female indian rhino in australia! » Western Plains Zoo

26-04-2007

I'd have to say in my opinion this is one of the dullest Indian rhino exhibits I've ever seen. There is a ramp between the indoor and outdoor areas and the very young calves have a problem negotiating it apparently. BUT this is the 2nd calf born there in the last few years.

27-04-2007

I have seen pictures of it I agree. It's not nice. The one at Basel is still at the top of my list, but then that's only the 5th zoo with Indian rhinos that I've been to.

A good Indian Rhino Exibit should be large with a pool, for hot days and a Nice spacious Indoor accomidation. Sometimes there are wood chippings on the ground. This looks good but I'm not sure whether it would be good for the animals feet. I know they're strong but they may become worn down.

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28-04-2007

The rhino outdoor enclosure has been upgraded a little last year, it's not bigger but it's a bit less shabby. The indoor inclosure is small, but situated in the large hall Taman Indah, which is one of the better zoo-buildings in Holland...

The pair at Rotterdam Zoo has produced if i'm correct 6 baby's in a row and the bull will now be retired soon and probably replaced to diversify genetics.

@ ZooPro: They hold a pair and the baby, no more. Wonder what you think about the zoo... (New thread?)

28-04-2007

lets back to the thread here, kua and dora, kua should be relocated to dubbo very soon, and dora shall hopefully move back to wild asia soon.

all the exhibits are done, 3 in all i have counted (1 exhibit and 2 back of house) which to me seems funny, as the zoos still plans to hold 4 animals- can females be kept together, and what does this say for future calves- im hoping for more regional support.

on this blacks soon to monarto...

28-04-2007

Zoo_Boy the San Deigo wild Animal park run a number of females and young togeather out on the plains exhibit along with a mature breeding bull, also there are a number of bomas where they hold new born young with their mothers, I was told by a friend who worked there they hold the females and young in the bomas untill the calf has grown a bit of size to it ( I think it was around six months) before releasing it to the main exhibit area which i think is around 100 acres. I will post some pics of this exhibit on the forum when i get some spare time.

28-04-2007

THNX mark

what my concern is that the exhibits do not look big enough to hold 2 females, with claves- if the issue arises that both are in calf. and then again the exhibit i dont belive has been designed in away for a mother calf and second female to be housed. as well as the weaning process of mother calf. there is onlly 3 holding yards of small size, the exhibit and 2 large exhibit of i would sy 2 acres each

i am not sure- will have to investigate whenn dubbo next

28-04-2007

I was thinking the same thing as you about the yards out the back seemed to be built to hold three animals?, maybe if they have some success in breeding them they may extend the yards somewhat to hold the two pairs?.

They may place any furture off spring at other open range zoos in Austraila so there are maybe three or so zoos holding them here, i guess it depends on how the breeding side of it shapes up, I have seen a number of zoos who breed them overseas and most of these have real cold winters and smaller exhibits so i feel our boys here will do a good job with them here.

28-04-2007

no other open range zoos plan to hold them

they may go 'out back' of dubbo

28-04-2007

you never know, lets wait and see, hehe

28-04-2007

lol i will do some investigating

01-05-2007

all of the above hypotheticals depend on the availabilty of WPZ to source a second pair of animals in the relative near future. i cant see that happening quickly, nor is it needed to happen quickly.
the exhibit as it is could hold a second female, if need be, or the offspring of kua and dora (????). a second male would only need to be integrate dinto the program in another ten years or so. maybe later. and additional animals could always live in the black rhino boma.
for the minute i have no problem with WPZ saving its $$$$$$ and not expanding the exhibit further when, lets face it, theres no need to. after all, we only have 2 rhinos!!!!

01-05-2007

glyn i totally agree that we are unlikely to see any indian rhino imported in the near future. considering how many zoos there are in europe and the US there is actually not that many of them around.

i wouldn't be supprised if they have quite a few calves at WPZ before they manage to trade one for just one unrelated animal let alone two..

australia zoo is the only zoo that is saying they want to keep the species.

....that said they also continue to list sumatran rhinoceros!!!!

01-05-2007

they have been asked to delist them, along with mnay other species

01-05-2007

ive said it before, its going to be interesting to see how this species' representation here in australia turns out. only time will tell. now pat, please excuse my divergence, does anyone know anything about more francois langurs, silvery gibbons, porcupines or spotted deer (philipines) being imported into the country.?
if anyone does actually know something, just start a new thread (to avoid upset (btw im with you pat on the whole thing, but am very guilty of it

Indian rhinos available elsewhere
02-05-2007

The only readily available individuals are in San Diego Zoo and as Kua is a SD animal no more should be sources from there. The European breeding programme houses some 40+ individuals now and there is room for improvement in breeding. Several new pairs have recently been established and in 2007-2008 I suspect some 3 or 4 calves might be on the way.

However the EEP is building itself up yet and has no surplus stock for other regions. Lest it still desperately needs several unrelated founders. Only perhaps the Benidorm animals may be surplussed, but I think they are looking for new mates for both their females.

Also do not underestimate the fact that the species is not on the recommended list. What with any breeding at Dubbo. How will this affect the breeding places for white rhinos and more importantly the highly endangered southern blacks?

I personally feel that WPZ is far better off improving its breeding record with southern blacks further and setting up a second and satellite white rhino herd before long.