National zoo » National Zoo and Aquarium

Circus elephant in NZ
17-04-2006

There has been recent news clippings about the African elephant in NZ .
Basically they are pondering how to "retire" her , as they are wanting to move out of the preforming animal line of circus .
Unfortunately , both her , and her keeper have grown very attached to each other . They were trying to find some place that could be a sanctuary in NZ ( I personally dont think their chances are that great )

It will be good if someone in Australia could take her . It is highly unlikely that she has TB or any other disease . If she has , she would be shot by Agricultural officials . Patrick is not kidding about NZs biosecurity standards -- they would be the most stringent in the world .

I dont agree with everything that is written in the newspapers , but I thought you may be interested in the above .

17-04-2006

thats good to hear nigel. obviously the issue of sending her to dubbo has not arisen in the NZ papers. maybe one of us should send a email to someone at dubbo and see if the issue has been brought to their attention.

18-04-2006

i will bring it up wen i go, im goin wif a mate who used to be a keeper qat taronga, so i will be talking to all the zookeepers there

Forward not backwar with OR without PETA
25-06-2006

There is an argument for elephant maintenance, but it need better adversaries than PETA. PETA is solely of the judgement no animals in captivity. What that implies for the welfare of wild populations is simply never discussed nor raised (are they safe in the wild???, I ONLY see increasing pressures on wild populations, thus more endangered species, hence more extinctions on the cards).

PETA should stick to domestic animals on this and leave the serious wild animal matters with competent in-country authorities (CITES et al ....) and the TRAFFIC office. They have more than enough racket to take action when needed.

I rest my case on this. And I sincerely hope this lone female may join the other cows at Dubbo before long.

Jelle

Breeding Africans at Dubbo?
07-07-2006

Guys,

What are the prospects for breeding African elephants at Dubbo?

Is it perhaps better to relocate them to f.i. Monarto Open Range Zoo and try to breed from them? Or is Monarto slated to become involved in the Asian elephant breeding programme also? Do they have any plans on this?

Also, what about this rumour of Monarto going into black rhinos?

Cheers,

Jelle

07-07-2006

Two comments
PETA, (mt favourite PET hate) want a complete ban on all contact between humans and animals. No domestic animals, pets etc.
Re the elephants. Monarto has stated that they would not be involved in elephants for a long time if ever, they are just too expensive to keep, and don't forget David Hancocks is the director at Monarto.

Jai

07-07-2006

jelle, u are very confused about alot of programs, dubbo has 3 female africans, all over 35, there has been a totalo of 6 africans at dubbo, and 1 at taronga about 40 years ago.

there was 2 males at dubbo, both died, last in 2000, and a 4th female who died some years ago.

dubbo will more than likely never get more africans, nor any other oz zoo.

there is also no need to relocate any animals of large size from dubbo, as dubbo is australia's largest (as in most developed ) zoo in oz, its on about 800 ha or 2000 acres. the elephants there (2 asians 3 africans) have the area of all australias other ele exhibits put together, plus more.

07-07-2006

David Hancocks is not the director at Monarto. He was Director at Werrribee for a few years, some time ago, but has not worked in any zoos in this region since leaving Werribee.

A recent resturcture in the Zoological Society of South Australia now has Kevin Evans as director of both Adelaide and Monarto Zoos.

17-07-2006

Chris Hannocks was Director at Monarto and Peter Clark is the Curator

21-07-2006

sorry
I got the Hannocks and the Hancocks mixed up.

Jai