Taronga Zoo Recent history of Taronga and developments etc

[steveroberts]

Great video. The elephant is Sarina, who was wild born in 1933 and lived at Taronga Zoo from 1938-1971. There’s a great story about her in Darill Clements Postcards from the Zoo, about how her keeper would walk her around the zoo at the end of each day (after she was finished giving rides), stopping at the kiosk where the staff would feed her one of the unsold current buns from that day. Somedays, they’d arrive after the kiosk was closed and on those occasions, he would have considerable trouble persuading her to move on.

That pinniped exhibit was phenomenal, especially for that era. It would have undoubtedly been the best in the region imo.

Oh that's a great story about Sarina, thanks for sharing it man. Lol poor her when the kiosk was closed, I'd be stubborn about moving on too. I loved that they named the kiosk after her 'Sarina's Cafe' <3

Yeah was also really impressed seeing the quality of the seal pools and exhibits back then, had pictured them still being a bit archaic. While was the same site for most of the zoo's history, they clearly renovated over time (I think the Hagenbeck foundation style too of was very good for its time too c.1916).

 

[Zoofan15]

Darill Clements

Some sad news for those who were unaware, but Darill Clements passed away in December 2023, aged 78 years.

Darill Clements was employed by Taronga Zoo as a Public Relations Assistant in 1975, later becoming the zoo’s Public Relations Manager until retiring in 2000. Taronga Zoo reported she maintained an active interest in the zoo following her retirement; and she was of course the author of Postcards from the Zoo (2002).

I first read Postcards from the Zoo as a child and it remains one of my favourite books to this day. Darill documented Taronga’s history to perfection and came across as an incredibly charismatic person. I really wish I’d had the privilege to meet her in person.

I’ve often referred to Darill Clements, Rick Stevens (Photographer) and the Sydney Morning Herald as Taronga’s Holy Trinity with regards to publicity. To quote Darill Clements, “Zoo news is international news,” and that was never more evident via the fantastic media coverage Taronga received throughout the last quarter of the 20th century with animals stars such as Shiva and Selatan the Sumatran tigers; Prafula and Omaha the Snow leopards; Chester the white tiger; Buluman and Betsy the gorillas; Ali the Jaguar; and the elephants Heman, Ranee and Burma.

 

[steveroberts]

Taronga Zoo 1969


Colourised version

 

[Zoofan15]

Taronga Zoo 1969

Interesting to know John and Betsy lived together; implying Buluman and Annabelle originally lived as a pair.

Early History of Taronga’s Gorillas

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.

 

[steveroberts]

source: Gardiner family home movies | SLQ Collections

 

[Zoofan15]

source: Gardiner family home movies | SLQ Collections

The tiger in this video looks very much like a Sumatran tiger - I’m wondering if it’s Max or Cija.

Max and Cija arrived at Taronga Zoo 13/09/1951. They had been wild caught in Sumatra and were estimated to be four years old (born 1947). They were presented as a gift from the Indonesian government in exchange for two kangaroos, two wallabies and six black swans.

Max and Cija produced a litter of four cubs 13/11/1952. Two were rejected by the mother and the remaining two were removed for hand rearing but died the same week they were born. It appears these were the first Sumatran tiger cubs born in Australasia.

 

[steveroberts]

Interesting to know John and Betsy lived together; implying Buluman and Annabelle originally lived as a pair.

Early History of Taronga’s Gorillas

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.

Appreciate the info man. I wonder if Little John/Johnnie was sterile too like Buluman was, or a behavioural non mater because of early removal from his family group too?

Oh btw heres an easier link for the colourised version:

source: University of Wollongong archives collection

Poor Betsy, Little John, Buluman, Anabella, Mary Kong and George Kong in those awful tiny jail cell like cages at the time.

 

[Zoofan15]

Appreciate the info man. I wonder if Little John/Johnnie was sterile too like Buluman was, or a behavioural non mater because of early removal from his family group too?

Oh btw heres an easier link for the colourised version:

source: University of Wollongong archives collection

Poor Betsy, Little John, Buluman, Anabella, Mary Kong and George Kong in those awful tiny jail cell like cages at the time.

It’s hard to say. Little John was captured leading up to what was estimated to be his fourth birthday, which would have been an advantage over gorillas captured in their first or second year, which are deprived of any meaningful memories of their natal troop. He may well have being sterile due to contracting mumps (or similar) but either way, 1.1 pairings aren’t conducive for females conceiving.

It appears the initial groupings were:

George Kong (1958) Imported 1960
Mary Kong (1957) Imported 1960

Little John (1958) Imported 1961
Betsy (1959) Imported 1961

Buluman (1958) Imported 1961
Annabella (1958) Imported 1961

Little John died 1972
Mary Kong died 1974
Anabella died 1977
George Kong died 1977

I’m wondering if after Little John’s death, Betsy went to live with Buluman and Anabella. Then when Mary Kong died, Anabella went to keep George Kong company - with them both dying in 1977.

 

[steveroberts]

All thanks to a very helpful person from Taronga, know a bit more about Toby 1.0 the Brazilian tapir.

Toby was born at Adelaide Zoo sometime in April 1978.

In 1985 he was sent to Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.

On 29 October 1988 he arrived at Taronga Zoo - edit: with Lorenzo (Larry) 1.0 the Brazilian tapir with him.

He was returned to WPZ in 1995 (I personally believe about June 1995) where he died 11 May 1998 aged 20 (well you guys could've done the maths easily lol).

photo of Toby taken by @ Hix (thanks Hix) at Taronga in November 1990:

 

[steveroberts]

Great photo resources with captions giving info too - many of you already know about and have used these sites for resources and research, just thought would post just in case:

5,679 Taronga Photos & High Res Pictures - Getty Images

Taronga - Fairfax Syndication

Taronga - Fairfax Syndication 2

Taronga hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy

 

[steveroberts]

Thanks for finding out and sharing this piece of information Steve. It represents a valuable piece of the puzzle in our quest to find out more regarding the history of our region’s tapir.

The first surviving Brazilian tapir born at Adelaide Zoo was born April 1978, so this would have been Toby (initially mis-sexed as a female in the annual report). His parents were a male imported from San Diego Zoo in 1969; and a female transferred in in 1977 from Melbourne Zoo.

From your information, I would deduce Toby was a non-breeding tapir as he moved out of Dubbo in October 1988, two years ahead of the birth of Branco in October 1990. Gestation is 13 months, so it appears a new male was brought in within that timeframe (perhaps because Toby was a close relative of Branco’s mother). Additionally, Toby went to Taronga Zoo which to my knowledge never bred the species. He was likely a display animal due to being from a well represented line within the region.

Adelaide had two breeding females in 1991 (two calves were born). The non-Talara female may have been a close relative of Toby (mother or sister) rather than being imported. If she was Toby’s mother, she would have been at least mid-teens by 1991, explaining the decision to import a new breeding female (Talara) in 1990 and why there is scant info on said female (who may have died as far back as the mid-90’s).

Yeah interesting. Thanks man.

Hey it looks like Toby originally had a companion Brazilian tapir at Taronga named Larry; Christin Mueller a former keeper at Taronga posted a great reminisce post on facebook on her work there including about a black rhino with foot-absecc, handraised giraffe Jerry, Kenny the Zebra and one of the snow leopards:

Larry & Toby

Christin Mueller's full post

source/link: Christin Mueller

 

[Zoofan15]

Yeah interesting. Thanks man.

Hey it looks like Toby originally had a companion Brazilian tapir at Taronga named Larry; Christin Mueller a former keeper at Taronga posted a great reminisce post on facebook on her work there including about a black rhino with foot-absecc, handraised giraffe Jerry, Kenny the Zebra and one of the snow leopards:

Larry & Toby

Christin Mueller's full post

source/link: Christin Mueller

Great photos - and in the post above. Jessie the elephant had the longest tushes I’ve ever seen in an Asian elephant; though Sarina’s were also impressive:

Elephant Rides at Taronga Zoo Sydney 1951

That’s interesting to know Taronga had a second tapir (presumably male) named Larry.

Jerry is listed as Gerry in the studbook. He was the first of nine calves sired by Charity (breeding bull giraffe imported from Honolulu Zoo).

These were Charity’s nine calves:

With Hope:

1.0 Gerry (23/10/1988) Sent to Dubbo 21/11/1989
1.0 Ngare (24/08/1990) Exported to Jakarta 16/03/1991
0.1 Nyota (05/01/1992) Died at Taronga 01/02/2020

With Faye:

1.0 Tim (30/05/1989) Exported to Jakarta 16/03/1991
1.0 Mawenzi (26/10/1990) Sent to Tipperary 12/11/1992

With Fiona:

1.0 Manyara (10/12/1989) Sent to Tipperary 12/11/1992
1.0 Kahindi (04/09/1991) Died at Taronga 24/09/1992

With Twiga:

1.0 Unnamed (22/02/1991) Died at Taronga 25/02/1991
1.0 Unnamed (19/06/1992) Died at Taronga 22/06/1992

Nyota (born January 1992) and the non-surviving male calf born five months later were the last two giraffe calves born at Taronga Zoo.

 

[Abbey]

Yeah interesting. Thanks man.

Hey it looks like Toby originally had a companion Brazilian tapir at Taronga named Larry; Christin Mueller a former keeper at Taronga posted a great reminisce post on facebook on her work there including about a black rhino with foot-absecc, handraised giraffe Jerry, Kenny the Zebra and one of the snow leopards:

Larry & Toby

Christin Mueller's full post

source/link: Christin Mueller

This is all very fascinating, thank you for sharing and confirming Toby's roots. It appears that Brazilian tapir have been breeding in Australia for longer than we realised. I found a newspaper article which referenced the former Giant panda exhibit being turned into a display for tapir following the departure of the bicentennial pair and the date of Toby's arrival lines up nicely with that, as does his departure in regard to the redevelopment of that space for the arrival of the gorilla family in late 1996.

 

[Zoofan15]

This is all very fascinating, thank you for sharing and confirming Toby's roots. It appears that Brazilian tapir have been breeding in Australia for longer than we realised. I found a newspaper article which referenced the former Giant panda exhibit being turned into a display for tapir following the departure of the bicentennial pair and the date of Toby's arrival lines up nicely with that, as does his departure in regard to the redevelopment of that space for the arrival of the gorilla family in late 1996.

One of many things I like about Taronga is how many old exhibits are re-purposed for something else. There’s countless examples from Mary the gibbon’s island exhibit to the Orangutan Rainforest. While other exhibits e.g. the Chimpanzee Park have merely existed in their near original state for decades, remaining world class exhibits that have aged gracefully over time.

The first birth of a Brazilian tapir at Adelaide Zoo was in 1973 (a non-surviving calf that died within 24 hours), which may have been the first in the region unless Melbourne bred them earlier.

 

[Jambo]

One of many things I like about Taronga is how many old exhibits are re-purposed for something else. There’s countless examples from Mary the gibbon’s island exhibit to the Orangutan Rainforest. While other exhibits e.g. the Chimpanzee Park have merely existed in their near original state for decades, remaining world class exhibits that have aged gracefully over time.

The first birth of a Brazilian tapir at Adelaide Zoo was in 1973 (a non-surviving calf that died within 24 hours), which may have been the first in the region unless Melbourne bred them earlier.

Mary's island is currently home to the Cotton Top Tamarin troop. The former Orangutan enclosure was purposely built for them, and at periods held the chimp troop and now, Ring Tailed Lemurs.

In regards to the tapir, I also do wonder whether Melbourne had breed them much earlier than we initially theorised. Taronga holding two males is unusual and suggest there may have been some breeding elsewhere with these two males being sent to Taronga as surplus animals.

We know Toby was born at Adelaide, so I wonder whether Larry was too; and the pair were consequently siblings. We do know Melbourne's breeding pair went to Mogo and were still alive as of circa 2010 meaning they were born in the 70's at earliest.

 

[Zoofan15]

Mary's island is currently home to the Cotton Top Tamarin troop. The former Orangutan enclosure was purposely built for them, and at periods held the chimp troop and now, Ring Tailed Lemurs.

In regards to the tapir, I also do wonder whether Melbourne had breed them much earlier than we initially theorised. Taronga holding two males is unusual and suggest there may have been some breeding elsewhere with these two males being sent to Taronga as surplus animals.

We know Toby was born at Adelaide, so I wonder whether Larry was too; and the pair were consequently siblings. We do know Melbourne's breeding pair went to Mogo and were still alive as of circa 2010 meaning they were born in the 70's at earliest.

I enjoyed seeing both those exhibits at Taronga, with @steveroberts sharing the history of them with me on our visit. I’ve seen tamarins and Ring-tailed lemurs countless times, so the great attraction was the historic exhibits - especially the Orangutan Rainforest, being such an iconic exhibit - and state of the art when it opened just over 30 years ago.

Yes, Adelaide Zoo received a female Brazilian tapir from Melbourne Zoo in 1977 (who produced Toby in 1978). It’s entirely possible she was Melbourne bred.

Adelaide’s initial breeding pair (parents of the non-surviving 1973 calf) were from San Diego Zoo. The female died not long after her non-surviving calf was born and was replaced with the Melbourne female.

 

[steveroberts]

Mary's island is currently home to the Cotton Top Tamarin troop. The former Orangutan enclosure was purposely built for them, and at periods held the chimp troop and now, Ring Tailed Lemurs.

In regards to the tapir, I also do wonder whether Melbourne had breed them much earlier than we initially theorised. Taronga holding two males is unusual and suggest there may have been some breeding elsewhere with these two males being sent to Taronga as surplus animals.

We know Toby was born at Adelaide, so I wonder whether Larry was too; and the pair were consequently siblings. We do know Melbourne's breeding pair went to Mogo and were still alive as of circa 2010 meaning they were born in the 70's at earliest.

Oh @Zoofan15 knows Mary gibbon's old island is home to the cottontop tamarins now, we visited in November and saw them (pretty sure he kept tabs on happenings at Taronga too before then so knew). -

- & same with the ringtailed lemurs in the former orangutan exhibit (the Taronga zoo series from about 2011 shows the chimps moving back to their usual big exhibit, pretty sure many of us have seen that episode, one of Lubutu's male allies had to be euthanised due to poor health and Lubutu was getting challenged by the 'S brothers' a fair bit, very sweet how the keepers carried Lulu because of her advacing age - but digress).

You could be onto something Jambo with Larry the tapir. Wonder if he ended up moving to Mogo in early 1990s? (though Hix's photo in November 1990 implies Toby lived solo by then) will be interesting to try find out his relation to Toby or lack-there-of possibly besides companions for a time.

 

[Jambo]

Oh @Zoofan15 knows Mary gibbon's old island is home to the cottontop tamarins now, we visited in November and saw them (pretty sure he kept tabs on happenings at Taronga too before then so knew). -

- & same with the ringtailed lemurs in the former orangutan exhibit (the Taronga zoo series from about 2011 shows the chimps moving back to their usual big exhibit, pretty sure many of us have seen that episode, one of Lubutu's male allies had to be euthanised due to poor health and Lubutu was getting challenged by the 'S brothers' a fair bit, very sweet how the keepers carried Lulu because of her advacing age - but digress).

You could be onto something Jambo with Larry the tapir. Wonder if he ended up moving to Mogo in early 1990s? (though Hix's photo in November 1990 implies Toby lived solo by then) will be interesting to try find out his relation to Toby or lack-there-of possibly besides companions for a time.

I know Mogo ended up with Melbourne's former breeding pair and at least one of their offspring. They apparently had four tapir but I don't know whether the other Tapir they had was related ie. from Melbourne's group too. It's possible this could've been Larry!

Do we know when he left Taronga? Another possibility is he was sent to Adelaide as their male (meaning he didn't reside with Toby for long).

 

[Zoofan15]

Oh @Zoofan15 knows Mary gibbon's old island is home to the cottontop tamarins now, we visited in November and saw them (pretty sure he kept tabs on happenings at Taronga too before then so knew). -

- & same with the ringtailed lemurs in the former orangutan exhibit (the Taronga zoo series from about 2011 shows the chimps moving back to their usual big exhibit, pretty sure many of us have seen that episode, one of Lubutu's male allies had to be euthanised due to poor health and Lubutu was getting challenged by the 'S brothers' a fair bit, very sweet how the keepers carried Lulu because of her advacing age - but digress).

You could be onto something Jambo with Larry the tapir. Wonder if he ended up moving to Mogo in early 1990s? (though Hix's photo in November 1990 implies Toby lived solo by then) will be interesting to try find out his relation to Toby or lack-there-of possibly besides companions for a time.

Yes, it was a great shame that Chimbuka (Lubutu’s ally) was euthanised as he had a somewhat tragic backstory. His mother Chiki died during anaesthetic in 2001, orphaning him at the age of five years. Shona was nulliparous and took on the role of surrogate mother, which benefited her immensely as she was unable to have her own offspring.

Chimbuka was disadvantaged due to a lack of family support (his grandmother Bessie was elderly and was never high ranking; and Shona was low ranking); but nonetheless he found his niche supporting Lubutu against Shabani and Samaki.

The deaths of Bessie and Chimbuka in 2011 marked the end of this family line at Taronga, which dated back to Bessie’s arrival in 1954. It survives in the region via Chiki’s eldest daughter, Cara, at Wellington and her family - which includes her son Alexis and her grandson Akida. Alexis is the alpha male and will hopefully sire a second infant this year to Malika, who is now off contraception.

 

[steveroberts]

Yes, it was a great shame that Chimbuka (Lubutu’s ally) was euthanised as he had a somewhat tragic backstory. His mother Chiki died during anaesthetic in 2001, orphaning him at the age of five years. Shona was nulliparous and took on the role of surrogate mother, which benefited her immensely as she was unable to have her own offspring.

Chimbuka was disadvantaged due to a lack of family support (his grandmother Bessie was elderly and was never high ranking; and Shona was low ranking); but nonetheless he found his niche supporting Lubutu against Shabani and Samaki.

The deaths of Bessie and Chimbuka in 2011 marked the end of this family line at Taronga, which dated back to Bessie’s arrival in 1954. It survives in the region via Chiki’s eldest daughter, Cara, at Wellington and her family - which includes her son Alexis and her grandson Akida. Alexis is the alpha male and will hopefully sire a second infant this year to Malika, who is now off contraception.

Chimbuka sorry I last saw the episode when it aired 13-14 years ago. Thats sad he never had much family support, and sad that when he and Bessie died it ended their close to 60 years family prescence at Taronga, but glad their family line lives on at Wellington, hopefully more if Malika (beautiful name) falls pregnant via Alexis.

I know Mogo ended up with Melbourne's former breeding pair and at least one of their offspring. They apparently had four tapir but I don't know whether the other Tapir they had was related ie. from Melbourne's group too. It's possible this could've been Larry!

Do we know when he left Taronga? Another possibility is he was sent to Adelaide as their male (meaning he didn't reside with Toby for long).

Oh cool I missed the knowledge of Mogo's former tapirs being Melbourne's former breeding pair. No have zero evidence or confirmation that Larry left Taronga at the moment. Good theory about maybe he went to Adelaide.

Hey thought you both might find this interesting in relation to Mary the Mueller's gibbon's island. Would need @Hix's help with though - (I think Mary had a previous exhibit in south-west area of the zoo prior). In the doco' (tried to find copy of it but senior cameraman email replied saying doesnt have anymore and Channel 9 email replied doesnt have the tape in system anymore - advised contacting National Film, Sound and Archives Canberra for) - the doco' 'Orangutans on Stage' (1994) about their (Taronga's orangs' obvs') move to the 'Orangutan Rainforest' exhibit complex; had a brief side-story about how Mary's island for a very brief period around that time was inhabited by the zoo's squirrel monkeys; but they kept eating too many leaves or something like that - off of the tree on the island; so Mary was either returned to that exhibit or it became her new home from a former exhibit (dont know which of the latter two; narrator just said ''and so squirrel monkey island became/becomes gibbon island''). Apparently there was also brief discussion about whether the orangutans could co-habitate or time-share the new exhibit with gibbon(s), but the zoo's crab-eating macaques were chosen instead.