That could also be said for Indian rhinos and Persian Onager were only held by TWPZ. Also perhaps Okapi in the future?
Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
Taronga’s Francois langurs are managed as part of the EEP, so potentially the export of the five males to Singapore Zoo in 2022 could have been a recommendation; but I think more likely, it pointed to a lack of interest from other regional holders at obtaining them.
Personally, I think they’d be a great fit for Adelaide Zoo if they continue with giant pandas (both being species native to China).
I previously compiled a complete history of Taronga’s Francois langurs for anyone who’s interested:
Complete History of Francois Langur at Taronga Zoo (2004-2022)
Hanoi and Saigon were imported from Nagoya Zoo in 2004 and produced their first offspring (0.1 Elke) in 2009, followed by the second (1.0 Gan Ju) in 2010 - who died a few weeks later.
Bobo and Meili were imported from Beijing Zoo in 2010 and were split, with Meili joining Hanoi and Saigon; and Bobo joining Elke. In 2011, Saigon gave birth to her third infant (1.0 Keo-co) and Meili gave birth to her first infant (1.0 Tam Dao).
Noel was imported from Blijdorp Zoo 12/11/2012.
Hanoi was exported to Belfast Zoo 17/04/2013.
Saigon gave birth to her fourth infant (0.1 Nuoc) in 2013, who died shortly after her reintegration into the troop. Saigon was exported to Howletts Zoo 30/04/2014.
Meili gave birth to her second infant (1.0 Nangua) in 2015; while Noel gave birth to her first infant (0.1 Embe in 2016). They lived in a troop with Bobo (sire of both infants) and Elke.
Keo-co and Tam Dao were housed off display, ahead of transferring to the National Zoo.
Meili subsequently produced three more infants (1.0 Jing in 2017, 1.0 Minh in 2018 and 1.0 Manchu in 2021); while Noel produced two infants (1.0 Didi in 2018 and 1.0 Ngai in 2019).
Bobo, Nangua, Jing, Minh and Didi were exported to Singapore Zoo in 2022, leaving the zoo with 2.4: Meili, Noel, Elke, Embe, Ngai and Manchu.
Hanoi and Saigon were imported from Nagoya Zoo in 2004 and produced their first offspring (0.1 Elke) in 2009, followed by the second (1.0 Gan Ju) in 2010 - who died a few weeks later.
Bobo and Meili were imported from Beijing Zoo in 2010 and were split, with Meili joining Hanoi and Saigon; and Bobo joining Elke. In 2011, Saigon gave birth to her third infant (1.0 Keo-co) and Meili gave birth to her first infant (1.0 Tam Dao).
Noel was imported from Blijdorp Zoo 12/11/2012.
Hanoi was exported to Belfast Zoo 17/04/2013.
Saigon gave birth to her fourth infant (0.1 Nuoc) in 2013, who died shortly after her reintegration into the troop. Saigon was exported to Howletts Zoo 30/04/2014.
Meili gave birth to her second infant (1.0 Nangua) in 2015; while Noel gave birth to her first infant (0.1 Embe in 2016). They lived in a troop with Bobo (sire of both infants) and Elke.
Keo-co and Tam Dao were housed off display, ahead of transferring to the National Zoo.
Meili subsequently produced three more infants (1.0 Jing in 2017, 1.0 Minh in 2018 and 1.0 Manchu in 2021); while Noel produced two infants (1.0 Didi in 2018 and 1.0 Ngai in 2019).
Bobo, Nangua, Jing, Minh and Didi were exported to Singapore Zoo in 2022, leaving the zoo with 2.4: Meili, Noel, Elke, Embe, Ngai and Manchu.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
Could be pretty good for Werribee and monarto with both adding Asian elephants. Neither facility has too many canids do they? Just the wild dogs afaik
That’s correct. Taronga Western Plains Zoo has 0.4 African wild dog, Werribee Open Range Zoo has 4.0 African wild dog and Monarto Safari Park has 3.6 African wild dog. None of these facilities have maned wolf or dingo.
Dhole can have litters of 4-10 pups (the litters at Taronga were usually small), so an open range breeding hub, supported by city zoos holding non breeding packs would be best.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
It does seem like Dubbo is stagnating, so I don’t see them becoming a holder. Monarto is the most likely, having seen the most improvement in recent years. Zoos vic are hesitant at best towards getting new species, so we’ll see
Dhole would have to have regional support for a breeding program to be established. It’s a shame Zoos Vic didn’t want to acquire some back when Taronga was attempting to breed them.
Yes, as they’re a CITES II species. They’re on the live import list and no IRA is required, so it’s entirely within the means of any of the open range zoos to source them.
Open range breeding facilities paired with city zoos as non breeding holders would be ideal, so the combinations of Dubbo/Taronga, Monarto/Adelaide and Werribee/Melbourne may be able support their own facility to a point. I’d also suggest Altina as a strong candidate given their success with maned wolf and wild dogs.
loganjmuir
Well-Known Member
A bit off topic but anyways, following a conversation with a member of staff at Taronga today(mind you he was a giraffe keeper), he was able to clarify and confirm Taronga no longer wished to breed zebra to instead allow TWPZ to breed, given they have more space. I say no longer because late last year it turns out Bwana gave birth to a foal that was moved to TWPZ within the immediate weeks of its birth. Also towards the end of the day I spotted a group of what I assumed to be designers hanging around the pass leading from the top of the gorillas along to the top of the capybaras. There were construction lines painted on the ground along the path. I might be overreacting here but it's a complete possibility that this is the very early stages of the Congo Precinct. On an added note all 7 lions were spotted together and 8 out of the promised 12 species in Nguwing Nura are now on display.
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Thanks for the update. Kaya (the zebra mare) must have had a contraception failure, as they were working on hand injecting her. It makes sense to concentrate breeding at Dubbo for the foreseeable if they’re gonna continue with generics (and with ostrich joining the savannah). Though in an ideal world, Taronga would have started a purebred Grant’s herd.
It appears this is indeed early work on the Congo precinct. Lines on the ground could otherwise indicate the rerouting of the SkySafari, but not with all those trees overhead! If so, I’m thrilled this is still on the table as it points towards gorillas remaining at Taronga long term and the possibility (no matter how slim) of importing Okapi.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
And maybe one day if Theres a prolonged quarantine red river hogs…
loganjmuir
Well-Known Member
I'm still holding out hope Taronga plan to house Bongo and Pygmy Hippos in the Congo but I could make an exception for hogs.
I believe Bongos are still on their master plan and Pygmy hippos would be a yes as far as the hogs go I say that's HOGwash!
I believe Bongos are still on their master plan and Pygmy hippos would be a yes as far as the hogs go I say that's HOGwash!
I think both bongo and pygmy hippopotamus stand a good chance:
Taronga are actively breeding pygmy hippopotamus (in fact, they have the only breeding pair in the region).
Bongo could well end up replacing okapi, which will be some time away. When their elderly male bongo passes, I suspect they’ll receive the non breeding pair (surplus male, sterile female) from Dubbo:
0.1 Maisha (00/00/2013) Imported 2016
1.0 Kamau (05/09/2018) Kulungu x Djembe
loganjmuir
Well-Known Member
On the topic of Kambiri(sorry if I got the name wrong), does anyone know when she is expecting her calf?
You spelt it correctly. I estimated from the photos I saw of her a month ago that she was due anytime over the next month (I was actually only thinking of her today). Combined with @Osedax reporting she’s now off display, I’m reasonably confident she’s had the calf.
Hopefully they’ll be an announcement soon!
loganjmuir
Well-Known Member
Thank you! She was out on exhibit today so unless they're conducting medical tests on the calf for whatever reason, we should be expecting an announcement before the end of the week.You spelt it correctly. I estimated from the photos I saw of her a month ago that she was due anytime over the next month (I was actually only thinking of her today). Combined with @Osedax reporting she’s now off display, I’m reasonably confident she’s had the calf.
Hopefully! The birth of the last calf in November 2021 (regrettably non surviving) was announced nine days after her birth on December 1. She went on display on December 9, aged 17 days. It’s likely due to the high mortality rate of neonates, the birth announcement will coincide with the calf’s debut in two weeks or so.
PaddyRickMFZ
Well-Known Member
It’s unfortunate they’re banned, but I feel if there was a will, there’d be a way. They can cohabit with so many species, bongo, Pygmy hippo okapi, gorilla, duiker, Nyala and (maybe) even chimps, but I wouldn’t risk that one. Would really pull together a Congo precinct
Yes, definitely wouldn’t risk chimpanzees! It didn’t end well for Taronga’s black-backed jackals!
Either way, there is indeed a wealth of Congo species they could use here. Black and white colobus are another; as well as birds such as the African grey parrot. A common complaint from ZooChatters is that precincts are too mammal based - or in the case of Tiger Trek, only one species. As long as there’s no fake supermarkets and aeroplanes, I’ll be happy.