, because as a child i am certain i saw them in there....in the mid 1990s