Something I really still cannot understand. We have tons of Rothschildt's in Europe. And sure we could - given the right deal between EEP and ZAA - offer a good number of females (plus a select number of males) for the Australasia programme. Perhaps this in exchange for some Antipodes species otherwise difficult to acquire (quolls, echidnas, devils, rock wallabies).
New Rhino at Dubbo The young rhino born four months ago gets new "uncle figure" from Monarto. Article here: Macheo is growing up | Taronga Conservation Society Australia
3 cheetah cubs have been born to king cheetah mother Halla (b.2009 at Dubbo) and father Kebeni (arrived in 2012 from Orana, NZ): Breeding success for Cheetah in Dubbo | Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Maintaining the TWPZ Black Rhino Population Since 1991 TWPZ has held Australia's only Black Rhino breeding herd (there are some surplus males currently held at Monarto, and individuals have also been displayed at Taronga), and here's how they plan to maintain the aging population into the future: Story and photo here: Artificial Reproduction of Black Rhino at Taronga Western Plains Zoo | Zoo Aquarium Association
I don't know, although the way the article is written seems to imply that, as the herd was bolstered by imports, it existed before then, possibly from the Taronga stock (which would make sense).
A male addax calf has been born on 6/11 but is being hand raised after his mother died: Keepers step in to care for Addax orphan | Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Plans have been unveiled for a bull elephant complex to house Luk Chai, Pathi Harn and Gung when they relocate from Taronga to Dubbo in 2014 Dubbo zoo prepares for new elephants - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Why move Gung? They purpose built (or renovated) a facility just for him and now want to move him to Dubbo? Moving this particular animal sounds a little bit silly if you ask me.
I'm a bit confused by this as well. There is no way to utilise his exhibit space for the female herd, so it wouldn't help in that respect. It might give Gung himself more room, and having him near/with his sons might be beneficial for them. Alternatively Taronga might want that exhibit for something else, possibly even a new bull, but that's pure speculation.
Keeping him with other males(his sons) would be better than having him alone in the Zoo for long periods. But they would have to move him back for mating- unless they sent the females to him. Or maybe, as suggested above, they just want to use a different male(the Perth one?)
My understanding is that import permits requires for Gung to have contact with other elephants to socialise. With the female herd now being handled in pc, that is impossible because the bull enclosure is 100 or more meters away from the rest of the elephant facility with no possible way to connect both parts. My guess is that is why they are moving him. The way the elephant facilities were built was a terrible mistake and now the elephants have to pay for the mismanagement.
As I understand (I think it was discussed on this forum years ago), Gung was meant to go to Auckland (along with a few females I think) and Taronga would only keep an all female herd, breeding using AI. Auckland then pulled out of the elephant importation so Taronga was stuck with a bull, thus they had to use the land and resources they had to make a bull exhibit they is not great functionally and aesthetically.
AI breeding is not what it is cracked up to be. It would be far more beneficial to have a naturally breeding elephant herd. Perhaps it would even be more beneficial to have a complete elephant breeding complex at TWPZ … What will happen next … as even Gung is not too old (just an adolescent in puberty at 13 only). Are both elderly female elephants Burma and Gigi still at Dubbo? (previously holding also African - herpes transmission (???)
