Suzuki Australia has joined Zoos South Australia in the fight to save two iconic creatures -- the Black Rhinoceros and the Tasmanian Devil -- from potential extinction. Two vehicles featuring the Black Rhino and Tasmanian Devil have been provided to Zoos SA by Suzuki Australia. A donation from every new Grand Vitara and Jimny SUV sold by Suzuki Australia will also go to special breeding and protection programs for both species. Monarto Zoo has recently become the home of two male Black rhino, Induna and Sentwali, who will form part of a future breeding program at Monarto. The Black rhino program is based in Tanzania, where legendary conservationist Tony Fitzjohn has established a wildlife reserve dedicated to preserving and breeding the dwindling Black rhino population. The Tasmanian devil breeding program is being conducted by Monarto Zoo, home to a large family of Tasmanian devils which are part of the insurance population sent to mainland Australia to help ensure the survival of this species from Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). The Zoo has recently been successful in breeding the devils with the first devil born 9 months ago. This is expected to increase considerably this year with 7 females being bread as part of the program. Monarto Zoo is one of four mainland zoos now caring for 47 Tasmanian devils as founders of a captive insurance population. This population could prove an essential source of animals for wild reintroduction, should the catastrophic decline of the species as a result of DFTD continue. Peter Clark, Senior Curator at Monarto Zoo said, "The contribution of vehicles and funding made by Suzuki to Zoos South Australia's Black rhino and Tasmanian devil breeding programs will prove invaluable and means we can now step up our involvement with the conservation of these highly endangered animals". (more)
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Added: Jan 6, 2008 |
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