Taronga Zoo Recent history of Taronga and developments etc

[Zoofan15]

I was expecting better for what many would consider the number 1 zoo in the country in the late 70s.

I’m glad Taronga upgraded their chimpanzee’s accomodation with the opening of the Chimpanzee Park in 1980. Taronga’s chimpanzee community was well renowned (and still is) due to them holding a large colony of 20 chimpanzee, most of which had been born and raised within the colony.

Most zoos held held a pair or small group of chimpanzees and several city zoos in the region continued to do so until they phased out this species - Melbourne, Perth, Auckland and Adelaide for example.

It’d be a further decade and a half before the orangutans would see an improvement on their accomodation - with this species having bred equally well at Taronga.

 

[Zorro]

I’m glad Taronga upgraded their chimpanzee’s accomodation with the opening of the Chimpanzee Park in 1980. Taronga’s chimpanzee community was well renowned (and still is) due to them holding a large colony of 20 chimpanzee, most of which had been born and raised within the colony.

Most zoos held held a pair or small group of chimpanzees and several city zoos in the region continued to do so until they phased out this species - Melbourne, Perth, Auckland and Adelaide for example.

I agree the opening of the chimpanzee park was a huge step forward and a nice asset for the zoo. When I remember the many old and awful exhibits there like the great ape cages, the small elephant exhibit, tiger/lion pits it was quite disappointing

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree the opening of the chimpanzee park was a huge step forward and a nice asset for the zoo. When I remember the many old and awful exhibits there like the great ape cages, the small elephant exhibit, tiger/lion pits it was quite disappointing

The Chimpanzee Park remains an impressive exhibit to this day with only minor modifications aimed at better managing the community.

Taronga have undertaken some impressive developments in recent years - with the Savannah exhibits offering improved accomodation; the Reptile and Amphibian Building; and the Congo precinct.

I agree with all criticism aimed at the Sumatran tiger precinct, but it allows them to manage an increased number of one of their long standing and high profile species.

I would certainly rate Taronga’s recent developments far higher than Melbourne’s.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 I love ''teamwork makes the dream work'' <3

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 I love ''teamwork makes the dream work'' <3

I feel like a number of species in the region would benefit from a little teamwork from the zoos involved.

 

[steveroberts]

1934 Taronga map

From Taronga Zoo Institute of Science & Learning – Statement of Heritage Impact 9 December 2015
Page 16
(https://majorprojects.planningporta...nt?AttachRef=SSD-7311!20190227T103018.756 GMT)

 

[steveroberts]

1984 Taronga map

(https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbi...82HZ4ihc2RD8s95rYJ8s9hanWwQzIOURDV6OJbpElc6dY)


& February 1977

By Kerilee Hardy (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbi...92GauIQQVDu5Sf6I_fr0v_Jzpr7rydmGOwOAi-S8dRI2W)

 

[steveroberts]

@Zorro Yeah get what you are talking about and would of been disappointed seeing Taronga like that back then too. This photo posted on facebook by a lady Cheryl-Ann took this photo in 1977 or 1978 (think that's Buluman in the photo) but she comments on the sad look of the Gorilla and the state of their living conditions:

Photo from Cheryl-Ann Murkin (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid...JLFIXKSHqtGlhnvg6KRj7BfMPCBnM6e3ZPKcqxZZPS5Iw)

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zorro Yeah get what you are talking about and would of been disappointed seeing Taronga like that back then too. This photo posted on facebook by a lady Cheryl-Ann took this photo in 1977 or 1978 (think that's Buluman in the photo) but she comments on the sad look of the Gorilla and the state of their living conditions:

Yes, that’s Buluman (and Betsy) - identifiable by his impressive saggital crest. It’s a shame he was sterile, aside from being a founder, he was a gentle male and compatible with many of the females at Melbourne. That said, it appears he was a behavioural non breeder and he allowed the adolescent Motoba to mate his females.

Buluman and Betsy were much loved Taronga residents. Transferring them to Melbourne was a difficult decision, but undoubtedly the right one. They were able to live in a natural troop and Betsy had two offspring - which are now breeding in Europe.

 

[Zoofan15]

History of Gorillas at Taronga

1950’s:

In 1953, a failed attempt by Taronga Zoo to import gorillas was detailed in which a game hunter spent a year capturing eight young gorillas in West Africa. Australian biosecurity regulations dictated the gorillas must spend three months in a non native country due to the risks of yellow fever. The eight gorillas were quarantined in the Canary Islands, but the seven month wait for a ship caused them to die of ill health (brought on by the climate).

The first gorilla in Australasia was imported by Taronga Zoo 08/06/1959. He was a male named King Kong, who was estimated to have been born 1951 in the wild.

1960’s:

Taronga Zoo imported two gorillas (one male and one female) 18/08/1960. They were named George Kong (1958) and Mary Kong (1957).

Taronga Zoo imported five young gorillas (two males and three females) 18/10/1961. They were all wild caught in Cameroon. One of the females died shortly after on 11/11/1961. The remaining four were named Little John (1958), Buluman (1958), Annabella (1958) and Betsy (1959).

King Kong died at Taronga Zoo 29/10/1968 from chronic pancreatitis.

1970’s:

Little John died at Taronga Zoo 09/06/1972 from intestinal and glomerular nephritis.

Mary Kong died at Taronga Zoo 02/01/1974 from chronic nephritis. Her right leg had been amputated the previous month after becoming ulcerated.

Anabella died at Taronga Zoo 13/09/1977 from unknown causes.

George Kong died at Taronga Zoo 04/10/1977 from aspiration of vomitus.

1980’s:

Taronga Zoo phase out gorillas with the transfer of Buluman and Betsy to Melbourne Zoo 15/10/1980. An agreement was made between the zoos that Melbourne would focus on gorillas; while Taronga would focus on chimpanzees. This was based on the recognition that reproductive success was enhanced by keeping them in groups rather than pairs.

1990’s:

Taronga Zoo imported a troop of ten gorillas from Apenheul Primate Park 06/12/1996. They were named Kibabu (25/05/1977), Mouila (1972), Kriba (09/08/1979), Frala (20/06/1981), Shinda (14/06/1991), Kijivu (18/03/1993), Haoko (21/08/1993), Anguka (28/10/1994), Safiri (06/07/1996) and Shabani (20/10/1996).

Kibabu and Frala produced a male infant at Taronga Zoo 07/03/1998. The infant died 30/03/1998.

Kibabu and Frala produce a female infant at Taronga Zoo 25/06/1999. The infant died 26/06/1999.

2000’s:

Taronga Zoo exported Shinda and Kijivu to Prague Zoo 04/09/2001.

Kibabu and Mouila produced a female infant named Mbeli at Taronga Zoo 05/02/2003.

Kibabu and Frala produced a male infant named Fataki at Taronga Zoo 24/05/2003.

Kibabu and Kriba produced a female infant named Kimya at Taronga Zoo 07/01/2005.

Taronga Zoo transfered Anguka and Safiri to Adelaide Zoo 06/03/2006 for a one year stay, making them the third regional holder.

Taronga Zoo exported Haoko to Ueno Zoo 27/06/2007.

Taronga Zoo exported Shabani to Higashiyama Zoo 27/06/2007.

Kibabu and Frala produced a male infant named Fuzu at Taronga Zoo 08/12/2007.

Kibabu and Mouila produced a male infant named Mahali at Taronga Zoo 18/08/2008.

2010’s:

Taronga Zoo transferred Mbeli to Melbourne Zoo 28/10/2010.

Kibabu and Kriba produced a female infant named Kipenzi at Taronga Zoo 14/01/2011.

Taronga Zoo imported a male gorilla from La Vallée des Singes 24/01/2012. He was named Kibali (25/01/2001) and was captive born at La Vallée des Singes.

Taronga Zoo transferred Kibabu, Mouila, Kriba, Mahali and Kipenzi to Mogo Zoo 20/08/2013, making them the fourth regional holder (fifth historical).

Melbourne Zoo transferred Mbeli and Johari to Taronga Zoo 19/09/2013.

Taronga Zoo transferred Kimya to Melbourne Zoo 10/10/2013.

Kibali and Mbeli produced a male infant named Mjukuu at Taronga Zoo 30/10/2014.

Kibali and Frala produced a male infant named Fabumi at Taronga Zoo 13/05/2015.

Taronga Zoo exported Fataki, Fuzu and Mahali to Orana Wildlife Park 18/06/2015, making them the fifth regional holder (sixth historical). Mahali had been transferred from Mogo to Taronga prior to the export.

Kibali and Mbeli produced a male infant named Mwamba at Taronga Zoo 01/09/2017.

Kibali and Frala produced a female infant named Fikiri at Taronga Zoo 06/06/2019.

 

[Zorro]

1984 Taronga map

& February 1977

I just noticed the Gnu enclosure which I was lucky enough to have seen the last one in the country

 

[steveroberts]

Wow did not expect to come across this: 'Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo' on October 13, 1971:

photos by Les O. Gorman (Photographer, Australian Photographic Agency) and photos preserved at State Library NSW {majority of photos uploaded to online digital collection: Search}. Photo's NSW library online links below beneath each photo:

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

 

[Zoofan15]

Wow did not expect to come across this: 'Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo' on October 13, 1971:

photos by Les O. Gorman (Photographer, Australian Photographic Agency) and photos preserved at State Library NSW {majority of photos uploaded to online digital collection: Search}. Photo's NSW library online links below beneath each photo:

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

Whale arrives on Airlines of NSW and is transferred to Taronga Park Zoo

I’ve done some further research. This was a female Short-finned pilot whale and was captured off the coast of New Guinea. It sadly died within 24 hours of arrival at the zoo, with an autopsy revealing it had hepatitis, cirrhosis of the live and pneumonia.

 

[Zoofan15]

Whales at Taronga

Apparently the idea started (as most things did) with an idea by Sir Edward Hallstrom in 1950 to remodel the seal pool for whales:

Spoiler: Article One

Source: The Daily Telegraph (01/09/1950):

Chairman of Taronga Park Zoo Trust (Mr. E. J. Hallstrom) said yesterday he intended to obtain a five-tons baby whale for the Zoo.

He said he proposed to widen, deepen, and remodel the seals' pool so it could accommodate a five-ftons, 18ft. grampus whale.

Mr. Hallstrom said he would place a whale in the seals' pool because, apparently, the Zoo seals were losing popularity, with the public.

Mr. Hallstrom, who is ill in bed, said: "The trouble with me is that,
every time I get sick, I just lie here in bed thinking up ideas to make Taronga Park the, greatest zoo in the world.

"If someone will catch me a whale, preferably a whale calf of about, five or six tons, I'll see they are well paid for it.”

Asked how he would get the whale to the Zoo and into the
seals' pool, Mr. Hallstrom said: "After someone catches me a whale I'll personally, see that we get it into the pool. That will be our job. It should not be difficult for some enterprising fisher-man' to net a whale calf close to Sydney- without injuring it.

"I'll get a whale for the Zoo if it's the last thing I do.”

A week later, this plan was revised to building a dedicated pool:

Spoiler: Article Two

Source: The Mail (09/09/1950):

An immediate start will be made to build a whale pool at Taronga Park Zoo, alongside the aquarium.

The chairman of the Zoo trust (Mr. Hallstrom) said that at Miami, Florida, there was one of the finest exhibits of whales and sharks in the world. "We want to reproduce that at Taronga Park," he said.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15

Thanks for the research bro. Very typical Hallstrom ambition. I cringe hearing him say that Seals are losing public interest (seven+ decades further have proven his theory about the public and Seals very wrong thankfully). Feel sad for that poor Short-Finned Pilot Whale. When was looking at photos was thinking 'and how long did this poor Whale last?;.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15

Thanks for the research bro. Very typical Hallstrom ambition. I cringe hearing him say that Seals are losing public interest (seven+ decades further have proven his theory about the public and Seals very wrong thankfully). Feel sad for that poor Short-Finned Pilot Whale. When was looking at photos was thinking 'and how long did this poor Whale last?;.

He was certainly a man who got things done - but one can only imagine the uproar today if he made such comments as to catching baby whales and cramming them in seal pools. It’s interesting to note the change of tact between the first and second article (which I imagine was due to public response). Somebody clearly pointed out building a dedicated pool would be preferable.

 

[Zoofan15]

(photo Gettyimages link: Tim Moore feeds a Southern Elephant Seal in the new Macquarie Island... News Photo - Getty Images).
Picture was taken 14 Nov 1988, the caption on reads ''Tim Moore feeds a Southern Elephant Seal in the new Macquarie Island Exhibit, after he officially opened at Taronga Zoo.The New South Wales Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, today(Monday 14th Nov. 88.) officially opened the new Macquarie Island Exh''.

So received email reply from Taronga just now saying they did have 3 (1.2) Sth Elephant Seals arrive in Oct/Nov 1988 (though no indication of their ages but personally believe 1.0 was young, possibly all three were young, but 1.0 did not recall seeming to have the mature male iconic trunk-like snout). 0.2 they named Maude and Nella, 1.0 they named Macquarie. Maude sadly passed away 28 December 1992, Macquarie on 8 January 1995 and Nella on 21 December 1996.

Rehabilitation of Elephant seal pup:

I discovered that in September 1994, Taronga took in a 10 month old Elephant seal for rehabilitation.

Source: The Canberra Times (12/04/1995):

At 17 months, Ellie the elephant seal is elegance personified, at least when she's in the water.

Staff of Taronga Zoo will fare well the little orphan soon, releasing her off Tasmania's south coast after an intensive and expensive rehabilitation.

Taronga's marine mammal division took Ellie into intensive
care, feeding her with drips and bottles and treating her multiple illnesses at its Macquarie Island centre.

“She was 10 months old and not coping very well with being in the wild," said division manager Ady D'Ettorc. "We hope she'll put on another 20 to 30 kilos before we release her."

Ellie, who is undergoing abnormal and prolonged moulting, now resides with a full-grown female, Nella, who weighs 500kg and boasts fine sleek fur.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15

Awesome find bro. This makes so much sense because remember visiting Taronga in mid 1995 (after Reptile House was opened but before Chester the Tiger went to Perth for a few months, and also Ali the melanistic Jaguar was still there) and saw two Sth Elephant seals swimming around like had done so the year prior. But one thing that remember very well was not seeing the stereotypical look of male Elephant seals with that big snout that besides their size inspired their common-name naming. Definitely remember two swimming around, just cant pintpoint the month except it would of been between May and November of 1995 am certain (thanks for finding the article man).

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15

Awesome find bro. This makes so much sense because remember visiting Taronga in mid 1995 (after Reptile House was opened but before Chester the Tiger went to Perth for a few months, and also Ali the melanistic Jaguar was still there) and saw two Sth Elephant seals swimming around like had done so the year prior. But one thing that remember very well was not seeing the stereotypical look of male Elephant seals with that big snout that besides their size inspired their common-name naming. Definitely remember two swimming around, just cant pintpoint the month except it would of been between May and November of 1995 am certain (thanks for finding the article man).

No problem. That must have been Nella and Ellie you saw on your 1995 visit. Ellie would have been half grown given females reach reproductive maturity around three years of age.

Males reach reproductive maturity around five years of age, which is when their proboscis begins to grow. They reach full maturity at eight or nine years, so you would have seen a decent sized proboscis on Macquarie when you saw him in 1994.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15

Actually something I do remember from mid 1994 first visit is (now know that had to be) Nella resting her big beautiful face on the ledge of the land portion of their exhibit with rest of body still in the water, while the other Elephant Seal (now know that had to of been Macquarie) never stopped swimming while was viewing. I remember at first being taken aback that the face of the Elephant Seal resting on the edge of land area (nki Nella) did not have the same face had seen in the pictured animal book had read, wish the book had shown a picture of a female Sth Elephant Seal also, to highlight the diversity of gender variation in their species, as Nella was equally as striking imo. Was 5 at the time but did assume was seeing a female and filled in the gaps myself about the aesthetic difference. With the mid-late 1995 memory then aged 6, have a clear memory of looking at both Sth Elephant Seals as they swam close to the public viewing barrier side looking down into their pool (in hindsight so impressed remembering how 'showy' they were), whats interesting is now I think perhaps Macquarie had been moved to the pool just to the left/west of Ellie & Nella (the one designated for Leopard Seals from the beginning of the 'Macquarie Island' plan) but perhaps my family and friend who remember being with us might of decided to rush past the first pool (we came from the west direction past Raya & Shar the Sun Bears exhibit from memory) so perhaps that's why don't have any clear memory of Macquarie's impressive budding snout, because for whatever reason we didn't stop at that first exhibit..or perhaps we did stop fleetingly but perhaps Macquarie was resting on the land portion of his exhibit..but at an angle that didnt show his face to the public and just did not commit it to memory..but Ellie & Nella put on a very memorable swimming show (remember even back then wishing there were way more underwater viewing areas for more of the pools, especially for the Elephant Seals at the time..but credit where credit is very due, Taronga saw to that a little over a decade later with the Great Southern Oceans complex construction).