Breeding programs at Zoo Basel

Last updated
Zoo Basel
Zolli-logo.JPG
Zoo Basel logo
Date openedJuly 3, 1874
Location Basel, Switzerland
Land area32.12 acres (13.00 ha)
No. of animals6,894 (2008 – about 5,000 in the aquarium)
No. of species645 (2008)
Memberships20 different organizations – among others: Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Website www.zoobasel.ch

The breeding programs at Zoo Basel have had many highlights since the zoo's opening in 1874. These include the worldwide first zoo births of an Indian rhinoceros and greater flamingo hatch, [1] as well as the first European gorilla birth. [2] Due to Zoo Basel's successful breeding programs, it manages the international studbook for the Indian rhinoceros [3] and the pygmy hippopotamus, as well as several European studbooks.

Contents

General information

The zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), and 18 other programs and organizations. In 1935, the forerunner of the WAZA (the International Union of Directors of Zoological Gardens or IUDZG) was founded in Basel.

Breeding program participations

Among the breeding programs for endangered species that the Zoo Basel participates in are:

Studbook overview

Zoo Basel is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) and holds following studbooks:

AnimalImageYearsWhich Studbook(-s)Animal in Basel
Indian rhinoceros
Zoo Basel Rhinos.JPG
1972–present
International studbook for the Indian rhinoceros
since 1952
Pygmy hippopotamus
Hexaprotodon-liberiensis-pigmy-hippo-hdr-0a.jpg
1975–present [4]
International studbook for the pygmy hippopotamus [4]
1928-2004
2008–present [5]
Indian rhinoceros
Zoo Basel Rhinos.JPG
1990–present
Indian rhinoceros studbook of the European Endangered Species Programme
since 1952
Somali wild ass
ZolliWildAss.JPG
n/a -present [6]
Somali wild ass studbook of the European Endangered Species Programme [6]
since 1970 [7]
Lesser kudu
Lesser Kudu.jpg
2010–present [8]
since 1956 [8]

Cheetahs

Cheetahs ZolliCheetas2009.jpg
Cheetahs

Among 82 other European zoos with cheetahs, the zoo's breeding program is one in a dozen that has repeated success. Basel had five young cheetahs born in 1993, 1995, and 2007. [10]

Cheetah breeding is difficult in captivity, as males and females live separately in the wild and females are picky in partners. The 30% mortality rate among newborns also lowers breeding success. That is why the new pair of female cheetahs that came to Basel in 2001 did not show interest in the presented males and had no offspring – until "Survivor" came from Vienna in 2006.

Currently in Basel

As of June 2011, the male "Survivor" and two females are living in Basel with two young cheetahs. On June 17, 2009, mother Msichana had two males and a female baby. The youngest cheetah died in the fall of 2009.

Flamingos

Chick feeding on crop milk. Rosaflamingo-Kuken - Fuetterung mit Kropfmilch.jpg
Chick feeding on crop milk.

For over 50 years Zoo Basel had its flamingo breeding program and hatched over 400 flamingos. Since 2000, every year 20 to 27 young flamingos are hatched in Basel. One of the main reasons for this annual success is the current flamingo exhibit which was built in 1991.

Currently in Basel

As of June 27, 2010, Basel's flamingo herd counts 113 individuals. During the spring of 2010, these birds built 41 nests and between June 5 and June 29, 2010 thirty-three flamingos hatched - of which thirty survived. This is a new record for the zoo, that never had these many flamingo hatches in its history. In a media release on June 22, 2010 zoo officials consider a calm hatching time and ideal weather as reasons for this record. [11]

Basel history

Zoo Basel hatched the first flamingo, a Chilean flamingo in a European zoo in 1958 and a year later the first greater flamingo in captivity. [12] While at first Zoo Basel had all six flamingo species, it decided to focus on the greater flamingo in the 1980s.

Indian rhinoceros

Rhinos in the outdoor exhibit Zoo Basel Rhinos.JPG
Rhinos in the outdoor exhibit

The Zoo Basel holds international studbook for the Indian rhinoceros since 1972 [3] and coordinates since 1990 the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), [13] which ensures that the captive Indian rhinoceros population stays as genetically healthy as possible. One of the main reasons for Basel to have these studbooks is due to its successful breeding program.

Currently in Basel

As of September 2012, Ellora (1982), Quetta (1993), Jaffna (Basels stock bull / 1994), Henna (2010), and Jari (2012) live in the Zolli. [14] [15] On July 23, 2010, Ellora gave birth to a rhino girl called Henna, which is Ellora's seventh baby. Henna is unique in Basel's breeding history, as her left front leg is white. A video of Henna's birth can be watched here: rhino birth [3]

Basel history

In 1952, the first rhino, the bull Gadadhar, arrived in Basel and a year later, the female Joymothi followed. These two animals are the parents of Basel's Indian rhino breeding program.

On September 14, 1956, the birth of rhino boy Rudra (the first Indian rhino born in a zoo) started Basel's Indian rhino success story. [16] He was the son of Gadadhar and Joymothi that came from Kaziranga National Park. Two hours after birth he weighed 60.5 kg (133 lb) and was 105 cm (41 in) long and quickly gained 1.5 kilograms per day. In 1959, Rudra was transferred to the Milwaukee County Zoo, where he only became a father once until his death. [17]

As of September 2012, 33 Indian rhinos have been born in Basel [15] out of about 80 births worldwide. Therefore, most of the 174 Indian rhinoceroses in zoos around the globe are somehow related to the rhino population in Basel. [3]

Rhino exhibit

Rhino with otter Zoo Basel otter with rhino.JPG
Rhino with otter

The Indian rhinoceros house and outdoor exhibit were built in 1959, extensively renovated from 2006 to 2008, and re-opened in May 2008. In the new rhinoceros exhibit, the rhinos, are sharing the outdoor exhibit with muntjacs, and Oriental small-clawed otters. As of July 2010, the three different species lived together with no incidents. The 2.5-ton-rhinoceroses are sharing their food with the 30-kilogram-muntjacs or go into one of four ponds where the Asian otters are swimming around the rhinos.

Preservation efforts

The Zolli supports Indian Rhino Vision 2020, which intends to increase the wild Indian rhino population to 3'000 animals. The partnership with the Orang National Park in India, where currently about 60 rhinos live, is one of the projects supported. In 2008, out of every day pass sold 15 Rappen (US$0.14) and out of every annual pass CHF 1.50 ($1.45) went to the Rhino Vision, totaling CHF 100'000 ($99,900). [18]

Okapi

Stomp and Xina Zoo Basel okapi 1.JPG
Stomp and Xina

Worldwide, there are about 160 okapis living in zoos. In Europe, there are about 55. Since Basel Zoo's first zoo birth in 1957, twenty-two okapis have been born in Basel (2009).

Currently in Basel

On December 2, 2009, the okapi bull Stomp (b. 2003) came from Zoo Berlin and on August 24, 2011 the female Hazima (b. 2007) arrived from the British Marwell Wildlife. [19]

Basel history

The first okapi that arrived in Basel on June 16, 1949, was the bull Bambe. However, after only 66 days, he died due to liver parasites. Nanouk (1955) and Bibi (1956) followed him and laid the foundation of Basel's successful okapi breeding program. [20]

In 2008, Basels Ahadi fathered the first okapi birth in the Czech Republic and Slovakia at Zoo Dvur Kralove. A video of this birth can be seen here [21] on YouTube.

Okapi preservation efforts

All okapi zoos (including Basel) in Europe and North America are supporting the Okapi Wildlife Reserve managed by the Gilman International Conservation Organization, in the Ituri Rainforest (Democratic Republic of the Congo). In 2008, Zoo Basel donated $5,000 to the Gilman Conservation. [22]

Pygmy hippopotamus

Zoo Basel oversees the international studbook for the pygmy hippopotamus. Since the construction of the rhino exhibit, the pygmy hippos can only be viewed in their outdoor exhibits. During the winter they are inside.

Basel history

In 1928, the first animals arrived in Basel and started a breeding program in which 53 hippos were born and successfully raised. [23] These animals and their offspring are living today in zoos all over the globe.

Somali wild ass

Somali wild ass ZolliWildAss.JPG
Somali wild ass

The Somali wild ass ( Equus africanus somaliensis ) is a wild donkey, a subspecies of the African wild ass. It is extremely endangered, as there are likely less than 1000 animals (or even 700) in the wild. [24] There are about 200 individuals in zoos around the globe, of which 35 were born in Basel. [25]

Zoo Basel manages the European studbook for the Somali wild ass and coordinates the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). [26] All European wild donkeys are either descendants of the original group at Zoo Basel or of 12 others that came from the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve in Israel in 1972. [27]

Currently in Basel

As of December 16, 2010, there are four Somali wild donkeys in Basel: The stallion "Ares" (22), three females (among them "Yogala"-12), and the baby girl "Hakaba." [6]

Basel history

Basel started having Somali wild asses in 1970 and had its first birth in 1972. Since then, 11 stallions and 24 females were born and survived childhood. [28]

Preservation efforts

Zoo Basel supports a conservation project in the Northeast African country of Eritrea, where 47 Somali wild ass live in the mountains between the Buri Peninsula and the Dalool ditch. [29]

Related Research Articles

San Diego Zoo Safari Park Zoo in Southern California

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, originally named the San Diego Wild Animal Park until 2010, is an 1,800 acre zoo in the San Pasqual Valley area of San Diego, California, near Escondido. It is one of the largest tourist attractions in San Diego County. The park houses a large array of wild and endangered animals including species from the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. This includes the largest collection of hoofed mammals in the world. The park is in a semi-arid environment, and one of its most notable features is the Africa Tram, which explores the expansive African exhibits. These free-range enclosures house such animals as antelopes, giraffes, buffalo, cranes, and rhinoceros. The park is also noted for its California condor breeding program.

Greater flamingo Species of bird

The greater flamingo is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family. It is found in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and in southern Europe.

Sumatran rhinoceros Endangered species of small Asian rhinoceros

The Sumatran rhinoceros, also known as the Sumatran rhino, hairy rhinoceros or Asian two-horned rhinoceros, is a rare member of the family Rhinocerotidae and one of five extant species of rhinoceros. It is the only extant species of the genus Dicerorhinus. It is the smallest rhinoceros, although it is still a large mammal; it stands 112–145 cm (44–57 in) high at the shoulder, with a head-and-body length of 2.36–3.18 m and a tail of 35–70 cm (14–28 in). The weight is reported to range from 500–1,000 kg (1,100–2,200 lb), averaging 700–800 kg (1,500–1,800 lb), although there is a single record of a 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) specimen. Like both African species, it has two horns; the larger is the nasal horn, typically 15–25 cm (5.9–9.8 in), while the other horn is typically a stub. A coat of reddish-brown hair covers most of the Sumatran rhino's body.

Indian rhinoceros Species of rhinoceros

The Indian rhinoceros, also called the Indian rhino, greater one-horned rhinoceros or great Indian rhinoceros, is a rhinoceros species native to the Indian subcontinent. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, as populations are fragmented and restricted to less than 20,000 km2 (7,700 sq mi). Moreover, the extent and quality of the rhino's most important habitat, the alluvial Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands and riverine forest, is considered to be in decline due to human and livestock encroachment. As of August 2018, the global population was estimated to comprise 3,588 individuals, including 2,939 individuals in India and 649 in Nepal. Kaziranga National Park alone had an estimated population of 2,048 rhinos in 2009. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam has the highest density of Indian rhinos in the world with 84 individuals in an area of 38.80 km2 (14.98 sq mi) in 2009.

Chester Zoo Zoo in England

Chester Zoo is a zoo at Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire, England. Chester Zoo was opened in 1931 by George Mottershead and his family. It is one of the UK's largest zoos at 51 hectares. The zoo has a total land holding of approximately 160 hectares.

Attica Zoological Park Zoo in Spata, Greece

Attica Park, officially Attica Zoological Park (AZP), is a private zoo located in the suburb of Spata, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Athens, Greece. It is the only zoo in Greece. The zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals representing 220 species, in an area of 20-hectares. It is open 365 days a year.

Captive breeding Intentional breeding of wild plants or animals in captivity

Captive breeding, also known as captive propagation, is the process of maintaining plants or animals in controlled environments, such as wildlife reserves, zoos, botanic gardens, and other conservation facilities. It is sometimes employed to help species that are being threatened by the effects of human activities such as climate change, habitat loss, fragmentation, over hunting or fishing, pollution, predation, disease, and parasitism.

African wild ass Species of wild ass

The African wild ass or African wild donkey is a wild member of the horse family, Equidae. This species is thought to be the ancestor of the domestic donkey, which is sometimes placed within the same species. They live in the deserts and other arid areas of the Horn of Africa, in Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. It formerly had a wider range north and west into Sudan, Egypt, and Libya. It is Critically Endangered, with about 570 individuals existing in the wild.

Somali wild ass Subspecies of mammal

The Somali wild ass is a subspecies of the African wild ass.

La Palmyre Zoo Zoo in Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime

La Palmyre Zoo is a zoo in Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime, near Royan, in southwestern France. It was created in 1966 in the forest of la Coubre by Claude Caillé. Extending over 18 hectares, including 14 of landscape garden, it offers the visitor the opportunity of observing more than 1600 animals of all kinds, divided into 145 species, over a distance of more than 4 kilometres (2.5 mi).

Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Diergaarde Blijdorp, officially Rotterdam Zoo, is a zoo located in the northwestern part of Rotterdam. It is one of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands, and has been operated by the Stichting Koninklijke Rotterdamse Diergaarde. Divided into several zoogeographic regions, the 26-hectare (64.25-acre) Blijdorp Zoo boasts well over 180 species. It also has a shop, multiple cafes, and an information centre.

Northern white rhinoceros Subspecies of white rhinoceros

The northern white rhinoceros, or northern square-lipped rhinoceros, is one of two subspecies of the white rhinoceros. Formerly found in several countries in East and Central Africa south of the Sahara, this subspecies is a grazer in grasslands and savanna woodlands. Since 19 March 2018, there are only two known rhinos of this subspecies left, called Najin and Fatu, both of which are female; barring the existence of unknown or misclassified male northern white rhinos elsewhere in Africa, this makes the subspecies functionally extinct. The two female rhinos belong to the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic but live in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya and are protected round-the-clock by armed guards.

Species Survival Plan

The American Species Survival Plan or SSP program was developed in 1981 by the (American) Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help ensure the survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums, most of which are threatened or endangered in the wild.

San Antonio Zoo Zoo in Texas, United States

The San Antonio Zoo is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoo in Midtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. It is located in the city's Brackenridge Park. San Antonio Zoo is a 50+ acre zoo home to over 750 species, some of which are endangered or extinct in the wild, and an annual attendance of more than 1 million. It also runs non-animal attractions, such as the 2 ft narrow gauge San Antonio Zoo Eagle train ride, which first opened in 1956 and utilizes three Chance Rides C.P. Huntington locomotives.

The EAZA Ex-situ Programme (EEP), formerly known as European Endangered Species Programme, is a population management programme for animals of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). It is one of the worldwide assembly of such regional breeding programs for threatened species in zoos. The North America counterpart is the Species Survival Plan (SSP); Australian, Japanese, Indian, and Chinese zoos also have similar programs. Combined, there are now many hundred zoos worldwide involved in regional breeding programs. Each EEP has a coordinator who is assisted by a species committee. The coordinator collects information on the status of all the animals kept in EAZA zoos and aquariums of the species for which he or she is responsible, produces a studbook, carries out demographic and genetic analyses, produces a plan for the future management of the species and provides recommendations to participating institutions. Together with the Species Committee, recommendations are made each year about relocating and breeding animals, and the conditions of such a move.

ZooParc de Beauval Zoo in Centre, France

The ZooParc de Beauval, more commonly called Beauval Zoo or, more simply, Beauval, is a French zoological park located in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire. It features more than 35,000 animals on 40 hectares, which is one of the largest animal collections in France and in Europe. Created in 1980 by Françoise Delord, it is now run by her son, Rodolphe Delord, and managed by his family, which owns most of the capital.

Zoo Basel Zoo in Basel, Switzerland

Zoo Basel is a non-profit zoo in the city of Basel, Switzerland. Its official name is Zoologischer Garten Basel — or in English: Basel Zoological Garden. Basel residents affectionately call it Zolli. Its main entrance is just outside Basel's downtown strip of Steinen-Vorstadt and extends in the Birsig stream valley to Basel's city border with Binningen, Basel-Country.

Zodiac Zoos Zoo in the Netherlands

Zodiac Zoos is a Dutch corporation that owns and operates Aqua Zoo Friesland, Zoo Wissel, Zoo Labyrinth Boekelo, Zoo Park Overloon, and Castle Arcen.

White Oak Conservation Wildlife and conservation center outside Yulee, Florida, US

White Oak Conservation, which is part of Walter Conservation, is a 17,000-acre (6,900 ha) conservation center in northeastern Florida. It has long been dedicated to the conservation and care of endangered and threatened species, including rhinoceros, okapi, bongo antelope, zebras, dama gazelles, and cheetahs.

Northeast African cheetah Subspecies of carnivore

The Northeast African cheetah is a cheetah subspecies occurring in Northeast Africa. Contemporary records are known in South Sudan and Ethiopia, but population status in Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan is unknown.

References

  1. (in German) 50 JAHRE FLAMINGOZUCHT UND FLAMINGOFORSCHUNG IM ZOO BASEL Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Zoo Basel, written 2008-08-13, retrieved 2012-09-05
  2. (in English) First zoo-born gorilla reaches half a century swissinfo.ch, written 2009-09-23, retrieved 2012-09-06
  3. 1 2 3 4 (in German) Panzernashorngeburt im Zoo Basel Archived 2010-08-19 at the Wayback Machine . Zoo Basel, written 2010-07-27, retrieved 2010-07-27
  4. 1 2 (in German) Zwergflusspferd Archived March 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine . Zoo Basel, retrieved 2012-07-26
  5. (in German) Zwergflusspferd zurück in Basel [ permanent dead link ]. Zoo Basel, written 2008-6-11, retrieved 2012-07-26
  6. 1 2 3 (in German) Kängurus und Heuschrecken auf Reisen - Partnertausch bei Zootieren. Zoo Basel, written 2010-10-13, retrieved 2012-07-27
  7. (in German) Zweites Somali-Wildeselfohlen im Zolli geboren Archived 2013-12-20 at the Wayback Machine . Zoo Basel, written 2007-12-27, retrieved 2012-07-27
  8. 1 2 (in German) Doppelte Jungtierfreude bei den Kleinen Kudus [ permanent dead link ]. Zoo Basel, written 2012-07-26, retrieved 2012-07-26
  9. (in German) Kleiner Kudu. Verband Deutscher Zoodirektoren, written 2012-02-13, retrieved 2012-08-27
  10. (in German) SELTENE NACHZUCHT VON FÜNF JUNGEN GEPARDEN Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine Zoo Basel. written 2007-11-14, retrieved 2012-09-07
  11. (in German) Zolli-Flamingos sorgen für Zucht-Rekord Zoo Basel, written 2010-07-22, retrieved 2012-09-10
  12. (in German) Zoo celebrates 50 years of flamingo breeding Archived 2009-03-22 at the Wayback Machine Basler Zeitung, written 2008-08-13, retrieved 2010-03-21
  13. "Indian Rhinoceros". Archived from the original on 2010-07-22. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  14. "ZOO BASEL - Aktuelles - Zoo-Nachwuchs sorgt für Trubel". Archived from the original on 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  15. 1 2 http://www.zoobasel.ch/aktuell/detail.php?NEWSID=563%5B%5D
  16. "ERÖFFNUNG DES PANZERNASHORNHAUSES". Zoo Basel. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2006-09-13.
  17. (in German) 55 Jahre Panzernashornzucht – Schutz der grauen Riesen nötiger denn je Archived 2011-10-15 at the Wayback Machine Zoo Basel, written 2010-07-27, retrieved 2011-09-41, retrieved 2011-10-23
  18. "Neuer Lebensraum für die Panzernashörner (Nachrichten, NZZ Online)". Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
  19. (in German) Okapi Hazima soll für Nachwuchs sorgen. Archived 2011-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Zoo Basel, retrieved 2011-10-23
  20. "VDZ - Verband der Zoologischen Gärten e.V.: Home".
  21. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : Okapi birth at Zoo Dvur Kralove - Part 1. YouTube .
  22. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2010-03-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. "ZOO BASEL - Aktuell - Aktuelles aus den ZOO Basel". Archived from the original on 2008-08-27. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  24. "Press Room | Saint Louis Zoo".
  25. (in German) Seltene Schönheit Archived 2013-12-20 at the Wayback Machine . Zoo Basel, retrieved 2010-12-25
  26. http://www.zoobasel.ch/aktuell/detail.php?NEWSID=187&PHPSESSID=34277fba68d5857ecdb43ae645c9831c%7CZoo Archived December 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Basel|INDIAN RHINO VISION (IRV) 2020
  27. "VDZ - Verband der Zoologischen Gärten e.V.: Home".
  28. "Zoo Basel". Archived from the original on 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
  29. "ZOO BASEL-Wissen-Wissenswerten über Zoos und Naturschutz". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-11-07.