tdierikx

Males of any captive species in any significant numbers are obviously undesirable in a zoo environment, yes grizabella? Seeing as many zoos are operating under the blanket of preserving certain species by selectively breeding them. My sensibilities say that if you can't sustain an actively breeding population of any species, then don't let them breed... it really is that simple. We have safe contraceptive methods for pretty much all captive species nowadays - and then there's the simple act of separation of males and females if we don't want them to breed indiscriminately. Personally, I'd like to see Asian Lions and more Bengal Tigers here... does anyone know why those endangered species aren't included in Australian zoos? T.

Check the 'do on Akili... lol! Gorgeous photos grizabella... as always... T.

I'd believe Whipitgood's version of events long before any PR bullshit from the RSPCA... remember that Whipitgood documented EVERYTHING that happened during their fostering here... and we all followed avidly. As soon as the RSPCA got their hands on Izzy and the pups, Whipitgood was effectively completely cut off from anything to do with them, and was given a few different stories as to what happened with them at the time. T.

The baby Aussie was so cute, wasn't she? Lovely photos! T.

11/2 - very cute coloured Echidna at Featherdale Wildlife Park... 01-02-2014-featherdale 467 by tdierikx, on Flickr T.

Very cool akristin! T.

Taronga Zoo (Sydney) has been known to send some surplus animals to their sister zoo in Dubbo... recently they moved their male elephants (Gung and the two young males, Luk Chai and Pati Harn I think their names are) and a couple of keepers out there. There is talk they are starting up a male only herd there. They also sent their Gorilla family (Kibabu, Mouila, Kriba, Mahale, and Kipenzi) to Mogo Zoo to retire Kibabu and the older females from the breeding program. I don't know what the plans are for Mahale and Kipenzi when they hit breeding age, but I'm sure that it will be strongly regulated as to where they end up in the future. Zoos like Taronga in Sydney have limited space for their exhibits - so I can see why they would adhere to contraception and/or moving surplus animals to other zoos. I am under no illusions as to what may have to happen if animals cannot be moved on and space is at a premium. Taronga Sydney has recently been granted permission to breed their lions again, so the contraceptive in one of the females is being allowed to lapse. Taronga have a surplus of tigers at the moment - 3 males and 2 females all up (3 are the cubs of the other 2) - and are finding it difficult to find a place to send their excess cats (so I've heard from the keepers). Symbio's Sumatran Tigers, Cinta and Jalur, have been accepted into the international breeding program, and at some point, one of them will move to another zoo to be bred with - and Symbio will receive another of the same sex, and genetically selected, for the same purpose. Cinta is on contraceptives until that time comes. Their older tiger Kato is a Dreamworld retiree - he's of mixed Bengal/Sumatran blood, and thus will never be bred. If culling is necessary for any zoo animal population, I don't believe that it should be a public spectacle... sure, acknowledge that it happens, but putting it on public display is (to me anyways) a somewhat barbaric exercise and removes all dignity from the death of that animal. Copenhagen Zoo knew from the start that this particular Giraffe was surplus to their requirements, yet allowed him to get to the age of 2 before they killed and disected him in public... and I just feel that is morally and ethically reprehensible. T.

I'd say any surplus animals that may need culling are fair game grizabella... especially in cases like this where breeding seems to be indiscriminate... *sigh* I don't think we have that sort of problem in Australia because we are much more selective in our breeding programs generally. T.

Wow! You've got an especially steady hand then. I guess there's no panning with a tripod which would make capturing a bird in flight a bit difficult :D I've often wondered if a monopod would be handy, even just to help with weight bearing at times? You really do just get used to the weight Roova... and it just seems normal after a while... *grin* T.

I don't have any problem with the fact that he was fed to the other animals... meat is meat. What I have a big problem with is the public spectacle that was made of this regal animals unfortunate demise and then of his disposal... T.

You don't make the slaughtering and butchery an "event". Ditto... T.

I was thoroughly in my element cuddling all of the large dogs I was allowed to... which was pretty much all of them... *grin* I don't have slobber-phobia, which was a pretty good thing when I got to the Saint Bernards and Neos... hahaha! T.

Well - they know where to look for plenty of "stock" now... lol! T.

I had to take a rescue pup away from her mother at 4 weeks... but I took another smallish pup from the same litter to be company for her while her condition improved. This was on vet recommendation - but he would never have said it was OK to send any pup off to a new home at that age... I've had the pleasure of taking on a litter of nine 4 week old pups that had been dumped at the pound also... thank dog for my older dogs being such great foster aunties. That litter was probably the most temperamentally balanced bunch I've ever had... *grin* Rehoming single pups to new homes really shouldn't be done until they are socially ready for it... which in a lot of cases may be 8 weeks... and in some cases even older. T.

Awesome! T.

I can see the reasoning behind feeding the remains of a healthy dead animal to the other animals... but I'm a little shocked that they made such a public spectacle of it... Not too sure whether I'm more disgusted at the staff that made it a public event - or the public thronging to watch it. T.

Sometimes it's meant to be that they come back to the one place that is the best for them... T.

I thought having quite a few breeds of dogs there that most people wouldn't have any other contact with was awesome... I only really went to indulge my need for doggy cuddles... and was well satisfied! T.

I shouldn't have looked at the video... that is truly bizarre to be disecting him in front of an audience like that... T.

Renbury Farm... www.renbury.com.au - my neighbour uses them, and her boy comes home happy and healthy... the staff there are second to none. T.

Dodger is definitely a handsome lad... so what if he seems to know it... lol! T.

Lamb puffs (dried lamb lung)... stinky and they love it! T.

I can handle the little spiders that stay on the plants and stuff... it's really only Huntsmans that give me the total heebies... T.

Bugger the suit HW... the huge smile of satisfaction after a great day showing really shines! The dog looks suitably proud of himself too... *grin* T.

Awesome capture perse! T.