To start off the year Zoos South Australia has announced a raffle to hopefully bring hippos to Monarto Safari Park 登录 Facebook | Facebook
Very interesting, assuming they raise all the money they need to build the habitat and whatnot, where would they source their hippos? It’s not like the regional breeding program is doing amazing or anything… hopefully an import is in the works!
The obvious source would be Werribee Open Range Zoo. They have two mother-daughter pods of 0.2 and 0.3 hippos. Transferring one of these pods to Monarto would free Werribee up to commence breeding with the other pods (as and when they can receive a bull). The only bull in the region is Kani, so assuming no imports are forthcoming, the next logical step is to transfer him to either Werribee or Monarto for breeding - ideally once he has sired at least one male offspring at Dubbo #BackUpBull
Husani the lioness is pregnant. Keepers confirmed her pregnancy yesterday and she is due within weeks: Log into Facebook | Facebook
Monarto is looking to import 5 male and 5 female ring-tailed lemurs from Toledo Zoo. "The applicant requests a permit to export five males and five female captive-bred ring-tailed lemurs ( Lemur catta ) to Monarto Safari Park, Monarto South, South Australia, Australia, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a single export." Regulations.gov
That would be the obvious and logical way to move forward. However, I would advocate other zoos to start importing some bull hippos as well as more pygmy hippos.
Importing would be far preferable if the zoos can get their act together and make it happen. If not, the entire Australasian population will one day descend from a single bull (Kani), which is the very definition of a genetic bottleneck. We know not to get our hopes up though, so the inbreeding of the hippos we have is what we’ve come to expect. Assuming no imports are taking place, it’s a balancing act between breeding Kani with the least related cows we have versus not taking unnecessary risks with him (transit, intros etc).
I thought that was now fixed (the ungulates IRAs ...., seem to remember a post not too long ago on a range of species)?????
That was the bovine import review: Bovine Import Review Hippos are supposedly next, along with giraffe.
You’re right @Zorro. One miracle at a time. Nobody has giraffes as inbred as ours, but the small numbers of hippos make them a greater priority. I’m excited to see what Monarto can do - both in terms of exhibit design and importing.
I see the design plans propose also black and white ruffed lemurs. What is the status for lemurs in Australia anyway? Any realistic chance of other species being taken on?
Several zoos hold Black and white ruffed lemur in the region. There was also an application made to amend the live import list to include Red ruffed lemur. The intention was to import two pairs to manage as part of a regional ZAA programme (with more imported over time). It’d be nice if Monarto got involved with this programme long term.
The Black and White Ruffed Lemurs in the region are all mostly descended from breeding pairs at Perth and Mogo, so it will be great for some new genetics to be sourced from overseas. Red Ruffed Lemurs are critically endangered, and to add to that, are a captivating species to see; so should be high on any zoos import list. It’d be great to see a regional breeding program established for them.
