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Zoorasia Proboscis langurs at Zoorasia, Yokohama

Discussion in 'Japan' started by kiang, 3 May 2010.

  1. kiang

    kiang Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I didn't think there were any proboscis langurs outside of S.E Asia, but looking on ISIS, Zoorasia, in Yokohama Japan has a group of 2.2, which 5 animals originally came from Indonesia.

    ?11????????
     
  2. Baldur

    Baldur Well-Known Member

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    I will ask Ken Kawata, he has for decades been a liaison between the Western zoo world and the somewhat mystical Japanese zoo world.

    It must be totally new and happened surprisingly quietly if true. But Zoorasia has been a great place for wildlife gems in its 20 years (it was started only in 1992) since, you may know, they had Golden Monkeys from China for years, and maybe more, I only know one person who has been there but it was years ago.
     
  3. kiang

    kiang Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    That would be great if you could Baldur, i have read a few of Kens articles in IZN, on all aspects of Japanese zoos.
    If anyone will know, he will.
     
  4. Shirokuma

    Shirokuma Well-Known Member

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    I've been to Zoorasia, about six years ago. It opened in 1999 and is expanding in stages. They still had golden snub nosed monkeys then. I remember seeing Tibetan macaques and golden takin for the first time. It's quite cool with mostly nice enclosures arranged geographically in attractive grounds.

    That link definitely shows proboscis monkeys at Zoorasia.

    From what I can gather from this blog and a few searches, the monkeys are from Surabaya Zoo and it looks like they actually arrived in March 2009 and were held under strict extended quarantine until June when they went on display with a welcome ceremony with the Indonesian ambassador where the monkeys' names were announced.

    The enclosure is next to the Tibetan Macaques which I think is the former golden snub-nosed monkey enclosure. Interestingly this is the central Asian Highland area of the zoo rather than the Asian Tropical Forest zone where I thought they would be alongside the other langurs including douc langurs.

    Zoorasia Map

    By the way, the blog title is 'Tengu Blog'. Tengu is a kind of deity/monster/mythical creature which is usually portrayed with an enormous nose. Proboscis monkey in Japanese is tenguzaru or 'Tengu monkey'.

    Edit: found this press release:

    YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – Wednesday, May 20, 2009 – Proboscis Monkey (two males and three females) reared in Indonesia’s “Surabaya Zoo” have recently been brought in to join Yokohama Zoological Gardens “ZOORASIA”.

    This entering was made possible following a mutual agreement made in 2007 to exchange breeding technologies for the Proboscis Monkey between the Botanical and Zoological Society of Surabaya and “ZOORASIA” under the Republic of Indonesia government approval. Hereafter, both zoos will cooperate with the breeding of Proboscis Monkey.

    “ZOORASIA” becomes Japan’s only proboscis monkey rearing institution. The City of Yokohama and the Republic of Indonesia have also been jointly working for some time now in order to release “Rothschild's Mynah”, a bird endemic to Bali, into the wild.

    The City of Yokohama places their initiative of breeding and exhibition of the precious animals as part of the international contribution activities, and expects that these activities will provide an opportunity for people of Yokohama to start thinking about environmental conservation issues on a global scale. Proboscis Monkey will be opened to the public on Sunday, June 7, when an official public opening ceremony will be held, inviting the Republic of Indonesia Ambassador to Japan and relevant officials from Indonesia.
     
    Last edited: 4 May 2010
  5. Baldur

    Baldur Well-Known Member

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    Seems like I don't have to write to my friend Ken after all, Shirokuma has provided all the information needed.
     
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  6. mstickmanp

    mstickmanp Well-Known Member

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    That exhibit looks just like the one that the Golden Monkeys used to be in. Are the Golden Monkeys still at the zoo?
     
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  7. Kifaru Bwana

    Kifaru Bwana Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Any long term plans with the 2.0 douc langurs?

    I would really hope for an exchange with Singapore-Koeln in order to establish a breeding group at Zoorasia and sent fresh genes to Koeln.

    The Zoorasia zoo has historically already had a good reputation with animals in naturalistic enclosures and from the outset it has been a change from traditional Japan zoo design.
     
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  8. Shirokuma

    Shirokuma Well-Known Member

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    I believe they were returned to China last year, they had been on loan. Yes, I'm pretty sure it's the same enclosure where the proboscis monkeys now are.
     
  9. Tarsius

    Tarsius Well-Known Member

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    Really Good News. I look forward to see again Proboscis Monkeys after a break of years. I will be at Zoorasia at the end of June.
     
  10. Shirokuma

    Shirokuma Well-Known Member

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    By the way, Zoorasia also now has chimpanzees, this map (in Japanese) shows the exhibit location - number 44. Some pictures I've seen look quite good.
     
  11. Yero

    Yero Active Member

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    When I was in Inuyama Monkey Park in Japan a couple of years ago, they had at least one proboscis monkey (maybe more)
     
  12. Otter Lord

    Otter Lord Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Wow Douc Langurs and Proboscis Monkeys? This seems like a nice little zoo. Dholes, Okapi, Bush Dog, Tibetan Macaques, Clouded Leopard, and 2 species of Orangutans. If anyone goes, it would be cool to see a new gallery started for this zoo. The proboscis exhibit looks pretty good too judge from those pictures.
     
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  13. findi

    findi Well-Known Member

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    Hi Sorry for the delay, just came across this.

    I worked with Proboscis monkeys at the Bronx Zoo on and off from the mid 80's-early 90's; bred a few but group was never in optimum condition; diet-related problems, even when given mangrove leaves; silvered langurs fared better but similar concerns, please let me know if you would like more details,

    Best, Frank Indiviglio
     
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  14. peacock

    peacock Well-Known Member

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    I have been told that the doucs in germany fare equally as poorly.

    Was the problem the inability to provide them with fresh varied browse year round?
     
  15. findi

    findi Well-Known Member

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    Hi,

    Thanks...for the note...It seems leaf-specialists are difficult in general - hoatzins gave us trouble as well.

    I think fresh browse helped, but even in warmer months when the monkeys got it everyday, they were not in peak condition; we froze browse for winter use, but I doubt it was as good as fresh; also had mangrove leaves shipped in from Florida, and worked with a company (ZuPreem, perhaps) to create a high fiber biscuit, but there was something missing. They were gradually phased out of the collection.

    Best, Frank
     
  16. peacock

    peacock Well-Known Member

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    yes, this was much the same situation I had heard was happening in Cologne - browse being freezed over winter but that the doucs really don't much like it.

    Interestingly the red-shanked doucs at the EPRC and Singapore who get a much more natural diet seem to thrive.

    The inability to provide fresh, varied range of browse seems to be somewhat of a hurdle for temperate climate zoos wanting to keep certain species. Just look what imports of fresh ficus leaves did for Cincy's rhinos!
     
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  17. findi

    findi Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the info; I also had problems similar to Cincy's with a Sumatran rhino many years ago;

    I agree, certain animals are really best maintained in zoos that are located within their natural range, or areas that are similar thereto. Also important in terms of their outdoor enclosures, which can be utilized to a greater extend where the weather is favorable; this also enables one to more easily provide for the UVB/UVA needs of many herps; desert-dwellers in particular look much better when kept outdoors in the proper climate.

    Take care, frank
     
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  18. peacock

    peacock Well-Known Member

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    Wholeheartedly agree.

    Be them gorillas, elephants, polar bears or pandas - I like my animals outdoors.
     
  19. findi

    findi Well-Known Member

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    Good to hear, thanks...
     
  20. Giant Eland

    Giant Eland Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Hey Yero, I just read this place has a great number of primate species (possibly 90!?) Do you have a list of what species they had when you visited? Or at least some of the rarities?