Printable Version of Topic Click here to view this topic in its original format

Rhino Resource Center: Rhino Forums > Rhinos in Captivity > Breeding > Re-introducing White Rhino

Posted by: ChrisL May 30 2007, 05:27 PM

I take care of Southern White Rhinos and I'd like some input in re-introducing a mother of a calf (reason why she was seperated) into our main group (with one male). What's the best time in their cycle to re-introduce them and what's the best way to determine their cycle? Is logging blood progestorone a good way or are there better ways to keep track of their cycles? Hope someone out there can help us! Thanks, Chris

Posted by: rhino7 Jun 4 2007, 09:59 PM

Hi Chris, At my institution we have had great success in reintroducing mothers and calves back to the herd that includes our breeder male. We usually reintroduce when the calf is about 4 months old. We have never worried about where the the mother is on her cycle. We also chart the females cycle through thier fecals. That way we can get a fecal sample everday. We're lucky enough to have the facilities to run the fecals on sight. Our lab crew gives us an updated chart every month so we can keep up with our females cycle. I hope this helps you some. Dawn

Posted by: ChrisL Jun 5 2007, 12:27 AM

Thanks for the reply Dawn! I appreciate you took the time to reply (I am very impressed I got an answer this fast, thanks rhino resource center). I do have some other questions though: Do you take extra precautions when re-introducing the kalf into the herd? Or doesn't this usually cause problems? And, do you ever seperate mother and kalf to speed up breeding? If so at what age? Thanks again, Chris