Comments on: Sable Antelope: Unwanted Roommates?

By: stephen

stephen — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:58:46 +0000

thanks for the quick response! i am happy to hear that asian hoofstock will still be represented at the wild animal park. will there be improvements made to the asian field exhibit(as well as the southern africa, northern africa and mountain exihibits) like that which was done for the east african area?

Moderator’s note: The long-range plans for the Wild Animal Park include improving the Asian fields and providing access to them for our guests.

By: stephen

stephen — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:45:36 +0000

what has happened to the animals in the asian field exhibit? will they be available for public viewing again? it would be a shame not to have asian hoofstock represented at the wild animal park

Moderator’s note: You can see our thriving herds of Asian hoofstock, as well as Indian rhinos by taking either Photo Caravan tour or the new Savanna Safari: Asia option. For more information, or to make a reservation, go to:
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/wap_photo_caravan.html for Adventure Asia Photo Caravan
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/wap_savanna_safari.html for Savanna Safari: Asia

By: Tamara Bankson

Tamara Bankson — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 23:01:48 +0000

Hello Blair-
We are very interested in your behavior analysis of the herd of sable antelope in East Aftica. It has been interesting to watch the other animal react to a large herd released all at once, and to see a herd that has come from a smaller exhibit adapt to the large environment of the park. Any further notes on what you have witness of their behavior would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you-
Tami Bankson
Photo Caravan Relief Lead
San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park

By: Blair Roberts

Blair Roberts — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:40:22 +0000

Blair responds:
It is good to know that there is such a high level of interest in the Wild Animal Park’s new herd of Zambian sable antelope!

The sable seem to keep largely to themselves. They are most often found in one large group, unlike some of the other species in the exhibit that split into multiple groups or spread themselves out over the entire enclosure. Whether this pattern changes as the sable get more comfortable in their new home and as the other species get more accustomed to their presence remains to be seen.

As for future plans for the sable antelope, it is a little too early to know where their permanent home will be. The Zoo is beginning a series of exciting renovations and there are plans for a mixed-species antelope exhibit, which may include sable. Whether the Zoo’s group will include some or all of the individuals from the Wild Animal Park’s new group is unknown at this point. Future movements of the sable will probably depend in part on how these animals fare in the East Africa enclosure as well as on how the demographics of the group change. For example, as young males grow up they may come into conflict with the dominant male, causing the herd to be split into two separate groups. We hope that in the future you will be able to see the marvelous sable antelope at both the Zoo and Wild Animal Park.

By: Caitie Masterson

Caitie Masterson — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 05:42:28 +0000

Hopefully all will continue to go well. After the new elephant exhibit is biult will the Sables movie back to the zoo or is this relocated permanent??

By: Margaret

Margaret — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:28:03 +0000

Thanks, Blair, sounds like you have a lot of research to do in six weeks. You won’t get bored that’s for sure.
We look forward to more reports on the animal interactions and adaptations. The sables must also adapt to new environment, new feeding spots, and new neighbors. Do they tend to be ” gregarious/friendly” to other animal species? Or, do they tend to stick with their own kind, and either avoid or ignore other species?