So why did they not obtain them?. Letting them and the pygmy hippos be exported was a big mistake something that out major zoos should of been more active about since any importation was/is banned!
Not exactly sure- i'd imagine Cairns would've been rather unwilling to give them up. It would've been awesome if Werribee had managed to acquire them. I think we'd be in a different situation now if that was the case; with a much larger pod of hippos at Werribee, and not the sole future of the regions hippos relying on one young male.
The worst of it is, Solucky (1987) had been identified as genetically valuable (being a descendant of Nada). Genetically speaking, she was the most valuable of the trio, but her daughter (born 2002) was identified by Sea World as the best acquisition to her age; and of course the bull would have become invaluable in turn as a breeding animal. Werribee inbred Harold to his daughters to produce several calves, so it would of course been preferable to bring Tippi (2004) in for that alone (albeit a distant relative).
I still find if hard to believe that our major zoos let these animals slip through their fingers but hats off to Seaworld.
Agreed. Were it not for them, the genes of two founders would have been lost from the current population. And in any case, Cuddles has gone on to produce three surviving calves (including what is now our only bull). With the Hippopotamus IRA nowhere in sight, the retention of Cuddles will prove even more fortuitous with Kani transferring to Monarto in the next year for breeding. I’d like to think this Hippopotamus IRA will be sorted by the time Kani has sons of reproductive age, but if not there’s no doubt one will be shipped off to Werribee - who are now able to accomodate a bull.
Hippopotamus Population - 2022/2023 Summary 2022 Summary: It’s been a quiet year for our region’s Common hippopotamus population - with no births or deaths. The regions only bull of this species is a two and a half year old at Dubbo, so no births were expected this year. There was exciting news within the Pygmy hippopotamus population as Taronga Zoo revealed their female is pregnant. This is especially welcome news after the loss of their previous calf as a neonate in December 2021 and given the small population size of this species. 2023 Summary: 2023 is set to be an exciting year for the Common hippopotamus population with Monarto Safari Park joining the regional breeding programme as a third holder of this species. Monarto Safari Park will be receiving a mother-daughter dyad from Werribee Open Range Zoo, Brindabella (1990) and Pansy (2013); and the region’s only bull, Kani (2020) from Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Though bulls as young as three have sired calves within their natal pod, it’s likely introductions at Monarto will be delayed until the bull is at least four years of age for his safety. Therefore, I’m not expecting any Common hippopotamus births within the region in 2023. There will hopefully be a successful Pygmy hippopotamus birth at Taronga Zoo in the first half of 2023. If so, this will be first surviving calf in six years. ———————————— Please note: This summary will be followed next month by a full population list update.
Australasian Hippopotamus Population (2023) ———————————————————— Common Hippopotamus Taronga Western Plains Zoo: 0.1 Nile (15/05/1999) Ollie x Suzie 0.1 Cuddles (00/09/2002) Fonzie x Solucky 0.1 Kibibi (11/09/2014) Mana x Cuddles 0.1 Kendi (25/05/2017) Mana x Cuddles 1.0 Kani (15/04/2020) Mana x Cuddles Werribee Open Range Zoo: 0.1 Primrose (01/12/1990) Harold x Unknown 0.1 Brindabella (09/12/1990) Harold x Unknown 0.1 Tulip (01/01/2003) Harold x Primrose 0.1 Lotus (28/03/2008) Harold x Primrose 0.1 Pansy (18/11/2013) Harold x Brindabella Total regional population: 1.9 ———————————————————— Pygmy Hippopotamus Taronga Zoo: 1.0 Fergus (06/08/2009) Frank x Fluffy 0.1 Kambiri (26/06/2010) Timmy x Petre Melbourne Zoo: 1.0 Felix (17/11/2006) Frank x Fluffy Adelaide Zoo: 1.0 Obi (25/05/2015) Felix x Petre Darling Downs Zoo: 0.1 Kamina (21/02/2017) Fergus x Kambiri Total regional population: 3.2 ————————————————————
Yes, I also forgot to mention they may get a young bull from whoever is breeding them right now. Obviously import is more likely though
Assuming no accidental breeding takes place between Kani and his mother/sisters at Dubbo, Monarto will be the next to breed. Considering the relatedness, an import from overseas would be preferable and probably looking at a similar timeframe as Monarto are some years away from supplying a bull.
Maybe Dubbo plan to breed Kani at least prior to him being sent to Monarto and that's why the hippos to Monarto are being delayed in the meantime? If so, the best match would be Nile (his aunty), but considering he's still a juvenile and hasn't been introduced to Nile yet the best option would have to be his own mother, Cuddles who's only a 50% genetic match.
I personally think it’d be wise to breed from Kani prior to his departure given the risks associated with transporting hippos. Hippopotami have previously died during transit out of Dubbo and though staff will do everything they can to mitigate the risks, there’s no guarantees. Husbandry guidelines recommend bulls are a minimum of five years when introduced to cows for breeding, so that means we can discount him breeding with Nile for at least the next two years. Cuddles is the best option and if Kani’s uncle is anything to go by, he may well have already got the job done.
Just one - Kani (born 2020). This is the entire regional population: Taronga Western Plains Zoo: 0.1 Nile (15/05/1999) Ollie x Suzie 0.1 Cuddles (00/09/2002) Fonzie x Solucky 0.1 Kibibi (11/09/2014) Mana x Cuddles 0.1 Kendi (25/05/2017) Mana x Cuddles 1.0 Kani (15/04/2020) Mana x Cuddles Werribee Open Range Zoo: 0.1 Primrose (01/12/1990) Harold x Unknown 0.1 Brindabella (09/12/1990) Harold x Unknown 0.1 Tulip (01/01/2003) Harold x Primrose 0.1 Lotus (28/03/2008) Harold x Primrose 0.1 Pansy (18/11/2013) Harold x Brindabella
Agreed. With inbreeding having gone on for decades, both bulls and cows would be of benefit to the region. Dubbo may well house their mother-daughters trio in a cohesive pod, which would allow them to breed from an unrelated pair. Monarto aim to house around six hippopotami, which will presumably be achieved by breeding from both mother and daughter to create a cohesive pod of related females.
Both can hold three groupings of hippopotami, so Werribee would either acquire an unrelated bull and pair him with one of their cows; or maintain their trio of females as non breeding and import a new breeding pair. Dubbo could import a bull and house him alternately in his own exhibit/with Nile while breeding him with Nile and a new female; while maintaining Cuddles and her daughters in their own exhibit.
