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Sunday, June 22, 2008

Salisbury Zoo Llama History

I have compiled some information about the historical ISIS records regarding the llamas at the Zoo under Jim at least. Nothing too scandalous, but more informative.


ID Number Sex DOB Location Disposal Date Sire Dam
1547 UNK 12/27/04 Salis. Pub. Sale 2/24/06 1284 1169
1545 UNK 11/23/04 Salis. Still there 1284 844
1544 UNK 11/10/04 Salis. Pub. Sale 2/24/06 1284 1156
1542 UNK 10/13/04 Salis. Pub. Sale 2/24/06 1284 1190
1501 UNK 12/01/03 Salis. Pub. Sale 2/23/05 1284 1169
1495 M 8/25/03 Salis. Death
Malicious
Destruction 8/29/03 1284 1165
1489 UNK 7/31/03 Salis. Death Injury by Exhibit Mate 3/18/04 1284 844
1488 F 7/22/03 Salis. Pub. Loan Return 2/25/05 1284 1190
1487 M 6/26/03 Salis. Pub. Sale 2/25/05 1284 1156
1466 M 10/4/02 Salis. Death
Euthanasia 12/19/02 1284 1169
1453 M 6/17/02 Salis. Pub. Sale 1/1/03 1284 1190
1454 F 6/4/02 Salis. Pub. Loan Return 1/1/03 1284 844
1451 F 5/3/02 Salis. Death
Env. Behav. Conditions 5/3/02 1284 1156
1405 M 5/15/01 Salis. Pub. Sale 1/31/02 1284 1156
1400 M 4/27/01 Salis. Pub. Loan Return 1/1/03 1284 844
1394 M 3/19/01 Salis. Pub. Sale 1/1/03 1284 1190
1284 M 1999 in @ Salis 3/19/00 UNK Pub. Loan Return 2/23/05 UNK UNK
1196 F 6/10/97 Salis. 1999 in @ Salis 3/19/00 10/28/97 1176 844
1190 F 2/27/97 Salis. Still there 968 541
1188 F 1/18/97 Salis. Pub. Loan Return 1/18/97 968 1156
1176 M 1994 in @ Salis 4/29/96 Pub.
Bolivia Pub. Loan Return 10/11/99 UNK UNK
1169 F 4/22/96 Salis. Still there 968 844
1168 F 4/22/96 Salis. Still there 968 844
1156 F 12/94 in @ Salis 9/14/95 Public Still there UNK UNK
1144 M 4/28/95 Salis. Pub. Sale 3/28/96 968 844
1129 M 1/26/95 Salis Pub. Loan Return 4/15/95 968 541
Gap 1069,1067,10,50,1049,1018,1006
968 M 6/7/87 in @ Salis 7/6/90 UNK Pub. Loan Return 3/7/99 UNK UNK
Gap 956
844 F 8/10/87 Salis. Death
Old Age 9/12/06 762 23
UNK=Unknown Data
Pub. = General Public source or known breeder i.e. not a normal zoological institution.

This is fine as they are considered a domestic breed.
Gaps = not overly relevant to the data and over 10 years ago.

Interesting notes: Mammals are generally pretty easy to determine sex. If they did not physically capture the animal they could simply have watched it urinate to determine sex.

Of those “Still there”, it has not been documented which one died as of yet. This is also fine, as sometimes I will wait until all the data is in to officially close the file, plus I may only submit information to ISIS once a month.

I highly suspect the Jay Rapp was breeding these Llamas simply for income and/or public draw, as they are relatively long-lived animals (15-20yrs is a good life) and relatively easy obtain from the public sector. We got our two from a local llama farm, when our last one needed to retire; the owners opted to give us a breeding pair. However, we will breed maybe once and then fix the male, as that is all we have space for and when the time comes we can ask them again or go to another zoo for a donation or purchase.

On the plus side Joel did give out the reasoning why the llama passed away, with the gross necropsy report. That is a good thing, sharing the information. The water source concerns me, I would hope if nothing else a simple bucket with fresh water is provided. Since they have access to the river/creek, I am relatively sure that consumption and exposure could have been a problem. We occasionally (yearly) test our ponds that are supposed to be mostly storm run off from the zoo area (which is not really the case and why we sample this water).

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

My god, no wonder these poor animals spit at us...

Anonymous said...

Is this your post or Joel's? I didn't realize you were such a self-imposed expert on llama's. It sure isn't clear to me. If it's you making these statements, it sounds like "we" are going to do so and so and check on such and such. Maybe you should apply for a job at the zoo.

Anonymous said...

Joe is not the expert. I am. I have access to the files, as anyone can for a governmental institution (FIA).

Joe did not do such a good job on transposing my spreadsheet to the web, but you can still figure things out.

A lot of that is common sense. You had several individuals (844, 1169, 1156, & 1190 breeding with 1284), cranking out offspring about once a year and for what reason? They did not need them as they did surplus them out and not to other zoos accredited or not.

You missed the better part of it. Joel is sharing information to the public. Animals do die and when you find out the cause and it can be fixed (sometimes you can't) then you should do so. Liver disease/lesions can come from many causes including old age. The staff there will more than likely and should have the water tested. I know that the water source will be an issue for the AZA inspection committe and having it tested will answer their questions as well as bring up or lay to rest concerns regarding its safety.

Joe has been really good on the zoo recently, giving Joel the chance he needs to correct years of ambivalence. Let give both Joe and Joel the benefit of the doubt.

Anonymous said...

Joel has a lot of cleaning up to do around there, in more ways than one. I don't envy him or his job a bit.

Just like with a new mayor in the city, it's going to take years to fix all that she and her partners in crime have broken.