Wild Asses in UK. » Africa Alive!

Wild Asses in UK.
13-08-2007

(moved from Okapis...)

I think Marwell's problem with the Somali asses is that they've had a number of male foals born. I thought they had 3.3. at one time- maybe the two that went to 'Africa Alive' in Suffolk are two of those. Last time I went to Marwell there was a new unrelated stallion there- he was 'different' to the others, rougher-looking and not in such 'pink' condition.

Regarding 'Africa Alive' at Suffolk- it is a rather exposed site-especially the higher part, and it must be more so in winter as its only a stone's throw from the beach... They have quite a large ungulate collection but only small numbers of most species.

Do they still have a group of Persian Onagers? I wondered if they came from Marwell too, as Onager dissappeared from there about the time Marwell 'upgraded' to keeping the the Somali Asses

14-08-2007

I don't think they have kept Persian Onager for some time now. There was even an onager there when it was the old suffolk wildlife park. They appeared to acquire many rarer species in the early 90's when Banham first took over the collection, and over the years, with the exception of the Somali Wild Ass, none have come in to replace the animals they have lost, and this is especially true of the hoofstock and primates. It would seem that studbook keepers are reluctant to send new animals to collections where they don't appear to thrive (despite the overall good reputation of Banham) which would of course make sense. Hopefully the Somali Wild Ass will do well there with such small numbers in captivity. But although Africa Alive has good facilities for hoofstock, I agree that the site has very little shelter from the wind coming in off the sea.

I expect it won't be long before Colchester zoo acquire Somali Wild Ass, as they seem to do so with anything unique at Africa Alive.

14-08-2007

So Colchester are influenced a bit by what their nearest neighbouring collection have got, are they? I can imagine them having Somali Asses too- they would probably do well with them. Colchester nowadays is definately zoo 'on the up' as they've made big improvements in recent years.

Regarding Banham/Suffolk. Banham had a small group of Hamlyn's monkeys, and Suffolk had De Brazza's(4) the last time I went there(some years back) The Hamlyn's group disappeared and I expect the De Brazzas have done likewise.

There were about 6-8 Onager at Suffolk at that time. They also seemed to do well with Fossas, kept in the old cages at the very top end of the park- which would have been part of when it was 'Kessingland'

Of the two, I prefer Banham Zoo, which although its smaller is nicely laid out.

Somali wild ass status
14-08-2007

Marwell has bred Somali wild ass in the last few seasons, but with a preponderance of males. I guess the new pairing at Africa Alive is a Marwell male and a Continental female.

On one of the other threads someone mentioned Woburn was trying to get Somali wild ass too. Anyone know what is the score on that?

14-08-2007

It would seem that way re colchester. After the new park had been established, Colchester soon acquired Fossa, Striped Hyena, Aardvark, etc and opened mixed african hoofstock and lion exhibits at the same time as Africa Alive, to the point where there really isn't anything at Africa Alive that you can't see at colchester. There is still a fantastic herd of about a dozen Blesbok though. But I agree that colchester is definitely a zoo on the 'up', and seem to be able to breed many difficult species successfully.

Suffolk did have de brazzas for a while, also Colobus, Hamlyn's, L'Hoest's, and Talapoin monkeys, none of which seemed to last. They now just have the vervets and the old pair of chimps from banham. They have been more successful with carnivores, as you say the fossas bred, also the hyenas have done so, and the Bat-eared foxes have been prolific.

14-08-2007

the royal zoological society seems to be looking to expand the british wild ass population with the 5 kiang at the highland wildlife park and they have been talking for a few years now on importing a group of kulan into the refurbished camel house, ian valentine a few years back told me the kulan would be coming from the ukraine.

14-08-2007

Yes, regarding Marwell- that is what I thought.

Re Woburn- I'd be very surprised if they were able to obtain any- relatively few zoos have them, let alone surplus apart from the occassional odd animal. Possibly some surplus stallions could be turned into a batchelor group though...

14-08-2007

What other uk zoos have Wild Asses nowadays?

Apart from Marwell and Suffolk-Somali Ass. Suffolk- Onager?
Whipsnade- Onager
Chester- Onager?
Highland- Kiang.

Anywhere else?
.

Status wild asses in UK
15-08-2007

grantsmb,

Somali wild ass
Kessingland 1.1
Marwell 3.2
Total EEP population: 29.46+ Oberwill, Switzerland (and breeding well lately)
World population: 37.59+

Persian Onager
Chester 1.3
Whipsnade 1.1
Total EEP population: 17.32+ Oberwill, Switzerland + some more French zoos
(breeding reconstituted following reinstatement of EEP and assignment of new EEP coordinator)

Kiang
HWP 1.4
Total EEP population: 36.59 (breeding well)

As you can see there is plenty of scope for Somali wild ass in UK zoos using young animals from the EEP population. Marwell have made a break-through by succeeding in breeding them and can advise on husbandry requirements.

With regard to the Persian Onager in the UK I am more pessimistic. The Whipsnade stock has totally floundered and I wonder whether Chester will continue to make a commitment (perhaps with integration of goitred gazelles)?

The UK Kiang is too soon to assess. More holders would be needed to make a meaningful contribution to the EEP.

15-08-2007

Jelle.

Thanks for statistics on the Wild Asses.

I didn't realise there were such a good number of Somali Asses in Europe. They have done remarkably well. I can see how it would be more possible for e.g. Woburn Safari Park to obtain some.

Whipsnade Onagers- last year there were more than 1.1. Seems like they will give them up soon?

18-08-2007

i think the persian onager is on its way out, i think i am right in saying all the animals are originally from a group imported by hagenbeck at the start of last century, chesters have not bred for a few years whipsnade are down to one pair its not looking good

Breeding onager in the UK
18-08-2007

I am not sure on the breeding of onager in the UK. I seem to remember that either Chester or Whipsnade announced a birth as late as 2005 or 2006.

However, be this as it may, it sadly seems Persian onager are on their way out a Whipsnade. I think it is all the more sad as the species is critically endangered in its native Iran (total population only 300-400 and only marginally larger than say Somali wild ass in N-E Africa). A second sad is that Whipsnade had a good track record with breeding Persian onagers over the last few decades (yup decades) and their stock is genetically independent from the mainland EEP groupings (and thus important to the future of the species in captivity).

Can someone please find out what the score is at Whipsnade on onager?

18-08-2007

Marwell ZP. had both Kulan and Onagers in their early years. I think they may have come from Whipsnade too. I don't know when they bwere phased out of the collection, or where the remaining animals were sent to.

Its interesting how few wild asses are now in the UK zoos. It does seem as if Onager/Kulan will probably disappear in favour of the more spectacular Kiangs and Somali Asses.

19-08-2007

The last I heard about Onager at Chester was that they are still interested in keeping and breeding them. The reason they have not bred for several years is because three of the females were elderly, and a new male was obtained. A few years back they were thinking of importing new stock from America. In 2005 0.2 arrived from Hamburg.

Chester have bred 20 pure onagers from 1979 through to the last one in 2004. In addition 8 onager x kulan hybrids were born, between 1969 and 1986. Four of these were second generation foals.

19-08-2007

I can try to do this, but it may be October before I go.