Taronga Zoo Recent history of Taronga and developments etc

[Zoofan15]

Found these photos of Duke and some of his cubs;

The Duke Has His Toenails Clipped -- Duke was looking sorrowful in... News Photo - Getty Images

Keeper Brian Adamson shows off Taronga's Zoo's newest tiger cubs for... News Photo - Getty Images

Duke definitely looks like a hybrid tiger. One possibility is that Wendy was a purebred (born circa 1962) and was a daughter of Max and Cija, surviving until 1978. That would explain why whatever purebreds the zoo supposedly had around the arrival of Nico/Meta failed to contribute to the population/breed with them.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks guys, cool to hear the info though. Its actually thanks to you Zoofan15 that we know that Taronga's Sumatran tiger story did not begin with Meta & Nico's Jan 1979 arrival from Rotterdam, was the beginning of a lineage that now stretches 45+ years, but the zoo had Sumatran tigers for 27 and a bit years prior to them with Cija & Max.

Heres some other videos found on youtube of the zoo back in the day
(the first one just below, was made clearly made for a children audience as the video intro itself states, but still very interesting from historical p.o.v)

The latter video just above from 1978, must admit already posted on here a while back (and just a heads up: the latter part of video is the family who filmed own family lives footage but the main part of is Taronga),it's fascinating seeing the lions and one of the tigers in the old pits and other cool animals like poor lonely Chori 0.1 the African elephant in her not-good enclosure, but historically interesting.

This is a much more recent one from about 11 or 12 years ago:

Thanks for sharing @steveroberts. It was especially good to see Chori’s exhibit as the African elephant exhibit received scarce coverage compared to the exhibit housing the Asian elephants - likely due to the ornate design of the elephant temple; the significantly larger population of Asian elephants; and the phase out of African elephants in 1979.

It’s shocking to see the chimpanzees dressed in clothes and like the tea parties, a reminder of how far welfare has come since then - progressing from tea parties to holding great apes in pairs; to exhibiting them in large naturalistic exhibits in social groupings reflective of their wild state.

 

[steveroberts]

...It’s shocking to see the chimpanzees dressed in clothes and like the tea parties, a reminder of how far welfare has come since then - progressing from tea parties to holding great apes in pairs; to exhibiting them in large naturalistic exhibits in social groupings reflective of their wild state.

Yeah 100% man, really true, so cringey to see in retrospect and was so wrong.

Theres this video too of the zoo from 1970 btw

(cool seeing Keith the Komodo' in this one too)

& newsreel 1966

& the zoo's dolphins 1969

the dolphins are in this wobbly 1968 footage the zoo too (is that an Asian black bear in one of the bear pits?)

 

[SugarPlumLucy]

Thanks for sharing @steveroberts. It was especially good to see Chori’s exhibit as the African elephant exhibit received scarce coverage compared to the exhibit housing the Asian elephants - likely due to the ornate design of the elephant temple; the significantly larger population of Asian elephants; and the phase out of African elephants in 1979.

It’s shocking to see the chimpanzees dressed in clothes and like the tea parties, a reminder of how far welfare has come since then - progressing from tea parties to holding great apes in pairs; to exhibiting them in large naturalistic exhibits in social groupings reflective of their wild state.

I have read somewhere that either Adelaide zoo or Melbourne zoo stopped the ape tea parties in the 40s or 50s because even the public found it weird even back then.

 

[steveroberts]

I have read somewhere that either Adelaide zoo or Melbourne zoo stopped the ape tea parties in the 40s or 50s because even the public found it weird even back then.

Great to hear that they both stopped them back then (Melbourne even stopped their elephant rides in 1960 or 1961 so another very good thing they stopped earlier on).

 

[Zoofan15]

I have read somewhere that either Adelaide zoo or Melbourne zoo stopped the ape tea parties in the 40s or 50s because even the public found it weird even back then.

Chimpanzee performances were undertaken at Taronga at least into the 60’s. One of Susie’s daughters (Lola, born 1964) was hand raised and used in public interactions.

Susie’s first four infants were all sent to circuses - Mary (1960) and Swappie (1962) were sent to the Great Moscow Circus in 1968; Lola (1964) was sent to Ridgeways Circus in 1971; and Val (1967) was sent to Silvers Circus in 1969.

Lulu’s first offspring Pongo (1969) was sent to Ridgeways Circus in 1972.

Taronga’s last transfer to a circus appears to be that of Sadie (1951), who was transferred to an unknown circus in 1976.

 

[Jambo]

Duke definitely looks like a hybrid tiger. One possibility is that Wendy was a purebred (born circa 1962) and was a daughter of Max and Cija, surviving until 1978. That would explain why whatever purebreds the zoo supposedly had around the arrival of Nico/Meta failed to contribute to the population/breed with them.

That makes sense. Duke looks like a Malayan, although it's difficult to say.

Duke and Wendy welcomed their first cubs in 1965, so Wendy would've had to have been born 1962 at earliest. It would make sense if she was an offspring of Max and Cija. 1962 would've been around the time Cija would've produced a litter (assuming she was still alive at that point).

By 1978, the two Sumatrans remaining would've probably been cubs of Duke and Wendy.

 

[Jambo]

I have read somewhere that either Adelaide zoo or Melbourne zoo stopped the ape tea parties in the 40s or 50s because even the public found it weird even back then.

It was probably Melbourne. I've found little mention of the tea parties occurring at Melbourne later than the 1930s/1940s. Back then the Orangutans apparently participated too.

I know Melbourne also used to hold 'monkey shows' where the monkeys would perform (effectively like a circus) for guests. This was obviously prior to the second world war, but I remember seeing very interesting footage of it on Youtube once.

 

[Zoofan15]

That makes sense. Duke looks like a Malayan, although it's difficult to say.

Duke and Wendy welcomed their first cubs in 1965, so Wendy would've had to have been born 1962 at earliest. It would make sense if she was an offspring of Max and Cija. 1962 would've been around the time Cija would've produced a litter (assuming she was still alive at that point).

By 1978, the two Sumatrans remaining would've probably been cubs of Duke and Wendy.

I’ve found a couple more articles:

Duke and Wendy welcomed their 14th cub - a female named A Yu in 1973. It was mentioned Duke and Wendy arrived at Taronga Zoo in 1962.

An article consisting of a single sentence from November 1, 1968 notes that six week old Sumatran tiger triplets were seen by the public for the first time the previous day.

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). Their first litter (non-surviving) was quadruplets born 13/11/1952. Cija would have been post-reproductive (and almost certainly deceased) by 1968; but the Sumatran tiger triplets born that year could well have been her grandchildren (and may have even been the pair that were still alive in 1978).

I will note that any research is complicated by the media/zoo’s tendency to report cubs as being purebred Sumatran tigers, when most of these have long been established to be generics.

 

[Zoofan15]

Really good point. And was a zoo that (love ya Taronga but) were displaying their lions they had established were subspecies hybrids as Asiatic/Asian lions istill n the 1990s.

Very true. Among the stranger claims I’ve come across in the media is that one of Taronga’s gorillas (George) was a Mountain gorilla. He died in 1977 and in 1986 went on display in the Australian Museum.

I visited the Australian Museum last year and they have a single gorilla on display (who I presume is George) and he’s signed as a Western gorilla (which is what all Taronga’s wild gorillas were to my knowledge).

 

[Jambo]

I’ve found a couple more articles:

Duke and Wendy welcomed their 14th cub - a female named A Yu in 1973. It was mentioned Duke and Wendy arrived at Taronga Zoo in 1962.

An article consisting of a single sentence from November 1, 1968 notes that six week old Sumatran tiger triplets were seen by the public for the first time the previous day.

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). Their first litter (non-surviving) was quadruplets born 13/11/1952. Cija would have been post-reproductive (and almost certainly deceased) by 1968; but the Sumatran tiger triplets born that year could well have been her grandchildren (and may have even been the pair that were still alive in 1978).

I will note that any research is complicated by the media/zoo’s tendency to report cubs as being purebred Sumatran tigers, when most of these have long been established to be generics.

The offspring born in 1968 were the first litter to parents, Sam and Sandra. Although apparently this was Sandra's second litter; indicating she may have conceived previously with another Taronga male, perhaps to Duke?

That's also interesting to hear Duke and Wendy were both imported from elsewhere. I guess it's possible both Max and Cija never produced surviving cubs and both passed circa 1962, hence the import of Duke and Wendy.

Duke and Wendy apparently produced a huge number of sixteen tigers at the very least! Most of which were likely distributed to other zoos/circuses regionally.

 

[Zoofan15]

The offspring born in 1968 were the first litter to parents, Sam and Sandra. Although apparently this was Sandra's second litter; indicating she may have conceived previously with another Taronga male, perhaps to Duke?

That's also interesting to hear Duke and Wendy were both imported from elsewhere. I guess it's possible both Max and Cija never produced surviving cubs and both passed circa 1962, hence the import of Duke and Wendy.

Duke and Wendy apparently produced a huge number of sixteen tigers at the very least! Most of which were likely distributed to other zoos/circuses regionally.

Taronga had a large number of tigers - the female cub born 1973 was noted to be their 11th tiger at the time. With tigers housed in the pit and in the Big Cat House, there’s countless possible permutations.

16 cubs is a lot - especially when you consider that 14 of those were born in eight years between 1965 (first litter) and 1973 (14th). I’ve found records during that time of cubs sent to circuses etc. and accounts of Duke and Wendy providing other zoos with cubs. Removing the cubs at a young age would bring the female back into season, so it’s easily possibly Wendy was having two litters a year (with up to four cubs per litter).

For comparison, Nico and Meta produced 19 cubs between 1980-1988. ten died as neonates; two died as juveniles; and seven survived to adulthood.

 

[Jambo]

Found this interesting PDF on Taronga's early days under Hallstrom;

http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/135/1352113480.pdf

 

[Jambo]

Found this interesting PDF on Taronga's early days under Hallstrom;

http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/135/1352113480.pdf

Key notes:

• The deaths of Fatima and Nero the Common Hippos in 1943 are mentioned. They passed in Winter 1943 alongside a Giraffe and a Rhino. Interestingly, no giraffes in the studbook are mentioned as passing around this time although High and his daughter Skye both passed the previous year (perhaps there was some confusion there?). All four of these deaths were attributed to the animals eating too much sand/gravel alongside their food.
• The great 'Expedition Africa' is also discussed in great detail. Notable species imported included; two African Elephants (one of which was a male named Dumbo who died the year of his arrival), three Black rhinos, four chimps, four Chacma Baboons, ten Cheetahs, five African Lions, two leopards, three zebras and a giraffe (would be breeding bull, Jan Smuts).
• There was also a large import from New Guinea in 1947; 118 Birds of Paradise, 13 Cassowaries and 18 Tree Kangaroos. In mid 1948 the zoo also received 40 Macaws and 80 Chilean Flamingos from South America. All of these animals were also distributed to other zoos regionally - Taronga's last Flamingo from this import passed in 2009.
• The zoo's Ape House (or Ape row) that held the Orangutans and Chimps was completed in 1949. It consisted of five 'exhibits' that opened up onto sleeping dens.
• Two hippos were donated by Hallstrom to the zoo in 1951; these apparently later became Taronga's two breeding females (Mumsy and Lindy).
• In the 1950's an array of animals also arrived from the USA in exchange for a lot of the native fauna and New Guinea animals the zoo had.
• In 1953 Taronga's giraffe breeding program kicked off with the birth of the first surviving calf, Hazel (1953-1981) who was born to Jan Smuts and Betty. Hazel mothered an incredible 11 calves, including Faye (1975-2004) who would consequently mother Hope (1983-2007) who mothered Nyota (1992-2020).
• That same year, Dizzie the hippo passed away. It's good to have a confirmation on his year of death and he apparently passed at an estimated age of 43 (assuming he arrived to the zoo as a five year old in 1915).
• In 1955, 53 Langurs were acquired from India to populate the huge Monkey pit near the zoo entrance. Unfortunately breeding never kicked off for some reason or another, and the population had dwindled to just a dozen a decade later.
• In 1959, 'Gorilla Villa' was opened near the zoos entrance to accommodate Taronga's first gorilla, George Kong. Visitor numbers sky rocketed, with almost a million people visiting Taronga within the year of his arrival.
• Two further gorilla infants arrived in August 1960, 'George' and 'Mary' and 'Buluman' and 'Annabelle' arrived in October 1961. The recently built Gibbon House was converted into a nursery for them and in 1963 extensions to the 'Gorilla Villa' with additional cages were completed.
• Two Black Rhino births in 1953 and 1960 were noted (a species Hallstrom was quite proud of).
• In the 60's a number of exchanges with the San Diego Zoo took place apart of their collaborative program. Taronga received Tigers, Giant Anteaters and Canadian Otters.
• The first stage of the Snake House (the old Reptile House) was completed in 1962, adjacent to the Gorilla Villa.
• An exhibit for the Canadian Otters was also built that same year, featuring an underwater viewing window. Perhaps one of the first in the world!
• Three pairs of tigers also arrived in 1962 from North America. Duke and Wendy were obviously one of them as we know - and Sam presumably was one half of a pair too.
• Five long, sloping enclosures all adjacent were constructed for them with barred viewing at each end. These were presumably the enclosures at the South Eastern End of the zoo. The enclosures were notoriously concrete (a notable Hallstrom feature).
• It's also interesting to see Hallstrom at one point considered Whales in the 1960's for Taronga's seal pond. In the end, he went with dolphins which all ultimately didn't last long (as was the norm at the time globally).

 

[Zoofan15]

Key notes:

• The deaths of Fatima and Nero the Common Hippos in 1943 are mentioned. They passed in Winter 1943 alongside a Giraffe and a Rhino. Interestingly, no giraffes in the studbook are mentioned as passing around this time although High and his daughter Skye both passed the previous year (perhaps there was some confusion there?). All four of these deaths were attributed to the animals eating too much sand/gravel alongside their food.
• The great 'Expedition Africa' is also discussed in great detail. Notable species imported included; two African Elephants (one of which was a male named Dumbo who died the year of his arrival), three Black rhinos, four chimps, four Chacma Baboons, ten Cheetahs, five African Lions, two leopards, three zebras and a giraffe (breeding bull, Jan Smuts).
• There was also a large import from New Guinea in 1947; 118 Birds of Paradise, 13 Cassowaries and 18 Tree Kangaroos. In mid 1948 the zoo also received 40 Macaws and 80 Chilean Flamingos from South America. All of these animals were also distributed to other zoos regionally - Taronga's last Flamingo from this import passed in 2009.
• The zoo's Ape House (or Ape row) that held the Orangutans and Chimps was completed in 1949. It consisted of five 'exhibits' that opened up onto sleeping dens.
• Two hippos were donated by Hallstrom to the zoo in 1951; these apparently later being Taronga's two breeding females.
• In the 1950's an array of animals also arrived from the USA in exchange for a lot of the native fauna and New Guinea animals the zoo had.
• In 1953 Taronga's giraffe breeding program kicked off with the birth of the first surviving calf, Hazel (1953-1981) who was born to Jan Smuts and Betty. Hazel mothered an incredible 11 calves, including Faye (1975-2004) who would consequently mother Hope (1983-2007) who mothered Nyota (1992-2022).
• That same year, Dizzie the hippo passed away. It's good to have a confirmation on his year of death and he passed at an estimated age of 43 (assuming he arrived to the zoo as a five year old in 1915).
• In 1955 53 Langurs were acquired from India to populate the huge Monkey pit near the zoo entrance. Unfortunately breeding never kicked off for some reason or another, and the population had dwindled to just a dozen a decade later.
• In 1959, 'Gorilla Villa' was opened near the zoos entrance to accommodate Taronga's first gorilla, George Kong. Visitor numbers sky rocketed, with almost a million people visiting Taronga within the year of his arrival.
• Two further gorilla infants arrived in August 1960, 'George' and 'Mary' and 'Buluman' and 'Annabelle' arrived in October 1961. The recently built Gibbon House was converted into a nursery for them and in 1963 extensions to the 'Gorilla Villa' with additional cages were completed.
• Two Black Rhino births in 1953 and 1960 were noted (a species Hallstrom was quite proud of).
• In the 60's a number of exchanges with the San Diego Zoo took place apart of their collaborative program. Taronga received Tigers, Giant Anteaters and Canadian Otters.
• The first stage of the Snake House (the old Reptile House) was completed in 1962, adjacent to the Gorilla Villa.
• An exhibit for the Canadian Otters was also built that same year, featuring an underwater viewing window. Perhaps one of the first in the world!
• Three pairs of tigers also arrived in 1962 from North America. Duke and Wendy were obviously one of them as we know - and Sam presumably was one half of a pair too.
• Five long, sloping enclosures all adjacent were constructed for them with barred viewing at each end. These were presumably the enclosures at the South Eastern End of the zoo. The enclosures were notoriously concrete (a notable Hallstrom feature).
• It's also interesting to see Hallstrom at one point considered Whales in the 1960's for Taronga's seal pond. In the end, he went with dolphins which all ultimately didn't last long (as was the norm at the time globally).

Great article. This was really interesting to read through.

It was interesting to note there was a staff member with the surname ‘Finnie’, who was clearly the inspiration behind the naming of a bull giraffe calf ‘Finnie’ in April 1975, who was transferred to Melbourne Zoo the following year. Wellington Zoo’s orginal breeding bull giraffe (Ricky) was born at Taronga Zoo in 1987 and named after the photographer Rick Stevens.

It was shocking to hear the number of langurs rescued to just 12 within the decade despite the size of the original import. London Zoo observed a similar trend with the acquisition of a large troop of Hamadryas baboons (with the decimation of numbers attributed to the gender imbalance). The reasons for decline in Taronga’s numbers could be due to a range of reasons - disease would run rampant in a high population density exhibit as one of many examples.

Not that there was any doubt in my mind prior, but it’s fair to say from reading this article that no single person has exerted a greater influence on Taronga Zoo throughout its history than Sir Edward Hallstrom. His generosity was simply unparalleled.

 

[steveroberts]

Key notes:

• The deaths of Fatima and Nero the Common Hippos in 1943 are mentioned. They passed in Winter 1943 alongside a Giraffe and a Rhino. Interestingly, no giraffes in the studbook are mentioned as passing around this time although High and his daughter Skye both passed the previous year (perhaps there was some confusion there?). All four of these deaths were attributed to the animals eating too much sand/gravel alongside their food.
• The great 'Expedition Africa' is also discussed in great detail. Notable species imported included; two African Elephants (one of which was a male named Dumbo who died the year of his arrival), three Black rhinos, four chimps, four Chacma Baboons, ten Cheetahs, five African Lions, two leopards, three zebras and a giraffe (would be breeding bull, Jan Smuts).
• There was also a large import from New Guinea in 1947; 118 Birds of Paradise, 13 Cassowaries and 18 Tree Kangaroos. In mid 1948 the zoo also received 40 Macaws and 80 Chilean Flamingos from South America. All of these animals were also distributed to other zoos regionally - Taronga's last Flamingo from this import passed in 2009.
• The zoo's Ape House (or Ape row) that held the Orangutans and Chimps was completed in 1949. It consisted of five 'exhibits' that opened up onto sleeping dens.
• Two hippos were donated by Hallstrom to the zoo in 1951; these apparently later became Taronga's two breeding females (Mumsy and Lindy).
• In the 1950's an array of animals also arrived from the USA in exchange for a lot of the native fauna and New Guinea animals the zoo had.
• In 1953 Taronga's giraffe breeding program kicked off with the birth of the first surviving calf, Hazel (1953-1981) who was born to Jan Smuts and Betty. Hazel mothered an incredible 11 calves, including Faye (1975-2004) who would consequently mother Hope (1983-2007) who mothered Nyota (1992-2020).
• That same year, Dizzie the hippo passed away. It's good to have a confirmation on his year of death and he apparently passed at an estimated age of 43 (assuming he arrived to the zoo as a five year old in 1915).
• In 1955, 53 Langurs were acquired from India to populate the huge Monkey pit near the zoo entrance. Unfortunately breeding never kicked off for some reason or another, and the population had dwindled to just a dozen a decade later.
• In 1959, 'Gorilla Villa' was opened near the zoos entrance to accommodate Taronga's first gorilla, George Kong. Visitor numbers sky rocketed, with almost a million people visiting Taronga within the year of his arrival.
• Two further gorilla infants arrived in August 1960, 'George' and 'Mary' and 'Buluman' and 'Annabelle' arrived in October 1961. The recently built Gibbon House was converted into a nursery for them and in 1963 extensions to the 'Gorilla Villa' with additional cages were completed.
• Two Black Rhino births in 1953 and 1960 were noted (a species Hallstrom was quite proud of).
• In the 60's a number of exchanges with the San Diego Zoo took place apart of their collaborative program. Taronga received Tigers, Giant Anteaters and Canadian Otters.
• The first stage of the Snake House (the old Reptile House) was completed in 1962, adjacent to the Gorilla Villa.
• An exhibit for the Canadian Otters was also built that same year, featuring an underwater viewing window. Perhaps one of the first in the world!
• Three pairs of tigers also arrived in 1962 from North America. Duke and Wendy were obviously one of them as we know - and Sam presumably was one half of a pair too.
• Five long, sloping enclosures all adjacent were constructed for them with barred viewing at each end. These were presumably the enclosures at the South Eastern End of the zoo. The enclosures were notoriously concrete (a notable Hallstrom feature).
• It's also interesting to see Hallstrom at one point considered Whales in the 1960's for Taronga's seal pond. In the end, he went with dolphins which all ultimately didn't last long (as was the norm at the time globally).

Really really good article find Jambo, only just started reading it, but read your summary about and wow its a fascinating and super informative paper. So glad you found it and shared.

 

[steveroberts]

Thanks to email reply from another nice staff member at the zoo, got some dates was curious about with Mr & Mrs B the binturongs (was personally always very fond of them, 9th bday present was to sponsor them so parents did for me).

Mr & Mrs B arrived at the zoo 1 July 1993 from Malaysia (believe Mrs B was born c1988 and Mr B was born c1990). Mrs B passed away at the zoo on the 2 August 2005 and Mr B shortly after her on the 7 October 2005.

Additionally asked about Natasha the Indian crested porcupine. She arrived at the zoo on the 16 February 2005 and passed away on 13 February 2008, three days shy of having lived at Taronga for three years (well no-one needed me to point out that maths lol, just thinking 'out loud' in writing).

 

[Jambo]

Thanks to email reply from another nice staff member at the zoo, got some dates was curious about with Mr & Mrs B the binturongs (was personally always very fond of them, 9th bday present was to sponsor them so parents did for me).

Mr & Mrs B arrived at the zoo 1 July 1993 from Malaysia (believe Mrs B was born c1988 and Mr B was born c1990). Mrs B passed away at the zoo on the 2 August 2005 and Mr B shortly after her on the 7 October 2005.

Additionally asked about Natasha the Indian crested porcupine. She arrived at the zoo on the 16 February 2005 and passed away on 13 February 2008, three days shy of having lived at Taronga for three years (well no-one needed me to point out that maths lol, just thinking 'out loud' in writing).

Thanks for this info. That makes sense considering the next pair (Emas and Pepper) arrived from the Singapore Zoo that same year. Taronga apparently also held Binturongs for fifty years prior to the first birth so it would be interesting to see how many individuals they had prior to the arrivals of Mr and Mrs B.

 

[Zoofan15]

De Brazza’s Monkey Twins (1993)

In 1993, Taronga Zoo welcomed De Brazza’s monkey twins, the first twins of their species born in Australia. This article mentions their birth brought the zoo’s troop to seven monkeys:

Cameroon the De Brazza Guenon monkey has her hands full with her newborn twins - the first twins of their species born in captivity in Australia. The latest additions to Cameroon's family, born on April 23, join their siblings, Camulla and Kenya, their aunt, Binti, and their father, Sophocles, at Taronga Zoo. The twins have yet to be named because keepers haven't been able to get close enough to determine their sex.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald (May 14, 1993)

A follow up article notes a naming competition drew 171 entries, with the winning names ‘Habari’ and ‘Rafiki’ chosen by Taronga’s supervisor of exotic mammals.

It was exciting to hear of this species return to Australia in 2023. I hope a sustainable population of this species can one day be established in the region. They would be an ideal replacement for Vervet monkey at Werribee.

 

[Zoofan15]

Great find man. They would of been so cute to see Habari & Rafiki with Cameroon and the rest of their family back then (dont have any personal memory of seeing baby De Brazzas sadly, they were over a year old when first visited Taronga and didnt actually see the De Brazzas family in their monkey pit exhibit on first visit was following year on another visit first saw them and were favourite monkeys at the zoo followed by the spider monkeys). Really appreciate you finding the info about them and the rest of the family because of their mention in the article too (Rafiki was given what was shortly after to become a worldwide known name courtesay of LK lol).

Really wish Taronga would consider having a De Brazzas' family at their zoo again in the near future.

A couple more pieces of info I found on Taronga’s De Brazza’s:

A pair were imported from Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago on 03/12/1977. They produced their first offspring (a female) on 12/01/1979, who was the first of her species born at Taronga Zoo.

Taronga Zoo had six De Brazza’s in 1998.