Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)

[Abbey]

This article provides details and artist impressions of the Reptile and Amphibian Centre at Taronga (currently under construction):

New reptilian conservation centre at Taronga Zoo - Landscape Australia

Generally, I'm impressed. It looks like the facade of the building will, while perhaps not blend into the landscape, be intended to not stand out so much, and be constructed with timbers and external planting.

 

[Zoofan15]

This article provides details and artist impressions of the Reptile and Amphibian Centre at Taronga (currently under construction):

New reptilian conservation centre at Taronga Zoo - Landscape Australia

Generally, I'm impressed. It looks like the facade of the building will, while perhaps not blend into the landscape, be intended to not stand out so much, and be constructed with timbers and external planting.

The green wall is a relatively novel concept within our region with regards to architecture - where the usual method is to design a building that stands out rather than blends in. I look forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[Zorro]

This article provides details and artist impressions of the Reptile and Amphibian Centre at Taronga (currently under construction):

New reptilian conservation centre at Taronga Zoo - Landscape Australia

Generally, I'm impressed. It looks like the facade of the building will, while perhaps not blend into the landscape, be intended to not stand out so much, and be constructed with timbers and external planting.

It would be great if they imported a pair of false gharial like Auckland Zoo has and perhaps start a breeding program for this rare species!.

 

[Zoofan15]

It would be great if they imported a pair of false gharial like Auckland Zoo has and perhaps start a breeding program for this rare species!.

It’d be great to see another holder in the region.

Since Auckland Zoo imported two females, I don’t know whether their intention is to maintain a non breeding pair for display; or whether they’ll import a male to breed with them. They’re sisters from the same clutch, so likely the Krokodile Zoo was unable to supply them with an unrelated pair.

 

[Zorro]

It’d be great to see another holder in the region.

Since Auckland Zoo imported two females, I don’t know whether their intention is to maintain a non breeding pair for display; or whether they’ll import a male to breed with them. They’re sisters from the same clutch, so likely the Krokodile Zoo was unable to supply them with an unrelated pair.

Since they are I believe endangered I can't see why they can't have a crack at breeding them I would be sure other zoos in the region would be more than happy to display a few and its good PR for the zoo/s.

 

[Zoofan15]

Since they are I believe endangered I can't see why they can't have a crack at breeding them I would be sure other zoos in the region would be more than happy to display a few and its good PR for the zoo/s.

The False gharial is listed as Vulnerable (facing a high risk of extinction in the wild), so it’d be good to see them breed this species. It’d be great husbandry experience and contribute to a novel dataset on the breeding of this species in Australasia.

I have no doubt several zoos in the region would be keen to acquire any offspring bred - with importing from within the country or region being simpler than importing from outside the region.

 

[Zorro]

The False gharial is listed as Vulnerable (facing a high risk of extinction in the wild), so it’d be good to see them breed this species. It’d be great husbandry experience and contribute to a novel dataset on the breeding of this species in Australasia.

I have no doubt several zoos in the region would be keen to acquire any offspring bred - with importing from within the country or region being simpler than importing from outside the region.

What I don't understand is why Australia zoo does not try and breed some of these ultra rare crocodile species?. Its very good PR which helps fend off any AR groups. They should have the expertise, to do this?.

 

[Zoofan15]

What I don't understand is why Australia zoo does not try and breed some of these ultra rare crocodile species?. Its very good PR which helps fend off any AR groups. They should have the expertise, to do this?.

It’s disappointing as a whole the region hasn’t shown more interest in breeding exotic crocodile and alligator species. We have the following exotics:

American alligator Alligator mississippiensis
Spectacled caiman Caiman crocodilus
New Guinea crocodile Crocodylus novaeguineae
Philippine crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis
False gharial Tomistoma schlegelii

Only American alligator has a large, breeding population in the region. The other four are held by either one or two holders each.

 

[Zorro]

It’s disappointing as a whole the region hasn’t shown more interest in breeding exotic crocodile and alligator species. We have the following exotics:

American alligator Alligator mississippiensis
Spectacled caiman Caiman crocodilus
New Guinea crocodile Crocodylus novaeguineae
Philippine crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis
False gharial Tomistoma schlegelii

Only American alligator has a large, breeding population in the region. The other four are held by either one or two holders each.

Philippine crocodile 1 only. False gharial 2 females hardly big on exotics

 

[Zoofan15]

Philippine crocodile 1 only. False gharial 2 females hardly big on exotics

In addition to Melbourne’s male Phillipine crocodile (hatched 22/07/1998), they’re also held at Crocodylus. I don’t what their population is, but they’re likely unrelated to the male at Melbourne as they were imported (i.e. not Melbourne bred).

After the initial breeding success at Melbourne Zoo, it was disappointing to see the hatchlings exported overseas, rather than other zoos acquire them from within the region.

 

[Zorro]

In addition to Melbourne’s male Phillipine crocodile (hatched 22/07/1998), they’re also held at Crocodylus. I don’t what their population is, but they’re likely unrelated to the male at Melbourne as they were imported (i.e. not Melbourne bred).

After the initial breeding success at Melbourne Zoo, it was disappointing to see the hatchlings exported overseas, rather than other zoos acquire them from within the region.

Yes considering PC can be found all over the place in the Phillipines almost every road side zoo apparently. My understanding was there were zoo/s here that were interested in acquiring them from the Melbourne zoo.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes considering PC can be found all over the place in the Phillipines almost every road side zoo apparently. My understanding was there were zoo/s here that were interested in acquiring them from the Melbourne zoo.

That’s a shame given how they’re the perfect addition to any South East Asian precinct. The requirement of indoor housing may put some zoos off, but certainly this is within the capacity of the main zoos in the region as Auckland Zoo have demonstrated with their tropical dome.

Taronga Zoo have previously expressed an interest in this species, but nothing has come of it to date. Perhaps it will be one of the species considered for their Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Centre.

 

[Jambo]

Taronga Zoo have previously expressed an interest in this species, but nothing has come of it to date.

Taronga have never done so.

Being such a critically endangered species; only a select few zoos worldwide are apart of their breeding program in cooperation with Philippine authorities. Taronga could join, but i'm not sure what they'd have to do to achieve this.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Taronga have never done so.

Philippine Crocodile is explicitly mentioned in the plans for Taronga's new reptile house. They are labelled in picture six in the document below: https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-17483577!20210714T010121.996 GMT

 

[Zoofan15]

Philippine Crocodile is explicitly mentioned in the plans for Taronga's new reptile house. They are labelled in picture six in the document below: https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-17483577!20210714T010121.996 GMT

Thank you, I was just in the process of looking this up. I also found this document which lists them in their plans on Page 4:

https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-17483577%2120210714T010115.939%20GMT

Comprehensive Resource on Taronga’s RACC

For those that are interested, @ReaganM found this comprehensive resource last year (that also contains the links myself and @WhistlingKite24 have posted above).

It lists realms of architectural designs and schematics for the RACC:

Taronga Zoo Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Centre | Planning Portal - Department of Planning and Environment

 

[steveroberts]

@Jambo

Taronga sending Rin Tin Tin their last Saltwater Crocodile away north was made a more understandable decision specifically because as ZooFan' and WhistlingKite' have mentioned the idea Taronga had and actually expressed in the RAACS plans was to come on board with Melbourne with keeping Philippine Crocs' in the near future.

@Zoofan15 @Zorro

I really agree with you guys that Aus' Zoo should by now of acquired some exotic endangered species of crocodilians considering their famous flagship reason for fame and success. Am surprised now that you mention it that do date they have not. My cynical side says something along the lines of ''they're just not that imaginative'' but credit where credits due for their Sumatran Elephant herd import and the huge African themed area and a few other things. Think that making new exhibits for perhaps Philippine Crocs', False Gharial and perhaps a Caiman species would of been the better use of their time than this new overnight lodge recently (mind you guess they could have done both albeit big expenses, as the overnight lodge thing will inevitably bring major $ more to the zoo via international guests).

@Zoofan15

Its a real shame that Auckland could not get a male False Gharial (yet hopefully) from the Krokodile Zoo or another facility. Still impressed majorly with their seeing through the acquiring of any FG and now have the two females, just hope they don't leave it there.

 

[Zorro]

@Jambo

Taronga sending Rin Tin Tin their last Saltwater Crocodile away north was made a more understandable decision specifically because as ZooFan' and WhistlingKite' have mentioned the idea Taronga had and actually expressed in the RAACS plans was to come on board with Melbourne with keeping Philippine Crocs' in the near future.

@Zoofan15 @Zorro

I really agree with you guys that Aus' Zoo should by now of acquired some exotic endangered species of crocodilians considering their famous flagship reason for fame and success. Am surprised now that you mention it that do date they have not. My cynical side says something along the lines of ''they're just not that imaginative'' but credit where credits due for their Sumatran Elephant herd import and the huge African themed area and a few other things. Think that making new exhibits for perhaps Philippine Crocs', False Gharial and perhaps a Caiman species would of been the better use of their time than this new overnight lodge recently (mind you guess they could have done both albeit big expenses, as the overnight lodge thing will inevitably bring major $ more to the zoo via international guests).

@Zoofan15

Its a real shame that Auckland could not get a male False Gharial (yet hopefully) from the Krokodile Zoo or another facility. Still impressed majorly with their seeing through the acquiring of any FG and now have the two females, just hope they don't leave it there.

@steveroberts . Native crocs are easy to acquire also no importation costs but just how many salt water crocs does the public want to see. IF they did import exotic crocs species and breed them it would be great PR for the zoo, but it appears what ever is the easiest goes.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Jambo@Zoofan15It’s a real shame that Auckland could not get a male False Gharial (yet hopefully) from the Krokodile Zoo or another facility. Still impressed majorly with their seeing through the acquiring of any FG and now have the two females, just hope they don't leave it there.

The good news about Auckland Zoo’s females is they’ve only just reached reproductive maturity, so they potentially have a few decades to bring in a male. At a minimum, Ti Point would be interested in hatchlings and I suspect a number of Australian zoos would be willing to import them from New Zealand if there was an opportunity to do so. Auckland has the potential to become a breeding hub here.

 

[Zorro]

The good news about Auckland Zoo’s females is they’ve only just reached reproductive maturity, so they potentially have a few decades to bring in a male. At a minimum, Ti Point would be interested in hatchlings and I suspect a number of Australian zoos would be willing to import them from New Zealand if there was an opportunity to do so. Auckland has the potential to become a breeding hub here.

I would say its highly likely that there would be some Australian zoos willing to take any young if they were bred at Auckland zoo. It would be a point of difference also having an endangered exotic species rather than the 90% salties that we often see here.

 

[Zoofan15]

I would say its highly likely that there would be some Australian zoos willing to take any young if they were bred at Auckland zoo. It would be a point of difference also having an endangered exotic species rather than the 90% salties that we often see here.

I would hope so. They require a high humidity environment (Auckland Zoo’s tropical dome will be maintained at 28 degrees) and males of this species can grow up to five metres (another reason Auckland may only want to keep females), so the cost of housing them would be the only restriction. Though, this would be within the means of most of the main zoos in the region.

Along with Komodo dragons, they’d make a great addition to Adelaide’s predominantly mammals based Jewels of Asia precinct.