Breeding programs at Zoo Basel
Encyclopedia
The breeding programs at Zoo Basel
have had many highlights since the zoos opening in 1874. These include the worldwide first zoo births of an Indian rhinoceros
and Greater Flamingo
hatch, as well as the first European gorilla birth. Due to Zoo Basel's successful breeding programs, it manages the international studbook
for the Indian Rhinoceros
and the pygmy hippopotamus
- as well as several European studbooks (like the Somali Wild Ass
).
(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
.
Among the breeding program
s for endangered species
that the Zoo Basel participates in are:
Among 82 other European zoos with cheetah
s, 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.
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.
, a Chilean flamingo
in a European zoo in 1958 and a year later the first Greater flamingo
in captivity. While at first Zoo Basel had all six flamingo specieses, it decided to focus on the Greater flamingo in the 1980s.
The Zoo Basel
holds international studbook
for the Indian Rhinoceros
since 1972 and coordinates since 1990 the European Endangered Species Programme
(EEP), 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.
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. Rudra was later transferred to the Zoo of Milwaukee.
As of 2010, 32 Indian rhinos were born in Basel - out of about 80 births worldwide. Therefore, most of the 174 Indian rhinoceros's in zoos around the globe are somehow related to the rhino population in Basel.
exhibit, the rhinos, are sharing the outdoor exhibit with Muntjac
s, and Oriental Small-clawed Otter
s. As of July 2010, the three different specices lived together with no incidents. The 2.5-ton-rhinoceros
es are sharing their food with the 30-kilogram-Muntjac
s or go into one of four ponds where the Asian otters are swimming around the rhinos.
in India
, where currently about 60 rhinos live, is one of the projects supported. In 2008, out of every day pass sold 15 Rappen ($0.14 USD) and out of every annual pass CHF 1.50 ($1.45) went to the Rhino Vision, totaling CHF 100'000 ($99,900) .
bull Stomp (6) from Antwerp and Basels Xina (10) are getting acquainted to each other. Stomp came from Antwerp on December 2, 2009 and already in January 2010 showed interest in Xina. As of August 2010, the two are often together in the outdoor exhibit.
In 2008, Basels Ahadi fathered the first okapi birth in the Check Republic and Slovakia
at Zoo Dvur Kralove. A video of this birth can be seen here on YouTube.
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.
for the pygmy hippopotamus
s. Since the construction of the rhino exhibit, the pygmy hippos can only be viewed in their outdoor exhibits. During the winter they are inside.
This wild donkey (Equus africanus somalicus
) is a subspecies of the African Wild Ass
and extremely endangered, as there are likely less than 1000 animals (or even 700) in the wild. There are about 200 individuals in zoos around the globe of which 35 were born in Basel.
Zoo Basel manages the European studbook for the Somali wild ass and coordinates the European Endangered Species Programme
(EEP). 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.
, where 47 Somali wild ass live in the mountains between the Buri Peninsula
and the Dalool ditch.
Zoo Basel
Zoo Basel is a non-profit zoo located within the city of Basel, Switzerland. Its official name is Zoologischer Garten Basel — or in English: Basel Zoological Garden. Basel residents, however, call their zoo affectionately Zolli...
have had many highlights since the zoos opening in 1874. These include the worldwide first zoo births of an Indian rhinoceros
Indian Rhinoceros
The Indian Rhinoceros is also called Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and Asian One-horned Rhinoceros and belongs to the Rhinocerotidae family...
and Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
The Greater Flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in parts of Africa, southern Asia , and southern Europe...
hatch, as well as the first European gorilla birth. Due to Zoo Basel's successful breeding programs, it manages the international studbook
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
for the Indian Rhinoceros
Indian Rhinoceros
The Indian Rhinoceros is also called Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and Asian One-horned Rhinoceros and belongs to the Rhinocerotidae family...
and the pygmy hippopotamus
Pygmy Hippopotamus
The pygmy hippopotamus is a large mammal native to the forests and swamps of western Africa . The pygmy hippo is reclusive and nocturnal...
- as well as several European studbooks (like the Somali Wild Ass
Somali Wild Ass
The Somali Wild Ass is a subspecies of the African wild ass. It was found in the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea, the Afar Region of Ethiopia, and Somalia...
).
General information
The zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoos and AquariumsWorld Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums is the "umbrella" organisation for the world zoo and aquarium community. Its mission is to provide leadership and support for zoos, aquariums, and partner organizations of the world in animal care and welfare, conservation of biodiversity, environmental...
(WAZA), the European Endangered Species Programme
European Endangered Species Programme
The European Endangered Species Programme or EEP is the most intensive type of population management for a species kept in European Association of Zoos and Aquaria zoos...
(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
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
.
Among the breeding program
Breeding program
Breeding programs help animals to breed and can be good for animals as well as the agricultural economy.A breeding program is the planned breeding of a group of animals or plants, usually involving at least several individuals and extending over several generations...
s for endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
that the Zoo Basel participates in are:
|
Golden Lion Tamarin The golden lion tamarin also known as the golden marmoset, is a small New World monkey of the family Callitrichidae... Indian Rhinoceros The Indian Rhinoceros is also called Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and Asian One-horned Rhinoceros and belongs to the Rhinocerotidae family... Okapi The okapi , Okapia johnstoni, is a giraffid artiodactyl mammal native to the Ituri Rainforest, located in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Central Africa... |
Pygmy Hippopotamus The pygmy hippopotamus is a large mammal native to the forests and swamps of western Africa . The pygmy hippo is reclusive and nocturnal... Squirrel monkey The squirrel monkeys are the New World monkeys of the genus Saimiri. They are the only genus in the subfamily Saimirinae.Squirrel monkeys live in the tropical forests of Central and South America in the canopy layer. Most species have parapatric or allopatric ranges in the Amazon, while S... |
Snow Leopard The snow leopard is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of South Asia and Central Asia... Somali Wild Ass The Somali Wild Ass is a subspecies of the African wild ass. It was found in the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea, the Afar Region of Ethiopia, and Somalia... |
Cheetahs
Cheetah
The cheetah is a large-sized feline inhabiting most of Africa and parts of the Middle East. The cheetah is the only extant member of the genus Acinonyx, most notable for modifications in the species' paws...
s, 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.
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
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
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.Basel history
Zoo Basel hatched the first flamingoFlamingo
Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus , the only genus in the family Phoenicopteridae...
, a Chilean flamingo
Chilean Flamingo
The Chilean Flamingo is a large species closely related to Caribbean Flamingo and Greater Flamingo, with which it was sometimes considered conspecific...
in a European zoo in 1958 and a year later the first Greater flamingo
Greater Flamingo
The Greater Flamingo is the most widespread species of the flamingo family. It is found in parts of Africa, southern Asia , and southern Europe...
in captivity. While at first Zoo Basel had all six flamingo specieses, it decided to focus on the Greater flamingo in the 1980s.
Indian rhinoceros
Zoo Basel
Zoo Basel is a non-profit zoo located within the city of Basel, Switzerland. Its official name is Zoologischer Garten Basel — or in English: Basel Zoological Garden. Basel residents, however, call their zoo affectionately Zolli...
holds international studbook
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
for the Indian Rhinoceros
Indian Rhinoceros
The Indian Rhinoceros is also called Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and Asian One-horned Rhinoceros and belongs to the Rhinocerotidae family...
since 1972 and coordinates since 1990 the European Endangered Species Programme
European Endangered Species Programme
The European Endangered Species Programme or EEP is the most intensive type of population management for a species kept in European Association of Zoos and Aquaria zoos...
(EEP), 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 July 2010, Ellora (1982), Quetta (1993), Jaffna (Basels stock bull / 1994), and Henna (2010) live in the Zolli. 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.Basel history
In 1952, the first rhino, the bull Gadadhar, arrived in Basel and a year later, the female Joymothi followed. Theses 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. Rudra was later transferred to the Zoo of Milwaukee.
As of 2010, 32 Indian rhinos were born in Basel - out of about 80 births worldwide. Therefore, most of the 174 Indian rhinoceros's in zoos around the globe are somehow related to the rhino population in Basel.
Rhino exhibit
The Indian rhinoceros house and outdoor exhibit were built in 1959, extensively renovated from 2006 to 2008, and re-opened in Mai 2008. In the new rhinocerosRhinoceros
Rhinoceros , also known as rhino, is a group of five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia....
exhibit, the rhinos, are sharing the outdoor exhibit with Muntjac
Muntjac
Muntjac, also known as Barking Deer and Mastreani Deer, are small deer of the genus Muntiacus. Muntjac are the oldest known deer, appearing 15–35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France, Germany and Poland....
s, and Oriental Small-clawed Otter
Oriental Small-clawed Otter
The oriental small-clawed otter , also known as Asian small-clawed otter, is the smallest otter species in the world, weighing less than 5 kg. It lives in mangrove swamps and freshwater wetlands of Bangladesh, Burma, India, southern China, Taiwan, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines,...
s. As of July 2010, the three different specices lived together with no incidents. The 2.5-ton-rhinoceros
Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros , also known as rhino, is a group of five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia....
es are sharing their food with the 30-kilogram-Muntjac
Muntjac
Muntjac, also known as Barking Deer and Mastreani Deer, are small deer of the genus Muntiacus. Muntjac are the oldest known deer, appearing 15–35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France, Germany and Poland....
s 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 ParkOrang National Park
The Orang National Park, located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam, India, covers an area of . It was established as a sanctuary in 1985 and declared a National Park on 13 April 1999...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, where currently about 60 rhinos live, is one of the projects supported. In 2008, out of every day pass sold 15 Rappen ($0.14 USD) and out of every annual pass CHF 1.50 ($1.45) went to the Rhino Vision, totaling CHF 100'000 ($99,900) .
Okapi
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 born in Basel (2009).Currently in Basel
Currently the okapiOkapi
The okapi , Okapia johnstoni, is a giraffid artiodactyl mammal native to the Ituri Rainforest, located in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Central Africa...
bull Stomp (6) from Antwerp and Basels Xina (10) are getting acquainted to each other. Stomp came from Antwerp on December 2, 2009 and already in January 2010 showed interest in Xina. As of August 2010, the two are often together in the outdoor exhibit.
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.In 2008, Basels Ahadi fathered the first okapi birth in the Check Republic and Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
at Zoo Dvur Kralove. A video of this birth can be seen here on YouTube.
Okapi preservation efforts
All okapi zoos (including Basel) in Europe and North America are supporting the Okapi Wildlife ReserveOkapi Wildlife Reserve
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is a World Heritage Site in the Ituri Forest in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, near the borders with Sudan and Uganda...
managed by the Gilman International Conservation Organization, in the Ituri Rainforest
Ituri Rainforest
The Ituri Rainforest is a rainforest located in the Ituri region of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo formerly called Zaire. The forest's name derives from the nearby Ituri River which flows through the rainforest, connecting firstly to the Aruwimi River and finally into the Congo.-...
(Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
). In 2008, Zoo Basel donated $5,000 to the Gilman Conservation.
Pygmy hippopotamus
Zoo Basel oversees the international studbookBreed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
for the pygmy hippopotamus
Pygmy Hippopotamus
The pygmy hippopotamus is a large mammal native to the forests and swamps of western Africa . The pygmy hippo is reclusive and nocturnal...
s. 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 wereborn and successfully raised. These animals and their offspring are living today in zoos all over the globe.Somali wild ass
Somali Wild Ass
The Somali Wild Ass is a subspecies of the African wild ass. It was found in the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea, the Afar Region of Ethiopia, and Somalia...
) is a subspecies of the African Wild Ass
African Wild Ass
The African Wild Ass is a wild member of the horse family, Equidae. This species is believed to be the ancestor of the domestic donkey which is usually placed within the same species. They live in the deserts and other arid areas of northeastern Africa, in Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia; it...
and extremely endangered, as there are likely less than 1000 animals (or even 700) in the wild. There are about 200 individuals in zoos around the globe of which 35 were born in Basel.
Zoo Basel manages the European studbook for the Somali wild ass and coordinates the European Endangered Species Programme
European Endangered Species Programme
The European Endangered Species Programme or EEP is the most intensive type of population management for a species kept in European Association of Zoos and Aquaria zoos...
(EEP). 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
Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve
The Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve is a breeding and reacclimation center administered by the Israel Nature Reserves & National Parks Authority, situated in the Southern Arabah near Yotvata....
in Israel in 1972.
Currently in Basel
As of December 16, 2010, there are four Somali wild donekys in Basel: The stallion "Ares" (22), three females (among them "Yogala"-12), and the baby girl "Hakaba."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 childhoodSomali wild ass preservation efforts
Zoo Basel supports a conservation project in the East-African country of EritreaEritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
, where 47 Somali wild ass live in the mountains between the Buri Peninsula
Buri Peninsula
The Buri Peninsula extends from central Eritrea north into the Red Sea. To its west lies the Gulf of Zula. Varied in geography, it features mangroves and salt pans. It is known for its wildlife, including ostriches, hamadryas baboons and wild asses. Notable elevations include Mount Dulhi and...
and the Dalool ditch.