The Darling Downs zoo has imported 22 giant tortoises from Mauritius, keeping some and distributing the rest amongst other Australian collections. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1886532474908667
Any info on how old they are right now? (I assume the 3-5 year age bracket) BTW: in 20 years is probably a little optimistic for first breeding. More like 35-45.
Estimado @Hix, should not be a question for you, should it (LOL)! You know full well all Indian Ocean Aldabrachelys sp. are extinct thanks to shipsmen and traders. On Mauritius and Reunion there are 2 facilities breeding Aldabran tortoise and some of these are for export to zoos. Undoubtedly, the 3-4 year olds now imported come from the Mauritius breeding station. These 2 facilities administer several project to re-establish Aldabrans on Iles des Aigrettes, Round Island and a few other Indian Ocean ones to reconnect into an age old niche giant tortoises used to perform on all islands. On Round Island they have demonstrated to be very effective germinators/pollinators of threatened plant species. Incidentally, they also have the ambition to bring back Giants to the Madagascar (main- ..)land!
I know some facilities that specialise in one or two species often have related species on hand that they work with. I'm not that familiar with the facilities in question and thought they might possibly also have some Galapagos species. So I asked the question, because the obvious answers are not always the correct answers! Hix
Yes both females came from Australia zoo I believe they may obtain a male from TWPZ sometime this year!
It appears the new Giraffes are a big hit for the zoo with lots of media coverage for the zoo with plenty of interest from the public!
that's great news. In May I posted a link I found onto the TWPZ thread about the cheetahs but it wasn't clear at all which of the two zoos they went to. That post is here (and I've just edited it to include this new information): Taronga Western Plains Zoo - TWPZ News 2017 Nice that DDZ gets four cheetahs!
A quick visit turned into almost 5 hours. The new Giraffe and addax exhibit looks really nice with a really large area for them. Just arrived were a pair of Siamang and one young, spent some time watching these in their tall enclosure.There are 6 Grants Zebra there now with two looking very pregnant. Saw the new huge area for the Giant Tortoises which is a future new home when they are a bit larger .Also understand a huge new exhibit is planned of their group of Baboons again with new babies. All the animals looking in wonderful condition. The new bird aviary was really nice and well planted with a number of species including spoonbills and Glossy Ibis. Another new species of bird for the zoo was one Glossy Black Cockatoo I believe a mate will be aquired
Giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, siamangs, giant tortoises, addax, Barbary sheep, meerkats, emperor tamarins, capybara, mara, servals and a tapir are all new species - that I know of - since my one and only visit 4.5 years ago. Not bad, Mr and Mrs Robinson.
I believe one of the Addax came from Monarto and the other Werribee. The Siamang I believe came from Adelaide zoo
