Following the deaths of two of the four chimps the remaining two, Dolly and Blackie, have left the zoo for a sanctuary. Fauna Welcomes Blackie and Dolly
Sichuan, I presume. That is by far the most common subspecies over here; indeed, I can't even think of a place that holds Mishmi or golden.
Other things that they list as new this season besides the takin and lynx... 3 warthogs (I feel like they most likely would be Toronto's 2015 male offspring Ru, Bert and Riley), 1 Malayan tapir (Toronto's Tanuck who actually has been there quite some time), 4 white lion cubs (again Toronto's surplus males Oliver, Henry, Harrison and Hank), 2 caiman, iguana, chameleons and various snakes. They also are touting a new restaurant, a revamped aquatic center and the introduction of a safari vehicle to visit the savanna in. Le Parc Safari offre plusieurs nouveautés cette année
Births so far this season, a bison, a water buffalo, at least three oryx, a nigali, a greater kudu, a least two waterbuck and a watusi.
The warthogs have been at the zoo for three years. They are Toronto's previous litter of Zuma, Petunia and Winnie. Not sure why they appeared to be promoted as new. A new species will be arriving in the coming months. Toronto's Greater one horned rhino calf, Nandu, will be calling Parc Safari home. No mate has been selected for him but he's a long way away from needing one.
In a sad turn of events Parc Safari is being attacked over a party event hosted at the safari by the Muslim Association of Canada. Apparently some took offense to the association being there. A sad day indeed when a zoo has to defend itself for allowing any peaceful group regardless of well anything that could make them different to use its site. Parc Safari has had to go so far as to issue the following statement on its facebook page. "Safari Park is a welcome place for all, regardless of nationality, religion, culture, language and sexual orientation. Safari Park does not discriminate against any group and does not tolerate hate attacks on its site. Safari Park regularly receives corporate groups on its site. Companies, associations or groups can book a picnic area and enjoy the day on the site. Through this program, on Sunday, July 2, Safari Park hosted the Muslim Association of Canada. Following their visit, several complaints were made. The group had a space reserved on the site, away from passers-by and they received the same guidelines as any other group. Their celebration had to be done in respect of guests and animals. Thus, the group should not block paths, make demands on visitors or disturb the activities of the safari park. These standards have been complied with. The group brought a sound system. It operated independently and was not connected to the safari park system. In addition, the group had to comply with the standards required by the safari park, or not exceed a certain volume so as not to disturb visitors or animals and not to broadcast hate messages or run against the values of the safari park. All standards and regulations have been respected by the group. Otherwise, the group, like any groups or visitors who do not comply with the rules, would have been expelled from the site. Following the release of a 46-second video on Youtube, it appears that the presence of this group at safari park has offended people, whether present or not, during the day. Safari Park is sorry that freedom of religion may offend people. In any case, this was not the objective. Since last Sunday, Safari Park has been a victim of hate and racist comments. Safari Park is a place where everyone is welcome. A Zoological institution is by definition a multicultural place where small and large can discover the wonderful diversity of nature and animals and thus develop affection and respect for this diversity, these differences, and their intrinsic beauty. We repeat: Safari Park is a place for everyone, regardless of nationality, religion, colour, culture or sexual orientation. Safari Park will not accept any call to hate or inappropriate vocabulary on our social networks, by phone or on its site. All hate messages or inappropriate messages will be deleted from our page." So sad it had to get to this point. Why can't we all get along and even if you don't respect others differences at least be civil to one another. Good for Parc Safari for standing up for itself and for equality. There is no room for hate in a place meant to be enjoyed by children and families... and of course animal lovers of all ages.
An article about the hateful and racist attacks. Quebec safari park defends religious freedom following ‘hateful’ response to Muslim visit
Male cheetah cubs, Mosi and Jelani, were born to mother Akeelah via c-section. Spotted: The first two cheetah cubs ever born in Quebec
Yes an import father is the only possibility. They would not have bred Akeelah to Azu because they are full siblings. Azu cannot breed with Cleo either since she is his half sister. The father could be Jua (brother to Toronto's new mom Laini), Pendo, Haraka, or one of the brothers Nyota and Kilio. Azu would be bred with Nati or Malkia.
@TZFan, some interesting info for you in this feature from a French zoo fan site: Link: Première naissance de guépards au Québec! – Zoonaute.net I summarize the details: April 2013 the Parc Safari zoo director travelled to Hoedspruit, South Africa to acquire 5.3 southern cheetahs (MM: Pendo, Jua, Haraka, Nyota, Kilio and FF: Malkia, Laini and Nati). They constituted an important new set of bloodlines for the North American southern cheetah population. Up untill December 2016, reproduction either did not occur or failed and zoo management decided upon an exchange with Toronto Zoo. FF Akeelah and Cleo travelled to Parc Safari in Quebec and F Laini made the return journey. Subsequently, male Jua was successfully mated to female Akeelah: end result a first set of cubs for the park. That this exchange made sense was proved when F Laini was mated and gave to birth to another set of cubs at Toronto. I am sure this will not be the end of it.
The two zoos really do need to work together to build up the cheetah population in Canada. Toronto's stock is all moving towards the end of their reproductive lives with most being 5-8. Precious years were lost trying to breed the only two viable pairs, Patonga and Mahala (who is probably too old) and Bomani and Cleo. Akeelah and Tika were never going to breed in Toronto as the boys are their half brother and uncle. Hopefully Tika will now go to San Diego so she can reproduce. Parc Safari too was having issues and losing time. Because their cheetahs were more diverse they had better options but clearly some changes were needed. Unfortunately with Jua and Laini being siblings and Patonga and Akeelah being half siblings there wasn't a great mix up in genetics. Hopefully following litters from Parc Safari will see the other males represented as well as the other females.
Parc Safari is celebrating its 45th anniversary this month! They have some cool throw back photos. Apparently they used to have dolphins. Who knew? Well I didn't some of you might have.
Two more male cheetah cubs were born July 13 to mom Cleo. No word on dad. They are being mother reared which is excellent for first time mom Cleo.
