Paignton Zoo » Paignton Zoo

24-01-2008

I can see a complication developing here...

Crocodile Swamp
17-02-2008

They have announced that there will be a pair of Nile crocodiles from Wroclaw Zoo, Poland; Paignton's two female Cuban crocodiles plus another from Poland; a 3 metre long female saltwater crocodile from Thrigby Hall Wildlife Park; plus pythons and boa constrictors. There will also be over 1000 plants to fill what looks like a huge greenhouse on the site of the old monkey house - traveller's palm, panama hat palm, annato, giant water lily ...........

17-02-2008

Do they plan to breed the Cuban Crocs?

17-02-2008

Does this mean the large male Cuban has died?Wasn`t aware that they knew the sex of the other 2 Cubans,surprised a bit that Thrigby is sending 1 of the Salt Water Crocs,but i do know that they had been fighting.

17-02-2008

Cuban crocs: 2 resident females and another from Poland (for a breeding group)? What happened to their erstwhile male?

This is the current list for C. rhombifer in Europe:
Alma Ata 1.1
Barcelona 0.2
Gdansk 0.2 (listed under hybrids)
Lesna 0.2.5
Nyiregyha 0.1
Paignton 1.0.2 (? - does not match your listing)
Randers 0.2
Warsaw 0.3
Wroclaw 0.1

That is a depressing read! Numbers wise it is not so bad, however we desperately need males to initiate a breeding project for the endangered C. rhombifer. Perhaps a direct import from Cuba (under similar terms as has happened for Phillipine crocs C. mindorensis) may be enlisted.

17-02-2008

Hallo Jelle
I think you see it too negative! There is a lot more Cuban crocs in Europe, not every holder is listed on ISIS. fE the Crocodille-Zoo in Denmark which holds 1.1 saw 24 hatchings in 2006 (unfortunately one parent is hybrid with C.acutus). Or the Czech privat breeder Prochazka - his pair (100% pure) produced 3 babys in 2005 and 6 more in 2007. There are 5 Zoo with this species in Germany only, and do not forget Pierelatte/France. The two things you need is: good cooperation within Europe and a little bit patience.

17-02-2008

Hi,

I think with crocs it is problem to maintain all the species - just too many near-identical forms. Wouldn't mind having less Nile crocodiles - even if zoo puts cuban crocodiles in African exhibit (how many of us can tell them apart?)

17-02-2008

Hi Jana,

Glad to have you on board on this forum too! Thanx for the additional information on C. rhombifer in European collections.

I was aware of your countryman's Prochazka collection, however not that he was breeding them! Perhaps he can be an instrumental authority for establishing an ESB or EEP for C. rhombifer out of the current dispersed stock.
Sad to learn Krokodille Zoo has a hybrid ... (thus the breedings have no conservation significance, other than proving one is a breeder (male or female?)).

Which 5 other zoos in Germany keep this species?

The only croc for which currently an EEP exists is the Tomistoma. Personally, I view both C. rhombifer, C. mindorensis, C. moreletii, C. siamensis and African Ostealaemus for an eventual EEP/ESB.

Do you think it is realistic to expect an ESB or EEP to eventually develop for C. rhombifer given their numbers in Europe?

17-02-2008

A lot of questions!
At first, I do not believe the private keeper can manage such a think as EEP or ESB, he is no member of EAZA.
The hybrid animal at Krokodille zoo is the female.
The 5 zoo with C.rhombifer in Germany: Berlin zoo, Schlangenfarm Schladen, Hoyerswerda zoo, Fulda Aquarium and Friedberg Krokodilzoo (according to Zootierbestände on Hongabongas Site).
I have no idea how realistic is it to start EEP/ESB für Cuban crocodiles. But if I remmember correctly the former China Alligator EEP was released due to no interest/activity of its participants. Really frigtening result, is not?

17-02-2008

I think that the male from Crocodile zoo should be paired up with the females from Paignton, whether that means moving the male, or one of the females..

17-02-2008

On ISIS paignton are listed as 1.0.2 so you may be jumpimg the gun here they could all be males!

18-02-2008

Paignton say, regarding Cuban crocodiles: " For want of a suitable viewing facility, two have been off show for some years...............As well as our original females, another chunky speciman will be arriving from Poland."
Rather ambiguous. If I find out its sex, I'll let you know.

18-02-2008

Skansen akvariet in Sweden have two pure breed Cuban crocs and I think they have produced plenty of young ones over the years.

18-02-2008

Don't forget "Serpo" in the Netherlands who also holds (one?) Cuban croc(s)...

18-02-2008

I think there are (3?) Cubans at Bergen Aquarium, Norway too??