went to TWPZ yesterday » Western Plains Zoo

27-04-2008

there are no plans to breed congo buffalo. they are being phased out. only Weribee and WPZ still have any buffalo and they are all related, old and inbred, or castrated.
im assuming that the introduction of Arna and Gigi to Burma will be a carefully staged, long-term process, with time-off for both parties until they are fully integrated.
przewalksi horse. WPZ has one of the largest herds of this species in the southern hemisphere, and it may just be that the display group was smaller than usual this time.
answers to most of the questions u posed can also be found in other similar threads. happy reading

28-04-2008

The patas monkey group, notorious for getting off the island, were sent to a zoo in New Caladonia (early 2000s). Primate ASMP were happy to off-load a 'dead' taxa, except to renter them when the zoo become a member of ARAZPA!

28-04-2008

So THATS what happened to the patas monkeys!

Another (primate) species lost to Australia!

29-04-2008

No Perry bros was just talked about once in an article after Arna and gigi's move.

29-04-2008

That is strange. . . not many people know about the perry's elephants other than those in the industry, staff of the RSPCA or Animal Liberation didn't even know if they still had them at one point not long ago. and from the photos I've seen of Minyak (sp?) she looks to be in great health, I believe it was minyak.

29-04-2008

It was a news thread it only mentioned a quote from RSPCA i can't find it anymore. That's my only source....... Sorry
I'd like to more photos of Perry bros. circus elephants do you have anymore?

15-07-2008

last Saturday I went to Western Plains Zoo, my third trip in three years. Pleasingly, the zoo is looking very good at the moment and although I am not aware of (though I would expect) any downturn in the regional tourism industry the zoo was very busy; additionally there were Catholic Pilgrims everywhere.
Maybe it was the brisk temperature but many of the animals not often seen moving were up and about, including the Cheetah, grazing Hippo, Bongo and other Big Cats.
Some things worthy of mention...
-Spotted a female Sitatunga at the edge of the savannah. One of only 2 females left in the country.
-Hunting Dogs were down to two display animals as a new female is being introduced to the pack
-Indian Rhino back out on display
-Arna and Gigi still seperated from Burma although they were all quite close together up against the fence
-Persian Onager foal, young American Bison, Siamang and White Rhino calf on display
*Obviously we all have our own ideas on how each zoo could be improved. Last time I went to Dubbo I had a whole heap of ideas; this time, all I want is more seating!

16-07-2008

Good to see the onagers are still reproducing, are they on phase out from the region?

16-07-2008

Hmmp, I never read on this speration of Burma, and Arna & Gigi, is it because of dominance? Or because the zoo thinks it's in the best interests like the two long time friends stay be kept together?

Sorry about thw wording,

17-07-2008

persian onager are sill reproducing but this species is in a very bad way in the region, held only by TWPZ and all descended from relatively few founders.
unfortunately, despite the endangered status of this gorgeous equid there simply isnt enough space or resources to maintain viable populations of onager, zebra and przewalski horse.
due to the low founder number and need for more spaces for the p. horse this species has been listed as phase out.
TWPZ is the one of 23 institutions worldwide to hold this species and with 9 animals WPZ's herd represents 6.5% of the total zoo herd of 139. Logistically, despite fewer quarantine restrictions (as onagers dont belong to the artiodactyl family) as the only holder in the Southern Hemisphere keeping this species viable 'down under' would recquire a far greater commitment from the regions zoos which would ultimately conflict with PMP for zebra and p. horse.
to give an idea of the status of this species in Australia...
in 1979 TWPZ started displaying Onager with two stallions and two mares. In 1982 new blood in the way of an additional stallion and two mares were introduced.
the latest foal (dec 07) was the first since 2001. However, he is not absolutely related to all the other herd members (1 Stallion, five mares, 2 geldings plus foal =9).
now, on to Asian Elephants. I dont think the introduction has gone as rosily as media releases would have had it, although obviously this would be a staged introduction and I think in the future we may see all 3 animals fully integrated. Im guessing that early squabbles for dominance between Burma and Gigi may have manifested into aggression as Burma does have that streak in her. Long term though she may settle in with them, after all, whilst she may have beat up on poor old Heman frequently she did live along time at Taronga with Ranee until she died in 1998.
Fingers crossed, either way, the contact she has with Arna and Gigi is better than her being by herself although it does go to show why the ZPB of NSW's much maligned decision to transfer Burma to TWPZ rather than integrate her with the new Thai elephants may have been reached.