Black rhinos in Europe

Black rhinos in Europe
02-02-2008

The current black rhino EEP holds approx. 80 eastern black rhino held.
To date 3 pregnancies have been confirmed. Zuerich now has the proven former Dvur bull Jimm on permanent loan. Dvur itself has both Isis, Mweru and Sauron as proven bulls. Berlin Zoo has Jasper ex Dvur.

As a result of the relatively large representation of younger eastern black rhino in the EEP, it may be expected that the current growth will continue. Unfortunately, it appears most European zoos when opting for new rhinos are mostly going into white rhinos (unjustifiedly so as these are no longer as endangered as the eastern black rhino - which is listed as Critically Endangered).

A relatively new development in the EEP for eastern black rhino is the contribution the EEP is giving to supporting reintroduction of eastern black rhinos in range states. Port Lympne has now relocated 2.3 individuals to various reserves in Eastern and Southern Africa (out of range population of 30-35). Dvur Kralove is expected to sent some eastern black rhino to Africa during the year.

So, this is for starters!

02-02-2008

I believe female Ine in Berlin is prgenant and due to give birth very soon. Female Nane in Krefeld should also be pregnant. Young male Ndugu in Leipzig is mating the young females but no confirmed pregnancies so far.

02-02-2008

Affirmative RE confirmed pregnancies. The other confirmed pregnancy is Kitani at Chester.

No news yet on the breeding performance of Jimm at Zuerich.

02-02-2008

Affirmative RE confirmed pregnancies. Nane's pregnancy was publicised in the papers quite a few times, whereas Ine's was acknowledged to me by the kind Berlin Zoo rhino keeper when visittting in October 2007. The other confirmed pregnancy is Kitani at Chester.

No news yet on the breeding performance of Jimm at Zuerich.

Parky
03-02-2008

Jelle- do you know at which European zoo the bull 'Parky' (born Whipsnade, then formerly at Chester and Port Lympne) was sent to and whether he is still alive?

'Parky' fathered a calf at Chester (Emma, since died) and two (one died) at Port Lympne and has only one surviving daughter(Ruaha?) in the UK.

Did 'Parky' father any more calves in Europe?

04-02-2008

Bull Parky was sent on breeding loan to Zuerich Zoo to mate with their older females (now 1 deceased, 1 other elderly alive). Parky died in 2005 without siring any more offspring.

However, Parky's genes are already represented in the UK set and also in from erstwhile London\Whipsnade stock at Port Lympne (the bull+2 cows that is) in the early 1990's.

Zuerich Zoo now have a breeding group with 2 young females (1 Zuerich born and 1 Hannover born). The new breeding bull and heavily proven is Jimm ex Dvur Kralove (I have high hopes of him siring offspring in the next 1-2 years at Zuerich. The first realistic bull since the early 1990's.).

04-02-2008

Parky has one daughter- 'Ruaha'- at Port Lympne -do you know what her breeding record is?

His only other relatives are KataKata(in France) and Rosie(nonbreeder at Chester)- they are his half siblings ('Mama Kidogo' was mother of all three)

04-02-2008

Jelle. - can you give me the age & parentage details of Paignton's female rhino (Sita?) I belive she came from Berlin.... Many thanks.

04-02-2008

Young bull Davu born and still living at Krefeld is about to move to Dvur Kralové in the Czech republic to make room for the new calf.

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05-02-2008

Sita was born at Berlin Zoo 12 October 1990. She was sired by the wild born Leipzig male Klaus and the captive-born female Theluji (only offspring of wild born female Kitani and original bull Mbololo).

So, she is especially worthwhile to the EEP breeding programme!

05-02-2008

Krefeld bull Davu was first destined for Tallinn Zoo, Estonia. From a climate perspective Tallinn is far from suitable for a bull eastern black rhino. Thankfully, the Species Coordinator seen the light of day and changed this to his social integration into the Dvur herd (where he can mature in association with conspecifics and breeding bulls and learn those vital skills to become a later proven sire himself).

Tallinn Zoo keep the elderly and now infertile bull Murray (erstwhile of Zuerich fame). At Zuerich Zoo he sired his only offspring Kifaru II (the current Hannover Zoo breeding bull). Somewhere on the line Murray totally lost it and is now infertile (must look up what is the matter with him) and that is when he was moved out to Tallinn in Estonia.

06-02-2008

Many thanks. Paignton have been fortunate in starting with black rhino that they've established a compatible breeding pair and produced a female calf as well. Their indoor enclosure is good, it has two show areas- quite similar to Chester's 'Tsavo' (home of Sammy/Kitani/Mayani) complex - plus a medium sized outdoor yard and paddock.

07-02-2008

Regarding Paignton: I wish they would acquire a second female black rhino for breeding purposes. Another thing is that I feel proven Kingo should be moved around the country on short stay breed assignments (replicating their natural territoriality).

07-02-2008

Paignton's enclosure, though good, is quite small- possibly not room for an additional female. Their calf 'Kifu' was a year old on 5th February....

Kingo- the only other place he could go (in UK) is Chester- or back home to Port Lypmne? I think when he gets Sita pregnant for a 2nd time, then perhaps he could leave for a while...

08-02-2008

The 1.2 pairing was recently set by the then Berlin Zoo Species Coordinator, so I am not totally dreaming it up.

Kingo is a proven breeder in his prime and should be allowed to breed to other unrelated females (at Lympne he did the job with several young females). A good pairing would be another Dvur or a Zuerich female.

Port Lympne being without a proven breeder, perhaps he should be relocated after breeding again to Sita in the next year or so. When on loan to another collection the exhibit could be enlarged to encompass a further exhibit yard and indoor stall (in order to make the 1.2 grouping a reality).