In the Uk, i thought of the following potential black rhino holders: Marwell Belfast Cotswold wp Colchester Blackpool Kessingland Flamingoland Edinburgh
I think that Copenhagen Zoo should switch from white to black rhino. Here is a picture of the exhibit. Don't you all agree that it's way better suited for black rhinoes? Not only because of it's size, but also because it looks more like a bushy area than open grassy plain.
The calf born in Krefeld is a male. Since Jelle said young males are rare, it`s good news for the breeding program that 2 male calves were born within just 6 weeks!
Realistically, only Belfast and perhaps Edinburgh Zoos might switch to blacks in future. All other rhino spaces are sadly taken up by whites (Colchester, Flamingoland, Kessingland and Marwell). I do not see Blackpool going into a specialised feeder like the black rhino and Cotswold has already decided on whites. In future perhaps Dudley and for sure Bristol Wildlife Conservation Park will exhibit black rhinos. On the continent, possible future holders might be Aalborg (moved out their whites in 2005) and Duisburg (elderly whites pair on pension). Perhaps some Czech zoos (which do have the zoo infrastructure) in future. Other zoos in Eastern Europe realistically no way! Maybe Wien or another Austrian zoo. Italian and Spanish zoos simply do not have the track record to invest in the rare and sensitive black rhinos and none of the potential French zoos qualify. In Holland, both Amsterdam and Pangea Parc decided against at the species at the last count.
Aalborg Zoo's days of keeping rhinos are over, so neither whites or black will live there. Givskud Zoo and Safaripark has a huge enclosure for white rhinos, but also has the space for exhibiting black rhinos, so maybe there is a chance there... I just really wish that Copenhagen would come to their sences, and switch from whites to blacks, as the enclosure is much more suited for blacks.
To put paid to your Kobenhavn Zoo whites. The former 1.2 did breed in the early days. I will have to check the studbook, but I am pretty sure they did.
Yes, I can't remember if they had to or three calves in the late 80'es/early 90'es. And that was even before the enclosure was renovated and expanded in early 2006. I think that it is possible that the current white rhinos will breed as well. In fact, matings were observed when they first arrived in september 2006, so there is a slight chance of a rhino calf any day. Even though the whites may breed here, I still think that the enclosure is better suited for blacks.
Hmm... I feel that more zoos could switch to blacks. My understanding is that white rhinos should be collected together in large herds like elephants, beacuse they very rarely breed in 1,1 or 1,2 situation. Blacks and indians seem to have no problems with breeding in pairs. Or I am wrong? Any help from hard data?
Yes White rhinos are better suited to living in herds than other rhino species, two large herds which started in 1970 were the San Deigo WAP and the Whipsnade AP herds have great breeding records, both zoos had two (a pair) of whites when each herd of 20 each arrived from south Africa which gave both 22 animals per herd. The number of offspring at the SD WAP is in excess of 100 with 55 offspring at Whipsnade zoo
Again, you are right the recommendation is 2.3 (+ eventual calves) per (large) holding institution. Most urban zoos are still failing these guidelines. Next week I am off to London for a rhino meeting so I hope to bring back more news than. I also hope to visit Port Lympne and go behind the scenes at the rhinos (not sure if I will pull that one off inside a week off).
Blackpool- seems unlikely to invest in Black Rhino in my opinion. Cotswold -seem equally unlikely to change species though their existing White rhino are old nonbreeding animals and they may need additional ones soon. Dudley- may have sold of some of their (flatter) land which was most suitable for a rhino enclosure- so may not get rhinos at all ? Bristol- bred Blacks in the past(though with not a very good survival record) and state they will have them again in the new environmental park.
Mark, This issue has been dealt with. Both calves of Whipsnade/London RP line died soon at new location. That is when Marwell switched over to whites. Really, if you ask me that might well do better now changing back into blacks and start with some young bulls first .....! In the UK there are far too many (sub-)urban zoos with whites that do not even conform to the classic 2.3 EEP recommendation. It is a waste of valuable rhino spaces in zoos. I will discuss the matter next week, I hope, in earnest with some knowledgeable people.
Yep I agree with you Jelle, I hope if you go to Whipsnade you can get a few pics of inside the new Indian rhino house
Marwell rhino accomodation is a rather basic small house plus a fairly spacious paddock- they usually have 1.2(?) Whites plus a calf. It could be ideal for a couple of young bull black rhino- perhaps less suitable for breeding animals given the incompatability/introduction problems sometimes found in Blacks, unless the house was upgraded first.
Kingo has left Paignton for Port Lympne http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/news-events/news-detail.php?id=73
News re: Black rhino Chester Zoo: second pregnancy confirmed in Ema (sire is Magadi). I cannot divulge anything else ... (till later). Bull Baringo has left Port Lympne to Dvur Kralove to be mated with experienced cows Elba and Jessi.
