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Australasian Zebra Population

Discussion in 'Australia' started by Jambo, 6 Jan 2023.

  1. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    This list aims to record the births, deaths and transfers of the region's Zebra (Equus Quagga). All of the zebra currently in the region have been born in either Australia or New Zealand. The last individual imported outside of the region was a pure male Chapmans zebra from Singapore in 1997. There is a relatively high degree of relatedness due to this.

    There are three main groups of zebras in the region.

    The first group are generics- descendants of original imports to the major zoos (Taronga, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth). All have kept Zebras since the early 1900s.

    The second group is descended from 2.6 Chapman's Zebras imported to Werribee from Rotterdam Zoo in 1980 (and later a male from Singapore Zoo in 1997). The last purebred Chapmans was born in 2002, and Werribee then bred their Chapmans colt with generic mares, officially hybridising their population.

    The third and most recent group are composed of ten Grant's Zebras imported by DDZ from the USA in 2014. Three went to Zoodoo, and a further three into a circus. Currently only nine of these founders remain. This population is currently maintained at both Darling Downs and Zoodoo. There is also a female Grants (Marbles) at Hamilton. She's descended from Auckland Grant's stock (which were derived from imports made in the 60's from the UK).

    The oldest zebra in Australasia is Zelda (1987) at Orana and the youngest is the unnamed foal, born to Zalika in December at Hamilton.

    Monarto currently hold the most zebras (22) whilst Werribee have the most zebras in a single group (13).

    *non ZAA facilities are not included - so the trio within the circus and the colts at Keystone are omitted from the list.

    Current Population (As of 01/01/2023)

    Altina Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia
    1.4
    0.1 Shani (2005) Dubbo
    0.1 Askari (2015) Tambo x Kike/Zahra
    0.1 Fina (2018) Atreyu x Askari
    0.1 Kanzi (2020) Atreyu x Askari
    1.0 Jafari (2020) Atreyu x Shani

    Auckland Zoo, New Zealand
    0.4
    0.1 Layla (2011) Bwana x Marble
    0.1 Imka (2018) Malawi x Zalika
    0.1 Eve (2018) Carlo x Layla
    0.1 Nyota (2021) Carlo x Layla

    Australia Zoo, QLD, Australia
    2.0
    1.0 Lucas (2016) Tambo x Kike/Zahra
    1.0 Spartacus (2017) Zinty x Zavannah

    Darling Downs Zoo, QLD, Australia 2.7.1
    1.0 Zinty (2013) USA
    0.1 Zavannah (2013) USA
    0.1 Angel (2013) USA
    0.1 Unnamed (mare from Mogo)
    0.1 Ziva (2018) Zinty x Angel
    0.1 Zelda (2018) Zinty x Zavannah
    0.1 Zapphire (2020) Zinty x Zavannah
    0.1 Zafira (2021) Zinty x Zavannah
    1.0 Zion (2021) Zinty x Angel
    0.0.1 Unnamed (2022) Zinty x ?

    Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand
    5.3.1
    1.0 Malawi (2012) Zambezi x Zahra
    0.1 Marbles (2003) ? x Maria
    0.1 Zalika (2011) Bwana x Marbles
    1.0 Okavango (2019) Malawi x Marbles
    1.0 Zambia (2019) Malawi x Zalika
    1.0 Pebbles (2021) Malawi x Marbles
    0.1 Wednesday (2021) Malawi x Zalika
    1.0 Nguvu (2022) Malawi x Marbles
    0.0.1 Unnamed (2022) Malawi x Zalika

    Hunter Valley Zoo, NSW, Australia
    3.0
    1.0 Tharbo (?) Ken x ?
    1.0 Kahari (?) Tambo x Kike
    1.0 Toto (2021) Ken x Katali

    Melbourne Zoo, VIC, Australia 4.0
    Zuri (2007) Christou x ?
    Chozi (2007) Christou x ?
    Kwasi (2013) Bwana x Marble
    Zaire (2015)

    Mogo Zoo, NSW, Australia 4.4
    1.0 Fikizolo (2004) Mogo
    1.0 Bakari (2005) Mogo
    0.1 Mabulu (2010) Christou x ?
    1.0 Melako (2012) Christou x Shani
    0.1 Katali (?) Tambo x Kike
    0.1 Winx (2019) Ken x Mabulu
    0.1 Poppy (2020) Ken x Mabulu
    1.0 Pafuri (2021) Ken x Mabulu

    Monarto Zoo, SA, Australia 4.0 on display, 18 individuals off display
    On display:
    1.0 Zambesi-ncarne (2000) Adelaide
    1.0 Timbavati
    1.0 Intengo (2018)
    1.0 Umbani

    Off display: *not all individuals are recorded
    1.0 Storm (2012) Christou x Myra
    0.1 Kenya (2005) Monarto
    0.1 Gina (2007) Monarto
    0.1 Thembala (2010) Monarto
    0.1 Kali (?) x Kenya
    1.0 Kariba (2022) x Kenya
    1.0 Kabili (2022) x Kali

    National Zoo, ACT, Australia 4.2
    1.0 Tambo (2010) ? x Kijani
    0.1 Johari (2016) Bwana x Kioni
    0.1 Kiva (2017) Malawi x Zalika
    1.0 Jabari (2021) Tambo x Johari
    1.0 Kiambo (2021) Tambo x Kike
    1.0 Kyan (2022) Tambo x Johari

    Orana Wildlife Park, New Zealand
    1.3
    0.1 Zelda (1987)
    0.1 Kitui (2008) Christou x ?
    0.1 Asale (2009) Bwana x Marble
    1.0 Kaabo (2016) Malawi x Zalika

    Perth Zoo, WA, Australia 2.0
    1.0 Zaafir (2011) Zambezi x Zahra
    1.0 Kamalu (2011) Zambezi x Kike

    Sydney Zoo, NSW, Australia 3.0
    1.0 Zuberi (2010)
    1.0 Zambezi (2016)
    1.0 Zulu (2016)

    Taronga Zoo, NSW, Australia 1.1
    0.1 Kaya (2009)
    1.0 Obi (2020) Bwana x Kioni

    Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW, Australia 5.6
    1.0 Kwasi (2007)
    1.0 Zuri
    0.1 Kioni (?) National
    0.1 Marzuka (?) National
    0.1 Kijani (?) Werribee
    1.0 Khari (2016) Bwana x Neema
    1.0 Runanko
    1.0 Mstari (2017) Atreyu x Shani
    0.1 Isi (Imivimbo) (2017) Malawi x Marbles
    0.1 Dalia (2019) Bwana x Kioni
    0.1 Mara (2022) Mstari x Kijani

    Werribee Open Range Zoo, VIC, Australia
    4.9
    1.0 Mandhela (2011) Christou x Shani
    1.0 Atreyu (2012) Christou x Kitali
    0.1 Zaide
    0.1 Dafina
    0.1 Furaha (2015) Bwana x Kijani
    0.1 Myra (2007) Zambezi x ?
    0.1 Ziwa (2017) x Zaide
    1.0 Mudhe (2018) x Zaide
    0.1 Zari (2019) x Zaide
    0.1 Zola (2020) x Zaide
    0.1 Falah (2021) x Furaha
    0.1 Dajan (2021) x Dafina
    1.0 Zintlanu (2022) x Zaide

    Zoodoo, TAS, Australia 3.3
    1.0 Marty (2013) USA
    0.1 Beyonce (2013) USA
    0.1 Duchess (2013) USA
    0.1 Jupiter (2018) Marty x Duchess
    1.0 Oreo (2021) Marty x Duchess
    1.0 Kafue (2022) Marty x Duchess

    There are 48.46.2 zebras currently in the region, discounting Monarto's 14 off display zebras.

    The region has 110 zebras in total.

    The purebred Grants Zebra population currently stands at 5.10.1.

    @Jambo
     
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  2. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Good work on creating your first population list @Jambo.

    Just a note that Keystone Wildlife Conservancy is now called Gibbs Wildlife Conservancy and they are ZAA accredited.

    They recently received Carlo (2007) from Auckland Zoo; and historically received Bakari (2005) from Auckland Zoo, but I don’t know if the former is still alive or if they have additional stallions/geldings.

    1.0 Bakari (31/12/2005) Monty x Shilo
    1.0 Carlo (15/12/2007) Monty x Itika
     
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  3. Zorro

    Zorro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Regarding the imported 10 zebra by DDZ, I believe 5 stayed at DDZ with 3 of them going to Zoodoo and 2 to the other!
     
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  4. Steve Robinson

    Steve Robinson Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Apologies to @Jambo for not getting back to him as he prepared this census - not enough hours in not enough days!

    A couple of points:

    Zulu and Zambezi are on loan at Sydney Zoo and are owned by a third party.

    Add to DDZ - 0.1 DOB 17/04/2022 Aboni Zinty/Angel.

    The pre-Christmas foal is 1.0 DOB 21/12/2022 Name TBD. Zinty/Zara

    Happy New Year to all!
     
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  5. Abbey

    Abbey Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for this population list. I counted them up and 23 of the 110 are known to have Z names - I thought it would be a higher percentage, but a cool tidbit nonetheless.

    I didn't realise that Obi at Taronga is Bwana's son, that's sweet that Kaya's new companion is the offspring of her previous one.
     
  6. Steve Robinson

    Steve Robinson Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Some further clarification:

    There were never three Zebras that went to a circus. Of the animals imported by DDZ, 2.0 are owned by a third party and went on a short promotional tour with the Moscow Circus before returning to the DDZ. They are the two that are currently on short term loan at Sydney Zoo and will eventually move to their permanent home.

    All of the Zebras that we imported were conditioned in the US by circus friends of mine. They lived with the Zebras over there 24/7 for three months - which is why the imported animals were able to travel half way around the world without the need for any sedation or anxiety reduction drugs at all.

    There are no other Zebras in any Australian circus.
     
  7. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Zebras with Z names certainly appears to be a trend. Auckland Zoo bred a number of Grant's zebra throughout the 80's and 90's which were named with their mother's initial. Consequently, there was a glut of S names and M names.

    Hamilton Zoo continued this trend (and the trend of breeding purbred Grant's zebra) until the early 2000's - the last being Marble (M family).

    It's up to the individual zoo, but in a herd setting, I'm a fan of the initials naming convention.
     
  8. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    It was a great idea to import a surplus of stallions. This way they can be subbed into the breeding herd to replace Zinty (breed with his first generation daughters).
     
  9. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Thanks a lot for this! :)

    One other thing, what's the name of the mare from Mogo?

    Re. Sydney's males - being Grants males, they'll hopefully be of great use down the line as future stallions at both DDZ and Zoodoo, presenting new genetics.

    Sydney's other male (Zuberi) is Dubbo born I believe.
     
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  10. tetrapod

    tetrapod Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Very impressed with this approach, Steve.
     
  11. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    @akasha mentioned in her Werribee Zoo review that females, Zaide and Abigail are currently pregnant and due any day now.

    Not sure who Abigail is; the zoo didn't mention her to me in my email but hopefully we'll find out some more about her once she gives birth.
     
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  12. Steve Robinson

    Steve Robinson Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Zia. She was known as Kya at Mogo.
     
  13. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Monarto - Pregnancy:

    0.1 Thembela (2010) is pregnant with her fifth foal (due any day now).

    Reported on socials.
     
  14. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    The Grant’s zebra colt at Darling Downs Zoo has been named Zikomi:

    1.0 Zikomi (21/12/2022) Zinty x Zara

    Reported on socials.
     
  15. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Two Zebras (1.1) have been born to mothers, Abigail and Zaide.

    The first zebra was born a fortnight ago with the other following a few days later.

    The male has been named ‘Mamello’ (born to Abigail) and the female, ‘Zuka’ (born to Zaide).

    They were fathered by Werribee’s previous male, Melako.

    Werribee now has 15 (5.10) zebra.
     
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  16. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Another birth to kick off this year!

    0.1 Thembala at Monarto has given birth to a foal (her fifth) as mentioned by @Zoofan15 in the news thread.

     
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  17. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Melbourne Zoo no longer have Zebra.

    They had four males, and I'm not sure what happened to them. I find it unlikely all four have died, but it's possible all or some have been sent elsewhere (probably Werribee).

    I will further enquire into this move; but it leaves the region with 16 holders.
     
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  18. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Hamilton Zoo update:

    The foal born to Zalika in December 2022 has been sexed as a male. The colt been named Nyika after Nyika National Park. It’s a fitting name as Nyika National Park is the largest national park in Malawi (and Malawi is the name of the zoo’s stallion).

    Melbourne Zoo update:

    The all male herd has been transferred to Werribee Open Range Zoo and Melbourne Zoo have no plans to source more.
     
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  19. Astrobird

    Astrobird Well-Known Member

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    I find this move very perplexing, I loved the way you could get so close to the Zebra at Melbourne. I enjoyed watching them only a few weeks back, being fed, and they were only 3 or 4 meters away. I wonder if they are being replaced by the Nyala Antelope that have been talked of - perhaps they cant be mixed...
     
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  20. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Lowland nyala are a flighty species that can be easily unsettled by zebra (a naturally curious species).

    Aggression from zebras (particularly stallions) towards exhibit mates is well documented. With a giraffe calf on the horizon, it’s a good opportunity to move the zebras on - especially if it will allow the introduction of nyala.

    Lowland nyala aren’t endangered, breed readily and can hybridises with other antelope species. Perhaps the plan is to hold a small to medium sized herd at Melbourne; and allow Werribee to dedicate their resources to a larger herds of either an endangered antelope or a species not represented in the region. The Bovid IRA offers multiple opportunities for both.
     
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