Darling Downs Zoo Darling Downs Zoo News 2023

Zoofan15

Zoofan15

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Happy New Year

Darling Downs Zoo posted a New Year’s Day message to their Facebook page yesterday, which mentions the recent birth of a zebra foal and details plans to fundraise for their main project for 2023 - a new exhibit for Komodo dragon to accomodate a breeding pair.

I wish Darling Downs Zoo all the best for 2023 and I have no doubt we’ll enjoy following their progress.

From Darling Downs Zoo’s socials:

We have had an amazing 2022 with the arrival of our beautiful Binturong, along with gorgeous babies from our Giraffes, Leopards,Tamarins, Lemurs, Caracals, Maned Wolves, Meerkats and most recently our Zebras!

We would like to thank all of our supporters and suppliers, including the property owners who allow us to cut koala and giraffe browse from their properties. You all have helped us immensely and we look forward to continuing to work with you all throughout 2023.

Not only does Sunday January 1st mark the start of 2023, it is also the birthday of our beautiful Komodo dragon Balu, who is turning 6. Balu is set to have a new home at the zoo as well as a mate in 2023. Throughout 2023 we will be continuing to raise the funds needed to build his new home.
We would like to wish everyone a happy and safe New Year and we’ll see you in 2023!
 
Zoofan15 said:
Happy New Year

Darling Downs Zoo posted a New Year’s Day message to their Facebook page yesterday, which mentions the recent birth of a zebra foal and details plans to fundraise for their main project for 2023 - a new exhibit for Komodo dragon to accomodate a breeding pair.

I wish Darling Downs Zoo all the best for 2023 and I have no doubt we’ll enjoy following their progress.

From Darling Downs Zoo’s socials:

We have had an amazing 2022 with the arrival of our beautiful Binturong, along with gorgeous babies from our Giraffes, Leopards,Tamarins, Lemurs, Caracals, Maned Wolves, Meerkats and most recently our Zebras!

We would like to thank all of our supporters and suppliers, including the property owners who allow us to cut koala and giraffe browse from their properties. You all have helped us immensely and we look forward to continuing to work with you all throughout 2023.

Not only does Sunday January 1st mark the start of 2023, it is also the birthday of our beautiful Komodo dragon Balu, who is turning 6. Balu is set to have a new home at the zoo as well as a mate in 2023. Throughout 2023 we will be continuing to raise the funds needed to build his new home.
We would like to wish everyone a happy and safe New Year and we’ll see you in 2023!
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I believe this marks the first birth in the new dedicated 20 acre zebra exhibit
 
Zorro said:
I believe this marks the first birth in the new dedicated 20 acre zebra exhibit
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It’s great to see the Grant’s zebra herd thriving at Darling Downs Zoo.

ZooDoo have had success, with one of their mares producing several foals; but the other is non breeding and they now have several first generation offspring they’re sitting on. Hopefully some exchanges between the two can take place in the future.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s great to see the Grant’s zebra herd thriving at Darling Downs Zoo.

ZooDoo have had success, with one of their mares producing several foals; but the other is non breeding and they now have several first generation offspring they’re sitting on. Hopefully some exchanges between the two can take place in the future.
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I am somewhat surprised that there are not at least 1 or 2 other zoos interested in the import of 1 or 2 animals to work in with the regional population, Australia zoo appear to struggle putting together a herd, the largest number they have held were just 3 zebras, currently just 2.
 
Zorro said:
I believe this marks the first birth in the new dedicated 20 acre zebra exhibit
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Indeed it does! Not sure who the mother is; but would be either Zavannah or Angel.

Zoofan15 said:
It’s great to see the Grant’s zebra herd thriving at Darling Downs Zoo.

ZooDoo have had success, with one of their mares producing several foals; but the other is non breeding and they now have several first generation offspring they’re sitting on. Hopefully some exchanges between the two can take place in the future.
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Zoodoo’s only experienced success with Duchess. I’ve no idea why Beyonce has never bred unfortunately which is a shame as the region is now limited to just 2.3 founders within the current Grants population. Zoodoo currently have two young mares and a young colt. Duke (the colt born in 2019) is no longer at Zoodoo. I’m emailed back to ask if he had been transferred to no response. Darling Downs were interested in creating a second breeding group with some of the mares born there, so it’s also possible Duke may have been sent up there to be the colt, but i’m yet to confirm this.
 
Zorro said:
I am somewhat surprised that there are not at least 1 or 2 other zoos interested in the import of 1 or 2 animals to work in with the regional population, Australia zoo appear to struggle putting together a herd, the largest number they have held were just 3 zebras, currently just 2.
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That would be good but to be fair most of the regions zoos seem happy with the generic stock. Werribee (and others) have tried to hold specific sub species in the past but none have worked out, as heavy cooperation with other zoos is needed, alongside frequent overseas imports to help balance the genetics.

Darling Downs (and Zoodoo) will both need to consider potentially making another import within the next decade or so if they wish for a successful Grants population to be maintained.
 
Jambo said:
That would be good but to be fair most of the regions zoos seem happy with the generic stock. Werribee (and others) have tried to hold specific sub species in the past but none have worked out, as heavy cooperation with other zoos is needed, alongside frequent overseas imports to help balance the genetics.

Darling Downs (and Zoodoo) will both need to consider potentially making another import within the next decade or so if they wish for a successful Grants population to be maintained.
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I do not believe they need to do more?, they have already imported 10 zebras into the region the largest import ever for the region. It's is easier, less trouble and less cost for other zoos to just acquire animals from these two zoos of coarse they are happy doing less.
It would not break a couple of other zoos to import, even if it was just 1 or 2 .Why should 2 small private run family zoos do much of the heavy lifting when others wanting them could do the same!
 
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Fantastic news from Darling Downs Zoo tonight. Up until recently there were only five Dumeril's Boas remaining in Australian zoos but the zoo's elderly 18-year-old pair have produced seven young today at the eleventh hour, further maintaining this species for the region. The zoo had been trying to breed this species for several years off-show - reported on social media.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Fantastic news from Darling Downs Zoo tonight. Up until recently there were only five Dumeril's Boas remaining in Australian zoos but the zoo's elderly 18-year-old pair have produced seven young today at the eleventh hour, further maintaining this species for the region. The zoo had been trying to breed this species for several years off-show - reported on social media.
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I thought Werribee had four and Melbourne had at least one?
 
Very sad news from DDZ's FB page. Chaturi, their 10-month-old female Sri Lankan Leopard cub has unexpectedly died during an exploratory veterinary procedure. A post mortem revealed that she had a large cyst in one kidney and problems with the second as well. Her littermate Banduka continues to thrive and they are awaiting advice from the global species coordinator for his future transfer. My thoughts go out to the zoo and their staff during this difficult time.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Very sad news from DDZ's FB page. Chaturi, their 10-month-old female Sri Lankan Leopard cub has unexpectedly died during an exploratory veterinary procedure. A post mortem revealed that she had a large cyst in one kidney and problems with the second as well. Her littermate Banduka continues to thrive and they are awaiting advice from the global species coordinator for his future transfer. My thoughts go out to the zoo and their staff during this difficult time.
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That’s devastating news. As Queensland’s first litter of Sri Lankan leopard cubs, their highly anticipated birth brought great joy to many, not least those who’ve had the privilege of visiting them over the past months; and those who care for them day to day.

Chaturi was the first female Sri Lankan leopard born in Australia and I know many of us were excited for what the future held for her. It would have been so rewarding to in turn see her take part in the breeding programme and rear her own litter one day; but sadly this wasn’t meant to be.

My thoughts are with those who care for Chaturi; and her family, who are surely feeling her absence.
 
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