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Gaur (Bos gaurus) in Captivity

Discussion in 'General Zoo Discussion' started by German Zoo World, 24 May 2021.

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  1. German Zoo World

    German Zoo World Well-Known Member

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    I think the Gaur is one of the most interesting bovine Species.
    In Europe there are only 12 holders of this species and i want to know how is the current gaur situation in american or australasian zoos?
     
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  2. pangolin12

    pangolin12 Well-Known Member Premium Member 5+ year member

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    I believe only Miami, Bronx and Gladys Porter have herds, and San Diego safari park have a singular individual
     
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  3. FBBird

    FBBird Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    I’d be surprised if there were any in Australia.
    I believe they’re being phased out in Europe in favour of the more threatened Banteng
     
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  4. Westcoastperson

    Westcoastperson Well-Known Member

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    The Guar situation in America is coming to a close. Only Bronx breeds them and the other zoos they are held don't want to start.
     
  5. nczoofan

    nczoofan Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Gladys Porter had 5 in February. Miami had a pair last year. I hear they are down to 1 now. San Diego has one elderly female left after sending breeding age animals to Bronx. Bronx should have just under 30 right now. The last breeding herd. Omaha has a bunch as well off display at there safari park, but almost all old and non-breeding. Remains to be seen what Bronx does. I personally expect them to halt breeding and phase out the species slowly.
     
  6. Kifaru Bwana

    Kifaru Bwana Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    It is something I have a hard time figuring out. Gaur across the globe are not exactly non threatened species. That some regions take that decision and focus on other wild cattle fine, not nearly all.
     
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  7. TinoPup

    TinoPup Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    A few safari places in the US might have the species. I haven't been to any to confirm.
     
  8. Zorro

    Zorro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    @Kifaru Bwana I would have to agree, Phasing out the Gaur from US and European zoos is a mistake. As you say they are not common in the wild and quite rare in captivity. I believe if they do get booted out its unlikely they will ever return. It would be a real shame to see such an interesting species leave zoo collections.
     
    Last edited: 25 May 2021
  9. Therabu

    Therabu Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    What about Indian zoos ? Recently Zlin in Czech Republic imported 4 youngs from there.
     
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  10. Zorro

    Zorro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    True but they appear to be swimming against the current!
     
  11. German Zoo World

    German Zoo World Well-Known Member

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    Hopefully they do Not Phase Out this interesting bovine Species as i would Love to See one.
     
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  12. Zorro

    Zorro Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I saw the herd at the Toronto zoo something I will never forget, Impressive! :cool:
     
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  13. Kifaru Bwana

    Kifaru Bwana Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Indian subcontinent zoos are subspecific Indian gaur, this does not include the S.E. Asian nor IndoChina gaur (for which in my view integrated conservation action is needed).

    The status details for gaur are a sobering read for all.
    Link: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
     
  14. German Zoo World

    German Zoo World Well-Known Member

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    What do you Guys think has the gaur a Future in european Zoos?
     
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  15. RatioTile

    RatioTile Well-Known Member

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    Bronx had several born last year and they’re growing up now.
     
  16. kiang

    kiang Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Definitely none in Australasia
     
  17. Therabu

    Therabu Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Well, European stock is also from Indian subcontinent and the American stock should be as well. My view is that at subspecie level, captive populations of gaur are not so important and the genetic base is quite narrow. They would have been Malayan gaurs, it may have been worthwhile to continue breeding efforts despite bottleneck effects.
    What Bovid TAG from EAZA and AZA could do is help both Indian and Malayan zoos to set up local breeding programs but that depend also largely on willigness from those zoos.
     
  18. nczoofan

    nczoofan Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Yes they did. But given the trend in the program and recent Ungulate TAG recommendation to phase out, we will see. Its either they slowly phase them out (potentially sending breeding stock to interested non-aza parties) or they attempt to single handedly manage the population (with 30, space is not indefinite so a breeding halt will soon be necessary anyways) In my opinions the writings on the wall.

    I love gaur one. They are one of my favorite ungulates but I do know an unsustainable program when I see one and I believe Bronx does as well. AZA can’t be managing 80 species of ungulate and hope that all populations are sustainable. It just hasn’t worked so sadly gaur who had little institutional support, have greater exhibit needs than many other species, and are notoriously difficult to work with compared to there preferred replacement.
     
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  19. RatioTile

    RatioTile Well-Known Member

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    AZA's managing 80 ungulate species now? Is there a list of their project list? It seems like everything large except maybe giraffes and some of the zebras are being phased out.
     
  20. Westcoastperson

    Westcoastperson Well-Known Member

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    It should be noted in the Safari Park they were moved out for more space for Javan Banteng which might be a new SSP.
     
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