ZSL London Zoo London's giraffes

Thank you crowthorne

 

That's correct Molly was born late 2006 and Margaret was born January 2008 both at Chester, by the same father 'Thorn'. Ellish has been there for some time and is hybrid although for some time may have been thought to be Rothschilds.

 

Here's a fairly obscure question about London's first giraffes, which arrived in May 1836.

Three males and a female "from the Sudan" formed the basis of the zoo's breeding stock for the next 30 years. ZTL suggests that these animals were Kordofan giraffes (G c aniquorum); in John Edwards' fantastic book London Zoo From Old Photographs, they are described as "Nubian or Kordofan Giraffe (G c camelopardalis)". What were those early London animals?

Am I correct in saying that Kordofan giraffes aren't actually found in what we now know as Sudan, while G c camelopardalis is?

 

In the “List of Vertebrated Animals Exhibited in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London” (Centenary Edition; 1929) S. S. Flower records that these giraffes came from the Sudan.

“A Record of the Progress of the Zoological Society of London During the Nineteen Century” (1901) gives a more precise location and specifically states that these first four giraffes came from Kordofan.

 

To the best of my knowledge copies of this book can still be purchased from the ZSL Library; I'll check later.

 

The evidence is contradictory. The locality of import for the 3.1 was given as Kordofan (Province?). The 3.0 were listed as antiquorum and 0.1 as camelopardalis.

The type locality for antiquorum is Senaar, Western Sudan and for camelopardalis the historical distribution was given as Eastern Sudan and Western Ethiopia.

Current knowledge on giraffe species distribution has it be known that:
A) antiquorum is probably restricted to northern Cameroon, CAF (Central African Republic), northern Democratic Congo and likely South Sudan.
B) camelopardalis is believed to occur from South Sudan to western Ethiopia.

Please NOTE the terms probably .. AND believed .. here!!!


As an aside re. camelopardalis:
I) Recent genetic studies seem to indicate camelopardalis may not be genetically distinct!!!
II) The giraffe occuring in South Sudan may actually be from any of 2 other giraffe races species (antiquorum and / or ..).
III) Formally, camelopardalis may now be extinct across its entire range, BUT its former range also included NW-Kenya, eastern Uganda and western Ethiopia!
IV) antiquorum occurs in western Sudan and (occured, now perhaps extinct or doubtful) in Kordofan!

 

Two editions exist. The second, revised, version was published a few years ago (containing extra photos!!!)

There has been talk of a second volume, covering post 1914-1970s being published. Anyone have any news on that?

 

A further note of caution regarding the 1836 imports: I would actually concur that all - if the capture locality was in fact Kordofan Province that they were all antiquorums!

 

The second edition of this book is definitely not out of print.

Since my post earlier today, I have double checked with the ZSL Library and can confirm it is possible to purchase this book from the library. Moreover, as mentioned by “Crowthorne”, it is also on sale in the London Zoo shop.

It is also possible to buy this book directly from the author, John Edwards. (I will send you a PM giving contact details.) Given that you live a long way from London this will be easier for you.

Yes, there will be a subsequent volume; I understand that this will cover the period 1915 to the early 1960s (not 1970s).

This is currently in preparation but I do not know the scheduled publication date..

 

Can anyone clarify on the species of giraffe held in London Zoo?

Zootierliste lists 1 Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi), are the other 2 hybrids?

 

The London Giraffe's are all hybrids.