Hiyaaaa!!! I’m sure you have all seen enough of my face over these past few weeks so I’m back to writing blogs for you all to enjoy and hopefully learn a thing or two about some of species that we have on the mammal section at the park.
It has been lovely in the recent weeks seeing the public back in the park as I know how much you have all missed it from all the live streams and talking to some of the regulars that have visited, you all look so happy to be back. So many changes have happened in the world over the last 15 to 18 months and I’m sure we have all been affected by it one way or another. However, a positive change that has happened recently, which I’m sure you will be all pleased to hear, is that Jerky our resident Blesbok Damaliscus pygargus has got himself a new girlfriend called Aurora!
What’s in a name?
She has been with us for a little while now arriving in February from Knowsley Safari Park and this week on the 7th May she celebrates her first Birthday.
At the moment they are really easy to tell apart, she is smaller and doesn’t have a ‘blaze’ on her face. A fun fact for you is that “bles” in Afrikaans means “blaze” and refers to the very broad white stripe down the animals’ face. Jerky or the ‘honorary giraffe’ as he is known to some, is smitten with his new lady, it was certainly love at first sight for him and a very successful match!
Blesbok Studbook
Now I’m sure some of you are already thinking about the pitter patter of Jerky Juniors however I will stop you there and tell you that this isn’t going to happen.
“Why?” I hear you ask! Well it’s because he had a castration done not too long after he first arrived at the park. This decision was down to the studbook keeper who is in charge of the European Blesbok population. Although Blesbok are on the European Studbook their numbers in the wild are stable and aren’t in need of intensive breeding in captivity.
They were once found in great numbers in South Africa, but were sadly over hunted by European settlers and their numbers were reduced to as little as 2,000 by the late 19th century. Since then they have made an impressive recovery, the vast majority are now found on private farmland and have been translocated within and outside of their natural range.
Captive breeding/management is essential and maintains the species within captivity as a back up against extinction and in some cases to provide healthy animals for reintroduction. Breeding programmes are also in place to reduce and prevent inbreeding.
Breeding programmes at WWP
Wingham participates in the following breeding programmes.
The European Endangered Species Breeding Programme (EEP)– this is the most intensive programme for a species kept in an EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) zoo. Each program has a coordinator, normally someone within a zoo who has a special interest/knowledge of the species concerned. There are many tasks to fulfill, such as collecting information on the status of all the individuals of the species, producing a record of births and deaths, carrying out demographical and genetic analyses, and producing a plan for the future management of the species. They are assisted by a Species Committee who help make recommendations on which animals should or shouldn’t breed and what animals should go from one zoo to another.
The European Stud Book (ESB) is less intensive than the EEP programme. There is a coordinator who is responsible for a certain ESB species and they collect all the data on births, deaths and transfers from all the EAZA zoos. The data is then entered into a computer software programme, which allows the ESB coordinator to carry out analyses of that species. EAZA zoos may ask the studbook keepers for recommendations on breeding or transfers. By collecting and analysing all the relevant information on the species, the ESB coordinator can judge if it is doing well, if not then maybe a more rigid management program will be needed to maintain a healthy population.
Aurora and Jerky
Jerky and Aurora share their paddock with our 3 male Rothschild’s Giraffe Ruedi, Robin and Ron. Often seen side by side grazing on the grass or sitting down towards the middle of their enclosure.
Is it a goat? Is it a baby giraffe? Nooo it’s a blesbok!
I frequently get asked questions on the Blesbok, which amuse me every time I get asked and I will share some with you.
One question has been ‘what are the goats doing in with the Giraffes?’ the first time I got asked that question it even confused me because I knew we did not have goats in there. Then I realised what they were talking about. Putting my helpful zookeeper face on and trying not to laugh, I informed them that they are not goats but instead, Blesbok which are a species of antelope.
Another question is ‘Why are they in there with the Giraffes?’ it’s like some people think that they shouldn’t be allowed in there. If you have ever watched any documentaries on the African Savannah you will see many different species mingling together, either at the waterhole or on the grass plains. Giraffe and Antelope mixing is totally natural in the wild and in captivity, personally I like mixed species enclosures. When I go to other collections I like seeing different mixtures that I haven’t seen before. Wouldn’t it be lovely to maybe one day add to our African savannah and get Rhino, Eland, Nyala, Warthogs and others! Although we don’t have plans for this at the moment I’m sure it’s something none of us would say no to seeing!
