Vale Tieu Awful news. Tieu the male White Cheeked Gibbon has died. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=482297479153071 ‘ Today came the time to say goodbye to Tieu, a much-adored White Cheeked Gibbon at the Melbourne Zoo. At 46 years old, Tieu suffered from a number of age-related illnesses which impacted his quality of life, and keepers and vets made the enormously but kind decision to humanly euthanise him’.
That is such sad news. Tieu was the first ever White-cheeked Gibbon I saw and he started my appreciation for the species. This leaves the Australasian region with 19 (9.10) White-cheeked Gibbons. Melbourne Zoo: 1.1 - Jin-Huan (2006), Li-Lian (2007) Taronga Zoo: 1.1 - Kayak (1993), Nelly (1996) Adelaide Zoo: 1.3 - Remus (1996), Viet (1999), Tien (2014), Tuson (2016) Perth Zoo: 4.3 - Phillip (1973), Viann (1993), Nakai (2011), Tao (2002), Jermei (2002), Canh (2015), Lulani (2019) Tasmania Zoo: 1.1 - Tiane (2012), Nhu (2012) Wellington Zoo: 1.1 - Vilson (1987), Robyn (1992) 'Tieu' the White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) by WhistlingKite24 posted 8 Dec 2018 at 1:40 PM
Melbourne Zoo has welcomed the arrival of three Snow Leopard cubs!! The cubs were born on Australia Day (January 26) to first-time mother Miska. Melbourne Zoo celebrates birth of rare snow leopard cubs - Australasian Leisure Management https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=592989198222021
That’s very exciting! I wasn’t aware that Miska had been introduced to Kang Ju. It’s great to have Snow Leopard’s breeding in the Australasian region once again. The last time Melbourne welcomed Snow Leopard cubs, were back in 2008 when Tashi (Sundar) and Gobi were born.
The birth of Gobi and Tashi in 2008 was also the last time Snow leopards were born in the region; and this is the first ever birth of triplets in the Australasian region.
Very sad news. Twiga the Rothschild’s Giraffe was put to sleep this morning at the age of 24. Security Check 'Twiga' the Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) by WhistlingKite24 posted 10 Dec 2018 at 10:39 AM
Very sad news. RIP Twiga. I wonder what’s the plan for MZ now. They are left with one female Giraffe, Nakuru (2012) so theoretically a male should be imported to form a new breeding pair.
They do now, as their remaining giraffe is a hybrid (the offspring of a male Rothschild’s and a female hybrid). Their previous breeding pair (Makulu and Twiga) were both purebred Rothschild’s. Twiga (1996-2020) was imported from the Netherlands in 1997; and Makulu (1995-2018) was born at Perth Zoo. Makulu and Twiga produced 1.3 offspring at a Melbourne Zoo: 1.0 Tambo (21/10/2000) Sent to Monarto Zoo 0.1 Tanzi (22/08/2002) Sent to Mogo Zoo 0.1 Tunu (02/02/2004) Sent to Orana Wildlife Park 0.1 Shani (21/03/2006) Sent to Mogo Zoo All four have produced multiple offspring.
Articles from Zoos Vic website in regards to; The birth of the Snow Leopard Cubs: Precious Snow Leopard cubs born at Melbourne Zoo Twiga’s death: Beloved Giraffe Twiga dies aged 23
I would agree, It was tried once before but not enough animals were imported to hold out for the long term breeding of them!
It'd be great to see a purebred population established in the Australasian region. Unfortunately, I can't see Auckland, Wellington or Orana joining it anytime soon though as all three zoos have recently imported young bulls for breeding; and the cost of importing purebred giraffes from outside the region would be prohibitive. It could be an option for zoos like Melbourne; who could put Nakuru on contraception (or export her) and import a purebred pair. The best way forward could be for the Australian open range zoos to accommodate single sex herds of hybrids; and have the city zoos breeding from 1.1 pairs.
Nakuru could be exported to the Sydney Zoo, where she could be a companion for Kimya. MZ originally had plans to breed Nakuru with Makulu, but this never worked out. She’s now 8 years old, and with a lot of her relatives living (and breeding) inside the region, i’m not sure whether there is any urgency on breeding her anymore.
I have lost track of these being a phase out or are they now on the rebound to be phased back again, one could get whip lash keeping up with whats in or out now,lol
Snow leopard have never officially been a phase out species; only two zoos (Taronga Zoo and the National Zoo) have to date phased the species out from their collection. Melbourne Zoo appear to have a long term commitment to them, as evidenced by their importation of a breeding pair (and the birth of three cubs); and Wellington Zoo will hold two non breeding animals. Long term, I believe these will be the two main holding zoos. Mogo Zoo appear to have lost interest in them; though this may be revived under the new management. I believe it's more likely they will phase them out (and import Sri Lankan leopard) in the long term. Similarly, there's no plans for Snow leopard to return to Taronga Zoo. There should be no shortage of small zoos/wildlife parks willing to take surplus individuals, like Billabong holds surplus Snow leopards from Taronga Zoo. This (or another wildlife park) may be the destination for Melbourne's litter if not urgently required in the breeding programme.
I am really surprised Mogo zoo lost interest in them I seem to remember they bred well there, yes only holding a species in two zoos is not going anywhere in the long term!
Yes, Mogo Zoo bred two litters (each containing 1.1 cubs) in 1999 and 2003. All were exported, except for the female from the 2003 litter (Tenzin). Mogo Zoo expressed an interest in breeding and imported a male. The intention was for them to breed in 2010 according to the Snow leopard studbook. This never materialised (I’m guessing due to infertility of one half of the pair). Since they previously held two pairs, they could have imported a second; but to date have chosen not to. Time will tell if they replace this ageing pair when they die; or phase them out.
Of course there is no reason why Snow leopards and Sri Lankan leopards cannot both be maintained in the region, as long as there are sufficient collections to take them on!
