Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Los Angeles Zoo News 2019

Wow, I didn't know. So the extinction of this species, in zoos at least, is simply expected?

 

There are no Mountain Tapirs anywhere outside of LA, Cheyenne Mountain (I think), and Colombia. The main issue is that Colombia doesn't want to export any of their animals for some reason.

~Thylo

 

Perhaps they are waiting to have a sole monopoly, rent them to us for $1 million a year, and keep all offspring.... Sorry, I have little patience with those who don't cooperate for essential causes....

 

Latest animal transactions: https://www.lazoo.org/wp-new/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/07.2019-Animal-Transactions.pdf
June meeting minutes: https://www.lazoo.org/wp-new/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Zoo-Commission-Minutes-June-2019.pdf

 

Some damn nice reptiles trades there! Also glad to see Beardsley is in the process of getting a new Ocelot pair.

~Thylo

 

Interesting to see Seaworld is downsizing their collection, wonder how much and what.

 

I'm going to guess they're phasing out their bird collection.

~Thylo

 

I’ve been to the LA Zoo twice this week and wanted to know if anyone knows anything about the jaguar couple at the zoo? I couldn’t find them at all on both trips although there was some dense vegetation compared to my last visit prior which was 1 year ago.

 

There are no currently breeding mountain tapirs left in the US. All but one current tapirs (5 at LA, 2 at CMZ) are related and the only unrelated female, Carlotta at CMZ, is too old to breed. There are no plans to import more animals. So the result is inevitable. Sad as the species was fairly prolific in the 80s and 90s from the records I looked at.

It’s about cost/benefit. With the zoo populations so low, it is better to fund conservation efforts monetarily, and send researchers to the tapir’s natural habitats rather than import a small number of animals that take up a lot of exhibit space better used for a more sustainable species. One issue with mountain tapirs in zoos is that not a lot of zoos participated in breeding programs even in the species hay day. I can only think of LA, CMZ, San Diego, and San Francisco that really did any work with the species. When other zoos started phasing them out, the space for animals became limited and US zoos actually started shipping animals back to South America! It’s unfortunate but we should be looking at US zoos as the culprits for the loss of mountain tapirs, not their native countries for not wanting to support a failing program.

 

My experience with seeing the jaguars is hit and miss. Sometimes one is walking right past the window, but frequently they manage to hide as you experienced. My best luck seeing them has been in the morning.

 

The LA Zoo attempted to get mountain tapirs imported from Colombia for several years. I remember from reports in zoo newsletters from the late 90s and early aughts that zoo staff made trips to Colombia to try and get a mountain tapir program started. I don't have any insight to why it did not happen, but genuine attempts were made.

 

That’s cool to hear. I’m sure there were many roadblocks to make a deal to bring in more tapirs. Those roadblocks have probably continued to today which is why there hasn’t been another attempt in years. Really sad. They’re one of my favorite animals to see. I’ll just have to enjoy the time they have left here.

 

Its sad to see the slow phase-out of mountain tapir, yet given that AZA currently has 2 tapir ssp that are not sustainable it is a wise decision.

 

I continue arguing for reseeding in country ex situ move to Colombia, Peru and other Andino range states for any remaining US mountain tapir rather than a slow death long drawn out phase out that is only a math's exercise and contravenes any conservation breeding ethic. I do recognise only space availability for 2 tapir species. Just this way is nonsensical cynicism.

 

Are there zoos in Colombia, Peru oder other andean states exhibiting mountain tapirs already?

 

Latest animal transactions: https://www.lazoo.org/wp-new/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/08.2019-Animal-Transactions.pdf

Julymeeting minutes: https://www.lazoo.org/wp-new/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/July-2019-Commission-Minutes-FINAL.pdf

 

It may not be coincidence that Board President Karen Winnick wanted to ensure a quorum for August's meeting and put members on the spot to promise their
attendance. This month's meeting will fall hot on the heels of the World Elephant Day protests, and she had the sense a month ago to prepare for a united front, perhaps intending to make an ironclad show of where the Board stands on Billy's future at the zoo in a matter of mere days now.

 

Remembering Inti – Zooscape

This confirms that the zoo has only Bald Uakari left which is a female named Daisy. The male passed away in July. A saki has moved in with the remaining Uakari.

 

Oh my god I need to make a correction on one of my photos, I swear I thought I saw another uakari that appeared to hide near the base of the tree centered in their exhibit. Thank you for posting this, I will make the correction on my posted pic on the media page, I feel a bit sad now and like a big dumbass

 

Don't be too hard on yourself, happens to all of us.